All Episodes (467)
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Ep. 37
On Having Too Little to Say
I volunteered to take the stage at a Toastmasters meeting at the Sheraton Tower to challenge myself in impromptu speaking. The Table Topics Master randomly chose a topic for me, giving me two minutes to discuss it. This form of communication requires spontaneous speaking without prior preparation. A
Ep. 36
On Feeling Uncomfortable Around Others
Have you ever felt uneasy speaking in front of a group of people? I certainly have. This fear is common; nearly everyone experiences stage fright to some extent. My own apprehension became clear to me when I had to give a speech at a conference. Blog post: https://www.victorleungtw.com/2021/03/16/o
Ep. 35
Leading the Way
I remember the first day of my MBA program's orientation as chaotic and uncertain. The course coordinator had organized a charity project for us: constructing a wooden playground for a primary school. Given that many of us had backgrounds in finance and office work, and none in architecture or c
Ep. 34
On Having a Social Circle That Is Too Small
As an expatriate working and living in a foreign country, I've found that my social circle is quite small. While most of my friends reside in my home country and I communicate with them through my work, this limited network puts me at a disadvantage. For instance, I recently had to vacate my apa
Ep. 33
On Being More Socially Skilled
We can use our social skills to build connections, influence decisions, and inspire change. However, during a recent class, social anxiety held me back. When the speaker asked for volunteers to ask questions or share their opinions, the room fell silent. No one raised their hand; no one dared to spe
Ep. 32
On Feeling Drained by Social Interactions
Social interactions often leave me, an introvert, feeling drained. The last time I experienced this was at a farewell party surrounded by friends. The organizer had requested that everyone bring food to share, so I opted for a French baguette and assorted alcoholic beverages like vodka and tonic, Ke
Ep. 31
On Finding It Difficult to Approach Others
The last time I attended a networking event at a hotel as a guest, I was surrounded by strangers. Some people seemed to know each other and carried on chatting, while others were engrossed in their phones. My goal for being there was to meet new people and expand my social circle. However, instead o
Ep. 30
On Missing Opportunities Due to Isolation
During a leadership training course, our instructor posed a question about how we could improve our community in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Suggestions could range from promoting social distancing to encouraging mask-wearing and frequent exercise. After a reflective five-minute silence
Ep. 29
Overcoming Silence -How to Engage with Strangers Effectively
I often find it difficult to speak up when I'm in the presence of strangers. During company meetings involving senior management and various stakeholders, many of my colleagues join the virtual call. At the end of these meetings, our director often asks if anyone has any questions. More often th
Ep. 28
Effective Leadership in a Technical Role
As a software engineer, you may eventually advance to a leadership position. However, you'll soon discover that technical expertise alone is insufficient for success in the tech industry. You'll also have to manage a variety of issues and crises on a daily basis. The bad news is, you might n