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Say It Skillfully® OUR VOICES – Nate Wong, a career that matters
Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. Episode 91 is the 15th monthly feature of “Our Voices,” intended to accelerate social change that levels the playing field and helps everyone live to their full potential. In hearing the life journeys of people you might not otherwise encounter, listeners gain empathetic understanding for what may be a very different experience of what it means to grow up, go to school, struggle, work and live in our world. The aim is for people to see a bit of themselves in these journeys, and embrace—we’re more similar than not. Molly’s friend and “way-finding” social intrapreneur, Nate Wong, leads the way; you can pursue meaningful purpose AND a career in big business! With grandparents who emigrated from China to Hawaii—picking pineapples—Nate’s father grew up in Honolulu, his Mother, Fiji. They met as she attended University of Hawaii on scholarship, and opened a Chinese restaurant before heading to the DC area where Nate grew up. While in a relatively diverse community, he shares experiences of not fitting in and struggling with his race—kids making fun of his school lunches, name calling in college—speaking too well to be fully Asian, yet not white enough for other settings. When a professor crossed the line, Nate took a stand with school administration, finding his voice when he needed it. He opens up about the deep introspection resulting from the recent anti-AAPI sentiments... helping him realize how he’s suppressed emotions and been complicit in stereotypes of a monolithic race, a model minority…, and assimilating to a white male leadership model. Molly and he discuss the immense gratitude their parents have for the opportunity to be in America, the constant hospitality they offered to others new to the states, and the lasting impact of their pay-it-forward spirit on their own values. Picking one of the 3 “right” majors—engineering—and earning his MBA from Yale, Nate talks about letting go of what he was supposed to do. He approached his work as testing different hypotheses, “zigzagging” a path to living his purpose. In 10 different countries, he partnered with the likes of the Obama Foundation, Acumen Fund and Endeavor and opened social impact units at Deloitte Consulting and at Boston Consulting Group. Nate also shares gems from his writings: challenging our view of successful innovation to be one that benefits many, not a select few. Molly’s thought for the weekL Lack of courage sabotages more people than lack of ability. Don't beat yourself before you start (FS.blog). Tune in for Nate’s journey, inspiring us to know no boundaries and commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true and best selves.