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Have you ever been asked "Where are you from?" and felt like there was no simple answer?
In this episode of Boosted, I sit down with Salma Khalaf, a Palestinian refugee born and raised in Lebanon, now building her life in Canada. Salma has never set foot in Palestine. Neither has her father. And at the time of this recording, she holds no passport from any of the three countries that have shaped her identity.
We go deep on one of the most loaded questions in professional settings, why we're told not to ask it, why we ask it anyway, and how to ask it right.
We cover:
What it is actually like to navigate "Where are you from?" when no single answer is trueHow the question can connect people, or quietly make someone feel like an outsiderThe difference between Canadian and American workplaces when it comes to identityThe GRACE Framework: a tool for knowing whether to ask, how to ask, and how to receive this question gracefullyA concept from Salma's culture that stopped me in my tracks: give someone 70 excuses before assuming the worstThis episode is essential for anyone working in a diverse workplace, leading a team, or navigating professional relationships across cultures. If you have ever asked this question without thinking, or avoided it entirely out of fear, this one is for you.
Part of the Boosted Season 2 guest series on the question we avoid, and how to ask it anyway.
New episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe and discover how intentional presence creates the career differentiator that sets you apart.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence. boostacademyofexcellence.com
Link to the keynote I reference in this episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bndHmWza7ZW6J2yodejoo?si=bpI7GM41RwKzX5QtUo72BA
The GRACE Framework: https://boostacademyofexcellence.com/cibc/
Music by: In the City
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Have you ever asked someone "Where are you from?" and watched their face light up - or watched them quietly shut down? Have you ever wondered whether that question, asked with the best intentions, might still be doing harm? Or felt the discomfort of not knowing whether to ask at all?
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school.
Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
To kick off Season 2, Trina shares the most personal keynote of her career - delivered live to nearly 1,000 professionals at CIBC's International Professionals Network Signature Event. The topic? A single question that divides people almost perfectly down the middle. Asked well, it builds genuine connection. Asked poorly, it can make someone feel reduced to a category, othered, like they'll never quite belong.
Trina was told by etiquette experts, DEI practitioners, and HR professionals alike: never ask it. And yet her own experience - as an immigrant from Trinidad who has lived across multiple countries and cultures - told a very different story. So she set out to explore the nuance most people skip past entirely. When does this question connect? When does it divide? And how do you navigate it with care, whether you're the one asking or the one being asked?
In this episode, Trina walks through real stories from her own life - including her late father's extraordinary gift for human connection, a moment that went sideways and then beautifully right, and a colleague whose own answer to this question would require a whiteboard and forty minutes. She also introduces the GRACE Framework, her five-part practical guide for navigating one of the most powerful - and most complicated - questions in professional life.
This episode is essential for anyone working on diverse teams, leaders looking to build genuine cultural connection at work, immigrants and international professionals who have lived this question their entire careers, and anyone who has ever wondered whether a simple question could mean so much more than it seems.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how intentional presence creates the career differentiator that sets you apart.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
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Manglende episoder?
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Have you ever watched someone walk into a room and instantly lose the room - before they said a single word? Or felt that quiet shift the moment someone checked their phone during introductions? Or wondered why a meeting that looked promising on paper fell flat before it even got started?
First impressions are made in seven seconds. And most professionals have no idea what they're actually communicating in that time.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school.
Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina breaks down what a first impression actually is, what it costs when it goes wrong, and the one element most professionals never think about - before they ever walk in the door.
This episode is essential for anyone stepping into a high-stakes meeting, a new role, or a professional relationship they want to get right from the start.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how intentional presence creates the career differentiator that sets you apart.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Have you ever passed over a candidate because something felt "off" - only to realize you couldn't quite put your finger on what it was? Eye contact feels like one of the most instinctive signals we read in professional life. But most of us have never stopped to ask where that instinct actually comes from.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school.
Hosted by Trina Boos, founder and CEO of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares what she discovered while researching eye contact for a workshop she was developing. Much of what is written about the topic comes from a North American lens. And once she saw that gap, she couldn't unsee it. There is so much more than meets the eye, and the professional standard most of us have been applying without question is costing people more than we realize.
This episode is essential for hiring managers and HR professionals who want to examine what their evaluation standards are actually measuring, leaders who work with diverse teams and want to show up more effectively, and professionals who have ever received eye contact feedback and weren't sure what to do with it.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how intentional presence creates the career differentiator that sets you apart.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Have you ever watched a capable, motivated employee freeze the moment the phone rings? Or noticed a new hire trailing off into silence at the end of every call, leaving the customer wondering if the line dropped? Or felt that quiet frustration when someone your age hangs up without so much as a goodbye? Phone skills, real ones, are quietly disappearing from the modern workplace. And most of us haven't stopped to ask why.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school.
Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares what she's hearing from employers across industries. A retail store owner who gave her team scripts, printed transcripts, and step-by-step notes, only to watch every call end in awkward silence. A 21-year-old in university administration who picks up the phone 50 to 100 times a day and is met with nothing but background noise. A 23-year-old banker who finds it jarring when callers her own age hang up mid-sentence without a word. These aren't one-off stories. They're a pattern, and Trina wanted to bring it to you directly.
Here is the thing: this is not a motivation problem or a values problem. It's a practice gap, and once you understand exactly how it happened, the path forward becomes clear. The household landline was a training ground nobody appreciated until it was gone. Asynchronous communication replaced real-time conversation as the default. And now AI is adding a whole new layer of hesitation around picking up the phone at all. Trina breaks down why all of this happened, why it matters more than ever as automation takes over routine work, and the three practical approaches that actually build phone confidence, for individuals and teams alike.
This episode is essential for managers who want to understand what's really behind the phone anxiety they're seeing on their teams, early-career professionals who want a communication edge that most of their peers simply don't have, and anyone who leads, hires, or trains in an industry where the phone still matters.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how intentional presence creates the career differentiator that sets you apart.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Have you ever sent a carefully crafted proposal, followed up with a warm message, then a phone call, then one more thoughtful note - and heard absolutely nothing back? Or reconnected with someone at a conference who seemed genuinely excited to work with you, only to be met with complete silence the moment you followed up? Professional ghosting is one of those behaviours that affects almost everyone in professional life, and yet it rarely gets examined with the honesty and nuance it deserves.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares the story of an HR leader who approached her at a conference with such enthusiasm she nearly dropped the business card being thrust into her hand. "We have to connect. This is exactly what my organization needs." Trina returned to her office energized, followed up warmly, and heard nothing. Weeks turned into months. It is a story most professionals will recognize immediately, and it is what prompted her to bring this topic to you directly.
Here is the thing: most people who ghost significantly underestimate the ripple effect of their silence. The person on the other end is not just waiting for an answer. They are in limbo, replaying the conversation, unable to move forward. And a lot of professional ghosting comes down to one thing: nobody taught us how to deliver difficult news gracefully. Trina breaks down the real skill gap behind ghosting, shares simple phrases that make closing the loop easier than you think, and walks you through exactly what to do when you are the one being ghosted.
This episode is essential for professionals who want to build a reputation for integrity and clear communication, leaders who set the tone for how their teams follow up with candidates and collaborators, or anyone who has ever felt the sting of being left without an answer.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how intentional presence creates the career differentiator that sets you apart.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Have you ever joined what you thought was a casual networking call, only to find yourself suddenly facing a panel of executives you weren't expecting? Or reconnected with someone over coffee, only to realize later that the "friendly catch-up" was actually competitive intelligence gathering?
Meeting transparency is one of those professional etiquette rules nobody explicitly teaches you, and yet breaking it can cost you relationships you spent years building.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares the story of a consultant who accepted what was described as a friendly networking call, only to be ambushed by three executives conducting an unpaid consulting session. No warning. No context. Just an immediate and irreversible erosion of trust. Trina experienced almost the exact same thing recently, and it is what prompted her to bring this topic to you directly.
Here is the thing: these transparency violations rarely feel like a big deal to the person doing them. A last minute surprise guest. A social call disguised as a business meeting. A casual reconnection that turns out to be competitive intelligence gathering. But on the receiving end, the damage is instant. And word travels fast. Trina breaks down five practical principles for protecting your professional relationships, and shares exactly what to say if you ever find yourself on the receiving end of an ambush meeting.
This episode is essential for professionals who want to build sustainable networks based on mutual respect, leaders setting the tone for how their team conducts meetings, or anyone who has ever felt misled by a meeting that turned out to be something entirely different.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how intentional presence creates the career differentiator that sets you apart.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Have you ever sized someone up based on what they were wearing before they even opened their mouth? Or felt out of place at a professional event because your appearance didn't match the room? Professional presence is one of the most talked about career skills, and yet most people are only thinking about a fraction of what it actually means.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares a moment from a packed networking event where a man in athletic shorts, a fitted t-shirt, and running shoes was commanding the attention of an entire room full of suited professionals. Her first instinct was to question his choice. But as she watched people gravitate toward him, she realized he understood professional presence better than almost anyone else there. He turned out to be the owner of a successful chiropractic and physiotherapy clinic, and his appearance wasn't careless. It was completely intentional, perfectly aligned with his professional identity, and reinforcing his expertise before he said a single word.
Here's the thing: most professionals think professional presence is about following a dress code. But it goes so much deeper than that. Trina breaks down the three pillars of professional image, appearance, words, and actions, and explains why all three need to align authentically with who you are and what you do. Research shows that professionals who cultivate their image consistently earn 20% more than their peers. And with so many companies calling people back to the office, presence now needs to translate across every setting, in person, on video calls, and at networking events.
This episode is essential for professionals navigating the return to office, anyone who has ever felt unsure about how to show up authentically in professional settings, or leaders who want to build a reputation that opens doors before they even speak.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how intentional presence creates the career differentiator that sets you apart.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com). Music by: In the City Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Have you ever checked your phone during a meeting and watched the speaker's energy completely shift? Or felt dismissed when someone glanced at their screen while you were presenting? As companies mandate returns to the office, they're confronting technology habits we developed during remote work - and some, like JP Morgan's Jamie Dimon, are responding with complete device bans.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares a moment she's still embarrassed about years later. During a strategy meeting, mid-presentation, she reached for her phone - just for a second, just to check one thing. When she looked up, she watched her employee's shoulders drop and her voice lose confidence. That split second communicated a message Trina never intended: "What's on my screen is more important than what you're saying." The impact was devastating, even though her intention was innocent.
Here's the thing: Jamie Dimon's blanket ban on devices addresses a real problem - research shows we check our phones every 37 minutes, guaranteeing disruption in every meeting. But one-size-fits-all policies miss something crucial: context matters, and professional judgment matters even more. Trina shares the three-meeting framework she developed at her former recruitment agency, where device policies were intentionally different for status meetings (laptops open), strategy sessions (devices away), and team building (intentional tech use). She also reveals the simple equation that helps professionals navigate device etiquette regardless of company policy: Purpose + Expectations = Protocol.
This episode is essential for professionals returning to in-person work, leaders setting team norms around technology, or anyone who wants to build a reputation as someone who shows up fully present - the kind of person who gets promoted.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how intentional presence creates the career differentiator that sets you apart.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Have you ever felt uncomfortable when someone treats a café like their private office? Or worried that your work calls might be disrupting the people around you? Remote work has given us incredible flexibility - but it's also created situations we're all still learning to navigate.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina witnesses an uncomfortable moment unfold in real-time. While reading Emily Post's book on business etiquette, she watched a woman conduct a loud business call in a crowded café - speaking as if the space was her private office. When a polite elderly gentleman asked if she could speak more softly so he could hear his wife, the woman's response shocked everyone: she stood up, still on her call, and yelled at him for interrupting her meeting. The gentleman returned to his table visibly shaken, and the entire café atmosphere shifted.
Here's the thing: that woman was probably stressed, overwhelmed, or having a difficult day. We've all been there. But this moment revealed something bigger - we're all still figuring out how to work from public spaces respectfully. The good news? Being a productive remote worker and a considerate café guest aren'tmutually exclusive. Trina shares nine guidelines across three categories that help her navigate café work with confidence: managing noise and space, supporting the business, and respecting fellow café-goers.
This episode is essential for remote workers who use cafés as workspaces, anyone navigating the etiquette of public working environments, or professionals who want to be more thoughtful about shared spaces.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how considerate workplace habits benefit everyone - including you.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Have you ever avoided small talk because it felt awkward or superficial? What if that discomfort is costing you career opportunities, meaningful connections, and life-changing moments? One simple conversation in a coffee shop line landed a consultant her biggest client of the year. A curious "Why do you ask?" launched a 25-year tech career. And a comment about a ceramic figurine helped two people find love.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares three powerful stories that prove small talk at work isn't small at all. After being laid off in the late 90s, one professional struck up a conversation with a stranger at an event. His willingness to engage—and his follow-up question "Why do you ask?"—completely changed his career trajectory. Trina's late father noticed a woman holding a large ceramic figurine during a business trip stopover. That simple observation led to an introduction that resulted in wedding bells six months later. And a marketing consultant almost stayed quiet in a coffee shop line when someone commented on her busy day—but her two-minute response landed her biggest client of the year.
Here's the truth: many of us have a complicated relationship with small talk. Even seasoned CEOs who can command boardrooms feel awkward making elevator conversation. We worry about being disingenuous or wonder why we're talking about the weather. But small talk isn't about the weather—it's about signaling openness and creating low-stakes opportunities for connection. That discomfort you feel? That's just the vulnerability of reaching out to another human being. And that vulnerability is what makes the connection real. Trina shares five practical approaches to make small talk feel natural, from starting with observations to remembering it doesn't have to be perfect.
This episode is essential for anyone who finds small talk challenging, wants to build authentic professional connections, or is missing opportunities because they're staying quiet in those in-between moments.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how genuine curiosity and brief conversations can transform your career and life.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Have you ever wondered what really happens in the moments before your interview even begins? The truth might surprise you - and it could be costing you opportunities.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares three unforgettable interview stories from her years as a recruitment agency CEO - including the one that made her cry.
There's the Senior Art Director who erupted into a profanity-laden tirade over standard paperwork, forcing Trina to leave the room as a shaken junior recruiter. The highly qualified creative professional who put his feet on her desk after being dismissive to office staff. And the promising PR candidate whose constant Apple Watch checking completely derailed what should have been a successful interview.
But not all stories involve disasters. Trina also shares the executive whose thoughtful gesture of gratitude - a personal visit with a handwritten card - still touches her years later. His response demonstrates what professional etiquette is really about: showing others that they matter.
Your interview begins the moment you enter the building and ends the moment you leave. Every interaction, every gesture, every moment of impatience or courtesy is being noticed and evaluated. Trina reveals the practical lessons from each story - from silencing notifications to treating everyone with respect - that will transform how you prepare for interviews.
This episode is essential for anyone preparing for job interviews, early in their career, or wanting to understand what recruiters actually notice during the hiring process.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how professional etiquette can transform your career opportunities.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Have you ever checked your phone while someone was talking to you, only to realize you missed what they said? That split-second choice is shaping your career in ways you might not expect.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares a surprising story: her husband traded his smartphone for a flip phone, and the transformation was remarkable. More present in conversations, more engaged at work, genuinely more relaxed.
When she shared his story, she discovered an entire movement of Brooklyn Gen Z youth doing the exact same thing - they call themselves "Luddites." Logan Lane started the Luddite Club in 2019, gathering with like-minded teens in Prospect Park every Sunday to read, sketch, and connect face-to-face without digital distractions. What began as a small rebellion has spread to colleges across the United States.
These Gen Z students recognized something profound: when we're constantly performing for an online audience, we lose the ability to be genuinely present with people right in front of us.
And in workplaces where most people are half-present, constantly checking notifications and multitasking through meetings, the person who shows up fully engaged becomes immediately noticeable.
Trina reveals two concrete Luddite-inspired practices you can implement immediately to build the reputation and relationships that lead to promotions.
This episode is essential for anyone who's ever felt enslaved by their phone, struggled to stay focused in meetings, or wants to stand out in a distracted workplace.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how simple presence strategies can transform your professional relationships.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Have you ever sent an email in the heat of the moment and immediately regretted it? You're not alone - and that split-second decision can cost you more than you realize.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares her most embarrassing professional email mistake - the frustrated follow-up message that cost her a dream job fresh out of college. After nailing an interview with a VP of Marketing at one of Canada's most prominent job search websites, the position was practically hers... until she sent a "strongly worded" email after three weeks of waiting. That one emotional message changed everything.
We've all been there - frustrated by lack of communication, tempted to fire off that email telling someone exactly how we feel. But professional communication isn't about suppressing your emotions; it's about expressing them strategically. Trina reveals three practical strategies that have saved her career countless times since: techniques you can implement today to avoid sending emails you'll regret tomorrow.
This episode is essential for anyone who's ever felt the urge to hit send on an emotional email, struggled with professional communication under pressure, or wants to protect their career from avoidable mistakes.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how simple communication strategies can transform your professional relationships.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Your colleagues think you don't care about them. And honestly? They might be right. You're nodding when someone mentions their parent's surgery, then immediately pivoting to talk about the client meeting. Two weeks later, you've completely forgotten - but they haven't. They notice.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares the pattern she hears about constantly at networking events: professionals who aren't really present when colleagues talk to them. From wandering eyes during conversations to remembering every project deadline but forgetting the personal details your coworkers share, these subtle signs of not truly listening are quietly destroying your professional relationships.
The good news? Being others-focused isn't about grand gestures or technical skills. Trina reveals three warning signs that show you're not really listening, plus three simple solutions that take just 30 seconds but build relationships that last years. Small moments that create real connection - and make people actually want to work with you.
This episode is essential for anyone who wants to transform their workplace relationships and become the colleague everyone wants on their team.
New episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe and discover how simple acts of genuine presence can accelerate your career.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Two equally qualified candidates. One got the job, the other didn't. The deciding factor had nothing to do with their resumes or interview answers. What happened in the reception area before the interviews even began revealed everything - and it's probably happening to you right now without you realizing it.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares a story from her recruitment agency days that perfectly captures what Ralph Waldo Emerson said 200 years ago: "What you are shouts so loud in my ears, that I cannot hear what you say." One candidate barely looked up from their phone and curtly dismissed the office manager. The other chatted warmly and acknowledged everyone they passed. Same qualifications. Same interview performance. Completely different character.
Your professional image isn't built in the moments you're consciously crafting it - it's revealed in the moments you don't think anyone's watching. Trina breaks down the Three-Pillar Framework that makes or breaks your professional reputation, including the one pillar most people completely ignore. These unconscious actions are constantly shaping how others perceive your professional value.
This episode is essential for anyone who wants to understand how their unguarded moments are either building or destroying their professional reputation.
New episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe and discover how the moments you think don't matter are the ones that matter most.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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Two weeks after her brother's funeral, close friends who had attended began reaching out about job opportunities and resume advice. It made perfect sense professionally - they knew she ran a recruitment agency. But it opened Trina's eyes to how challenging it is to know when to return to 'business as usual' when someone's grieving.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this deeply personal episode, Trina shares her experience after losing her brother unexpectedly at 40. Some colleagues checked in regularly with genuine support. Others never mentioned him again - perhaps worried about overstepping or unsure if bringing it up would be too painful. Here's the uncomfortable truth: when grief and work intersect, most of us have no idea how to respond appropriately.
Trina reveals three practical approaches that actually make a difference: why acknowledging the loss matters more than perfect words, how to provide long-term support when everyone else has moved on, and how to balance respect for privacy with genuine availability. The workplace can either deepen isolation during life's most difficult passages, or it can provide meaningful connection and support.
This episode is essential for anyone who wants to show up meaningfully for colleagues during difficult moments, leaders navigating team dynamics around loss, or anyone supporting someone through grief.
New episodes every other Thursday. Subscribe and discover how to create spaces where both productivity and humanity coexist.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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A colleague had too much to drink at the company holiday party and made advances toward a younger team member. At an exclusive holiday client dinner celebrating year-end success with the firm's top-spending clients, someone showed up dressed for a nightclub instead of the professional business event it was. These aren't just awkward moments - they're career-defining mistakes that created weeks of uncomfortable aftermath and damaged professional reputations.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares two real stories that perfectly illustrate why holiday party etiquette matters more than ever. These events can be where careers are built or dramatically derailed, often in a single evening. The gossip, the failure to read the room, the drinking disasters - one person's terrible judgment can work itself into the work environment like a contagion.
Trina reveals the four essential rules that will protect your professional reputation when the office lights are dimmed and the music is playing: the two-drink maximum, dressing for the job you want even at parties, making gossip stop with you, and the double thank-you rule that makes you unforgettable to leadership.
This episode is essential for anyone attending workplace holiday gatherings or wanting to navigate the tricky intersection of professional and social with confidence.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how mastering holiday party etiquette can protect the career you've worked so hard to build.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors) -
My teenage daughter called me a "dry texter" - apparently sending "Thanks." with a period makes me sound angry. If this communication gap is happening in our own small family business, imagine what's happening in workplaces where the stakes are much higher.
Boosted is the podcast that reveals the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school. Hosted by Trina Boos, founder of Boost Academy of Excellence, this show delivers actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories.
In this episode, Trina shares how a simple text exchange exposed the generational communication crisis costing companies their best talent. Gen Z wants emojis and emotive communication to feel connected, while busy leaders want straight-to-the-point messages. When these styles collide, managers question professionalism and younger employees update their LinkedIn profiles.
The solution? Communication code-switching - adapting your style to different contexts and audiences. Trina reveals practical strategies the most successful professionals use to bridge the generational gap impacting team dynamics, retention, and career advancement.
This episode is essential for anyone managing across generations or navigating different communication expectations at work.
New episodes every other Thursday.
Subscribe and discover how mastering communication code-switching can transform your professional relationships.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
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I've witnessed hundreds of business meals that make or break careers - and I'm about to share the 5 dining etiquette rules that separate professionals who win from those who get passed over. Financial services firms, global consulting companies, advertising agencies, and tech companies across every industry are using business meals as part of their final interview process - because what happens at the table matters just as much as what happens in the boardroom.
One HR executive I know watched countless qualified candidates lose opportunities not because of their credentials, but because of what happened at the dining table. Whether you're a junior or senior executive interviewing for your dream role, pitching to prospects, or entertaining key clients, these strategies will give you the confidence to navigate any business meal with professionalism and respect.
Welcome to Boosted – from Unpolished to Promoted. I'm Trina Boos, Founder of Boost Academy of Excellence. As a former recruitment agency CEO who placed thousands of professionals, I now train emerging leaders on the workplace skills that actually get you promoted. In each episode, you'll get actionable tips to build your professional presence and advance your career through real workplace scenarios and human stories. We'll cover the unwritten rules of professional success that nobody teaches you in school.
Subscribe for more workplace etiquette tips that actually matter, and drop your biggest dining etiquette question in the comments below.
New episodes bi-weekly. Join us and discover the unwritten rules that transform your workplace relationships and open doors.
Boosted is brought to you by Boost Academy of Excellence (boostacademyofexcellence.com).
Music by: In the City
Special thanks to: Shahin Nezhad and Sina Sabouri (advisors)
Check out our upcoming live dining experience, The Art of Influential Dining: https://www.showpass.com/art-of-influential-dining/
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