In episode 37, we welcome Pia Lauritzen, philosopher, tech entrepreneur and writer on the power of questions and why it’s key to embracing curiosity and engaging in deeper, more meaningful conversations. Pia and I discuss:   Why Pia believes only a few hold the power of questions in society and why it should be democratised  What her research has revealed about finding the right questions Why it’s important for leaders to create environments for their team to question   Annette Sloan and I sum-up the three biggest takeaways from my conversation with Pia, and we answer a listener's question asking when Annette and I are doing some live podcast on either Linkedin or Utube!!   Tune in to gain insights on unlocking the transformative power of questions. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net   About Guest Pia Lauritzen is a Danish philosopher and academic. She has a PhD in philosophy from Aarhus University, Denmark, and from 2014 to 2016, she did post-doctoral studies combining philosophical research with observational studies of Russian, Danish, Chinese, and Spanish school classes (funded by the Carlsberg Foundation). Her 2019 TEDx Talk is titled, “What you don’t know about questions”.

In episode 36, we welcome Molly Tschang, Founder of Abella Consulting and Say It Skillfully Inc. Molly teaches people at all levels to communicate skillfully and authentically to be seen, heard and understood on their most important and challenging topics. Molly and I discuss: Why our willingness to speak up is a huge indicator of how safe and supported we are at work Molly shares her framework to help you unlock the key to authentic human interaction Why being a good leader begins with being a good coach. Annette Sloan and I sum-up the three biggest takeaways from my conversation with Molly, and we answer a listener's question about dealing with a command-and-control boss. Tune in to gain insights on finding the words that work for each of us and making ourselves feel heard at work. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Guest Founder of Say It Skillfully Inc., Molly helps senior management and their teams to Win As One. Across 81 mergers and acquisitions, Molly has helped leadership teams navigate the human after-effects of intense change. She guides leaders to commit to each other’s success as they learn to thrive in complex internal environments. Through Say It Skillfully, Molly teaches people at all levels to communicate skillfully and authentically to be seen, heard and understood on their most important and challenging topics. Molly is working on her first book with co-author Marshall Goldsmith, scheduled for release in early 2025! The working title is Say It Skillfully - Speak Up, Be Yourself, Make Your Words Matter.

In episode 35, we welcome Graham Allcott, an entrepreneur, author, speaker and podcaster whose latest book KIND: The quiet power of kindness at work is out now. What if someone told you the key to success was kindness? His new work focuses on why organisations with kinder and more human-centred cultures are ultimately more successful.  Graham and I discuss: Why the role of kindness in business is misunderstood We look at the science of kindness, the research from behavioral science and how it drives results and collaboration across many dimensions What does it mean to be kindful including the 8 principles of kindfullness at work Annette Sloan and I sum-up the three biggest takeaways from my conversation with Graham, and we answer a listener's question about facing burnout at the office and dealing with a lazy peer! Tune in to gain insights on the transformative impact of kindness at work and in life.  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Guest Graham Allcott is the author of multiple books, including the global bestsellers How to be a Productivity Ninja and KIND: The Quiet Power of Kindness at Work, and a popular speaker on these topics. He is the founder of Think Productive, one of the world's leading providers of personal productivity training and consultancy. If you want to learn more about Graham head to https://www.grahamallcott.com/orderkind

In episode 34, we have something a little bit different for you. We speak to Rebecca Moulynox, the General Manager of Great Place To Work Australia and New Zealand, and Con Mouzouris, CEO of Mantel Group. Great Place to Work is a global authority on workplace culture and gives leaders and organisation the recognition and tools to create a consistently and overwhelmingly positive employee experience.  Mantel Group is a technology consultancy firm and has been awarded “Legend” status by Great Places to Work, in recognition of having one of Australia’s most positive workplace cultures for five years running! We cover the following topics with Rebecca and Con: The three most important ingredients to create a great workplace Why communication and equity are interconnected Practical ways and examples to create a great place to work! Annette Sloan and I sum-up the three biggest takeaways from my conversation with Rebecca and Con.  We’ve taken a short pause on listeners questions because we wanted to take a moment to hear from you. We want to explore what more we could do as a group: Is there someone you think we need to invite on as a guest? Have you learned anything from the series that has helped you or your teams? We want to hear your stories! We do love your questions, so keep them coming. Is there a problem for yourself or your organisation Annette and I could help you work through?  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net And if you want to learn more about Great Place to Work, head to https://greatplacetowork.com.au/

In episode 33, we welcome Jay Van Bavel, a professor of psychology and neural science at New York University and author of the acclaimed book, "The Power of Us: Harnessing Our Shared Identities to Improve Performance, Increase Cooperation, and Promote Social Harmony”."  From neurons to social networks, Jay’s research examines how collective concerns—group identities, moral values, and political beliefs—shape the mind, brain, and behaviour. Jay’s research focuses on social identities, stereotypes, and exploring the truth behind our deep need to belong. How do we identify with others? What groups do feel safe with, and which ones are considered threats? These are all questions that are important to our lives, our views on the world around us and our own views about our ourselves.  Jay and I discuss: The impact of identity, group dynamics and bias in work, politics, and life! How our inter-personal relationships - from children to colleagues - transform our identity and performance Creating psychological safety in teams and creating safe spaces for dissent. Annette Sloan and I sum-up the three biggest takeaways from my conversation with Jay and we answer a listener's question about returning to work after 3 years raising her children. Tune in to gain insights on harnessing our shared identities to create a more cooperative life and workplace! Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Guest Dr. Jay Van Bavel is a Professor of Psychology & Neural Science at New York University, an affiliate at the Stern School of Business in Management and Organizations, and Director of the Social Identity & Morality Lab. He is the co-author of “The Power of Us: Harnessing Our Shared Identities to Improve Performance, Increase Cooperation, and Promote Social Harmony”. Prior to joining NYU, Jay completed his PhD at the University of Toronto and a Postdoctoral Fellowship at The Ohio State University. If you want to learn more about Dr. Jay Van Bavel head to https://www.jayvanbavel.com/

In episode 32, we chat with Dr. Marc Sniukas about making better strategies for all levels - from leadership to management, to challenges in our everyday lives! With over 20 years of experience, Marc has worked with global organizations like BMW, Deloitte, and McDonald's. He helps businesses create effective strategies for success, even in challenging times. Marc equips people with proven systems to make strategy better - whether your goals are delivering growth, boosting financial performance or losing weight!  Marc and I discuss: What does good strategy look like and why we need to leave behind the old school strategy approach How to bring strategy to life in an organisation or team  How to be successful by tracking inputs and living your strategy. Annette Sloan and I sum-up the three biggest takeaways from my conversation with Marc and we answer a listener's question about how to manage a team who always present problems, expecting answers without putting forward any solutions. Tune in to gain insights on finding alignment within your organisation and living your strategy for success.  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Guest Dr Marc Sniukas is a global expert on strategic innovation for new growth and renewal, co-founder of Business Model Gallery - The World's Largest Business Model Database, and adjunct professor of business innovation. If you want to learn more about Dr. Marc Sniukas head to https://www.sniukas.com/about

In episode 31, we chat with Nick Bloom, a renowned Stanford economist and leading expert on remote work. Nick’s research has delved into the trends and preferences of employees for over twenty years. He’s full of insights and tips on the value of hybrid working and how to make the commute to the office count. Whether your workplace is remote, in-person or a mix of both - this episode is for you!  Nick co-founded WorkFromHomeResearch.com and has influenced policy on remote work, meeting with notable figures like President Barack Obama. He consults with CEOs, speaks at events, and if you’re reading an article about remote work - chances are he’ll be referenced! Nick's mission is to advance remote work adoption and empower workers and organisations.  Nick and I discuss: The evolution of working from home and how it all began way before COVID! Why hybrid work schedules and performance reviews are transformative The importance of social interactions at work and how to maximise them even when working remotely  Annette Sloan and I sum-up the three biggest takeaways from my conversation with Nick and we answer a listener's question about what to do when a colleague breaks down in tears about being overwhelmed by their job. Tune in to gain insights on making working from home better, improving hybrid team performance and Nick’s predictions for the future of work. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Guest If you want to learn more about Nick, go to his Linkedin Plus go to wfhresearch.com where there are some excellent research papers on all things working from home. Also check out wfhmap.com which is measuring remote work across space and time, using job ads. Timestamps 1.00 Top of Mind - The Olympics! 7.40 Nick Bloom Interview - the history of hybrid work 14.35 Hybrid working trends 19.00 Organising hybrid for success 32.00 Why organisations resort to Return to the Office for the wrong reasons 41.00 Annette's Sum Up & Listener's Question

In episode 30, we chat with Carol Kauffman about being the best version of yourself in the toughest moments at work and in life. Whether you’re making a split-second decision when your business is hit sideways or finding the ways to stay calm when someone shouts you down in a meeting, how can you be at your best in the most crucial moments? Carol Kauffman is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and is ranked number one by leadership coach Marshall Goldsmith. Her book Real Time Leadership: Find Your Winning Moves When The Stakes Are High, was co-written with David Noble and shows you how to navigate crucial leadership moments successfully using their innovative MOVE framework. Carol and I discuss: The super question to ask yourself dozens of times a day.  How to overcome your reflexes using the MOVE Framework  Her top advice for future aspiring leaders Annette Sloan and I sum-up the three biggest takeaways from my conversation with Carol and we answer a listener's question about what to do when your boss doesn’t like you. Tune in to gain insights on rising above our reflexes and being the best version of ourselves whether we’re leading, reaching for patience, or giving feedback.  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Guest Carol is known globally as one of the top leaders in the field of coaching. She has been named the #1 Leadership coach in the world by the Marshall Goldsmith group. Thinkers 50 shortlisted her as one of the top 8 coaches for her contribution as a thought leader and coach. She is on the faculty at Harvard where she is the Founder of the Institute of Coaching. In addition, she supervises an international fleet of leadership coaches and has created a Coach Approach training program with a global footprint. Her book Real Time Leaders: Find Your Winning Moves When The Stakes Are High, was co-written with David Noble. If you want to learn more about Carol and her work, visit carolkauffman.com/ Plus, we talk about Carol’s new book carolkauffman.com/rtl-draft/ Timestamps 1.30 Top of Mind - A current leadership crisis 5.00 Carol Kauffman Interview 7.00 Don’t hold back 11.00 The MOVE Framework 19.24 The three dimensions of great leaders 39:56 Annette’s Sum-Up 45.33 Listener’s Question: Matt’s boss doesn’t like him but he loves his job - what should he do?

In episode 29, we chat with Tessa West about finding work that works for you, and applying relationship therapy tools to our careers.  Dr. Tessa West is a professor of psychology at New York University and expert in the science of social relationships. Tessa's extensive research and publications in top psychology journals have gained her recognition in media outlets like The New York Times and CNN. She is the author of "Jerks at Work" and upcoming book "Job Therapy."  Tessa and I discuss: How to find your most fulfilling job   The complicated role identity plays in why we stay in jobs or roles we do not like The five common sources of career frustration. Annette Sloan and I sum-up the three biggest takeaways from my conversation with Tessa and we answer a listener's question about what to do when you're given an impossible task at work. Tune in to gain insights on moving through periods of transition and finding roles and jobs in which we’ll thrive.  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Guest Dr Tessa West is Professor of Psychology at New York University, where she is a leading expert on the science of social relationships. She has over 100 academic publications and is a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal. Her first book Jerks at Work: Toxic coworkers and what to do about them is now followed by Job Therapy: Finding work that works for you. If you want to learn more about Dr. Tessa West and her work, visit https://www.tessawestauthor.com/ Plus, we talk about Tessa’s new book https://www.tessawestauthor.com/book/job-therapy Timestamps 1.18 Top of Mind. 5.03 Tessa West Interview. 8.30 Personal identity vs professional identity.  12.31 Why we can’t walk away: The sunk cost fallacy, intermittent reinforcement and the hedonic treadmill. 17.00 Five common causes of career frustration. 22.00 Leaving your job and the power of the full stop. Why less is more and we need to stop prioritising action over reflection. 30.00 Why there aren't 'soft skills', there are just skills! 36.54 Tessa’s lesson from work that’s made her whole life better. 38.40 Tessa’s favourite piece of advice. 41:30 Annette’s Episode Sum Up. 46.45 Listener’s Question.

Welcome back to ‘part-two’ of our mini-series ‘How to be Better at Work’ where we delve into the essentials of improving ourselves and our relationships. In this three-part mini-series, Cathal Quinlan and Annette Sloan share 9 brain-friendly, bite-sized insights from world experts in workplace relationships, behavioural science and performance. In this episode we delve into ‘Better We’, focusing on three key areas: trust, feedback, and conflict management. We discuss: How trust is the bedrock of effective teamwork and a lack of trust can lead to reduced effort, productivity and higher turnover rates! Actions to build trust - because when employees feel trusted, they perform better and exceed expectations! How feedback can trigger a fight-or-flight response and how to hijack the brains inbuilt responses to stay in ‘discovery mode’ and avoid shutting down.  Why we love the ‘WRAP’ approach (instead of the sh** sandwich!)  Strategies for navigating conflict by understanding the other person’s perspective and finding common ground. Annette’s step-by-step approach to managing conflict.  We hope these insights empower you to foster a better work environment!  Listeners can access and download sum ups for free to dive deeper and take actionable steps: www.betteratwork.net/newsletter Let’s find out how to be better at work, together! Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net

In the final episode of our mini-series, we're wrapping up with key takeaways and actionable strategies for better workplace practices. ‘Better Ways’ is all about setting priorities, running effective meetings, and fostering an environment where employees can care and thrive. We discuss: Setting an intentional direction for your day. Tricks to avoid overwhelming your brain and stay positive.  How to set-up meetings for success. Strategies for fostering inclusivity and ensuring your employees experience of meetings align with your organisational values. How to make wrap ups meaningful and motivational. Why there’s a cultural problem with the term ‘engagement’ and our favourite alternatives. How to focus on development and growth opportunities for your team or organisation. As we conclude this series, we hope you've gained insights into how to have better days at work, improve team interactions, and create a thriving organisational culture.  Thank you for tuning in, and here's to better days ahead! Listeners can access and download sum ups for free to dive deeper and take actionable steps: www.betteratwork.net/newsletter Let’s find out how to be better at work, together! Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net

In episode 26, we go deep on what makes a better day at work based on what we have learnt so far across two seasons of inspiring interviews with incredible people, plus our own lived experiences across global workplaces. When we’re so busy ‘doing’ work, how can we learn to be better at it?  In this three-part mini-series, Cathal Quinlan and Annette Sloan share 9 brain-friendly, bite-sized insights from world experts in workplace relationships, behavioural science and performance. In part one, ‘Better Me’, Cathal and Annette delve into the significance of self-awareness, confidence, and purpose in personal and professional development. They stress that self-awareness serves as the foundation for growth and improvement, helping people to identify areas to improve and how to go about it. We discuss: Personal experiences and insights on how taking the time to reflect and understand our own role in a crisis or challenging situation can be transformative. The importance of understanding our values as a starting point for self-awareness. Values act as a compass, guiding us in our decision-making and goal-setting, aligning them with our core beliefs. Simple, small steps to managing anxiety and growing our confidence. When we have confidence in ourselves and our abilities, we can inspire and motivate our teams to achieve greatness. It's not just about leading, but also about living a more fulfilled life. The significance of paying attention to our feelings and thoughts as a guide for future decisions and goals.  Listeners can access and download sum ups for free to dive deeper and take actionable steps: www.betteratwork.net/newsletter Let’s find out how to be better at work, together! Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net

In episode 25, we chat with Dr. Jim Harter about how developing the right habits in organisations can lead to increased productivity and better work environments. We go deep on what the latest research from Gallup is revealing about engaging and retaining employees. Jim is the Chief Workplace Scientist at Gallup and has been studying human behaviour in organisations for 37 years. Jim has led more than 1,000 studies of workplace effectiveness, including the largest ongoing meta-analysis of human potential and business unit performance. His work has also appeared in many publications, including Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, and in many prominent academic journals. He shared some invaluable insights on how to improve your work life and those of others.  We discuss: Why engagement is crucial to success  Research-supported principles for shaping work conditions and autonomy in hybrid work The unique position of managers to cultivate employee satisfaction How to revive mentoring in the workplace The five elements of wellbeing and why careers are critical to our wellbeing Don’t miss this insightful conversation with Jim! His expertise, backed by research and science, is presented in super digestible and easy-to-understand manner.  And in let's take this offline, Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus provide some exciting news on new Better@Work content dropping soon – you don’t want to miss it.  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Guest Dr Jim Harter is the chief workplace scientist of at Gallup’s workplace management and wellbeing at Gallup. Jim is the primary researcher and author of the first large-scale, multi-organization study to investigate the relationship between work-unit employee engagement and business results, including profitability, productivity, turnover, customer engagement, safety and health. He is the author of Wall Street Journal bestsellers Culture Shock, released in 2023, and Wellbeing at Work, released in 2021. He is also the author of No. 1 Wall Street Journal and Washington Post bestseller It's the Manager, released in 2019. If you want to learn more about Dr. Harter and his work, visit gallop.com.  Plus, we talked about the Gallup Q12 survey in this episode, do check it out.

In episode 24, we chat with Jonathan Black about soft skills being the employability skills, how the hiring process is not all about qualifications and achievements, and how hiring for attitude is so important. Jonathan shares his insights and practical tips for improving career prospects. From working in small businesses to large corporations, Jonathan's diverse background makes him the perfect person to guide students and professionals alike. With a career that has spanned continents and a proficiency in multiple languages, Jonathan offers a truly global perspective on career development. He also shares his insights on how to transition into a new career field and the delicate balance between career goals and personal aspirations, providing a nuanced view on the evolving nature of work. Jonathan offers so much advice, presenting fresh perspectives on early and later career development. We discuss: Why transactional analysis as a psychoanalytic theory is so important as a basis for understanding ours and others behaviour The importance of soft skills when evaluating candidates and why skills such as teamwork and communication are so important Hiring for attitude and training for skill, Jonathan talks about the importance of looking beyond qualifications and focusing on a candidate's attitude. Skills can be taught, but you cannot change attitude How Gen Z bring the courage to challenge and express their views and the rest of us can benefit if we listen, respect and present our own ideas so together we make things better No pride in ownership, Jonathan reminded us that true success comes from collaboration and shared ownership. Let go of the ego and embrace teamwork Join us for this thought-provoking discussion to gain valuable insights from Jonathan’s experiences and to enhance your understanding of the dynamic world of career development and hiring. And in let's take this offline, Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Jo, who has her first interview in 10 years and is looking for our advice.  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Guest Jonathan Black has been Director of the Careers Service at the University of Oxford for the last 15 years. He has worked in the UK, Europe and the USA, in small businesses and large corporations, private and public sector. In his day job, he works one-to-one with students, presents at international conferences, and produces new ideas and programmes to help students in schools, university and beyond, to improve their career prospects.  Jonathan writes his own column at the Finanical Times called "Dear Jonathan" and is also an author. His book, How to Find the Career You've Always Wanted is a must read that really gives you the confidence and skills to choose your career - as well as the perspective to see the big picture and understand where you are heading. Website:https://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/jonathan-black FT: https://www.ft.com/jonathan-black

In episode 23, we chat with Margaret Heffernan about the critical human skills that we need to confront the unexpected in today’s world. Margaret explains why attempts to predict the future, even in today's world of AI and Big Data technologies, are often doomed to failure. She offers alternative strategies for people and organisations facing an uncertain future — strategies based on human creativity and resilience. Dr Margaret Heffernan is an entrepreneur, Chief Executive, broadcaster, and author. She writes, speaks and blogs about business leadership, management, innovation and creativity, and her TED talks have been seen by over 14 million people. Margaret has written six books and her third book, ‘Wilful Blindness, Why We Ignore The Obvious’ was named one of the most important business books of the decade by the Financial Times. Her most recent book ‘Uncharted: How To Map The Future’ was published in 2020 and was nominated for the Financial Times Best Business Book award. We discuss: How Margaret’s dads job influenced her thinking early in life, especially that there were good companies and bad companies and good bosses and bad bosses The more we rely on technology to make us efficient, the fewer skills we have to confront the unexpected Human skills such as humility, imagination, and optimism are adaptable and flexible skills that feed people Ways to prevent potentially devastating “willful blindness” in your organisation The biggest misconception around middle managers Her love for the TV show “Succession” and the lessons for Boards. This episode is packed full of wisdom and amazing insights, you will walk away feeling inspired and energised. And in let's take this offline, Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Guest Dr. Margaret Heffernan is an entrepreneur, author, academic and Lead Faculty for the Forward Institute’s, where she mentors CEOs and senior executives of major global organisations. Her book, Uncharted: How to Map the Future explores how understanding and being prepared for uncertainty, both as individuals and leaders of organisations, helps navigate modern life.  Website: https://www.mheffernan.com/

In episode 22, we chat with Mamie Kanfer Stewart about creating effective and engaging meetings. Have you felt that you were wasting your time in a meeting, stuck in back-to-back meetings all day, and not getting to your work? Our listeners have told us this is a problem in many of their organisations and one that has worsened in recent years. Mamie, is a coach and consultant who trains teams and organisations to develop a healthy and productive meeting culture. She shares with us her expertise in planning (and declining!) meetings, substitutes to meetings, and making meetings more beneficial and productive for everyone. Cathal and Mamie also spent some time discussing how meetings reflect your culture and your team dynamics. We discuss: How to establish whether you need a meeting and the alternatives to holding one Why asking the desired outcome of a meeting before accepting it can have multiple benefits for you and the meeting organiser Approaches to prepare for meetings effectively How to chair/lead meetings inclusively for different personalities and thinking styles  Best practices for achieving your expected outcome in meetings This episode is packed full of practical tips to put into action in your meetings immediately! And in let's take this offline, Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Elizabeth, who has been out of the workforce for 15 years and is unsure how to start her career again.  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Guest Mamie Kanfer Stewart is the author of Momentum: Creating Effective, Engaging, and Enjoyable Meetings. Her company, Meeteor, helps teams and organizations build healthy meeting culture. As a coach, speaker, writer, and trainer, Mamie has helped thousands of people improve their meetings and how they collaborate. Mamie has been featured in Forbes, Inc, and Fast Company. She is a regular contributor on The Price of Business and is the host of The Modern Manager podcast. Website: MamieKS.com Book: Momentum by Mamie Kanfer Stewart and Tai Tsao Podcast:  The Modern Manager

In episode 21, we chat with Professor Ian Robertson about the science and neuroscience behind confidence. If you have confidence, it can empower you to reach heights you never thought possible. But if you don't, it can have a devastating effect on your future. Confidence lies at the core of what makes things happen. Probing the science and neuroscience behind confidence that has emerged over the last decade, clinical psychologist and neuroscientist Professor Ian Robertson tells us how confidence plays out in our minds, our brains and indeed our bodies. He explains where it comes from and how it spreads. And why it's not necessarily something you are born with, but something that can be learned.  We discuss: How our upbringing impacts our confidence The science behind confidence The ‘can do’ and ‘can happen’ matrix Our imagination is the Chief Operating Officer of confidence   Why women face more issues with self-confidence than men.   From the science behind confidence to practical tips for boosting self-assurance, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their mindset and achieve their goals And in let's take this offline, Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Shane, who’s company has been partnered with another company for a major project and both have very differing views.  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Guest Ian Robertson is an Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin and Co-Director of the Global Brain Health Institute. He is also the T Boone Pickens Distinguished Scientist at the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas and is a Member of Academia Europaea, as well as being a trained clinical psychologist and neuroscientist. Website: https://ianrobertson.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-robertson-4480502/ Book: https://ianrobertson.org/product/how-confidence-works-the-new-science-of-self-belief-and-why-some-people-learn-it-and-others-dont

In episode 20, we chat with Kate Goodger about the approaches to unlock our best performance ever.  Formerly a PE teacher, Kate is one of the most experienced performance psychologists in Olympic sport in the UK having worked with Team GB athletes and medallists at seven Olympic Games.  She has also built a reputation as a high-performance coach and facilitator with leaders and executives in European and global businesses. Clients have included LEGO, Morgan Stanley, Pfizer, ASDA, and Laing O’Rourke. We discuss: Taking time to know 1) who you are, 2) what really matters and 3) where you belong How the strongest athletes have the best relationship with failure The Psychology & Biology of Performance The biggest barriers that prevent people from improving their own performance How to be proactive and nurture our sense of belonging Plus, Kate puts Cathal on the spot for his views on some topics This is a fantastic discussion from a thoughtful, present, and very articulate Kate, we hope it helps with improving your performance. And in let's take this offline, Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Natasha, on the impact an error she made at work is having on her. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Kate LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-goodger-phd-c-psychol-7ba6b379/ Speaking: https://raisethebar.co.uk/speaker/dr-kate-goodger/

In episode 19, we chat with Joe Hirsch about feedback. Most of us dread giving feedback and we're not that effective when we do. International lecturer and best-selling author Joe explains why our present method for feedback is flawed and he has made a career investigating how we can transform feedback from something we fear, to something that brings us joy. We discuss: The difference between good and bad feedback How feedback focuses on a past we can’t change and how we should embrace a new approach A new strategy of shifting feedback from what you see to helping people see for themselves - a “mirror holding” approach for self-reflection to provoke an insight The super practical WRAP approach to feedback over the “Praise Sandwich” The four steps to handle receiving feedback Joe Hirsch helps organizations design and deliver feedback without fear. He is an internationally recognized expert on leadership and communication, who makes research-based practices more accessible to improve the way people work, learn and lead. In his book The Feedback Fix, Joe presents a bold alternative to traditional feedback techniques and performance management practices. A lot of our listeners have asked for an episode on feedback, and we hope you take a lot from this great discussion with Joe. And in let's take this offline, Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Ashley on how to deal with a clique at work Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or https://betteratwork.com.au Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Joe Website: www.joehirsch.me TEDx: https://www.ted.com/talks/joe_hirsch_the_joy_of_getting_feedback Book: https://www.amazon.com/Feedback-Fix-Embrace-Future-Change/dp/1475826591 Podcast:  https://open.spotify.com/show/0Hk8FyFkgiGrlocemkBLCd?si=7f3be9c5c618425f LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemhirsch/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/joemhirsch

In episode 18, we chat with Ayse Birsel about designing a life you love. Ayse (pronounced Eye-Shay) Birsel is one of the world’s leading industrial designers. She has designed hundreds of products, from toilet seats to office systems to potato peelers to concept cars. However, her current work has shifted beyond that. Now, Ayse is focused on what it takes to design a good life. Through her workshops and writing, Ayse has helped thousands of people design their work and lives, and we really wanted to get the chance to share her methods.   We discuss: Why designing your life is important and how to apply design principles to your life Insights into her year-long codesign with older people Making friends is as healthy as exercising How thinking of a hero of yours, somebody who inspires you can help define your values Companies that love themselves! Ayse is the author of the best-selling book Design the Long Life You Love: A Step-by-Step Guide to Love, Purpose, Well-Being, and Friendship. She has won international design awards for just about everything - including creating one of the world’s most comfortable toilet seats (which we have a lovely chat about)! In our chat we also take a look at the key steps to create the life you really love. Ayse speaks about the importance of collaborating and what she means when she speaks about the friendship factory. We look at how self-love is one of the key components in creating a long life you love.  And in let's take this offline, Annette Sloan joins me again as we break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Paul, who was recently made redundant and feels lost after working in that job for nearly 15 years and how does he come back from it.  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Ayse Website: AyseBirsel.com Book: Design the Long Life You Love Website: DesignTheLongLifeYouLove.com Newsletter: AyseBirsel.com/newsletter Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aysebirsel/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AyseBirselSeck

In episode 17, we chat with Maryanne O’Brien about the importance of conscious communication in the workplace. Our work lives revolve around effective communication. It is essential for cultivating trust and team collaboration, as well as strengthening our motivation and well-being at work. And with teams experiencing more anxiety, stress, and burnout than ever before, strong communication skills have never been more essential.  We discuss:. How communication is at the heart of many workplace issues  Understanding communication styles improves your ability to be heard The four communication styles–and how to master yours (link below to help you discover your style) How to bridge the gap between your style and others’ How stress has a significant impact on your communication skills Maryanne is an expert in creating cultures to foster open communication, cultivate empathy, and deepen trust. She is the author of The Elevated Communicator: How to Master Your Style and Strengthen Well-Being at Work, which was born out of more than a decade of original research. In our chat we take a look at how communication is at the heart of common problems. We dive into understanding our own communication style and how to use it in the most effective way as a leader. Maryanne speaks about how self-assessment helps you identify your communication style, raise your self-awareness and build the communication skills needed to create a positive impact at work.  And in let's take this offline, my friend Annette and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Georgina who is dealing with a close colleague who is working in a dysfunctional team and wants to pull Georgina into the drama.  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Maryanne Book: The Elevated Communicator: How to Master Your Style and Strengthen Well-Being at Work LinkedIn: Maryanne O’Brien Style Assessment: TheElevatedCommunicator.com Website: TheElevatedCommunicator.com

In episode 16, we speak with Joe Folkman about leadership and trust.  We discuss: - Joe’s background as a psychometrician (psychologist who uses data to predict outcomes) who studies leadership - How trust in society can predict GDP - The impact of low trust inside an organisation - The correlation between trust and leadership effectiveness - The three behaviours that most affect gaining trust  (you do not want to miss these!) and why leaders should be asking for feedback In his latest book Trifecta of Trust, Joe has collected a mountain of compelling data to make the irrefutable case for the value of trust in leadership. By mastering this leadership trust trifecta, you can increase your success and happiness, both in business and life. Joe is a globally renowned psychometrician, best-selling author, and speaker on leadership, feedback, and organisational change. For over 30 years, Joe has been assessing and studying top leaders in every industry. He designs unique surveys and assessments utilizing a database comprised of over a million assessments on over 100,000+ leaders. And in let's take this offline, my friend Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener James, who has been asked by his manager to move to an exciting new area, however James is worried to say yes...   Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net

In episode 15, we speak with Amy Gallo about the most effective methods to deal with conflict and difficult people at work.  Amy Gallo is a contributing editor at Harvard Business Review. She is the author of the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict and Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone, and a cohost of HBR’s Women at Work podcast. She writes and speaks about workplace dynamics, communication, feedback, and emotional intelligence. As a sought-after speaker and facilitator, Amy has helped thousands of leaders deal with conflict more effectively and navigate complicated workplace dynamics. In our chat we dive into, the reality of difficult relationships, how we may be contributing to the problem, and how to turn things around. Here's a quick episode breakdown... We explore workplace boundaries. The health impacts of bad relationships at work. How to work well with different types of people. How our own biases can seep into our relationships without even knowing.  And in let's take this offline, my friend Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Claire, who has a younger team member experiencing a dysfunctional relationship with an important stakeholder.  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Amy Book: Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) Book: HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict (HBR Guide Series) Podcast: Women at Work TEDx Talk: “The Gift of Conflict” Website: AmyEGallo.com

In episode 14 of Better@Work, we chat with two leading experts on the future of work, Lawrence Goldstone and Caitlin Guilfoyle. Many of the solutions for the future of work are vague when they’re not tied to an example e.g. ‘Upskilling’, ‘True self’, ‘Purpose’: Plus, these concepts are all journeys (maybe even journeys that don’t have measurable endings).Lawrence and Caitlin provide practical and tangible ways to get ready for the future of work. This is a no jargon approach with insights into 1) What we need to do as individuals to get ready for the future of work? 2) What organisations need to consider and change? and 3) Hybrid work, the pros, the cons and everything in between. Lawrence Goldstone is a Partner at PwC Australia, and leads the firms Future of Work agenda and Signature Experience program, ‘The Outside’. He is passionate around disruptive models of change and bringing new perspectives to Executives and Boards, Lawrence brings over 25 years local and international experience and is an expert in strategic problem solving, collaborative design, employee engagement and communications. Caitlin Guilfoyle is one of Australia’s leading Future of Work voices and specialists. Caitlin is a Future of Work Leader at PwC Australia, with over 15 years’ experience in roles within public and private enterprise both in Australia and overseas. Caitlin develops research and thought leadership on the market trends that affect organisations and people, as well as supporting leadership teams, to help them prepare for their future of work. We discuss recent insights such as World Economic Forum Top 10 skills for tomorrow and the latest report from PWC on the Future of Work Outlook for 2023 In this episode, we cover… What does the future of work really mean? Advice for individuals and organisations on how to get ready for the future Strategies around people returning to the office and really 'Earning the Commute' Advice on reframing the flexibility debate, not only about the individual’s needs, but about the team and the organisation If you are looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving modern world of work, tune in to this insightful and fun chat with Lawrence and Caitlin. On top of all that, I debrief on Lawrence and Caitlin’s key insights with my friend Annette Sloan and answer a question from our listener Melanie, who is working in an organisation where she feels the culture is broken and every day feels challenging and political. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About PWC Learn more about PWC Future of Work

In episode 13 of Better@Work, we chat with one of the world’s leading thinkers and researcher on self-awareness, Dr. Tasha Eurich. Tasha shares her insights around why self-awareness is crucial when it comes to understanding ourselves and the people around us, how you go about developing it, what are the biggest misconceptions about it, and what can you do to overcome the blind spots in your self-awareness. Tasha also talks through why she believes being more self-aware is the key to success in work and life. Tasha Eurich is an organizational psychologist, executive coach, researcher, and New York Times best-selling author of Insight and Bankable Leadership. Tasha has worked directly with 20,000 leaders and spoken live to hundreds of thousands more, with clients including the NBA, Walmart, Salesforce and more, and her TEDx talks have been viewed more than 8 million times. Thinkers50 also named Tasha one of the Top 30 Emerging Management Thinkers in the world, and a Top 50 World Leader in Coaching. We discuss her most recent book; Insights – The Power of Self- Awareness in a Self-Deluded World In this episode, we cover… What is self-awareness? Tasha's advice for improving self-awareness and the simple three questions to ask when brushing your teeth each evening How self-consciousness is different to self-awareness and how it can hinder your work life The seven Pillars of Insight to become a more insightful worker and person (this was amazing!!) How people who are avoiding feedback for their own comfort sometimes underestimate the amount of comfort knowing can give them Tune in and find out why we have wanted Tasha on the show for some time and enjoy the fun Tasha and I have in this conversation. On top of all that, I debrief on Tasha’s key insights with my friend Annette Sloan and answer a question from our listener Paul, who has been offered a role overseas and is trying to decide if it will enhance his work and life. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net Learn more about Tasha: https://tashaeurich.com/

In episode 12 of Better@Work, we chat with Chester Elton, Leadership Expert and Author. Chester shares his perspective on the #1 issue in workplaces across the globe, anxiety. Anxiety in the workplace has always been present, however, rates of anxiety, have increased significantly since 2020 and more people are quitting for mental health reasons. Chester shares generational differences in dealing with anxiety and explains how twenty somethings are much more comfortable discussing how they are really doing. Chester outlines the signs of anxiety, strategies for leaders to help reduce it and ways to normalise mental health conversations in workplaces. Chester Elton is the #4 leadership expert in the world and #2 among the world's top organizational culture experts ranked by the Global Gurus research organisation in 2022. He brings world-class energy, insight, and passion to the conversation with a mindset of empathy and gratitude. Chesteris a best-selling author, speaker and executive coach, he and his co-author Adrian Gostick have proven that the key to really successful companies is really successful relationships with employees. We discuss their most recent book; Anxiety at Work: 8 Strategies to Help Teams Build Resilience, Handle Uncertainty, and Get Stuff Done In this episode, we cover… The #1 cause of anxiety and how managers can recognize it The difference between worry, stress and anxiety How to Lead with empathy and gratitude The importance of an ally at work Being better able to talk about anxiety and creating emotionally safe environments.  Tune in and find out why Chester also has huge passion for the book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse. On top of all that, I debrief on Chester’s key insights with my friend Annette Sloan and answer a question from our listener Sarah,  whose boss exploded when she answered a question from someone more senior. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Chester

In our latest episode of Better@Work, we chat with William Cowan, author, and career strategist. We discuss the mistakes people make when attempting to take the next steps in their career. We dive into the simple ways to articulate your strengths and learn how you can really secure your dream role. William Cowan has over 30 years of experience in senior management positions and has served as an advisor to boards and chief executives worldwide. He is an amazing leader in career transition management and has formalised an approach that produces outstanding results. In 25-plus years, he has provided practical guidance to over 1,000 senior executives, as well as many others including university graduates In this episode we cover how to… Build your career move using a clear, structured process to identify and secure attractive career opportunities Learn the ways to articulate your special strengths Develop a network and make it work for you Conduct a successful meeting with a future employer Tune in and find out why we don’t want you saying ….“I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore”  On top of all that, I debrief on William’s key insights with my friend Annette and answer a question from our listener Dianne, who applied for a more senior role and was unsuccessful. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About William Learn more about William and the book on his website https://buildingawinningcareer.com/

Check out the trailer to learn more about Better@Work, including a preview of the world-leading behavioural psychologists, neuroscientists and performance gurus who join us on each episode to give us their practical tips for a better day at work. Plus, insights on the topics we will be covering in season two. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net

In episode ten of this Better@Work episode, we chat with Erica Keswin about the power workplace rituals have to connect us to purpose and take teams to new levels of performance. I am a huge fan of Erica as I strongly believe in workplace rituals and have seen how positively they can impact culture.   In our chat, we take a look at why it's so important to create rituals in the workplace and how they lead to more engagement, productivity and purpose. Erica has discovered the 3 P's that go into why rituals are so crucial: Psychological Safety, Purpose and Performance. She dives into the science and psychology behind rituals. She defines a ritual as something that we assign a certain meaning or intention, which happens with repetition (whether daily, weekly, quarterly), and which goes beyond its practical purpose. Rituals can help us feel a sense of connection to those participating in a ritual with us. And engaging in a ritual can give us a sense of purpose. While many people think of rituals as things that you do alone, rituals are actually built into workplace practices in all sorts of ways, including onboarding, meetings, and the celebrations of professional milestones.  Erica is a workplace strategist who has worked for the past twenty years with some of the most iconic brands in the world as a consultant, speaker, author, and professional dot-connector. Her bestselling book, Bring Your Human to Work:Ten Sure-Fire Ways to Design a Workplace That’s Good for People, Great for Business, and Just Might Change the World, was published by McGraw-Hill in the fall of 2018. Her second book, Rituals Roadmap:The Human Way to Transform Everyday Routines Into Workplace Magic (McGraw-Hill), was published in January 2021 and made the Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly and USA Today best seller lists. She was named one of Marshall Goldsmith’s Top 100 Coaches in 2020, as well as one of Business Insider’s most innovative coaches of 2020.  This episode is so fun as Erica and I share such a passion for employee engagement, you will leave with some great ideas for creating meaningful, yet simple rituals at work. Quick episode breakdown: Erica’s background as a connector and how it led to her examining the impact of technology on the workplace The definition of “ritual” and you can apply it practically to your workday How a sweet trolley had a positive impact on connection at the New York Times The three Ps of rituals that you can begin to incorporate right now into your workplace and the return on investment (ROI) it creates. Why rituals need to be defined with a purpose The magic question Erica Keswin asks company leaders to help define their company rituals How leading companies like LinkedIn are creating simple yet meaningful rituals. Let’s Take This offline In our “Let’s take this offline” segment I debrief on Erica’s key insights with my friend Annette and answer a question from our listener Sally, who has a senior role and had her request to work flexibly refused by her HR team. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Erica Learn more about Erica on her website https://ericakeswin.com/ Books https://ericakeswin.com/books/rituals-roadmap/ https://ericakeswin.com/books/bring-your-human-to-work/

In episode nine of this Better@Work episode, we chat with the amazing Margaret Moore aka “Coach Meg,” who is the founder and CEO of Wellcoaches, an evidenced-based wellness coaching school, that has trained over 14,000 coaches in 50 countries over the past 20 years. We might assume coaches are used only in the world of sport, however, Margaret has been helping people from all walks of life discover their strengths and identify opportunities to maximize their potential — in work, in relationships, and in life. The former biotech exec founded the Wellcoaches School of Coaching to help wellness professionals best serve their patients. Since then, she’s has added students from the business world, front-line healthcare workers and the police.   On this episode, the Coach’s Coach details what effective coaching really means; how leaning into doubt, or “our shadow,” can help us reveal patterns we need to change; and why organizing our minds can set us up for sustainable success. She shares how getting into moments of flow every day is nourishing, how we can all be better coaches and we hear her story of not making it in Toronto. Margaret Moore is an executive wellness coach and co-author of Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life: Train Your Brain to Get More Done in Less Time and Organize Your Emotions, Optimize Your Life. She has driven the professionalization of health coaching in two related domains: constructing a theoretical base for the practice, and evaluating results to establish best practices. Margaret is the co-director of the Institute of Coaching at McLean Hospital (a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School) and the founder and CEO of Wellcoaches Corporation, a leading coach training school. This episode is super informative and Margaret teaches us how to apply some of the latest research in neuroscience in our everyday lives, making them less stressful and more relaxed. Quick episode breakdown: Margaret discusses Self-Determination Theory, which suggests we are motivated to grow and change by three innate and universal psychological needs; competence, connection and autonomy We explore how Neuroscientists have opened a window into the disorganized minds of those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), providing insights into how to train our brains to become more organised Margaret talks through the strong connection between disorganised minds and unhealthy habits We learn why Margaret and her co-author Paul Hammerness translated the science of brain organisation into six principles or “rules of order” We explore the 6 rules of order; Tame Your Frenzy, Sustain Your Focus, Apply the brakes, Access your working memory, Shift Sets and Connect the Dots. Let’s Take This offline In our “Let’s take this offline” segment I debrief on Margaret’s key insights with my friend Annette and answer a question from our listener Steven, who has returned to work from parental leave and both he and his partner are really struggling. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net

In episode eight of this Better@Work episode we explore with Melody Wilding how some of us sense and feel more than our colleagues at work and this can actually be a superpower instead of a liability. Being a driven but sensitive individual is an interesting mix. You have all the desire for high achievement and go-getting but can also overthink everything, which slows you down. This overthinking can lead to putting too much pressure on yourself, experiencing imposter syndrome, having trouble “turning off” at the end of the day, overworking, and on your way to burnout. Building on the work of Dr. Elaine Aron around highly sensitive people (HSPs), Melody shares how Sensitive Strivers are high-achievers who are also biologically and genetically different in being more sensitive to emotions and the world around them, because they process information more deeply than others, are often more susceptible to stress, emotional overwhelm, and overthinking. The good news is that sensitivity, combined with a strong desire to be the best version of ourselves, can make Sensitive Strivers powerhouse performers. Melody’s research found managers consistently rate people with higher sensitivity as their top contributors. The key is learning to manage your mind and emotional responses in more productive ways. Melody is a Human Behaviour Professor, Executive coach and Author of “Trust Yourself, Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work”, who was recently named one of Business Insiders Most Innovative Coaches. This episode with Melody is insightful and informative in understanding sensitivity, how to harness it and also protect and channel your deep empathy into opportunities. Melody makes this super actionable and practical, and it was a true joy to have this conversation with her. Quick episode breakdown: We learn one in five people are sensitive strivers, how they are highly empathetic and emotionally intelligent and how to identify if you, a friend or a colleague have this super power We discuss how Melody’s personal experience of severe burnout inspired her work and research Melody talks us through how we can stop taking work so personally, diversifying your identity for your own psychological safety We outline how to detox ourselves from “Honour Roll Hangover” of Perfectionism, People Pleasing and Over-functioning Melody explains the biological trait of sensitivity, the link to socialisation and imposter syndrome We unpack the guidance on how to counter sensitivity by taking action to build confidence, along with work-place people pleaser solutions of process and structure, strategic silence, celebrating small successes and not putting off life for work that can wait until tomorrow. Let’s Take This offline In our “Let’s take this offline” segment I debrief on Melody’s key insights with my friend Annette and answer a question from our listener Karina, who is struggling with a passive aggressive team member. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Melody Learn more about Melody on her website melodywilding.com/about/ Her book, Trust Yourself, Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work melodywilding.com/book/

In episode 7 of this Better@Work episode, we have an engaging chat on better leadership with the super smart and warm Amy Jen Su. We work through the five essential principles for bringing out your best-self every day. Amy understands busy leaders and entrepreneurs want to improve, however they don’t want to be overwhelmed at the prospect of doing more in order to be a successful and effective leader. We love Amy’s book, The Leader You Want to Be: Five Essential Principles to Bringing Out Your Best Self – Every Day (2019). The book reveals five key leadership elements – Purpose, Process, People, Presence, and Peace – we can use to increase our capacity, energy, and impact, with less stress and more calm. In our chat, Amy unpack all the principles and shares how we can tap into and expand our leadership capacity in order to be at our best. Amy is managing partner and co-founder of Paravis Partners, an executive training and coaching firm. She is a frequently sought-after executive coach and speaker on issues of leadership presence, communications excellence, and executive endurance--factors critical to a leader's performance success. She has a proven track record helping senior leaders clearly articulate their personal and organisational vision, maintain their personal best amid change and complexity, and be a compelling communicator with all stakeholders. This chat with Amy is fun and full of practical tips which will teach you how to tap into and expand your leadership capacity so that you can be your best, sustain yourself, and thrive as a leader. Quick episode breakdown: We learn the difference between leader A and leader B mode Discuss “The Pitfalls of Doing”  Amy talks about her five leadership elements - purpose, process, people, presence and peace We discuss if leadership is learned or innate Amy shares her best tip for listeners to have a better day at work Let’s Take This offline In our “Let’s take this offline” segment I debrief on Amy’s key insights with my friend Annette and answer a question from our listener Amanda, who is having trouble with her boss in a new role. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Amy Learn more about Amy on her website https://paravispartners.com/our-team/amy-jen-su/ Her book, The Leader You Want to Be: Five Essential Principles to Bringing Out Your Best Self – Every Day https://store.hbr.org/product/the-leader-you-want-to-be-five-essential-principles-for-bringing-out-your-best-self-every-day/10197

In episode six of this Better@Work episode, we have an informative chat on burnout with our first Canadian guest, Jennifer Moss. Since early 2020, many of us have been operating in crisis mode; responding to the expanding demands of work, working from home while juggling family priorities all under the mental fog of chronic stress. Burnout is real and it has increased significantly since the pandemic struck. Jennifer believes organizations need to design burnout strategies that move beyond apps, wellness programs and perks. Instead, she makes the case for a systematic and preventative approach to building an anti-burnout strategy.  In our chat, Jennifer explores the causes and implications of burnout, the responsibilities of both the employee and the employer in identifying and preventing burnout, and tangible solutions to combat it — helping leaders to distinguish between good intentions and effective policies. Jennifer Moss is an award-winning author, speaker, and radio columnist, reporting on topics related to happiness and workplace well-being. Her articles have appeared in Forbes, the Society of Human Resource Management, Fortune, and Harvard Business Review. Her first book, “Unlocking Happiness at Work,” received the distinguished UK Business Book of the Year Award. Jennifer has been named a Canadian Innovator of the Year, an International Female Entrepreneur of the Year, and was a recipient of the Public Service Award from the Office of President Obama. Jennifer’s new book, The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It, attempts to explain burnout and provide the strategies to navigate these challenging times. Jennifer is a great guest and provides super practical solutions to burnout, we hope you enjoy the episode.  Quick episode breakdown: Jennifer and I discuss how she went from being the happiness expert to an unhappiness expert We learn how the World Health Organisation identified burnout as a workplace phenomenon We talk about what research shows are the triggers for burnout; Workload, Perceived lack of control, Lack of reward or recognition, Poor relationships, Lack of fairness, Values mismatch How having a best friend at work can reduce burnout and even help you get a promotion! Why some personalities are more at risk of burnout over others How companies can build an antiburnout strategy based on prevention, not perks What leaders can do to develop a healthier culture by leading with curiosity and becoming more empathetic. Let’s Take This offline In our “Let’s take this offline” segment I debrief on Jennifer’s key insights with my friend Annette and answer a question from our listener Louise, who has a team member experiencing the loss of a close family member. Louise is keen for some guidance on managing this difficult time for her team member.   Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Jennifer Jennifer Moss is a syndicated radio columnist, and a workplace well-being expert. She was on the Global Happiness Council—a small group of leading scientists and economists that support the UN’s goals related to global well-being. Website https://www.jennifer-moss.com/

In episode five of this Better@Work episode, we have a fun and super insightful chat about emotions at work with Mollie West Duffy. Molly and her co-collaborator Liz Fosslien are two of my favourite people to follow for their nuggets of wisdoms and illustrations. Mollie believes most of us shy away from sharing what we're feeling with colleagues and bosses. She shares her insights and ideas about the new rules of emotions at work including: be less passionate about your job and why your feelings aren't facts. Mollie and I discuss how we can use our emotions at work positively and the benefits it will bring for us and our colleagues. Mollie is an expert in organizational design, development, and leadership coaching. She previously was an organizational design lead at global innovation firm IDEO. She’s helped advise and coach leaders and founders at companies including Google and LinkedIn. She’s experienced in designing talent processes and systems, as well as organizational structures and behaviours, cultural values, and learning and development programs. She is the co-author with Liz Fosslien of the Wall Street Journal bestseller No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work and now their second book Big Feelings: How To Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay. This chat with Mollie is great fun, with some amazing thought-provoking takeaways on emotions at work. Quick episode breakdown: - Mollie and I discuss treating your emotions as data - We talk about how we compare ourselves to others, Mollie highlight some of the key ways that comparison can help us increase our happiness and development - The importance of psychological safety in teams and study from Google which looked at successful teams, with teams that had the highest level of psychological safety being less likely to leave their jobs - Mollie shared the amazing insight “no one is going to draw your boundaries for you” - We learn about Cal Newport’s technique “schedule shutdown complete” - Plus, Mollie and I chat about everything from Elon Musk emotions to the lack of a safety net in the US. Let’s Take This offline In our “Let’s take this offline” segment I debrief on Mollie’s key insights with my friend Annette and answer a question from our listener Daniel, who loves his work but is concerned the company’s brand is lacklustre and wont succeed. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Mollie Mollie is an expert in organisational design, development and leadership coaching, having coached leaders at companies such as Google and LinkedIn. Mollie helps organisations become more adaptive, creative, and effective by intentionally designing all aspects of their organisational structures. She is the co-author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book about emotions at work: No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work, and Big Feelings: How To Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay Website https://molliewestduffy.com/about

In episode four of this Better@Work episode, we welcome the inspiring Floyd Woodrow. I love Floyd’s story and his amazing Compass for Life framework.  A few years ago, I was looking for some inspiration to help me find my Super North Star and came across Floyd Woodrow DCM MBE. Floyd is Managing Director and founder of Chrysalis Worldwide, a world-leading values-based organisation and owner of Quantum group. Floyd spent his formative years first in the UK Parachute Regiment before joining the Special Air Service at the age of 22, where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his work in Iraq and an MBE for his work in Afghanistan. Floyd is now a renowned speaker on leadership and performance coaching world-wide and has established an international reputation for designing and running leadership and elite performance training in sports, business, government, police, not for profit organisations and education. Floyd is known to be challenging, supportive and totally committed to developing elite teams and individuals as well as offering practical and commercial value in strategic planning and execution. Floyd has also written several books including Learning to Learn, and more recently, The Warrior, The Strategist and You in which he outlines the “Compass for Life model for leadership and life”. This is a fantastic conversation with Floyd, I hope you enjoy it as much as I (and my producer Darcy ) did.   Quick episode breakdown: Floyd and I discuss the fact that life is a journey and how paying attention to what lights you up on your journey in work and life is so important Developing your Super North Star and how his compass for life provides the framework you need to achieve balance and point towards your Super North Star Floyd talks about the importance of mindset, and shares his amazing leadership and elite team’s performance insights Plus, Floyd shares his passion and approach for helping inspire kids in schools Let’s Take This offline In our “Let’s take this offline” segment I debrief on Floyd’s key insights with my friend Annette and answer a question from a listener who is feeling really stuck in their job and exhausted as a result. Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Floyd Floyd is a former Special Forces Soldier and was one of the youngest soldiers ever to have been selected for the elite SAS, in fact he was graded in the top 1% of SAS officers. He has an MBE for his work in Afghanistan. Floyd is a renowned speaker on leadership and performance coaching world-wide and has established an international reputation for designing and running leadership and elite performance training in sports, business, government, police, not for profit organisations and education. Floyd is known to be challenging, supportive and totally committed to developing elite teams and individuals as well as offering practical and commercial value in strategic planning and execution. Floyd’s third book is called The Warrior, The Strategist and You and outlines the “Compass for Life model for leadership and life”  Book: The Warrior, The Strategist And You: How To Find Your Purpose And Realise Your Potential https://compassforlife.co.uk/book-shop/ Book: Elite!: The Secret To Exceptional Leadership And Performance website: https://floydwoodrow.com/

In episode three of this Better@Work episode, we’re excited to welcome the amazing Tessa West for a high energy, fun and insightful chat. I came across Tessa in the last year through her amazing book, Jerks at Work: Toxic Coworkers and What to do About Them. Social psychologist Tessa has spent years leveraging science to help people solve interpersonal conflicts in the workplace. What she discovered is that most of our go-to tactics don’t work because they fail to address the specific motivations that drive bad behaviour. In the book, she deep dives the seven jerks you’re most likely to encounter in the workplace, drawing on decades of original research to expose their inner workings and weak points — and ultimately deliver an effective game plan for stopping each type before they take you down with them. It’s a book I wish I had many years ago.  Quick episode breakdown: I chat with Tessa around what her inspired to work in the area of interpersonal interaction and communication, and why she wrote her book Jerks at Work: Toxic Coworkers and What to do About Them  Tessa talks about the seven types (archetypes) of jerks at work; kiss-up/kick-downer, credit stealer, bulldozer, free-rider, micromanager, neglectful boss and the gaslighter We agree there are always jerks at work, however you can deal with them by understanding how they tick, and using tactics to understand their motivations and restore your emotional wellbeing I share my challenges with a gaslighter and micromanager and we talk through the types of conflicts you're likely to encounter in the workplace and evidence-based approaches for dealing with toxic bosses, annoying coworkers, and difficult people at work. While dealing with challenging people is not easy, we also have some fun talking through some of personal examples of toxic individuals (sometimes you have to laugh are their brazen approach, humour helps too!!).  Tessa talks to me about her quiz we can take to make sure we are not the jerk at work Finally, Tessa shares an amazing tip on some advice she received which makes her better at work Let’s Take This offline In our “Let’s take this offline” segment I debrief on Tessa’s key insights with my friend Annette and answer a question from Emma about dealing with a difficult manager.  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Tessa Tessa West is an Associate Professor of Psychology at New York University. A leading expert on interpersonal interaction and communication, and quantitative analysis and statistics, her work has been covered in the New York Times, The Guardian, the WSJ, TIME, the Huffington Post and The Globe and Mail. Her experiences as a rising leader in the world of academia - often as the only woman, and youngest person in the role by a magnitude of decades - have given her a unique perspective on jerks at work. She regularly gives talks to global organisations including Capital One, KPMG, Gilead and Pfizer, to help employees improve their relationships. Book: Jerks at Work: Toxic Coworkers and What to do About Them Quiz: “Am I a Jerk at Work?” Website: TessaWestAuthor.com

In episode 2 of Better at Work, the secrets of better workplace cultures - simple everyday practices to improve how we all work together, which will lead to greater team and individual happiness and performance. In episode two of Better@Work, we welcome Bruce Daisley as our second guest for a super informative and wide-ranging chat. I am a big big fan of Bruce, and his podcast Eat Sleep Work Repeat.  Bruce is a best-selling author who spent 12 years running Twitter in Europe and was at YouTube before that. Bruce is a respected thought leader on what makes works good and what makes work matter, and his book The Joy of Work has been bible for me.  I chat with Bruce about how to keep our audiences engaged with crafting presentations that are attention grabbing, fresh, new, and current and realising that no-one cares anywhere as much of you, and how bringing entertainment to an audience is a must!!! Bruce and I unpack his fascination with what makes work good, touching on anti-work movement sub-cultures.  Bruce shares the secrets of good workplace culture and how making many small shifts creates a momentum of change. He cautions not to presume that just because you can understand it, you can do it. And brings to life how he and his teams tackled burnout culture and weekend emails habits. We laugh about the common act of ego when we know the science of the diminishing returns of long work hours, but delude ourselves that those rules don’t apply to us   We marvel at how only 13% of Australian workers are engaged with their jobs, while the US is at 30% and for French workers it’s only 3%! We then discuss the biggest determinant of being engaged at work is whether or not you have a friend at work, and how stress levels are lower in workplaces where a shared identity and a sense of belonging are strong. We cover research by Wharton’s Sigal Barsade, demonstrating “companionate love” in the workplace is vital to employee morale, teamwork and customer satisfaction, and is proven to make work better and also drive better results. Bruce makes a best book recommendation, The Good Jobs Strategy by Zeynep Ton. We laugh about the “Mill owner” trap we can fall into and the illusion that high productivity correlates to big hours, when focus on outputs is what really matters. We also cover Bruce’s Framework: Recharge  I  Sync  I  Buzz We wrap up on the power of humour to create togetherness, bonding and collective safety, “Crisp Thursday”, the Jewish concept of Simcha or Shared Joy. Also, that resilience is a toxic myth, Bruce’s new book Fortitude, Unlocking the Secrets of Inner Strength and Bruce’s best ever career advice on how not to overdo it. Let’s Take This offline In our “Let’s take this offline” segment I debrief on Bruce’s key insights with my friend Annette and answer a question from Sita about her demotivated team Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Bruce Daisley: Bruce Daisley is one of the world's leading experts on our evolving relationship with our jobs - published in the Washington Post, Harvard Business Review, The Guardian and the Wall Street Journal. His first book, The Joy of Work, was a Sunday Times bestseller and was translated into 15 different international editions. It was shortlisted for the CMI Business Book of the Year. Formerly Bruce was the European Vice-President for Twitter and is the host of the UK’s number one business podcast Eat Sleep Work Repeat.  https://eatsleepworkrepeat.com/

In episode one of this Better@Work series opener, we’re excited to welcome the amazing Caroline Webb as our first guest for a fun and insightful chat. I am a huge fan of Caroline, and I’ve loved and leveraged her teachings for many years. Caroline is an executive coach, author, speaker and senior advisor to McKinsey, who specializes in showing us how to use the insights from behavioural economics, psychology and neuroscience to transform our approach to everyday working life for the better.  In this episode we share practical evidence-based techniques to help you have more control of your daily working life. Quick episode breakdown: I chat with Caroline about her book “How to Have a Good Day” and what inspired her work on how to be at our best at work Caroline and I explore our understanding of what a good day looks like, the science, keeping our brains in discovery mode, and the mind body loop Caroline shares her seven tips for a good day – Priorities, Productivity, Relationships, Thinking, Influence, Resilience and Energy We have fun talking through the “When Then” technique, the multi-tasking myth, the “Positive No”, Brain-friendly feedback techniques, the “Peak-End” rule and even Donna Summer!! In our “Let’s take this offline” segment I debrief on Caroline’s key insights with my friend Annette and answer a listener’s question about turning around a very challenging regular meeting  Get in touch: Cathal@betteratwork.com.au or betteratwork.net Get in touch on Instagram: @betteratwork_ Get in touch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-quinlan/ Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: betteratwork.net/contact-us/ Get the newsletter: betteratwork.net About Caroline Webb: Caroline is an executive coach, author, speaker and senior advisor to McKinsey. Caroline specialises in the use of insights from behavioural economics, psychology and neuroscience to transform our approach to working life.  Her book How to Have a Good Day has been published in 14 languages and more than 60 countries https://carolinewebb.co/

In this Better@Work introduction episode, learn about the show, the host Cathal Quinlan and what inspired Cathal to create a podcast to help people be better at work. Cathal will also share his background, the guest line-up for series one and you will learn about the 'Lets Take This Offline' segment, where Cathal will be joined by Annette Sloan, his friend and long-time collaborator.  For more visit betteratwork.net