My Crazy Office

Name (required) Mail (will not be published) (required) Website Gimme a site! Just a username, please. User Name Password Remember Me --> In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss whether going over your boss’s head is a mistake. They start with a question from someone who brought a great idea to her boss’s boss, only to have her direct boss become furious with her for going over his head. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to navigate these sticky situations and when it might be understandable to go over your boss’s head.

Even if you’ve outgrown your current job, fear of the unknown can make it hard to leave. In this podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss why it can be hard to leave a job, even when you know you want out. They start with a question from someone who’s been at the same job for 10 years, knows it’s time to go, but can’t take any steps to get out. Kathi and Katherine discuss the internal obstacles to leaving a job and how to address them.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine explore something that they hope will benefit any manager listening to the podcast: How to be a beloved boss. They start with a question from someone who was recently promoted to manager but does not know how to be a good boss. Like many of you listening, this individual only knows what not to do — because of their own negative boss experiences. Kathi offers proven tips for becoming the kind of boss that your employees care about and work hard for.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine do something different. They address a topic near and dear to any manager’s heart: What are the signs that one of your top employees may be looking for a new job? Kathi and Katherine review five signs that might indicate this is happening. They draw on research by Alexander Kjerulf, a global expert on Happiness at work. Do you suspect that one of your top performers is looking for a new job? Listen to this podcast.

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss how a change in management can sometimes lead to a change in your job. They start with a question from someone who enjoyed two years of working for one boss who was hands-off and supportive, only to then start working for another boss who works incessantly and micromanages. Kathi and Katherine consider how to navigate a change in management – especially when it makes your job more difficult.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine investigate why so many managers are uncomfortable asking their staff for help. They start with a question from a manager who has a team of six and fears asking them to work on additional projects, only to discover that they are more than happy to do so. Kathi and Katherine discuss why the nicest bosses often refrain from seeking the help they need for fear of angering their staff.

Sometimes bosses are afraid of conflict. They just don’t know how to handle disagreements between employees. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss an interesting phenomenon: What do you do when a manager who avoids dealing with employee conflict causes more conflicts to erupt? They start with a question from someone whose boss keeps insisting that the staff resolve their interpersonal disagreements, while the employees believe they need the boss to help them work them out. Does your boss avoid conflict? Listen here.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss something that arises more often than you may think — what happens when the person you consider to be your mentor (and protector) at work leaves? They start with a question from someone who has been working at the same company for 8 years and just learned that her mentor there is leaving, without an explanation of why. Kathi and Katherine discuss the implications of losing a mentor at work and how to navigate the situation.

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine talk about a difficult situation that can arise for any ambitious employee: What do you do if your boss blocks you from moving ahead? They start with a question from someone who has successfully launched a new program for her company and would like some tangible rewards (promotion, raise, more resources) for her success. Her boss refuses to consider any of these options, instead telling her to be happy with where she is. Feeling blocked by your boss? Listen here.

Sometimes, getting a job offer can be stressful. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss “job offer jitters.” They start with a question from someone who’s been applying for jobs and is now the final candidate for two different positions. Both are appealing, but one company has made an offer, and the other one has not. How can this person hold off a decision until the other job offer comes in?

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine address a very frustrating situation: what do you do when a coworker’s poor work habits make YOU look bad? They start with a question from someone who relies on the data from a coworker to do her job. The data she receives is always late, and often incomplete. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to manage a situation where someone else’s poor work could make you look bad.

It can be infuriating if your boss protects someone who you don’t like working with. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine ask a question that many of you may say, “yes” to: Does your boss protect the wrong people? They start with a question from someone who likes their job but can’t stand working with one person who the boss is always protecting. Kathi and Katherine discuss why bosses protect certain people and what you can do to manage those difficult relationships.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine address a question that many of you may relate to – Do you work with an angry person? They start with a question from someone who sits next to a person who looks angry, sounds angry and makes others uncomfortable. Kathi and Katherine discuss the challenges of working with someone who always seems angry, and what you can do to manage the situation.

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine ask an important question – Is your job your identity? If so, does changing your job threaten your identity? They start with a question from someone who recently left a job at a large, recognizable brand for a better position at a smaller, less well known company. Even though the new job offers much more opportunity, the change in visibility and status is causing this person self-doubt. Is your identity tied into the status of your job? Listen here.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss a tough situation – How do you manage a toxic employee who you’re afraid to fire? They start with a question from someone who has an employee that creates enemies in the workplace. This person is valuable because of the business she brings in. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to handle a toxic employee and whether keeping them on is a good idea.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine ask a provocative question – Is your boss not letting you make decisions? They start with a question from someone who has been at the same job for three years and still has to run every decision by the boss. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to manage a boss who has trouble relinquishing control and thinks every decision should be run by them.

On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine consider an important question: Are you putting your job before yourself? They start with a question from someone who likes their job but keeps getting sick because of trying to tackle an overwhelming workload. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to identify whether you are putting your job before your own well being and what you can do about it.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine address a common dilemma: Getting promoted but not letting go of your old job. They start with a question from someone who recently got promoted to a more executive position but finds it hard to stop doing their former job because it’s familiar and comfortable. Kathi and Katherine discuss why it can be hard to let go and how to move on – even if it’s uncomfortable.

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss a common problem that many people grapple with at work: Is your boss too busy to meet with you? They start with a question from someone who’s recently started an exciting new position at a growing company but can’t get the boss to meet and lay out the expectations of the job. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to tackle this frustrating situation before it causes you too much distress.

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss a frustrating situation for any manager – what do you do when you have an employee who always thinks they know better than you? They start with a question from someone whose direct report constantly tells her what he would do if he were in her position. Kathi and Katherine examine how to manage a know-it-all employee and still get the best out of them.