

Social Skills Mastery
Susan Callender
The Social Skills Mastery Podcast is where High-Performance Social Confidence Coach and Corporate Trainer, Susan Callender helps professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs stand out in competitive and often high-stakes situations, by raising social capital and using the power of polished people skills to make an impact. Weekly content encompasses what to do, what to say, how to maneuver tricky situations and get it right the first time.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 30, 2025 • 29min
233. Why the Hardest Worker in Your Office Will Never Be CEO
In episode #233, we take a look at the truth about why technically brilliant professionals get stuck while less talented colleagues zoom past them—and shares the exact social strategy that changes everything. The Shocking Truth: Harvard research reveals that job performance accounts for only 10% of career advancement decisions. The other 90%? It's all about relationships, visibility, and influence—your "social strategy." The 3-Part Career Advancement Framework: Part 1: Get Your Image Game On Point Conduct a "perception audit" to identify the gap between your actual brilliance and how others see you Master strategic storytelling to communicate impact, not just activities Transform from "the data person" to "the strategic business thinker" Part 2: Become Strategically Visible (Without Feeling Gross) Find your career champions through value-first relationship building Go after high-impact projects using "strategic volunteering" Master executive micro-interactions that build your reputation Part 3: Build Influence That Actually Inspires Invest in relationships that create upward spirals of success Develop executive presence through social skills, not title Master strategic likeability and persuasion that feels good to everyone Your "Get Ahead" Action Plan: 1. Get real about where you stand through honest feedback conversations 2. Pick your power focus area for maximum impact 3. Map your strategic relationships 4. Become a communication strategist 5. Create consistency systems that compound over time The Bottom Line: Stop believing the "meritocracy fairy tale"—your career advancement is a people game, not just a performance game. Learn to play it authentically and watch your opportunities explode. Resources: Social Confidence Breakthrough Video Series: SocialConfidencePro.com/breakthrough The School of Social Mastery: SocialConfidencePro.com/mastery Time to make your brilliance as visible as it is real! ** Don't even know where to begin in improving your interpersonal skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Free Guide: The Social Skills Playbook Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

May 22, 2025 • 25min
232. Resistance Revealed: The Reason You Don't Speak Up, Show Up, or Step Up
In episode #232 we explore how resistance is the invisible force keeping you from social confidence and authentic self-expression. What You'll Learn: How resistance shows up specifically in social situations and career advancement The completion exercise: "I'll do anything to prove I'm socially confident, except (______)" Why resistance gets stronger the closer you get to breakthrough moments The difference between resistance and legitimate concerns about social situations How perfectionism, comparison, and analysis paralysis are disguised forms of resistance Your Action Plan: Identify one small action to take this week, expect resistance to show up, take action anyway, and notice how you feel afterward. ** Don't even know where to begin in improving your interpersonal skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Free Guide: The Social Skills Playbook Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

May 16, 2025 • 23min
231. The Hidden Cost of Skipping Happy Hour: Why Face Time Matters More Than You Think
In this eye-opening episode, we'll look at how taking a pass on after-work social events could be costing you money, missed opportunities, new business, and promotions. What You'll Learn: The psychological principles that make face time so powerful for career advancement Why remote workers need to be even more intentional about creating social connection opportunities Practical strategies for non-drinkers and introverts to navigate workplace social events ** Don't even know where to begin in improving your interpersonal skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Free Guide: The Social Skills Playbook Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

May 12, 2025 • 3min
BONUS: Special Invite - The Meant for More Masterclass
Meant for More Masterclass Registration Link: Join Today!

May 9, 2025 • 26min
230. From Stagnation to Momentum: Mastering the Social Side of Career Advancement
It can be frustrating watching others advance while feeling stuck in your career. Today we reveal how social skills and confidence play a much bigger role in professional advancement than most people realize. What You'll Learn: The four hidden reasons professionals get stuck in their careers Why technical skills might get you hired, but social skills get you promoted How losing your passion affects your social presence at work Why comfort zones create "social atrophy" that limits your visibility The misconception that career success requires sacrificing work-life balance Key Takeaways: Career plateaus are often more about social dynamics than technical capabilities Small, consistent actions compound over time to create professional momentum How you communicate your value matters as much as the value you create Breaking through requires both internal clarity and external visibility Resources Mentioned: Social Confidence Breakthrough Video Series: SocialConfidencePro.com/breakthrough The School of Social Mastery: SocialConfidencePro.com/mastery Take the first step to breaking through your career plateau by identifying which of the five framework steps resonates most with your situation, then commit to one small action this week. ** Don't even know where to begin in improving your interpersonal skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Free Guide: The Social Skills Playbook Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

11 snips
May 2, 2025 • 22min
229. Beyond 'What Do You Do?': Social Questions That Make You Unforgettable at Any Business Event
Ever walked into a networking event and immediately felt your confident professional persona dissolve into awkwardness? In this episode, we tackle the art of conversation at business socials and reveal how accomplished professionals can transform these dreaded events into genuinely enjoyable—and valuable—experiences. What You'll Learn: Why "What do you do?" is the conversation killer you need to eliminate from your repertoire The psychology behind why social settings feel more challenging than structured work environments A simple approach to breaking the ice that feels generous rather than awkward The perfect balance between asking questions and sharing about yourself Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur who dreads industry mixers or a corporate professional who gets tongue-tied at company events, this episode provides immediately applicable techniques to showcase your authentic self in any social business setting. Resources Mentioned: Free download: "The Ultimate List of Conversation Starters" Get on The School of Social Mastery Priority Access List ** Don't even know where to begin in improving your interpersonal skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Free Guide: The Social Skills Playbook Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

Apr 25, 2025 • 21min
228. The Hidden Cost of Hesitation: Why Successful Professionals Need to Act Now
In episode #228, we tackle the uncomfortable truth about why smart, accomplished professionals hold themselves back socially—and the far-reaching consequences of this hesitation. If you've been telling yourself that your social skills are "just how you are" or that it's "too late to change," this episode will challenge those beliefs and offer a clear path forward. This episode is for high-achieving professionals and business owners who know they could have greater impact if only they could overcome their social hesitation. Learn why waiting isn't an option and how taking action now creates positive ripple effects across all areas of your life. ** Don't even know where to begin in improving your social skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Free Guide: The Social Skills Playbook Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

Apr 17, 2025 • 25min
227. Why That School Play Moment Still Haunts Your Executive Presence (And How to Fix It)
In this episode, we explore how those seemingly small social moments from childhood continue to shape your professional behavior decades later. If you've ever wondered why you hold back in meetings, avoid the spotlight despite your expertise, or feel anxious before networking events, this episode reveals the surprising connection to childhood social experiences. Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or corporate professional feeling held back by inexplicable social anxiety, this episode provides compassionate insights and actionable solutions to help you finally step confidently into the spotlight your expertise deserves. ** Don't even know where to begin in improving your interpersonal skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Free Guide: The Social Skills Playbook Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

Apr 10, 2025 • 29min
226. When Beliefs and Actions Clash
In this episode, we explore cognitive dissonance—the psychological discomfort that occurs when our beliefs and actions don't align. We discuss how this phenomenon affects our daily lives, decision-making, and personal growth, featuring insights from leading experts and practical strategies for managing cognitive dissonance. Key Topics Covered Definition and history of cognitive dissonance theory How our brains respond to contradictory beliefs and behaviors Common examples of cognitive dissonance in everyday life The relationship between cognitive dissonance and decision-making Techniques for resolving internal conflict and using dissonance as a catalyst for growth Don't even know where to begin in improving your interpersonal skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Free Guide: The Social Skills Playbook Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com LinkedIn Instagram TikTok

Apr 4, 2025 • 25min
225. The Psychology of First Impressions and Authentic Likability
In episode #225 of the Social Skills Mastery podcast we explore the science behind creating lasting positive impressions and developing genuine likability in professional contexts. Episode Highlights: Discover why Maya Angelou's insight that "people will forget what you said and did, but never how you made them feel" is the foundation of true likability Learn about confirmation bias and the halo effect - the psychological mechanisms that make first impressions so powerful and difficult to change Explore the Inside-Out, Outside-In approach to creating positive first impressions by managing both your internal state and external presentation Understand the "interest paradox" - why being interested is significantly more effective than trying to be interesting Master techniques for creating positive emotional impact in every interaction Develop authentic positivity through control orientation, solution architecture, and possibility thinking Learn practical strategies for energy management to maintain appropriate presence in different contexts Discover how to strategically curate your professional network for maximum growth and opportunity Authentic likability isn't about manipulating others—it's about creating environments where people experience themselves positively in your presence. Through evidence-based practices and consistent implementation, you can develop the kind of genuine likability that enhances all dimensions of your professional relationships and career trajectory. Don't even know where to begin in improving your social skills? Are you ready to leave social stress behind and go from where you are to where you want to be? Book a Social Strategy Session HERE Free Guide: The Social Skills Playbook Have a question that needs an answer. Email me at Hello@SocialConfidencePro.com LinkedIn Instagram TikTok


