My Crazy Office: Recent Episodes
Katherine Crowley and Kathi Elster
Hosts Kathi Elster and Katherine Crowley are committed to creating world peace one crazy office at a time.
Best selling authors of Working with You Is Killing Me, Mean Girls at Work, and Working for You Isn’t Working for Me. Kathi and Katherine address all of those wacky behaviors that we all deal with at work.
Join Kathi and Katherine as they engage in serious fun answering your questions about work.
Have a crazy office story or question? Email info@mycrazyoffice.co.
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.
In This My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss an extremely important issue for anyone who feels exhausted from working too hard and caring too much about work – Burnout. They start with a question from someone who got promoted because of his high standards and strong work ethic, but finds himself working seven days a week, exhausted, and unable to let up. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to manage Burnout so that it doesn’t cost you your health.
Women are the masters of nonverbal communication. One way that they can be passively mean to each other is by sending an unfriendly nonverbal message. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine explore the topic of nonverbal messages and how to manage them at work. They start with a question from a young professional who is noticing that one of her female co-workers rolls her eyes every time this individual speaks. Kathi and Katherine consider what one can do to address an eye-rolling colleague, and how to manage nonverbal messages from other women.
In this My Crazy Office episode, Kathi and Katherine pose a question: Are you protecting the wrong person at work? They start with a question from a manager who’s been protecting a skilled-but-difficult employee. This person’s behavior offends other employees so much that HR recently intervened, insisting the manager confront the employee. Kathi and Katherine discuss why it can be tempting to protect certain people at work and how to resist doing it. When is being protective helpful to an employee and when is just enabling poor behavior? Listen here.
In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss how to get promoted by being better at managing up and managing down.They start with a question from someone who wants to move to a higher-level position but has been told that they need to be less enabling of staff and more visible to upper management. In other words, this person’s promotion is tied to more managing up and less micro-managing down.
In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss a crucial skill for anyone who wants to move their career forward: Networking. They start with a question from someone who knows that networking would help them find a new job but avoids doing it. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to manage your own resistance to networking and take steps to build your network anyway. Hate networking? Listen here.
Interviewing for a new job can be very intimidating; especially if you haven’t had much practice. In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Kathrine discuss a crucial skill for anyone seeking employment: How to prepare for job interviews. They start with a question from someone who has been at the same job for three years, knows it’s time to move, but fears the job interview process. Kathi and Katherine outline what you can do to prepare for a job interview, and how you can learn to interview with confidence.
In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine explore a sensitive topic: How do you fire someone who is a friend? They start with a question from someone who finds themselves in the awkward position of having to fire a good friend due to that person’s poor performance. Kathi and Katherine discuss the challenges of this kind of situation and how to prepare for the fallout.
In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine explore a classic workplace topic – Imposter Syndrome. They start with a question from someone who is about to get promoted and fears that everyone will discover she doesn’t know what she’s doing. Kathi and Katherine discuss what imposter syndrome is, and how to manage it so that it doesn’t slow you down.
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine address a familiar challenge to many individuals at work: What do you do if your co-worker is a suck-up? By “suck up” they mean someone who constantly does and says things to flatter and impress the boss. Kathi and Katherine start with a question from someone who recently got promoted, only to discover that her new co-worker spends most of his time sucking up to the manager that they both report to.
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss how to handle a boss who plays favorites – especially if you’re not one of them. They start with a question from someone who is noticing that her new boss has a group of favorite employees, and wonders whether not being one of the favorites could hurt her career.
Most bosses want you to do your job well, but some bosses may view your personal success as their loss. In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine examine a delicate situation: What can you do if your boss is afraid that you will outshine them? They start with a question from someone whose recent recognition for outstanding performance resulted in the boss becoming distant and uncooperative. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to detect if your boss fears being diminished by your success and what you can do about it.
In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss a subject that many people in leadership positions must address: How do you fire a long-time employee? They start with a question from someone who was recently hired as the senior director of a large department and realizes there is a key employee who must be let go. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to navigate this kind of delicate situation carefully and professionally.
In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine address an interesting question: Is it okay to turn down a promotion? They start with a question from someone who has been offered a promotion but doesn’t want the management headache that comes with it. Kathi and Katherine consider the pros and cons to saying “No,” and what your options might be if you have to say “Yes.”
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine address a hot topic: How to handle a psycho boss. They start with a question from someone who recently took a new job that is both challenging and rewarding. The new boss started out supportive and encouraging, but recently revealed another side – hypercritical, erratic and abusive. Kathi and Katherine offer ideas about how to navigate this kind of very challenging situation.
In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine investigate what you can do if you are lashing out at people because you are overwhelmed at work. They start with a question from someone who works as an office manager for a not-for-profit where the responsibilities are overwhelming, and this person finds themselves snapping at anyone who makes a request. Are you snappy at work? Listen to this podcast.
Do you know how to negotiate a promotion? In this My Crazy Office episode, Kathi and Katherine discuss what it takes to do just that. They start with a question from someone who wants to get promoted but has been told by her boss to wait for another year so that he can offer a better promotion with higher pay. This individual would like to propose a compromise that would result in a smaller promotion in the near future. Kathi and Katherine talk about the pros and cons of this approach.
On this My Crazy Office episode, Kathi and Katherine explore whether getting fired could possibly be the best thing that ever happens to you. They start with a question from someone who was suddenly terminated from her job without warning. She now finds herself with two job offers, and wonders if getting fired could be a good thing.
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine explore how to choose the best job when it’s a choice between two companies. They start with a question from someone who has been looking for a new job and now must decide between two offers; the positions are the same, but the companies are very different. One company is high profile, high pay, and high stress. The other is more laid back, but the employees seem happier. Kathi and Katherine talk about how to weigh and measure your options.
On this My Crazy Podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss those situations at work where someone tries to warn you about someone or something beforehand, and you ignore the warning. They start with a question from an individual who just got fired by a boss that his colleague told him would be a nightmare to work for. This person now regrets not heeding the warning, and wonders how to avoid making the same mistake in the future.
On this My Crazy Office episode, Kathi and Katherine examine a challenging situation — being ghosted by your manager. They start with a question from someone whose boss insists on scheduling regular bi-weekly meetings only to never show up for them. This manager also doesn’t respond to emails or texts and does not see their ghosting behavior as a problem. Join Kathi and Katherine as they consider your professional options when the boss ghosts you.
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss a crucial question that some of you may be asking yourselves: Is it time to make a radical career change? We start with a question from someone who has been in a boring-but-secure job for 15 years. A recent lay-off is making this person consider whether it’s time to go back to school to pursue a degree in something that they’ve always wanted to do.
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine address a challenging situation: What do you do if you are attacked by a toxic client? They start with a question from someone who has experienced just that — being aggressively attacked by a client during a meeting. Kathi and Katherine talk about how to recover from this kind of difficult situation and how to manage the client going forward.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss what you can do if your department (or company) is moving in a direction that you don’t like. They start with a question from someone who disagrees with their department’s decision to do things differently based on customer feedback. Kathi and Katherine talk about what your options are in these kinds of situations.
On this My Crazy Office Podcast, Kathi and Katherine talk about balancing maternity leave with career growth. They start with a question from someone who is pregnant, but also wants to take on a large new client. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to look at these kinds of situations that require incorporating a major life change (motherhood) with career ambitions.
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine address an important question: Is your self-talk holding you back? Self-talk is the running dialogue in your head. Negative self-talk involves your deepest doubts and fears. Kathi and Katherine start with a question from someone who knows it’s time to move their career forward, but keeps procrastinating instead of taking action and wonders why.
Is your self-talk holding you back? Listen to this podcast.
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine talk about the importance of having an advocate at work. An advocate is someone who wants to see you succeed and who provides opportunities for advancement. Other terms for this important relationship are sponsor and mentor. Kathi and Katherine start with a question from an employee who was considering leaving her job, but recently noticed that her boss’s boss is giving her special projects.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine go over Ten Supervisory Shoulds that many managers hold about how their staff should behave. Supervisory Shoulds are beliefs that prevent managers from supervising their staff effectively. Do you believe you should only have to say something once? Do you assume your employees should know how to prioritize their work? Listen to this My Crazy Office podcast.
On this My Crazy Office episode Kathi and Katherine talk about a very difficult kind of person to work for – The absentee boss. They start with a question from someone who’s been working for a manager who is never around. When he does come to work, he criticizes her every move. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to manage these situations, and what your options are with an absentee boss.
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine address the issue of people who come to work sick and spread their sickness to others. They start with a question from someone whose co-worker came to work with a cough and fever, and proceeded to infect others with that illness. We’ll talk about what your options are if you have a coworker who insists on being a super spreader.
On this My Crazy Office episode, Kathi and Katherine talk about a tricky topic — social media in the workplace. They start with a question from someone whose coworker plays TikTok videos all day long, and the distracting sound and sight of those videos make it hard for this person to concentrate and do her job. During the second part of the podcast, Kathi and Katherine look at the same situation from the TikTok player’s point of view. Why can’t social media be used as a tool for de-stressing at work?
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine talk about a hot topic – pets in the office. They start with a question from someone who is interviewing for a job that seems like a great fit, but learns that pets are part of the office environment. Kathi and Katherine discuss the pluses and minuses of pet-friendly work environments.
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine talk about introverts, and the challenges they face in the workplace. They start with a question from an introvert who must attend long meetings and worries that appearing checked out after a meeting could be interpreted as rude by his extroverted colleagues. Kathi and Katherine clarify some of the internal challenges of introverts and offer tips for handling delicate situations.
On this My Crazy Office episode, Kathi and Katherine discuss what you should do if you don’t get the promotion that you ask for. They start with a question from someone who applies for a promotion, meets the benchmarks, but doesn’t get promoted. Kathi and Katherine investigate when it’s worth it to hang in there and try again, or when it may be time to find a better opportunity.
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine address a provocative topic — How do you keep secrets when your company is re-structuring? They start with a question from someone who is on the executive team of a company that is re-organizing.
This person feels increasingly uncomfortable holding the knowledge of who will stay and who will go. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to hold that information in confidence and prepare for the eventual fallout.
On this epidsode of My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine talk about a skill that all managers need to develop, but few managers feel comfortable doing — delegating. They start with a question from a manager who wants to be promoted but knows that it won’t happen without learning to delegate. Kathi and Katherine discuss why delegating is so difficult and what you can do to get better at it.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine address a certain kind of role at work – the role of rebel or scapegoat. Rebels (or scapegoats) are those individuals who view themselves as the truthtellers at work. They are willing to challenge the status quo and fight for what they think is right. Unfortunately, they can be labeled by others as troublemakers and get blamed when things go wrong. We’ll start with a question from someone who seems to be alienating coworkers without knowing it and go on to address scapegoats at work
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss what you should do if you are promised a promotion, and it never comes. They start with a question from someone who has been waiting for a promotion for two years, but circumstances keep arising that stop it from happening. Kathi and Katherine talk about what you can do if a promised promotion feels out of reach.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine talk about the value of staying in your job while you start something else. They start with a question from someone who has a comfortable but uninspiring job. She has a great business idea, but can’t afford to leave her job. Kathi and Katherine discuss how it’s possible to stay in your current job and launch your next career move.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss a topic that is important to every manager: How do you know you are hiring the right person? They start with a question from someone who needs to hire an assistant director but has a history of hiring the wrong person in the past. Kathi and Katherine talk about different ways that you can protect yourself from making a bad choice when you hire.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine talk about a topic that many people hate: networking. They start with a question from someone who loves their job, but knows that in order to get promoted they need to network. Kathi and Katherine talk about all the ways to network, and how to move through networking resistant.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine address a delicate topic: Does your physical appearance hold you back from changing jobs? They start with a question from someone who knows it’s time to leave their job but hesitates to take action because they feel physically unattractive. Kathi and Katherine consider what you can do if your physical appearance prevents you from going after a better job.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine address a problem that everyone faces at one time or another, what do you do when your personal life makes it hard to focus at work? We’ll start with a question from someone who just got promoted into a great new job, but also has to deal with several personal problems — making it hard to focus. We’ll discuss how to stay focused at work and deal with personal challenges at the same time.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine ask an important question of anyone who manages people: Is you anger backfiring with your staff? They start with a question from someone whose angry reactions to under-performing employees are hurting their reputation at work. Kathi and Katherine discuss what managers can do instead of getting angry when employees under-perform.
On this third and final podcast of the My Crazy Office Holiday Series, Kathi and Katherine address a question that many people ponder during this time of year: Should you give your boss a holiday gift?
They start with a question from someone whose boss gives lavish gifts to every member of his staff every year. Is it appropriate to give the boss a gift in return?
On this second podcast of MCO Holiday Series, Kathi and Katherine answer a question that many people ask this time of year: Do I have to go to my company holiday party? They start with a question from someone who is up for a promotion and wonders whether she needs to attend her company’s “large, formal, boring Christmas party.” Kathi and Katherine discuss why these events may be important and how to navigate them.
Today, on the first podcast of the My Crazy Office Holiday Series, Kathi and Katherine address a common problem for certain employees during this time of year — Being the hardest worker at the company, while everyone else takes time off. Kathi and Katherine start with a question from someone who is exhausted from over-working, but feels compelled to cover for others. They offer tips for anyone who suffers from the Hero Syndrome at work.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine examine a common phenomenon that few people talk about: What do you do if you’ve outgrown the work that you know how to do? They start with a question from someone who is a skilled salesperson, but no longer finds sales interesting. Kathi and Katherine go on to discuss what you can do if you realize that what you are good at is no longer what you want to do.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine address a tricky topic: What if you are doing your boss’s job? They start with a question from someone who finds themselves doing their boss’s job – even though it’s clear that the boss is incompetent, and people are quitting because of it. Kathi and Katherine discuss different ways of handling this kind of delicate situation.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss what you may be missing by not being in the office. They start with a question from someone who works remotely and enjoys it, but also suspects that she’s missing out on important conversations and projects. Kathi and Katherine consider why it might be important to show up at the office on a regular basis.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine address a tricky topic: What do you do if your boss is a gossip? They start with a question from someone whose new boss is friendly but a little too familiar. This boss shares personal information about everyone in the office and asks probing question about the employee’s personal life. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to set boundaries with a gossip-seeking boss.
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine talk about what you should do if you’ve been unfairly labeled at work. They start with a question from someone whose boss keeps saying she needs to “up her game,” and work harder — even though her colleagues describe her as the hardest working member of the team. Kathi and Katherine describe other ways that people can be labeled at work, and what you can do to address it.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine explore a common management challenge — What if you are so busy managing down that you don’t have time to manage up? Kathi and Katherine start with a question from a manager who spends so much time helping her staff complete their work that she misses opportunities to be seen by the people who could promote her and her department.
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine talk about a very challenging kind of boss —
The Sacred Cow. They start with a question from someone whose company CEO recently hired a close friend into the COO position. This individual seems friendly, but lacks the experience and skills to do the job. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to work with this kind of boss and keep your sanity.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine address a tough question that many managers grapple with: When is enough enough? When is it time to fire someone? They start with a question from a manager who has an employee who keeps missing days of work due to personal issues. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to determine whether it’s time to let someone go, and what you need to do to prepare.
Jealous feelings crop up at work all the time. If you receive praise, get promoted, or find yourself in the spotlight, your colleagues are likely to feel jealous. Similarly, if someone you work with gets promoted, receives praise, or gains favor with the boss, you may feel jealous as well. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss how to manage jealousy at work.
On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss the possibility that working remotely could be hurting your career. They start with a question from someone who works remotely but used to go into the office for monthly visits. Now that the company won’t pay for monthly trips, this person feels disconnected from others at work. During the second part of the podcast, Kathi and Katherine consider the manager’s perspective: What if you suspect that your onsite employees have access to more opportunities?
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine talk about the uncomfortable-but-important topic of layoffs. They start with a question from someone who suspects that they may be laid off soon. During the second part of the podcast, Kathi and Katherine address managers who may face the difficult decision of who to lay off.
Do you love remote working? Or do you yearn for time in the office? In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine examine the pluses and minuses of remote working. They start with a question from someone who has a new remote job and misses the camaraderie of office life. During the second part of the podcast, Kathi and Katherine consider those people who prefer remote working and have to go back to the office.
On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherin cover a topic rarely discussed at work: What do you do if your boss is jealous of you? They start with a question from someone whose boss is not happy when a certain large client prefers the employee’s presentation over the boss’. During the second part of the podcast, Kathi and Katherine consider what bosses can do if they manage employees who outshine them.
Are you an over-talker? Do you manage someone who talks too much? Over-talking can be a real obstacle to moving your career forward. It can compromise your reputation and cause people to avoid you, personally and professionally. In this podcast, Kathi and Katherine examine the problem of over-talking at work and offer concrete tips for how to deal with it.
Kathi and Katherine discuss the importance of leaving a job well — even if it’s a job you don’t like. They share a story from someone who was able to leave a job (and a company) he hated on good terms, and ultimately experienced very positive results.
Sometimes it seems like a good boss is impossible to find. On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine examine why it’s so difficult to find skilled bosses, what it means to manage up, and how to make working for a bad boss better.
Sometimes you know it’s time to leave a job but something holds you back from taking action. In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine explore the reasons why some people say they want to leave, but can’t take actions to go.
Do you suspect that someone you manage is lying to you? In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss how to handle it when someone you supervise lies to you. It may be a junior co-worker or a member of your staff. What do you do when you know they are not telling the truth?
On this week’s My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine talk about returning to work; specifically returning to the office after working remotely. Join them as they consider the pros and cons of commuting as well as whether some people might prefer finding a remote job instead of returning to the office.
In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine talk about job hunting, and how to decide which job to take. They start with a question from someone who has to choose between a job that has no work/life balance, but is at a high-status company, versus a job that encourages work/life balance but is at a less prestigious company.
Kathi and Katherine discuss how to manage an argumentative employee. Are you trying to manage someone who challenges your every move? In this podcast, we’ll examine what happens when a member of your “support staff” questions or corrects everything you want to do. During the second half, we consider the employee’s perspective — What if you challenge your boss because he or she seems insecure or indecisive?
What do you do if your current boss leaves for another job? It’s not always clear. In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss how to adjust when your boss leaves and a new boss appears. First, they consider a situation where the employee has a great boss and that person takes a new position. Then Kathi and Katherine discuss what it means when a boss you can’t stand moves on.
Sometimes, the more you know about your staff’s personal lives, the harder it is to hold them accountable. In this podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss how challenging it can be to hold employees responsible for their work product, when you know too much about their challenges outside of work.
Receiving a promotion can be exciting, but once you move into the new position, you may find out that much of the job involves navigating the politics. Join Kathi and Katherine as they discuss how to manage the political aspects of moving into an executive position.
Is fear stopping you from leaving your job? For some people, leaving a job is easy to talk about but not so easy to do. Even if you know it’s time to leave, fear may get in the way. Kathi and Katherine explore the challenge of leaving a job and discuss tactics for managing the fears that come with making this kind of change.
If you are a hardworking, career-minded professional, you may be very good at taking care of others, and not so good at taking care of yourself. In this podcast, Kathi and Katherine address what it looks like if you are the last priority at your job and in your life, and how to take steps to change that.
One of the things that can be more difficult to establish when we work remotely or in hybrid situations is a feeling of trust. Because we can’t see each other, it’s harder to verify what is really going on. In this podcast, Kathi and Katherine examine the qualities of two kinds of work environments: Trustworthy and lacking trust. Join us and see which one you relate to.
The world is changing at a rapid pace. The pandemic shook up the way we do business, our work routines, and how we think about our lives. Add war, inflation, political unrest, and climate change, and you’ve got a lot of uncertainty. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine offer concrete ways to manage uncertainty on the job and in general.
It’s easy to be disappointed at work. A new hire may not be all you hoped for, a new boss may promise a lot but fail to deliver, and a new job may look great before you take it only to become a serious disappointment.
In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine examine the nature of disappointment at work and offer proven techniques for managing those situations that challenge your ability to thrive.
As the pandemic morphs into an endemic, many remote workers are being asked to return to the office — some are less excited about it than others. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine ask the question, “Have you forgotten how to be social at work?” If so, here’s what you can do about it.
Theoretically, any promotion should be a good promotion. But there are certain situations where promoting you may benefit management, but not be great for your career. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss which kinds of promotions you may not want to take, and how to say “no thank you,” without burning bridges.
It’s not enough to hire someone with the right skill set. You want to hire the right personality — for your company and the job. In this My Crazy Office episode, Kathi and Katherine discuss why personality, in the form of work ethic, professional behavior, and interpersonal skills, is what employers really pay for.
Kathi and Katherine continue with the theme of keeping the peace at work on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show.
How can you examine your behavior in light of how it affects others?
Listen to this week’s podcast here.
Kathi and Katherine talk about the Great Resignation on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.
First we give advice to someone who hasn’t resigned yet, but knows it’s time and is having difficulty staying focused at work.
Then we consider what managers can do to keep their staff engaged if they sense that the employees are checked out.
Kathi and Katherine talk about stressors on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show.
What is the importance of not being a stressor for other people?
Listen to this week’s podcast here.
Kathi and Katherine talk about unrealistic expectations on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.
First we give advice to someone whose boss makes promises to clients that cause his staff to overwork themselves.
Then we examine what a manager should do if they keep taking on demanding projects to keep the staff employed.
Kathi and Katherine talk about listening on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show.
How do you listen when you don’t like what the other person is saying?
Listen to this week’s podcast here.
The post How To Listen: My Crazy Office Overtime, Season 9 appeared first on K Squared Enterprises.
Kathi and Katherine talk about a rejected help on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.
First we give advice to someone who was recently hired to assist a busy executive and the executive refuses to share the work and be helped.
Then we discuss what managers can do if the person they bring in to help their busiest employee, gets rejected.
The post #2: Rejected Help – My Crazy Office, Season 9 appeared first on K Squared Enterprises.
Kathi and Katherine talk about hybrid work life on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show.
What are some tricks for managing a hybrid work life?
Listen to this week’s podcast here.
The post Tricks for Managing Hybrid Work Life: My Crazy Office Overtime, Season 9 appeared first on K Squared Enterprises.
Kathi and Katherine talk about a disappointing new job on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.
First we give advice to someone who thought their new job would bring exciting projects, working for someone they respect, only to be disappointed.
Then we discuss why certain managers believe that every new hire should pay their dues.
The post #1: Disappointing New Job – My Crazy Office, Season 9 appeared first on K Squared Enterprises.
Kathi and Katherine talk about firing on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show.
Should you fire slow or fire quickly at work? What are the differences?
Listen to this week’s podcast here.
The post Firing Slowly or Firing Quickly: My Crazy Office Overtime, Season 8 appeared first on K Squared Enterprises.
Kathi and Katherine talk about cultural changes on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.
First we give advice to someone whose buy out by a larger company requires them to change their work behavior.
Then we discuss what managers can do when they inherit staff from an acquired company who do not fit the culture.
The post #42: A Different Culture – My Crazy Office, Season 8 appeared first on K Squared Enterprises.
Kathi and Katherine talk about being the invisible one at work on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show.
Do you tend to be the invisible one at work?
Listen to this week’s podcast here.
The post The Invisible One: My Crazy Office Overtime, Season 8 appeared first on K Squared Enterprises.
Kathi and Katherine talk about a complacent boss on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.
First we give advice to an employee whose laid-back manager’s behavior is hurting the team’s morale and productivity.
Then we address managers who have become complacent and consider what their motives might be.
The post #41: The Complacent Boss – My Crazy Office, Season 8 appeared first on K Squared Enterprises.
Kathi and Katherine talk about being a hero at work on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show.
What are the good sides and bad sides of being a hero at work?
Listen to this week’s podcast here.
The post Being A Hero At Work: My Crazy Office Overtime, Season 8 appeared first on K Squared Enterprises.
Kathi and Katherine talk about always wanting more on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.
We give advice to a frustrated manager who has made numerous improvements to his department, only to hear constant complaining from the people he manages.
The post #40: Always Wanting More – My Crazy Office, Season 8 appeared first on K Squared Enterprises.
Kathi and Katherine talk about power struggles on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show.
Are you caught in a power struggle at work?
Listen to this week’s podcast here.
The post Power Struggle: My Crazy Office Overtime, Season 8 appeared first on K Squared Enterprises.
Kathi and Katherine talk about changes in management on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.
First we give advice to someone who’s unhappy because their boss hired a new deputy director to report to.
Then we discuss how to avoid the risk of your staff not liking your replacement.
The post #39: Changes in Management – My Crazy Office, Season 8 appeared first on K Squared Enterprises.
Kathi and Katherine talk about leaving your job on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show. Are you ready to leave your job? What are the signs? Listen to this week’s podcast here.
Kathi and Katherine talk about chatty workers on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast. First we give advice to someone whose chatty coworkers are a distraction in the office. Then we discuss how managers should handle talkative, … Continue Reading
Kathi and Katherine talk about fear of rejection on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show. Do you have a fear of being rejected? How might that affect your behavior at work? Listen to this week’s podcast here.
Kathi and Katherine talk about needy, anxious employees on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast. First we discuss how to manage an employee who is a hard-worker but also needy and anxious. Then we give self-management advice … Continue Reading
Kathi and Katherine talk about competitive bosses on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show. How do you handle working for a competitive boss? Listen to this week’s podcast here.
Kathi and Katherine talk about late night emails on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast. First we discuss what to do when you receive emails from your boss after midnight. Then we give advice to managers who … Continue Reading
Kathi and Katherine talk about the importance of not burning bridges on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show. Why is it important to not burn bridges? Listen to this week’s podcast here.
Kathi and Katherine talk about networking on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast. This week we give advice to someone who wants to find a new job but realizes that he never developed his networking skills.
Kathi and Katherine talk about thank you notes on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show. Should you send a thank you note after an interview? Listen to this week’s podcast here.
Kathi and Katherine talk about gossiping bosses on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast. First we discuss what to do when you realize that your boss uses meetings to gossip. Then we give advice to managers that … Continue Reading
Kathi and Katherine talk about enablers at work on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show. Are you an enabler in the workplace? Listen to this week’s podcast here.
Kathi and Katherine talk about resistance to work/life balance on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast. First we answer what do to when a supervisor expresses disdain for work/life balance and calls it B.S. Then we give advice … Continue Reading
Kathi and Katherine talk about asking for help at work on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show. How can you properly ask for help at work? Listen to this week’s podcast here.