Peace at the Water Cooler

In this episode of "Peace at the Water Cooler," we delve into the transformative concept of "Radical Candor" with renowned author, Kim Scott. Join us as Kim shares valuable insights drawn from her experiences at Google, Apple, Qaltrics, Dropbox, and Twitter, providing practical wisdom on leadership, feedback, and fostering a healthy workplace culture. Kim not only imparts profound knowledge but also infuses humour into the conversation, sharing amusing anecdotes and humorous examples from her past experiences with colleagues, including memorable encounters with the infamous "Bob." Discover how these light-hearted moments add depth to the discussion on the delicate balance of caring personally and challenging directly. Explore the art of balancing praise and criticism through entertaining stories, drawing from Kim's personal experience at Google. Learn how specific feedback can contribute to a culture of growth. Kim gives practical insights into initiating a move towards Radical Candor, overcoming resistance, and creating an environment where feedback flows freely, accompanied by humorous anecdotes that make the conversation both engaging and relatable. Kim also provides a sneak peek into her upcoming book, "Radical Respect," set to be released in May 2024. Finally, Kim shares actionable steps for leaders to foster an environment grounded in fundamental human decency, all while weaving in humorous examples to make the conversation lively and enjoyable.

In this episode, I chat with employment lawyer and Executive Director of Source Workplace, Sean Melbourne. Having been in the industry for over 20 years, Sean brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to our conversation. We discuss the pros and cons of lengthy workplace investigations, including the optimal timeframe, hidden costs and challenges and what workplaces can do to avoid them. This is a must-listen for anyone in HR who runs or oversees an internal workplace investigation.

In this episode, I chat with attorney Jessica Childress, founder of a boutique employment law firm based in Washington, D.C. An advocate of civil rights, especially in the workplace, Jessica is passionate about empowering employees to know where they stand when it comes to psychological safety. We discuss her forthcoming book and e-course, “Peace: Leaving a Toxic Workplace on Your Own Terms”, the cultural differences and challenges of the legal system in the US, and our shared goal of creating more harmonious and happier work environments.

Join us on "Peace at the Water Cooler" as we dive into an extraordinary conversation with the remarkable Seth Godin. In this episode, we explore the art of effective communication, personal development, and work-life balance. In anticipation of his new book, "The Song of Significance," Seth shares his insights on effective communication, fostering collaboration, and cultivating a harmonious work environment. Discover the secrets to navigating challenging conversations, building strong professional relationships, and fostering a culture of open dialogue. Delve into the realm of personal development as Seth reveals powerful strategies for overcoming self-doubt, embracing vulnerability, and finding your authentic voice in the corporate world. From cultivating resilience to honing leadership skills, this conversation is a treasure trove of practical advice for achieving personal and professional growth. But our exploration doesn't end there. We also dive into the ever-evolving landscape of work-life balance, exploring innovative approaches to maintaining well-being and finding fulfilment in both professional and personal spheres. Prepare to challenge conventional notions and gain fresh insights into finding harmony in a fast-paced and demanding world. Join us for riveting anecdotes, engaging discussions, and thought-provoking revelations. "Peace at the Water Cooler" is your destination for an enlightening conversation with Seth that will leave you inspired, equipped with practical tools, and ready to foster a more harmonious and fulfilling work experience. Don't miss this opportunity to join us on this transformative journey.

Welcome to the latest episode of "Peace at the Water Cooler"! I'm excited to chat with Sommer Nisbet, General Manager @ The Dream Collective and an expert on diversity and inclusion. Sommer joins us to share valuable insights on promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, tackling challenges faced by underrepresented groups in leadership, and measuring the impact of diversity and inclusion initiatives. We'll also discuss the crucial role of leadership in creating and maintaining an inclusive culture and a whole lot more! Sommer will offer actionable advice for building a more equitable and harmonious workplace. This is an engaging conversation you won't want to miss, packed with valuable insights for creating more equitable and harmonious workplaces for everyone. Sommer can be contacted here: https://www.thedreamcollective.com.au/ or sommer@thedreamcollective.com.au>

In this episode, I chat with Dr Jacinta Buchbach, Head of Respect at Work in leadership development. Jacinta has personally suffered from negative and bullying behaviours in the workplace, and she brings these experiences together with her academic training to educate leaders in creating better workplaces, resilience and wellbeing. We discuss how society is at a turning point, with employers now obligated to provide psychotically safe workplaces. Yet current reporting processes are rarely person-centred and can even re-traumatise those brave enough to come forward. I also ask if male-dominated industries have higher risk factors for these behaviours. Jacinta shares her advice for organisations managing psychosocial hazards as well as what to do if you are a victim. Jacinta can be contacted on 1300 794 644, www.insafehands.net.au or www.respectatworkbydesign.com.

After the unprecedented circumstances of the last two years, working people are on the brink of change once again as offices reopen with full force. Coming out of the work-from-home vacuum, stress levels are skyrocketing. The returning workforce will, on the whole, require assistance and reassurance from their employers on their return to the office. Saranne talks with Lissy Abrahams about how to reduce the stress of returning to the office, and Lissy offers some valuable advice for anyone dealing with these emotions. Lissy believes getting out of our tracky dacks and into a new routine with our colleagues can bring benefits to our mental and physical health. But she also suggests employers should be easing us into it. They have a responsibility to rebuild and re-negotiate our relationship, take things slow and remind us why being face to face is a good thing. Lissy is a leading individual and couples psychotherapist whose mission is to help as many people as possible transform their lives by creating happier and more loving relationships. Lissy’s book ‘Relationship Reset’, How to break the cycle of conflict and create secure and lasting love, has just been released and is a must-read.

Life is richer when you care about people. Perhaps not something you expect to hear from an Ivy-league career executive and former CEO of Westpac. But that’s what industry leader and author Brian Hartzer believes. Saranne has the pleasure of discussing employee engagement, going back into the office Elon-style, and Brian’s book, The Leadership Star which contains so much practical value and advice for emerging leaders and those struggling with a poor workplace culture or lack of engagement. Listen to learn more about Brian's five C’s framework and how to apply it practically to your leadership style.

Have you ever worked with a person so awful that you can hardly bear going to work? Jerks at work are found in most workplaces and can cause all sorts of problems for the company, such as high staff turnover, absenteeism, conflict, and toxic workplaces. For the employee, they commonly cause stress, anxiety, low motivation and a whole host of other issues. Saranne talks with Tessa West about jerks at work. Tessa has written a book called Jerks at Work which provides a hands-on guide to tackling everyday problems with difficult people in the workplace. Her book has been recommended by the Financial Times and Forbes. Tessa is an Associate Professor of Psychology at New York University and is a leading expert in the science of interpersonal communication. Tessa & Saranne discuss dealing with the different types of jerks at work. We have all come across them, and we don't have to tolerate their behaviour. This is a very practical and informative conversation that will hopefully help many people in their dealings with jerks.