Inclusivity is an essential part of leadership. But how do you ACTUALLY be inclusive in your day-to-day life, as a leader? In this episode, Michel shares 5 tips on how to help people feel included in social settings, particularly in conversations, to help them feel seen and heard. At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

In this episode, we discussed why you should set a THEME instead of a New Year's resolution to achieve your goals in 2024. Michel shares reflections on her word for 2023 -- clarity. Flora shares her theme for 2024. UpSkillers share their stories about persistence, designing life systems, and getting set up for success in four easy steps.At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

This is a flashback of episode 64, published on January 22, 2023. It's a new year, new journey and new opportunities abound. Are you Set for Success?Step 1: Choose a theme for your year - a word or phrase.Make this year, a themed year for you. Choose a theme. That's going to make a big difference in your life. Whether that's a verb, that's going to tell you the action that you need to do. Whether that's an adjective, that's going to describe how you go about it, whether that's an outcome or a result that you're looking for in your life, whether that's a way that you want to show up. Whatever that is for you. No judgment. It's your word? Michel heard words like impact. Execute. Plan. Confidence. I heard words like self care, self assurance, emotional control. I heard phrases, like just do it. Get up and get out, go after it. Let's go. Step 2: To think about one activity. That you can do every day to support your word or phrase to honour your word or phrase. Step 3: Identify the resources you need to support you. This could be as simple as buying a journal or you may need a coach to support you.Step 4: Make sure there is a specific block of time in your calendar for the activities in step 2. Please go to UpSkillCommunity.com to review show notes and join a community of leaders devoted to UpSkilling.At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

This episode is about Ben the bottleneck leader.Ben handles all the clients and finds his work piling up, while the people he manages are sitting there twiddling their thumbs with no work to do. To make matters worse, all the clients come to Ben, not the people who are supposed to be managing the clients. What can Ben do? In this episode, we discuss...1. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?- A lack of confidence in his team - The company is lacking a system, or not using their system. Ben IS the system2. PROBLEMS - ben’s mental health and Burnout - Being a people pleaser - Ego - Lack of trust in his team’s quality of work- Negative impact of the people he leads: feeling like they’re incompetent, they have no responsibility, thus it destroys their confidence 3. SOLUTIONS - How to bring the team back together- Effective team building - How to apologize to your team - Building a relationship with your team - Building a code of ethicsAt UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

In this episode, Michel and  Upskillers delve into Adopting a System-Focused Approach to Life. Why do we need to laying a solid foundation in forming habits in our lives? Because they are the building blocks of every system.They share  insights about:The process of laying the groundwork for a successful system.The role of communication: Why everything revolves around effective communication.Habit Formation: The core of every successful system.At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

In this episode, Michel and UpSkillers discuss:Work-Life Integration vs. Work-Life Balance: The evolving concept of integrating work into life rather than trying to balance the two as separate entities.Managing Burnout: Identifying the signs of burnout, understanding its causes, and strategies to prevent or mitigate it.They offer key insights about:The role of accountability partners Mindfulness and ReflectionThe Role of Rest: Different ways to rest Resources and ToolsSetting Boundaries: both personal and professional The pros and cons of having a flexible work schedule, especially with the rise of remote work.Identity in the Modern Work Environment: How the blending of work and personal life might be affecting individuals' sense of self.The need to communicate expectations and feelings, both in the workplace and at home.How the pandemic has reshaped the work environment and its implications for individuals.Stress vs. Burnout: Differentiating between the symptoms of stress and the more severe state of burnout.At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

Mastering Behavioral Interviews: we dissect case study questions!In this episode, we provide sample answers, critique, and feedback for how to expertly answer challenging behavioral interview questions like: Think of a time where you demonstrated good communication skills?Tell me about a time when you had a disagreement with a team memberWhat sets you apart from other candidates applying for this role?At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

This is Part two of Time Management 101 Q&A with Michel Shah, lead UpSkiller, president and founder of UpSkill:🕰 Key Takeaways : Understanding Discipline: Discipline is not about being iron-fisted or micromanagingAddress the common misunderstandings about disciplineDisclipline as a form of self-love and integrityUnderstanding oneself and managing time and activities effectivelyCollaborative Time Management: Time Management and Self-ManagementImportance of reflecting about your timeFostering independence rather than creating dependencyLearning to delegate and developing systems that allow for shared responsibilityParenting and Discipline:In parenting, discipline involves putting guardrails and teaching time management as a crucial skill, rather than enforcing strictness or micromanaging. At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

Time Management 101 Q&A with Michel Shah, lead UpSkiller, president and founder of UpSkill:🕰 Topics Covered: Juggling Multiple Responsibilities: Learn strategies to balance work, family, and multiple projects Eisenhower Matrix: The power of this prioritization tool The Driving 'Why': Explore how a clear understanding of your 'why' can guide decision-making, prioritization, and help in keeping the main thing the main thing.Clarity in Goals & ProcessesDefining Work-Life BalanceSMART Goals (refer to Episode 14): Uncover the essence of setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goalsSystematic Approach: Learn about the integration of to-do lists, calendars, and other tools to outsource your brain and streamline your lifeAt UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

In this episode, UpSkillers Michel, Flora, Mimi and Sylvia discuss the keys to creating and maintaining healthy, inclusive, organizational cultures. Topics covered include:Psychological safety Netiquette: how we behave in hybrid and virtual situationsPeople versus team versus outcome orientationsRewards, recognitions and evaluation programsPerformance managementAt UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

It was Peter Drucker who said culture eats strategy for breakfast.  This episode, lead UpSkiller Michel Shah, joined by Upskillers, Mimi, Flora, and Sylvia, dive in and talk about: what is organizational culture what contributes to organizational culture how to cultivate it how important is organizational culture for us todayimportance of shared valuesThe ABCs - the rudimentary pieces to move your organizational culture forwardStay tuned for part two of the conversation next week!At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

Upskiller Flora Xue chats over a Q&A session with Michel Shah, President & Founder of UpSkill, about overcoming presentation anxiety. She gives her advice on:language barriersonline vs in-personpresentation practice tipsthe HBLT method Over the last few weeks, we have been talking about pitching: how to prepare a pitch and how to deliver a pitch. Check out the series in previous episodes 86-89:86. 5 Step Method To Prepare A Perfect Pitch For Founders, Leaders & Storytellers (Part 1)At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

Upskiller Flora Xue chats over a Q&A session with Michel Shah, President & Founder of UpSkill, about overcoming presentation anxiety. She gives her advice on:overcoming fear of judgmentdecenteringthe HBLT method Over the last few weeks, we have been talking about pitching: how to prepare a pitch and how to deliver a pitch. Check out the series in previous episodes 86-89:86. 5 Step Method To Prepare A Perfect Pitch For Founders, Leaders & Storytellers (Part 1)At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

Welcome to part three of our personal and professional branding series on LinkedIn with Donna Serdula, world-renowned LinkedIn expert. In the previous episode, we delve deep to understand the balance between passive and active engagement on LinkedIn, especially when you're first starting out. We talk about how to advertise your product or service (or yourself) on LinkedIn, without turning it into a sales platform. In this final episode, we cover...How engagement on LinkedIn goes beyond visible metrics like likes, comments, and follows.How LinkedIn is not just a platform for presence; active engagement and participation are crucial.Networking in-person and on LinkedIn -- shared similarities and differencesHow a strong LinkedIn profile can passively attract opportunities, but how active engagement amplifies successHow LinkedIn is not just a sales platform"Lurkers" on LinkedIn Having clear purpose on LinkedIn, guiding your actions and content.Donna Serdula is the founder and president of Vision Board Media, a professional branding company that helps individuals and companies tell their unique stories on LinkedIn and beyond.  Bringing dynamic brand storytelling to the masses and empowering people to dream big – that’s the ink in her pen. It's her Website LinkedIn-Makeover.com where she and her team of over 20 writers and coaches help people collide with opportunity and transform their lives via future-forward career branding.She has authored two editions of LinkedIn Profile Optimization FOR DUMMIES. She's shared her LinkedIn expertise at global conferences, presented keynotes and workshops, and featured on a number of high-profile news outlets.Find Donna's website here and Donna's Linkedin here.At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

Welcome to part two of our personal and professional branding series on LinkedIn with Donna Serdula, world-renowned LinkedIn expert. In the previous episode, we started exploring the secrets of LinkedIn, and how it translates into success online. Today, we delve deeper to understand the balance between passive and active engagement on LinkedIn, especially when you're first starting out.We talk about how to advertise your product or service (or yourself) on LinkedIn, without turning it into a sales platform. Donna sheds light on how to find and engage with your target audience, all while maintaining an authentic presence. She shares insights on how to foster meaningful conversations, turn followers into potential customers, and leverage LinkedIn as a potent tool for growth.Donna Serdula is the founder and president of Vision Board Media, a professional branding company that helps individuals and companies tell their unique stories on LinkedIn and beyond.  Bringing dynamic brand storytelling to the masses and empowering people to dream big – that’s the ink in her pen. It's her Website LinkedIn-Makeover.com where she and her team of over 20 writers and coaches help people collide with opportunity and transform their lives via future-forward career branding.She has authored two editions of LinkedIn Profile Optimization FOR DUMMIES. She's shared her LinkedIn expertise at global conferences, presented keynotes and workshops, and featured on a number of high-profile news outlets.Donna's website: http://www.linkedin-makeover.com/Donna's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todonnaAt UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

In this conversation, we will be diving deep into the world of LinkedIn -- from learning how to create impactful posts, optimizing your SEO through keywords and becoming a recognized industry expert, to effectively building a personal brand and empowering your employees to become brand ambassadors. This three-part episode series is a gold mine for anyone looking to make a powerful impression on LinkedIn.  Donna Serdula is the founder and president of Vision Board Media, a professional branding company that helps individuals and companies tell their unique stories on LinkedIn and beyond.  Bringing dynamic brand storytelling to the masses and empowering people to dream big – that’s the ink in her pen. It's her Website LinkedIn-Makeover.com where she and her team of over 20 writers and coaches help people collide with opportunity and transform their lives via future-forward career branding.She has authored two editions of LinkedIn Profile Optimization FOR DUMMIES. She's shared her LinkedIn expertise at global conferences, presented keynotes and workshops, and featured on a number of high-profile news outlets.Donna's website: http://www.linkedin-makeover.com/ Donna's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todonnaAt UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

This week, lead UpSkiller Michel Shah shares strategies to boost your presence to deliver powerful pitch presentations, both online or on a stage. This is part (2/2) of B) Delivery, in the three-step series of perfecting your pitch: A) preparation, B) delivery, and C) refinement. Michel provides practical tips to help you captivate any audience:Maintaining professionalismExuding confidence in yourself and your messageShowcasing genuine passion and enthusiasmUsing physical space and gesturesBeing authentic and conversationalEngaging the entire audience, whether live or virtualEstablishing credibility and building connectionsWhether you're speaking on a stage or through a screen, we share how to maximize your presence and deliver memorable presentations. At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

This week, lead UpSkiller Michel Shah shares strategies to boost your presence to deliver powerful pitch presentations, both online or on a stage. This is part 1 of 2 in part B) Delivery, in the three-step series of perfecting your pitch: A) preparation, B) delivery, and C) refinement. Michel provides practical tips to help you captivate any audience:Maintaining professionalismExuding confidence in yourself and your messageShowcasing genuine passion and enthusiasmUsing physical space and gesturesBeing authentic and conversationalEngaging the entire audience, whether live or virtualEstablishing credibility and building connectionsWhether you're speaking on a stage or through a screen, we share how to maximize your presence and deliver memorable presentations. Stay tuned for part two next week!At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com

This is part two of on step A) Preperation for perfecting your pitch for founders, storytellers,  entrepreneurs, or anyone looking to elevate their ability to sell themselves or their ideas. Next week, we delve into B) pitch delivery and C) refinement. Last episode, we delved into the "who" and "why" of preparing your pitch. In this episode, lead UpSkiler Michel Shah takes you on a deep dive into the "what," "where," "when," and "how" of planning a pitch that will command attention and drive results.She guides you in asking the right questions like: What is allowed with your pitch? Can you use visuals? How is it timed and structured? Furthermore, she emphasizes the importance of defining the desired outcome of your pitch. Is it to sensitize the audience about a topic, practice and learn, ensure engagement, gain funding, or aim for a promotion?Join us on this journey towards perfecting your pitch. Tune in to discover the power of a well-crafted presentation and learn how to articulate your vision compellingly.At UpSkill, we are building a community of UpSkillers, learning and growing together. Please listen, subscribe and share!With decades of combined leadership experience, team of coaches, facilitators and subject matter experts can help to UpSkill your organization. We offer corporate training, coaching, e-learning courses and consulting services for: Inclusive LeadershipDiversity, Equity & InclusionCommunicationSoft Skills Senior Leadership Training Email us: hello@theupskillcorporation.com Learn more: www.upskillcommunity.com