6 July 2023 | EPISODE 24

Getting Hired and Better Hiring with Jonathan Black

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.

Send us a question or leave us a voicemail: https://betteratwork.net/contact-us/

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 reallygives 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

21 June 2023 | EPISODE 23

The Human Skills We Need in an Unpredictable World with Margaret Heffernan

Summary:

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: [email protected] or https://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: https://betteratwork.net/contact-us/

8 June 2023 | EPISODE 22

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.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 May 2023 | EPISODE 21

Summary:

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.

About our 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

4 May 2023 | EPISODE 20

Unlocking Your Best Performance with Kate Goodger

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.

About Kate

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-goodger-phd-c-psychol-7ba6b379/

Speaking: https://raisethebar.co.uk/speaker/dr-kate-goodger/

19 April 2023 | EPISODE 19

The Power of Feedback with Joe Hirsch

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.

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

29 March 2023 | EPISODE 18

Design The Long Life You Love with Ayse Birsel

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: [email protected] or https://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: https://betteratwork.net/contact-us/

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 March 2023 | EPISODE 17

Becoming A Better Communicator with Maryanne O’Brien

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: [email protected] or https://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: https://betteratwork.net/contact-us/

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 

2 March 2023 | EPISODE 16

How to be an Extraordinary Leader Using The Science of Trust with Joe Folkman  

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: [email protected] or https://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: https://betteratwork.net/contact-us/

Subscribe to our bi-weekly Newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7003622407403958272

About Joe

Joe Folkman LinkedIn

Zenger Folkman Website

The Trifecta of Trust Book

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 February 2023 | EPISODE 15

How to Work with Anyone (even Difficult People) with Amy Gallo

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: [email protected] or https://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: https://betteratwork.net/contact-us/

Subscribe to our bi-weekly Newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7003622407403958272

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 February 2023 | EPISODE 14

Get Ready for the Future of Work with Lawrence Goldstone & Caitlin Guilfoyle

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? and3) 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

• Plus, Lawrence and Caitlin share the best advice they received for making them better at work

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: [email protected] or https://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: https://betteratwork.net/contact-us/

About PWC

Learn more about PWC Future of Work

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 January 2023 | EPISODE 13

How Being More Self-Aware Brings Success in Work and Life with Tasha Eurich

In Episode 13 of Better@Work, we chat with one of the world’s leading thinkers and researcher on self-awareness, Dr. Tasha Eurick. 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 Eurick 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: [email protected] or https://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: https://betteratwork.net/contact-us/

About Tasha

Learn more about Tasha

https://tashaeurich.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 December 2022 | EPISODE 12

How to Handle Anxiety & Find Mental Wellness at Work with Chester Elton

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: [email protected] or https://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: https://betteratwork.net/contact-us/

9 December 2022 | EPISODE 11

How to Build a Successful Career with William Cowan

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: [email protected] or https://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: https://betteratwork.net/contact-us/

About William 

Learn more about William and the book on his websitehttps://buildingawinningcareer.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 September 2022 | EPISODE 10

Creating Workplace Rituals to Drive New Levels of Performance with Erica Keswin

In 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.

15  September 2022 | EPISODE 9

Unlocking the Art of Coaching Through Science

In 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.

In 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.

1 September 2022 | EPISODE 8

How Sensitivity at Work Can Be a Superpower Not a Burden

In 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.

19 August 2022 | EPISODE 7

The Five Principles of Better Leadership

In 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.

4 August 2022 | EPISODE 6

Strategies to Prevent Burnout at Work

In 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.

21 July 2022 | EPISODE 5

How to Harness Your Emotions at Work for the Better.

In 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 also 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, LinkedIn, Bungalow, and Slack. 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.

06 July 2022 | EPISODE 4
Having a Super North Star Can Transform your Work and Life

In 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 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.

22 June 2022 | EPISODE 3
How to handle difficult bosses and toxic co-workers

In 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.

8 June 2022 | EPISODE 2
The secrets of better workplace cultures

In episode two of Better@Work, we welcome Bruce Daisley for a super informative and wide-ranging chat. 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!! Bruce and I chat about 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.

26 May 2022 | EPISODE 1
How to have a better day at work

In 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.

20 April 2022 | Introduction
Better@Work – Who, What & Why

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.