The Hard Skills

What happens when diplomacy becomes avoidance and truth-telling becomes backlash? In this raw solo episode, Dr. Mira Brancu shares two very real, very different stories that led her to rethink how—and when—we speak up. If you've ever struggled to find the right words at the right time (or said nothing at all), this one’s for you.In this candid and timely episode, Dr. Mira Brancu explores the complex dance between truth-telling and diplomacy in leadership and team dynamics. Prompted by a last-minute guest cancellation—and an emergency surgery of her own—Mira contrasts two real-life situations that raise important questions about responsibility, trust, and communication. She reflects on her personal journey from being celebrated for diplomacy to realizing its limits when it comes to confronting dysfunction. Drawing on research, client stories, and her own leadership path, Mira offers a framework for knowing when and how to speak up, including practical tools, reflection prompts, and sentence starters for navigating hard conversations without causing harm—or staying silent. Whether you lead teams or work within one, this episode helps you build the courage and skill to surface truth with clarity, care, and impact.Dr. Mira Brancu, host of The Hard Skills, is a consulting and coaching psychologist who specializes in leadership identity development and building adaptive, high-performing teams. She is also an Associate Professor at Duke University, author of the Millennials Guide to Workplace Politics and companion workbook, and a Psychology Today columnist. Some of her specialties include working with leadership “misfits,” politics, upheaval, and transitions. Her award-winning social impact firm, Towerscope, empowers and elevates leaders and teams within disrupted and complex learning and innovation industries. www.gotowerscope.com#TruthTellingWithCare #DiplomaticLeadership #SpeakUpSkillfully #LeadershipDevelopment #TheHardSkillsTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

What are the common elements required to lead when you work with global or international teams? Because leadership is a social construct, it is influenced by social norms that drive how we define what a leader is, what characteristics we expect of them, and how we expect them to appear. However, there is one common element: all leaders must create a thriving environment for employees and by nature, there are some common elements across cultures that humans have. If you understand those, you can serve as a leader across many cultures. What are some essential human skills of leading across cultures? Why are human aspects important in the workplace and particularly in leadership? We'll explore these and more with our guest on this episode. ***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Thomas Gelmi has been a trusted advisor to leaders and their teams for more than two decades. His programs, which have attracted roughly 10,000 participants from nearly 90 countries, reflect his adaptability and appeal across cultures and industries. Thomas works in four languages and his clients range from global corporations to SMEs and private individuals worldwide. Thomas draws on an extraordinary biography with exciting milestones, such as his many years as a Maître de Cabine, leading cabin crew at Swissair, and eight years as operations manager of an international leadership development company. In addition to his extensive professional experience, he also gathered years of experience as a trained caregiver, providing psychological assistance to victims in crises, accidents, and other extreme situations. Since 2020, Thomas Gelmi has been a member of the prestigious Forbes Coach Council, an invitation-onlycommunity of leading business coaches whose members are selected based on their extensive and diverse experience. He is a long-term member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), whose values and quality standards guide his work. Thomas Gelmi lives near Zurich, Switzerland.***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE:www.gotowerscope.comhttps://gelmi.coach/en/who-is-thomas-gelmi#GlobalLeadership #InternationalLeadership #TheHardSkillsTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

Stress and burnout are rampant in today's incredibly uncertain and constantly changing business landscape. How can leaders protect themselves and continue to thrive in the face of adversity? In this episode, you will learn the Endurance Leader four-part framework to help you build your mental, physical, and interpersonal longevity, and get practical tips to help you embed these philosophies and practices into your leadership approach. Leaders often face overwhelming demands in fast-paced environments. As a consultant and coach, Dr. Ann Bowers-Evangelista noticed a recurring pattern: leaders struggling to sustain their energy and purpose while navigating relentless pressure. Yet, they need to stay motivated, inspired, and productive in their leadership, becuse this has a trickle-down effect on their teams. Her Endurance Leader framework offers a way to strategically plan for sustainable success by blendiung resilience, self-awareness, and long-term strategies to help leaders thrive without compromising their well-being. She will share how to develop and implement this plan, prepare to face inevitable obstacles, and remain focused, adaptable, and resilient to drive meaningful results over time.  ***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Dr. Ann Bowers-Evangelista is a master leadership psychologist, with almost 30 years of consulting and coaching with organizations of all sizes and complexities. As a clinical psychologist with an MBA and also an Ironman triathlete, Ann brings her range of expertise to help her clients develop more satisfying, meaningful, and productive leadership. Her first book, The Endurance Leader (released last November) leverages the principles of endurance athletes to help leaders develop a long-term approach to leadership. She is the founder and President of Llumos, LLC and The Endurance Leader, LLC. ***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE:https://www.llumos.comhttps://www.theenduranceleader.comwww.gotowerscope.com#theenduranceleader#leadershipignited#mission#mentaltoughness#pacing#TheHardSkillsTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

How can we address and recover from crisis? We must first learn to spot it well before it gets out of hand, then have the right resources to recover.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:Recognizing that crisis can happen at any time and preparing for it is a sign of sophisticated leadership. In this episode you will learn:- The most common types of crises to land on the doorsteps of leaders -- and how to spot and mitigate them, - The role effective leaders play in connecting employees, clients, and stakeholders in a crisis, - The vital importance of creating a crisis readiness program that permeates the entire corporate culture. ***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Stephanie Craig has built her reputation as a crisis expert by guiding some of the world’s most prominent people and organizations through their most trying moments. Combining her deep experience in politics, media and business, she mitigates crises, repairs reputations and inoculates against future reputation damage. In her career, Stephanie has guided media organizations, Fortune 50 tech companies and members of the House and Senate in the United States and Canada through some of their most trying days. She sharpened her crisis skills on several campaigns including three presidentials. She is a battleground specialist and likely the only person to have worked in both houses on Capitol Hill and Parliament Hill. Stephanie has counted former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the mayor of the nation’s 10th largest city and some of the most notable global brands as clients. When not handling crises, Stephanie supports causes she cares about by helping to establish the groundbreaking group — I Am ALS and chairing the Force to End Harassment in Advocacy as an effort during the #Metoo movement.***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE:www.gotowerscope.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/craigstephanie/https://kith.cohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/craigstephanie/https://kith.co#CrisisManagement #TheHardSkills #Leadership

How can we create healthy workplaces? Sometimes the best way to learn is through other people's stories about how they navigated organizational culture, structures, and leadership approaches that inspire safer and more creative workplaces.WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:In her book, What Your Comfort Costs Us, Dr. Gabriela Alcalde uses storytelling to invite us to learn about the experiences of women of color leaders in the workplace and how they are shifting workplace cultures to benefit everyone. We'll discuss leadership, power, and reimagining workplaces that could work for all. ***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Born in Lima, Peru, Dr. Alcalde is a creative, anti-supremacist leader with experience in the philanthropic, academic, governmental, nonprofit, and grassroots sectors. She writes and speaks locally, nationally, and internationally about shifting the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, culture change, racial justice, and leadership of women of color. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Louisville, a master’s in public health from Boston University, and a doctorate in global public health from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. What Your Comfort Costs Us is her first book.***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE:www.mgalcalde.com  https://linktr.ee/mgalcaldewww.gotowerscope.com#yourcomfortcosts #culturechange #workplace #leadership #TheHardSkills

Providing performance feedback is one of the most challenging tasks leaders face. Feedback often sparks frustration and fear for both leaders and their teams. Why? Because there is a disconnect between what leaders think they are communicating and what employees receive. It's rooted in neuroscience and psychology research that we don't always apply effectively in the moment. EPISODE SUMMARY:WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:There are a lot of moving parts to provide effective feedback, including the content, valence, purpose of the message, the feedback recipient's characteristics, and the feedback provider's characteristics. In their new book, Performance Feedback Strategies, published by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), Drs. Nowack and Mashihi introduce a model of performance feedback coaching for leaders with structured exercises, techniques, and tips to help leaders become better performance coaches. After over a decade spent developing, testing, and refining their model with leaders around the world, they are now ready to share their four-part Performance Feedback Coaching Model, based on research in neuroscience and psychology, to help us all become better at providing performance feedback that is received well and translates into real behavior change. ***ABOUT OUR GUESTS:Dr. Kenneth M. Nowack is a licensed psychologist and Senior Research Officer of Envisia Learning, Inc., a global consultancy specializing in assessments and technology platforms. He serves on Daniel Goleman’s Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations and recently served as Editor for the Consulting Psychology Journal. He is also a Fellow of the American Psychological Association through Division 13 (Society of Consulting Psychology).Sandra Mashihi, PhD is an organizational psychologist and executive coach with over 20 years of experience helping leaders and teams thrive through customized leadership development solutions. As the founder of Spectra Coaching, she works with executives, emerging leaders, and organizations to unlock leadership potential, enhance team dynamics, and drive measurable change. She was previously an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School and Director of Coaching Services at Envisia Learning.***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE:www.gotowerscope.comwww.envisialearning.comwww.linkedin.com/in/kennethnowackwww.spectracoaching.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sandramashihi/https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Feedback-Strategies-Successful-Behavior/dp/1957157860www.envisialearning.comwww.linkedin.com/in/kennethnowackwww.spectracoaching.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sandramashihi/https://www.td.org/product/book--performance-feedback-strategies/112504https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Feedback-Strategies-Successful-Behavior/dp/1957157860#Feedback #360DegreeFeedback #leadership #PerformanceFeedback #LeadershipSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #TheHardSkills

Joining the discussion is Dr. Brian Underhill, Founder and CEO of CoachSource and an authority in executive coaching. He unveils seven critical leadership mistakes identified from 1,000 coaches, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and diverse perspectives. The conversation covers how leaders misjudge trends and often neglect the toxic legacies they leave behind. It also explores effective communication and meeting management as essential skills for fostering inclusive environments. Dr. Underhill shares profound insights that could reshape leadership approaches today.

Ever feel like workplace politics favors extroverts? Learn three powerful strategies that turn thoughtful leadership into a strategic advantage—and why careful observation beats being the loudest voice in the room. In this episode you will learn three powerful strategies that turn thoughtful leadership into a strategic advantage—and why careful observation beats being the loudest voice in the room.EPISODE SUMMARY:WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:Ever feel like workplace politics favors extroverts? In this episode, you'll learn why introverted leaders (or leaders who prefer introversion) often hold untapped advantages in navigating complex organizational dynamics. Drawing from 20 years of negotiation expertise––and as an introvert herself––Cynthia Pong, JD, shares three practical strategies for building influence authentically while reframing how we think about power dynamics in the workplace. Whether you're leading teams, navigating matrixed organizations, or building cross-functional relationships, introverts and extroverts alike will discover how to leverage their natural strengths to shape outcomes and advance organizational goals—without compromising their values or contorting their personality.***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Cynthia Pong, JD, brings 20 years of negotiation expertise and strategic leadership advising to her work as an executive coach. A Forbes Contributor on Leadership Strategy and LinkedIn Top Voice, her insights on power, influence, and workplace dynamics have been featured in Harvard Business Review, The Atlantic, and major networks. A former public defender, she earned her law degree from NYU and graduated from Brown University with a degree in Ethnic Studies. Her Anthem Award-winning Leadership Accelerator program equips leaders to navigate complex organizational politics while staying authentic, with graduates securing prestigious fellowships at the White House, Harvard, and Stanford. She is the author of Don't Stay in Your Lane: The Career Change Guide for Women of Color.***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE:www.gotowerscope.comhttps://linkedin.com/in/embracechangenyc/https://www.forbes.com/sites/cynthiapong/ https://www.youtube.com/embracechangenychttps://instagram.com/embracechangenyc/   https://facebook.com/cynthia.pong.7https://tiktok.com/@embracechangenyc https://www.embracechange.nyc/https://www.embracechange.nyc/bookTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

We want leaders to do the right thing when tested, and we want and believe we will rise to the challenge when the moment presents itself. But the current way we learn how to act ethically in those critical moments doesn't always translate or cause us to think we can do it effectively and confidently. Why not? How can we better prepare ourselves and our leaders when the moment arises? This is that episode. Giving Voice to Values (GVV) is an innovative approach to values-driven leadership development in business education and the workplace. Drawing on actual experience and scholarship, GVV fills a long-standing critical gap in the development of values-centered leaders. It's not about persuading people to be more ethical. Rather GVV starts from the premise that most of us already want to act on our values, but that we also want to feel that we have a reasonable chance of doing so effectively and successfully. In this episode we'll explore how to raise those odds.***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Mary C. Gentile, PhD,  is Creator and Director of Giving Voice to Values (www.GivingVoiceToValuesTheBook.com), launched with The Aspen Institute and Yale School of Management and hosted at Babson College for 6 years, now based at UVA-Darden. This values-driven leadership curriculum has been piloted and/or presented in over 1,500 sites globally and has been featured in Financial Times, Harvard Business Review, Stanford Social Innovation Review, McKinsey Quarterly, etc. Gentile is a consultant, speaker and author on GVV. She was formerly the Richard M. Waitzer Bicentennial Professor of Ethics at UVA Darden  (2016-2022) and was previously at Harvard Business School (1985-95) and Babson College (2009—2015). She holds a B.A. from The College of William and Mary and Ph.D. from State University of New York-Buffalo.Gentile's publications include: Giving Voice to Values: How To Speak Your Mind When You Know What's Right; Can Ethics Be Taught? Perspectives, Challenges, and Approaches at Harvard Business School (with Thomas Piper & Sharon Parks); Differences That Work: Organizational Excellence through Diversity; Managerial Excellence Through Diversity: Text and Cases, as well as cases and articles in Harvard Business Review, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Academy of Management Learning and Education, Risk Management, CFO, BizEd, Strategy+Business, and others. Gentile was Content Expert for the award-winning CD-ROM, Managing Across Differences (Harvard Business School Publishing). ***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE:www.gotowerscope.comwww.GivingVoiceToValuesTheBook.com#GivingVoicetoValues, #TheHardSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #LeadershipValues #ValuesDrivenLeadershipTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc

What if I told you there is one simple solution to have fewer and shorter meetings at work, increase the effectiveness of teams and organizations, and reduce conflict? It's deeper listening and we'll be exploring how to do that on this episode. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:In this episode you will learn the four biggest listening barriers in the workplace, the 5 levels of deep listening, and the three most practical tips to improving listening in the workplace.***ABOUT OUR GUEST:Oscar Trimboli is an award-winning author, host of the Apple award-winning podcast Deep Listening and a sought-after keynote speaker. His third book is How to Listen: Discover the Hidden Key to Better Communication – the most comprehensive book about listening in the workplace. Along with the Deep Listening Ambassador Community, he is on a quest to create 100 million deep listeners in the workplace. Through his work with chairs, boards of directors, and executive teams, Oscar has experienced first-hand the transformational impact leaders can have when they listen beyond words.***IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR?We do not receive any funding or sponsorship for this podcast. If you learned something and feel others could also benefit, please leave a positive review. Every review helps amplify our work and visibility. This is especially helpful for small women-owned boot-strapped businesses. Simply go to the bottom of the Apple Podcast page to enter a review. Thank you!***LINKS MENTIONED IN EPISODE:www.gotowerscope.comhttps://www.oscartrimboli.com/howtolisten/https://www.linkedin.com/in/oscartrimboli/#DeepListening #TheHardSkills #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamDevelopmentTune in for this empowering conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.