Working Conversations

Episode 163: Norms Not Working for You? Change Them

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores the critical need to evaluate and potentially change workplace norms that emerged during the pandemic and may no longer be useful or are even counterproductive. She provides a comprehensive guide on recognizing, questioning, and revising these norms to enhance effectiveness and adapt to the evolving professional landscape. Many of these norms have become deeply rooted in organizational culture. Using examples like email response times and meeting schedules, Dr. Anderson offers a five-step process to initiate change, whether you are a manager or an individual contributor. This episode is essential for anyone looking to improve workplace dynamics and ensure their team's norms align with current and future objectives.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/163

Episode 162: Navigating Employee Types: Strategies for Stayers, Players, Slayers, and Glaciers

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson delves into managing four distinct types of employees: Stayers, Players, Slayers, and Glaciers. By understanding and addressing the unique challenges and contributions of each group, managers (and co-workers) can approach employees with tailored strategies to enhance motivation and engagement. From fostering a sense of belonging among Stayers to encouraging innovation from Slayers, Dr. Anderson provides actionable advice for leaders aiming to cultivate a productive, engaged workforce. Listen for invaluable insights on maximizing your team's potential and strategically navigating the complexities of today's workplace dynamics.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/162

Episode 161:The Tyranny of the Inbox: How Late-Night Emails Impact Your Team

In this insightful episode, Dr. Janel Anderson tackles the impact of late-night work emails on employee well-being. She examines whether managers should voluntarily curb after-hours communication or if legislation is needed to enforce boundaries. Analyzing the balance between workplace flexibility and potential stress and burnout, Dr. Anderson unpacks the urgency to respect personal time in the current high-stress work environment. She offers practical advice for managers to lead by example and suggests scheduling emails instead of sending them after hours, promoting a healthier, more respectful, and productive workplace culture.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/161

Episode 160:Five Reasons You Need White Space on Your Calendar

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson delves into the crucial yet often neglected practice of preserving white space in your calendar. She outlines five compelling reasons, including fostering strategic thinking and enhancing creativity, that make unscheduled time vital for both personal and organizational success. By advocating the importance of reflection, focus, work-life balance, and preparing for the unexpected, Dr. Anderson provides listeners with actionable steps to improve their productivity and well-being. This is a must-listen for anyone seeking to optimize their calendar for better professional outcomes and a more balanced life.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/160

Episode 159:Why You Need a Work BFF

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores the profound impact of forging close friendships in the workplace, revealing their contribution to both individuals and organizations alike. She notes some of the dramatic business outcomes that arise when people report having a close friend at work, including a 36% decrease in safety incidents and robust profit surges of 12%, while also alleviating loneliness and increasing employee engagement. She outlines strategies to cultivate these relationships, emphasizing mentorship and team-building exercises. Crucially, her insights extend to remote and hybrid work environments, highlighting the personal and organizational benefits of strong friendships. Dr. Anderson underscores the value of work friendships for fostering supportive, efficient, and resilient teams—an essential facet for the future of work dynamics.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/159

Episode 158:Office Peacocking and What it Means for You

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson digs into the trend of "office peacocking," where companies go to great lengths to entice employees back to the physical office through extravagant amenities and perks. She discusses the potential pitfalls of inequity and distractibility that come with such flashy office perks and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing flexibility, inclusivity, and purpose-driven work. Dr. Anderson advocates for a balanced approach, where companies invest in well-being, development, and technology tailored to employee needs and the organization's mission. And it doesn’t hurt if there’s fancy coffee, but that’s not what it’s all about. Ultimately, she highlights the need to foster a culture of respect, support, and empowerment in the evolving landscape of modern work culture.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/158

Episode 157:Exposing Affinity Bias to Create a Fair and Just Workplace

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson delves into the intriguing world of affinity bias in the workplace. Covering the subtle yet impactful ways in which this bias can shape hiring decisions, team dynamics, performance evaluations, and even mentorship opportunities, Dr. Anderson sheds light on the hidden influences that may impact career trajectories. She offers a thought-provoking affinity bias test to help listeners become more aware of their own biases and provides strategies to navigate its effects in the professional realm. Join us as we challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and strive for a fair and just workplace.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/157

Episode 156:Clear Your Mental Cache by Decluttering Your Mind

In this episode of the Working Conversations podcast, Dr. Janel Anderson delves into the concept of clearing mental clutter and applies the principles of clearing the cache on a computer to our own minds. Drawing from her personal experience with a glitchy app, Dr. Anderson shares how she discovered the power of decluttering the mind and provides practical tips and strategies for boosting productivity and focus. She discusses the principles outlined in the book "Getting Things Done" by David Allen, highlighting the significance of capturing and organizing open loops to regain mental bandwidth. Tune in to learn how clearing the cache in your brain can lead to greater control, productivity, and a sense of freedom.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/156

Episode 155:Handle with Care: Return to Office or Not?

Research at the end of 2023 projected that 90% of companies would be requiring staff to return to the office by the end of 2024, but remote workers are saying “not so fast.” The tension is continuing to mount and returning to the office has become a hot-button issue between many employees and the companies who employ them. “Why go back if there’s nothing of value there?” employees rightfully ask. In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson provides employers with some targeted and strategic advice about whether or not to have employees return to the office.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/155

Episode 154:Tulsa Pays You $10K to Move There

Tulsa, Oklahoma will pay you $10,000 to move there as a remote worker.You get not only $10,000, but also a housing stipend, co-working space, and a built-in community of other remote workers.All you have to bring is your job. The program, called Tulsa Remote, is now in its fifth year and it has landed Tulsa a whopping 2,800 new remote working residents. In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson dives into the unique path that Tulsa Remote is carving for employees and cities alike. This small, urban experiment has compelling benefits for the remote worker, the companies that employ them, and the Tulsa economy.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/154