Houzz We Manage: Recent Episodes
The Talent Development Team
What will you find here? Tips on houzz to manage yourself. Additionally, you will hear from some of our leaders on houzz they manage, and how they got to where they are now. It’s the perfect way to take in bite-sized development tips and stay connected.
Do you ever wish you could stand out more, and become top of mind to senior leaders? Do you want to have more influence within your department, and be the go-to person for new opportunities and initiatives? Feeling “lost in the crowd” is a common experience when working with many talented and brilliant people, however, there are some small changes you can make to authentically shift this perception, and help raise your profile in the workplace.
Listen now to learn how you can stand out and gain more visibility, while still maintaining your professionalism and strong personal brand.
Finding your passion - or a personal “why” - and tying it to a bigger purpose can be a strong motivator in your career journey. In this episode, we’ll discuss how discovering your passion can be a starting point to help you uncover your “why”, and how you can draw from your passion to help guide your career.
FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES
- Competency Forced Sort Activity
- Houzz Competency Framework
- Individual Development Plan - Guide
- Gallup Strengths Assessment
We're back with our newest episode of the Open Houzz series, but this time, it's LIVE! In this recording of our live session, we chat with Senior Marketplace Advertising Manager Claire Santamaria. She shares with us:
- How her & her team pitch, build, and manage brand campaigns in our Marketplace
- How she was able to make a career change from e-Commerce sales to her current role
- Who at Houzz inspires her
- Her advice for those who are interested in getting into the marketing or advertising management world
- And more!
We’ve all probably heard the saying, “The only constant in life is change.” However, we don’t often hear about the many emotions that accompany change, or how we can continue to find internal strength and motivation when it feels like things are constantly changing. In this episode, we’ll introduce the Change Curve Model, which outlines the different stages of emotions and feelings we experience as we adapt to change. We’ll also share some tips – such as redefining your “why”, rediscovering your motivation, and practicing gratitude – that can help us persevere and move forward in the face of adversity.
FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:
Article: The Change Curve
Article: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation: Understanding the Motivation Spectrum
In the next episode of our Open Houzz Series – interviews with Houzzers across the globe to learn more about their role and how they contribute to our shared mission – we hear from Paul Otto, Sr. User Experience Researcher. Paul and his team (or should we say duo, since there’s only two of them!) play a critical role in gathering feedback directly from home professionals & home owners in order to improve our product and site.
Listen now to learn more about what his day-to-day looks like, his partnership with Product Design and other departments/business leaders, and how you can incorporate EX research into the work that you do, to solve problems & improve results.
Interested in becoming a User Experience Researcher? Feel free to reach out to Paul via Slack, G-chat, or E-mail (paul.otto@houzz.com).Let us know here which role you'd like to hear from next.
We all have crucial conversations from time to time whether it be in our personal or professional lives. At work, these conversations can range from sharing tough feedback with a colleague, talking about compensation or performance concerns with your manager, or talking to an upset or frustrated client or customer. These conversations are "crucial" because they are typically conversations between two (or more) people where the stakes are high, opinions are varied, and emotions are running strong. In this episode, we'll give you a few tried and true best practices to help you communicate more effectively during these types of conversations so you can navigate through them successfully.
FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:BOOK: Crucial Conversations
Welcome to the first episode of our Open Houzz Series, where we interview individual contributor Houzzers across the globe. In these episodes you'll learn more about their role, their team, how they add value to Houzz, what a day in the life looks like, and more. First up is Senior Learning & Development Specialist from Industry Solutions, David Hall.
Have some feedback or an idea for a future training from Learning & Development? Let them know here.
Follow Up Resources
- Click here to learn more about the Individual Development Plan (IDP)
- Click here to learn more about the Professional Development Reimbursement Program
Productivity is one of the more elusive skills we know we need to master…it seems simple in concept, but much harder in practice. Just having a checklist or to-do list isn’t enough to truly reach your full productivity potential, and in this episode we’ll help you begin to unlock that.
If you’re someone who struggles with getting started, or you feel like you’re always busy but not actually getting anything strategic done, or even if you're decently productive but want to take it to the next level..then this episode is for you.
Follow-Up Resources:
- Article: Increasing Productivity
- Article: 10 Ways to Increase Your Productivity at Work & at Home
Over the last couple of years, it’s felt we’ve all been experiencing one big change after another. Between the pandemic and the turbulence of the macroeconomic environment, it has really felt like uncertainty is all around us…all of the time. In this episode, we’re talking about cultivating a future-minded mindset to help you navigate through uncertain times and inevitable change.
We’ll talk about research that’s been done on this topic lately and tips that can help you manage the emotions that accompany our uncertainty about the future, so you can continue setting goals and aiming to achieve them as we enter into a new year.
FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:
BetterUp: The Future-Minded Leader
Deciding that you want to do something is fairly easy…the hard part? Actually following through. If you’re someone who struggles with setting goals or are skeptical about why it’s important…then this episode is for you! You’ll hear from Brittney & Maria from the Talent Development Team as they discuss their tips and tricks to setting & achieving SMARTer goals; they’ll also share their journeys with goal setting to give you some insight into how they’ve accomplished some huge professional development goals of their own this year.
Listen here to get the motivation & encouragement you need to start next year off strong.
Follow-Up Resources:
- SMART Goals Graphic
- Professional Development Reimbursement Program: Find out more information on this program here
- Goal Driven Self Assessment: Complete this assessment to determine just show skilled you are the goal driven competency, and get ideas on small ways you can be more goal oriented on a day to day basis
We often hear people say that asking questions and being curious leads to professional growth. But what does that mean exactly? More importantly, what does asking good questions and being curious really look like or sound like in practice? In this episode, we dig into the art of asking questions – from discussing different types of questions you can ask, to understanding how asking questions not only increases your knowledge, but also increases your leadership skills and influence.
EXAMPLE QUESTIONS:
- Open-ended: What do you think about this product?
- Follow-up: Can you tell me more about the product?
- Leading: How satisfied are you with our product?
- Closed-ended: Do you like this product?
FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:
- Harvard Business Review: The Surprising Power of Questions
- Forbes: Why Asking Good Questions is Good for Your Brand and Your Career
- Harvard Business Review: Relearning the Art of Asking Questions
In this episode of Meet a Houzzer we get to know Amanda Rosen, Manager of the US Employee Experience (EX) team. She takes us through her professional journey with Houzz, and we discuss what it was like when she first started, as well as how her team has adapted and changed the way it supports employee connection and experience, moving from an in-office to remote work model.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
Influence is an essential skill in the workplace, regardless of title or role. We influence in an upwards direction when we manage up with our leaders, and we influence in a downwards direction as a manager with direct reports. But what about across? How do you develop authentic influence with your colleagues and co-workers?
In this episode we’ll discuss tangible ways to build this skill – enabling you to better collaborate, get support for your ideas, and be seen as a value add amongst your teammates or fellow leadership team.
Follow-Up Resources:
- Book: The 350 Degree Leader by John C. Maxwell
- Article: Building Influence at Work - Be the Best Leader You Can Be
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
"It could be worse!" -- Yes, we all know it could be worse but we really don't want to hear it when things are tough. In this episode, we will dig into toxic positivity -- specifically, understanding the negative side effects of toxic positivity, ways to avoid being "that person" in conversations, and simple statements to use when dealing with human emotion.
For more tips on using non-toxic statements, check this tool out!
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
At one point or another, many of us have been in situations at work or in our personal lives that are out of our control. These situations can often leave us thinking, "This just isn't fair," and can leave us with feelings of frustration, stress and anxiety. Well, radical acceptance is an intentional practice that can help us to objectively accept those situations that are outside of our control and reduce the suffering that is caused by them.
To help us dig into this topic, we interviewed a Client Success Manager here at Houzz, Huong Mai. Huong has overcome a lot of these situations in her day-to-day role managing professional accounts as well as in her personal life; in this episode, she shares some tips and best practices that have helped her practice radical acceptance over the years.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
In our second installment of our Meet a Houzzer series we speak with Senior Director of Engineering, Deepa Ramachandran. Deepa talks about what led her from being a passionate member of the Houzz Community, to a team member working to further develop the product she found so valuable when she went though her own home renovation journey!
She also shares what about Houzz keeps her feeling connected and excited, and what she looks forward to regarding the future of Houzz.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
Communication is one of the most vital skills to building strong relationships. Yet, one of the biggest pitfalls we make is communicating with others based upon our preferences, and not theirs. In this episode we’ll teach you how to not only identify someone’s preferences, but also discuss simple tweaks you can make to ensure you’re communicating effectively, thus increasing your impact and ability to be influential in the workplace.
Follow-Up Resource:
Click here for a graphic outlining what the four types are, and the communication tips for each!
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
This week’s episode is dedicated to celebrating diversity. Admittedly, the term “diversity” has become a somewhat buzz-worthy topic over the last couple of years, but diversity is so much more than a buzzword. It’s a very complex and layered topic, and in order for us to really value and celebrate all that diversity brings to an organization, we have to understand what diversity means and how its presence can really allow us to achieve our best work and become the best version of ourselves.
Follow-Up Resources:
- Article: 13 Opportunities to Address Unconscious Bias at Work
- Podcast: Unconscious Bias - Scroll to episode library, hover over the grey box, then keep scrolling until you see our S1E13 on Unconscious Bias
- Want to learn more about allyship at Houzz? Email di-leaders@houzz.com
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
We are two years into what we thought would be a few weeks at home and there have been a lot of lessons learned. Have you felt disconnected or isolated in the WFH world? I know I have! Join me as we dive into 3 simple ways to bring human connection back to the workplace.
Check out Club Houzz to learn about ways to connect at Houzz
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
It’s common knowledge that stress can be unhealthy, but did you know that some stress can actually be…good? In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we reframe the stress narrative and dive into why it can be beneficial, what the optimal zone of stress looks like, and then discuss strategies to effectively manage it. If you’re someone who struggles with feeling underwater, often feels overwhelmed, and has seen stress impact your quality of life..then this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Follow-Up Resources:
- Houzz Employee Resource Groups (ERG's): Here you'll find every employee resource group that we currently have, which can help build social support at work
- Balance@Houzz ERG: Check out their site if you'd like more resources on managing stress & preventing burnout, or if you'd like to join the group!
Have you ever wondered what Houzz looked like in the beginning? In the first episode of our Houzzer Profile series, we sit down with Director of Community, Emily Hurley. She shares with us what led her to Houzz over 10 years ago, the unique role she plays in engaging our users, and how the company has grown and evolved while maintaining its core values and mission.
And if you’re looking for the inside scoop on what those early days looked like, we’ve got you covered; from the games they used to play, to why she had to share a desk with her boss. As only the 23rd hire at Houzz, her story is one you won’t want to miss.
Curious about the St. Vincent statue discussed in the episode? Check it out here
Professional development...some love it, others loathe it. When we're busy, and the demands of our job and lives feel heavy, this often falls to the bottom of our priority list. But by ignoring it, we're actually neglecting our innate desire for growth, contributing to a sense of imbalance in life.
Listen to this episode to learn more about why professional development plays such a big role in your overall happiness and mental health, and learn about one Houzz program re-launching soon - RISE - that can help with that.
Follow-Up Resources
- RISE Hub Page: Use this link to learn about the RISE Program, if you're eligible, how to apply, and more
- Article: 5 Smart Steps to Investing in Self Development
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
Did you miss our live interview with VP of People, Ana Harris-Padley and VP of Branding & Communications, Allison Gervis? You're in luck, we have a recording! Use the link above to listen to our conversation with two of Houzz's female leaders as they discuss imposter syndrome, who inspires them, career advice, and more.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
“Change is tough – there’s so much uncertainty, fear, anxiety…it’s all so stressful!”
This is the narrative we tend to hear when folks describe times of change. Yet, there’s a part of us that knows change is inevitable. Many of us also recognize that change is required if we want to innovate, grow and evolve. So how can we recognize the challenges that change brings to our lives while also shifting our perspective to understand that it also brings us opportunities? In this episode, we dig into this topic further and provide some actionable tips to help you shift your mindset and view of change from “threat” to “opportunity.”
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
In this edition of the Houzz We Manage Podcast we spend some time getting to know our new manager of Talent Development, Maxwell Garces. We learn how his curiosity has helped him in his career and at Houzz, as well as uncover how it inspired a new podcast series that we are excited to initiate this year.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
Conducting a presentation or training over Zoom presents some unique challenges that we didn’t encounter when we were in-person. In this episode we discuss three easy tips & tricks (beyond the basics you find on the internet) that will help you be more organized, prepared, and replicate the human element we miss from being in-person.
Follow-Up Resources
- Click here to view a visual depiction of Tip #1: Be More Strategic With What's Displayed on Your Screens
- Article: Read this article for some additional Zoom presentation tips, including a quick checklist you can complete before you have the Zoom “floor”
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
Are you somebody that prides themselves on being extremely self-aware? I thought I was too until I learned that introspection can actually hinder self-awareness (I know, I didn't think that was possible either). Take a listen to learn about one small shift you can make to become more self-aware.
Follow-Up ResourcesWant to learn about more ways to improve self-awareness? Read this article: What Self-Awareness Really Is (and How to Cultivate It)
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
Have you ever heard the phrase, “comparison is the thief of joy?” There’s no place we see this develop more than in the workplace. Feelings of frustration when someone gets promoted faster than you, seeing a colleague get picked for a special opportunity or project, even wishing we were as charismatic, creative, or smart as a team mate. These feelings of comparison are normal, but when left unchecked, can have detrimental effects on your career.
Listen to our newest episode to learn where this compulsion to compare comes from, along with some realistic ways you can begin to reset your thought patterns to what matters most: you and your career.
Follow-Up ResourcesRead this article to get additional tips on how to keep comparison at bay
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
Have you ever had a great feedback conversation that leads to...nothing? No change in behavior? No improved performance? If so, this may be because you aren't thinking about what it takes to actually act on feedback. In this episode, we will discuss some important steps each person must take to truly implement feedback and create improvements.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
Our live podcast sessions are back -- this time with one of Houzz's most beloved leaders. Join us as we sit down with our Vice President of Product, Itamar Orgad. During the session he'll share with us his biggest lessons in leadership -- spanning from his time in the Special Forces unit of the Israeli Defense Force, to his days at LinkedIn.
Want to read the article referenced? Check it out here: Not a Lone Survivor
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music
Were you taught that vulnerability, especially at work, is a sign of weakness? If so, this episode is for you. There are many misconceptions around vulnerability in the workplace, including the notion that it involves sharing details about your personal life. Spoiler: it doesn’t.
Listen to our newest episode to learn what vulnerability at work actually looks like, how it has a direct correlation to your success, and ultimately why it is one of our best assets...and not one of our greatest liabilities.
Follow Up Resources
Video: Brene Brown's Ted Talk - "The Power of Vulnerability"Book: Dare to Lead by Brene BrownHave feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
Do you experience an increase in anxiety, stress, or fear at the end of your weekend? If you have, you’re not alone… in fact, about 80% of Americans experience what we have coined, the Sunday Scaries, at some point. On this very special Halloween episode, we’ll discuss the Sunday Scaries along with what you can do to avoid them as we end our weekends, and begin each work week.
FOLLOW-UP RESOURCESEmployee Assistance Programs:US EAP FlyerINTL EAP Information
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
Disconnected, disengaged, unmotivated. If this describes you, you might be experiencing burnout. According to recent surveys, 52% of people are feeling burned out at work — up almost 10% since pre-covid times. While that’s an alarming statistic, the good news is that there are a few things in your control that can help combat this.
Listen to our newest episode to learn what burnout is, the negative impact it can have on your health if ignored, and then three ways you can prevent it from becoming a problem in the first place.
**FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES
Assessment - High5 Strengths Test: Take this free test to determine what your top unique strengths are Balance@Houzz:** This employee resource group aims to help prevent employee burnout by helping all Houzzers reduce stress and establish a healthy work-life balance. Check out their group page here.
Article: How to Beat Burnout Without Quitting Your Job
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
Some people are born with charisma but most of us have to build it -- that's right, today we are talking all about how you can become more charismatic by focusing on 3 simple behaviors. By building your charisma you become a person others want to work with. They're drawn to your ideas, they trust your opinion, and they're more likely to be influenced by you. So take a listen if you are interested in becoming the charismatic person you were born to be!
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
The average worker gets 80 emails a day, and sometimes spends up to a third of their working time answering them. Because it has become such a routine part of our business process, especially as we work from home, we’ve begun to treat our email communication more casually, like a text message or g-chat. However, the way in which you present yourself over email can have a lasting impact on your personal brand, work relationships, and more importantly...your ability to get the answers and help you need to move your work forward.
Listen to today’s episode to learn more about why elevating your email communication is so critical, along with three easy -- yet often undiscussed -- changes you can make to put your best foot forward.
FOLLOW-UP RESOURCES:
VIDEO: 8 Email Etiquette Tips - How to Write Better Emails at Work
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
In this episode, we will dive into career planning and Individual Development Plans (IDPs) -- but with a twist. We are going to discuss 3.5 common pitfalls that lead to unsuccessful career planning. Take a listen if you have ever struggled to answer the question, "where do you see your career in 5 years" because I promise you, you are not alone!
Follow-Up Resources:
Talent Development Hub: IDP Resources
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
We all want to advance in our careers, but simply doing what is in your job description, and what is expected of you, often isn’t enough. So what is? To start, showcasing that you’ve leveled up as an employee through leadership, critical thinking & problem solving skills, and having business acumen, can help. How exactly can you do that? Through managing up.
Listen to this episode to learn more about what this technique is, why it signals next level readiness, and how exactly you can begin to utilize it.
Follow-Up ResourcesARTICLE:Read this article on "The 3 Potential Pitfalls with Managing Up" to ensure that you're going about this in the right way -- and not damaging relationships in the process.PODCAST:Learning how to give feedback truly is an art. This episode will walk you through a quick 3-step process you can implement to ensure your message is delivered with professionalism, clarity, and empathy.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet
Have you ever wondered what adaptable people do to get so, well, adaptable? We all have them in our lives...the people who are calm under pressure, rarely if ever have emotional reactions to situations and always seem to have a plan B up their sleeve. What if we told you there are specific habits you can adapt that can make you this way too? Well, get ready to be encouraged but there actually are!
In this episode we uncover 3 consistent habits of highly adaptable people, and what you can do to make these skill building habits part of your normal routine. Listen to the episode to find out what these 3 things are and what you can do to build them.
ARTICLE: 11 Habits of Flexible People
Music by Purple Planet.
Grit is something we all exhibit as Houzzers. It's one of our core competencies because we know that to be successful in our fast-paced culture, we've got to get a little gritty. In this episode, we dig into specific ways to develop your grit as well as how to manage it in a healthy way...because the only thing worse than being under-skilled in grit is being over-skilled!
Follow-Up Resources
Want to learn more about grit? Check out the competency breakdown here
SELF-ASSESSMENT: Curious just how gritty you actually are? Take this brief self-assessment to determine if it's something that comes naturally to you, or if it could use a little improvement.
BOOK: Grit: The Power of Passion & Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
Music by Purple Planet.
“Introverts” and “extroverts” are terms you’ve likely heard before, but what might surprise you is there are a set of critical business skills that come more naturally to one type over the other, and as a result...they tend to get rewarded for it.
So, introverts, listen to this episode to learn more about what skills you can develop to give yourself a competitive edge in the workplace. And extroverts...you’ll want to tune in too to ensure your capitalizing on these strengths as well.
QUIZ: Unsure if you’re an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert? Take this quiz to find out!
ARTICLE: 6 Things Introverts & Extroverts Can Learn From Each Other
Music by Purple Planet
On this week's episode we dive into the importance of approaching your 1 on 1’s with thought and intention. It's easy to assume this is the sole responsibility of your manager, but in reality you also have the responsibility of being prepared and going into each meeting know what you want to get out of it. Sounds simple in theory, but as the weight of the weeks demands set in, it's easy to approach them haphazardly. If you want to learn how to maximize the time you have with your leader, and improve your 1 on 1 conversations, then this episode is for you!
Follow-Up ResourcesFeedback Questions: Establish a feedback loop in your life by using set of questions you ask your manager regularly. It's a great way to grow and learn more about yourself. Very few people have the ability to hear and accept feedback. The more practice you have at it, the better you will be and you will grow personally and professionally in ways you never imagined.
UNCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS: Take sometime to identify your unique strengths and bring them up to your manager. What can you do to ensure you are highlighting these strengths in the work you do?
ARTICLE: 82 Ways to Build Rapport with Anyone at Work- Rapport is a two way street and a great way to develop a relationship with your manager built on mutual respect and trust.
Music by, Purple Planet.
It has been said that persuasion is the most important skill one can have in the workforce. Whether or not you believe this is the case, we all have to acknowledge persuasion is critical to success. As Tony Robbins puts it, "Persuasion is the ability to influence and without influence, you won’t get the resources or support you need. Without influence, you won’t be able to communicate your unique value to the world."
We ALL use persuasion: in interviews, in meetings, and even when trying to get your team to adopt a new tool or software (and these are just a few examples). Your ability to convince someone to change their point of view or take a course of action is essential to your success. So, if persuasion is so critical, how exactly do you master it? It really all comes down to one thing…and you’ll have to listen to find out what it is.
VIDEO: Brene Brown on Empathy
BOOK: Persuasion: Convincing Others When Facts Don't Seem to Matter
FICTION BOOK (Team Favorite): Where the Crawdads Sing
QUIZ: How strong is your empathy muscle? Try out this EMPATHY QUIZ to learn more. It also comes with additional tips to improve your empathy.
Music by, Purple Planet.
There are many characteristics one needs to have to succeed in the workplace. We often hear the importance of being an exceptional communicator, having a strong work ethic, and being creative, just to name a few. However, there’s one critical characteristic often overlooked… likeability.
Why is this so essential? Because the more that people like you, the more likely they are to trust you, which gives you influence. This is because the majority of our success at work is based upon our ability to effectively manage relationships...with our leaders, co-workers, customers, and vendors. Listen to this episode to learn about how you can become a more likeable person without sacrificing your opinions, your voice, or your values.
BOOK: How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
ARTICLE: What Nobody Told You About Being a Good leader: Why Being Liked is As Important as Being Respected at the Workplace
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet.
Adversity is a given when it comes to accomplishing great things. In this episode we sit down with a Houzzer who in 7 years went from an entry level sales role to leading an entire sales office. Needless to say on this journey he encountered hardships, failures and doubts. He learned exhibiting grit was and still is critical to his success.
Listen to this episode to hear from Regional Sales Manager, Alex Hays about his career path, what he has learned and why he thinks if you want something you shouldn't assume you deserve it...you should go out and EARN it!
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet.
We all know what it feels like to get distracted... you sit down at your desk, ready to tackle the day, and you get a text message. You tell yourself it'll only take 30 seconds to respond... and suddenly 10 minutes have gone by. Then you get a question from a colleague through g-chat and that turns into a 5 minute conversation. At the same time you notice your email in-box is filling up, and after an hour goes by you haven't even started on the one thing you set out to do. For many of us this is a typical day.
We're told to manage the pings, dings, and rings by turning off notifications and making a to-do list...surely taking these steps will help, right? But what if distraction is more than that? You might be thinking when it comes to topics like time management and distraction you've heard it all... but we're going to guess that what you'll find in this episode may surprise you. If you want to become indistractable and accomplish great things, this episode is for you.
BOOK: Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Chose Your Life
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet.
In this episode, we feature 3 stellar Houzz women to discuss their biggest lessons learned, career advice to those looking for the next step, and how they have used the challenges of the pandemic to emerge stronger. Take a listen to hear from, Deepa Ramachandran - Director of Engineering in Palo Alto, Ines Cid - Sales Director in London, and Torrie Rabusch - Director Customer Support and Trade in Irvine.For my biggest takeaways -- check this out!
Resources Mentioned:
- Crucial Conversations
- GROW Coaching Model Video
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet.
It’s been said that careers are like a jungle gym, rather than a ladder. This is because it can take unexpected turns—even leading us into a completely different field. Pursuing a role in a new department or team can seem like a lofty dream, with little chance of actually happening. You may not have the preferred skills or on the job experience…but with a little hard work, creativity, and grit, it is possible.
Join us as our guest host Brendan Barth sits down with one of Houzz’s very own, Brittney Schrift, who was able to change the trajectory of her career. She’ll share her journey going from Sales to Talent Development, and you’ll walk away with some clear action items on how you can successfully change lanes.
INFOGRAPHIC: 3 Tips to Successfully Change Lanes
ASSESSMENT: High5 Strengths Test
Missed Susan's interview on the Internal Opportunities Process? Click here to listen
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet.
For most of us, the word interview elicits immediate anxiety. But with 55 internal placements last quarter, and even more opportunity on the horizon, it's important to better understand what the Internal Opportunities process at Houzz looks like.
In this episode we talk to Global Director of Talent, Susan Ferguson, to learn more about how to prepare, pitfalls to avoid, and ultimately, how to ace the internal interview. This is an episode you won't want to miss.
Internal Opportunities Resources:
- INTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES STEP BY STEP
- (US) INTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES INSTRUCTIONS
- (INTL) INTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES INSTRUCTIONS
- INTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
- INTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES FAQ's
Looking for more on the Talent Acquisition Team?
- RECRUITING HUB
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music provided by Purple Planet Music.
For a lot of us giving feedback elicits feelings of discomfort and anxiety. It’s hard. Giving feedback is a skill and like all skills it needs to be developed. In this episode we’ll uncover why feedback is often associated with hurt feelings or emotions and exactly what you can do to prevent that. With a simple method we’ll give you the tools you need to provide effective feedback that helps others to improve, while simultaneously giving you the skills and confidence to improve your ability to give meaningful feedback.
BOOK: Thanks For the Feedback
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet.
Feedback is a constant part of our professional and personal lives. While we’d like to say we love receiving feedback because we know it makes us better, we also dread it. This is because we want to learn and grow but at the same time want to be accepted just as we are right now. What if the secret to getting better at feedback all together lies in your ability to receive feedback? Listen to this episode if you want to learn how to view all feedback as a gift. If you’re thinking, “feedback is a gift? I'm not buying it… " then we definitely encourage you to listen.
INFOGRAPHIC: Becoming a Better Feedback Receiver
ARTICLE: How to Train Yourself to Take Feedback Well
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet.
At work, there are many times advocating for yourself will come up. A common misconception is it only comes up when you are feeling under-appreciated or frustrated; this is not true. You need to be able to advocate for yourself when it comes to Performance Reviews, or wanting to take on more responsibility, and even sharing your views on an important issue.
Learning how to advocate for yourself is an important professional skill and this episode will leave you with 3 things you can do to become a better self-advocate.
ARTICLE: 6 Tips on How to Advocate For Yourself
TASK TRACKER: Trello Board
TASK TRACKER: Asana Board
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet.
If you’re interested in actually sticking to your goals, building better habits, and reaching a higher level of achievement, then you’ll love this episode, because it will teach you about the link between our beliefs and our behavior.
The mind is a powerful thing, and the stories you tell yourself and the things you believe about yourself can either prevent change from happening or allow new skills to blossom. This episode will leave you thinking differently about the way you think about yourself.
You’ll learn what a growth mindset is, why it will help you in your career, and what you can do today to develop a growth mindset.
Book: Mindset: The new Psychology of Success
ARTICLE: 15 Ways to Build a Growth Mindset
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music by, Purple Planet.
When we think of change or change management many of us immediately go to the BIG changes, like re-orgs...and those are definitely some of the hardest and most emotionally heavy changes you can experience within a company. However, change also happens in smaller ways. You can think of change being anything-- a new manager, a new role, a new process or program or product...these all require adjusting to a new normal and change is really hard, even when it’s “small"!
In this LIVE episode with Lisa Rambo we hear all about her tips on managing change. She shares from her own experience, and the situations she felt she managed change well and other times where maybe, not so well. You won't want to miss her tips on this topic as we all know... the only constant in life is CHANGE.
Click here for Lisa's 5 Tips on Managing Change
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.comMusic by, Purple Planet Music.
Looking over the last 9 months working from home, there's been some peaks, but also some valleys. Two things have been particularly hard to protect amidst the barrage of information and the unpredictable distractions that show up: productivity and optimism.
Some days you may feel like a champion, while others it is difficult to feel motivated. In the last episode of the series Overcoming The Quarantine Slump, we dive into practical ways you can protect your productivity as well as your optimism. Listen to learn more!
The Do's and Don'ts of Building a Social Media Moat
Book: Big Potential by Shawn Achor
Book: The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music by, Purple Planet.
Have you found it difficult to switch gears while working from home? If it's taken you time to get used to it then you are like most people. Working from home is a discipline that involves setting up transitions that help you go from rest to work and work to rest; with everything co-existing it can be difficult to find margin in your day.
This episode will give you 3 things you can do to start your day off and create the separation between work and home. Additionally, it provides tips to keep in mind with your environment to ensure you're creating a space that will motivate you and help you stay productive.
Book: Make Your Bed: The Little Things That Can Change Your Life... and Maybe the World
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
It’s crazy to look back on March and think how we were asking ourselves, “how are we going to be home for 2 weeks?!” Well, 8 months later, here we are. It feels like every week we’re having to make adjustments and figure out a new routine to thrive in this new normal. At the end of the day we feel it.. the draining effect technology has on us, and the rapid context switching we’re needing to do to conquer our current objectives.
We bring you the series, Overcoming The Quarantine Slump, to give you tools and strategies you can implement into your day-to-day to not only overcome the slump, but thrive. This episode focuses on the difference between relief and restoration, and will give you the chance to examine your choices to see if you are giving yourself temporary relief or bringing restoration to your mind.
ACTIVITY: Restoration OR Relief
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
Have you ever believed you are a fraud? That you haven't earned your place? That all of your success is tied to luck or deception? Worried that one day you’ll wake up and everyone will realize that you’ve just been “faking it?” If you have, you probably suffer from Imposter Syndrome. Now, don’t worry too much -- most of us suffer from this to some extent. It can even creep up when you are starting a new job, or doing something for the first time.
In this episode, we will dig into Imposter Syndrome and 3 ways to combat the ugly feelings associated with it.
Check out some wise words about Imposter Syndrome from Mike Cannon-Brookes
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music by, Purple Planet.
Often in life, and especially at work, we fall into ruts, and taking action just feels impossible. When working toward an important goal, it sometimes feels so far away, which makes taking the first step really challenging. There can be a variety of factors that contribute to this feeling. In today's episode, we are going to focus on avoiding the trap of perfectionism. Why? Too often we stop ourselves from trying something new because we so badly want to get it right and trying to get everything “perfect” can mean you take longer to produce results. Listen to this episode for two tips on how to avoid the trap of perfectionism and instead focus on progress.
Progress Not Perfection ChartEverything is Figureoutable by, Marie ForleoHave feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
Join us for a chat about unconscious bias! In this episode of Houzz We Manage, we will define unconscious or implicit bias, break down a few different types (there are many), and walk through a few steps you can take today to create a more diverse and inclusive environment around you.
Check out this video to learn more
Article: 12 Unconscious Bias Types and How To Avoid Them in the Workplace
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
When it comes to driving your own development to advance your career, there is a misconception that if there is no obvious role in front of you then there is no opportunity to advance or grow. However, this is not true. There are many ways to grow and many ways to improve your readiness for the next level.
Listen to this episode to learn three things you can do right now to drive your own development, and ultimately advance your career.
Self Assessment Tools:
- How to: Competency Forced Sort
- Using the Houzz Competency Framework for as your guide you will have the opportunity to identify the key behaviors needed to excel in your role and rank them in order or strength and areas of growth you can focus on.
- Strengthsfinder
- This online test (formerly named the Clifton StrengthsFinder) measures your specific order of 34 CliftonStrengths themes.
- This is your talent DNA. It explains the unique ways you accomplish your goals by building relationships, thinking strategically, executing plans and influencing others.
- High Five Self-Assessment
- This is essentially a free version of the Strengthsfinder test.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
Today’s episode is our first live session, and we had the opportunity to sit down with Joey Nalevka, Vice President of Industry Solutions. We’ve all asked ourselves these questions before: How do you earn trust in the workplace? How do you have influence? Well, as Joey puts it, the way to inspire others is not always what we think. Through his own personal experience we will learn all about the characteristics that lead to influence and practical things you can do right now to gain follower-ship. We hope you enjoy our first LIVE session!
Joey’s 6 Characteristics that Build InfluenceAuthenticity •Transparent •Empathy •Intelligence •Visionary •Action Oriented
Activity: What's Your Brand?
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
Often times people believe that having good judgment is just something you have instinctually -- spoiler alert, it’s not. In this episode, we will talk about building your personal brand through practicing good judgment and will provide 4 simple ways to flex your judgment muscle to become someone people trust to make decisions and do the right thing.
Want to read more about how to improve your judgment? Check out this article.
Interested in the rest of our Personal Brand Series? Click here for a self-paced guide.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
This week's episode is a part of the personal brand series and we will be talking about what it means to be a brand ambassador. You won't want to miss our special guest Talent Acquisition Manager, Chuck Gary. He shares his insight on what it means to be a brand ambassador, how you can demonstrate this in the workplace, and how it supports your personal brand.
Interested in the rest of our Personal Brand Series? Click here for a self-paced guide.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
Communication...it’s how we get things done. It’s the currency by which we live, and it’s a critical skill we are all continually working to improve. In this day and age communication doesn’t just happen verbally, it happens in email, text, g-chat etc. Communication also includes our body language and what we don’t say. That being said, our ability to communicate has a direct impact on our personal brand. So what can you do to ensure you communicate with influence? Listen to learn more.
Interested in the rest of our Personal Brand Series? Click here for a self-paced guide.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
When we hear the word, "brand" we don't often stop and consider how this relates to us. Typically we think of Apple, Starbucks, Target, Houzz... something that is recognizable and you know what they do. The word brand however has more to do with you than you may realize.
This is because we all have a personal brand. Your personal brand is a combination of your image and reputation. How you present yourself daily forms the foundation of your brand making it important to ask yourself the question, What am I known for?This is the first episode in a mini-series where we will explore what a personal brand is, what can build it up or tear it down, and specific behaviors that help you improve your personal brand. We hope you enjoy the listen and don't forget about the personal brand activity linked below. :)
Activity: What's Your Brand?
Interested in the rest of our Personal Brand Series? Click here for a self-paced guide.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
It's not uncommon to ask yourself the question, "Am I in the right role?" Sometimes we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to have our career path perfectly mapped out. While planning and having a vision will absolutely help you achieve your goals, sometimes we overlook the importance of defining our why first.
You won't want to miss Kelly Williams's story. Kelly is our Regional Sales Manager in the Orange County office. She is a true testament to the fact that if you're willing to work hard, have a great attitude, and define your why then success will follow.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
Have you ever stopped to consider if multitasking is actually helpful? Most of us haven’t because well__ we don’t have the time. Doing multiple things at once is how we survive. Listen to this episode to hear the truth about multitasking and the impact multitasking can have on the quality of your work, your energy, and your productivity.
Short Article and Multitasking Activity
Article: How Multitasking Hurts Your Brain
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
Somehow we have learned over time that saying “yes” equates to being a good, helpful, go-getter. Due to this, we have created an environment where we often struggle with burnout, fatigue, and resentment. Take a listen to learn about the importance of setting boundaries so that you can be the best version of yourself both personally and professionally.
Complete this activity to help set better boundaries and focus on what matters.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
Don't let the title mislead you..."Gratitude is the Attitude," while an overused statement, truly has incredible benefits. Those who practice gratitude regularly are proven to have better physical and psychological health, sleep better, have more resilience in the face of adversity, and greater empathy.
In this episode, we talk about the power of gratitude on, yes, your attitude-- but also on your results. We have a special guest who shares their experience with using gratitude activities with their team and the results that came from it. Check it out!
If you want to take a deeper dive into this topic, check out this book.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
Most of us are inundated with information all day, every day, and struggle to differentiate between what we are concerned with and what we have control over. By understanding Steven Covey’s Circle of Control you can begin to take control of your worries through purposeful action. Join me for a quick lesson on controlling your concerns.
If you'd like to explore the Circle of Control in more depth we'd recommend reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
Many of us don't realize the mental shift that occurs when we drive to and from the office. This is what signals to our body that it's time to work and also that it's time to stop working. In a remote environment, it requires more intentionality to create these start and stop rituals and it's important because you don't want to risk a drop in productivity or burnout. Listen to this episode to learn how routines and rituals can benefit you today!
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com.
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.
Hi Houzzers! You asked, and we listened. We continually hear that one of your favorite ways to learn is through the experiences of other people. We think it's important to create multiple platforms for you to do this. That being said, we give you Houzz We Manage.
This podcast will bring you monthly mental hacks that will help you better manage yourself, along with stories from Houzzers across the globe on how they got to where they are today. What wisdom did they pick up along the way? Triumphs, failures, all of it. We hope you will join us on this journey as we learn Houzz to Manage.
Want to learn more about the benefits of listening to podcasts? Click here for a short article.
Have feedback on this episode or any others? CLICK HERE or email us at
talent-development@houzz.com
Music provided by, Purple Planet Music.