The Better At Work podcast is your new best friend at work. It’s packed with honest, practical advice and science-backed techniques from a diverse range of guests to help you achieve betterness in your work, and life.
Better At Work is for everyone striving to be better and feel better. Whether you’re ready to take your career to new heights, or battling with the daily grind, your host Cathal Quinlan is here to help.
By drawing on insights from leading psychologists, neuroscientists and performance experts, and Cathal sharing his own successes and mistakes as a leader, the podcast delivers proven strategies, tools and science-backed techniques to help you achieve betterness in your working life, one day at a time, because when work is better, life is better.
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In episode 31, we chat with Nick Bloom, a renowned Stanford economist and leading expert on remote work. Nick’s research has delved into the trends and preferences of employees for over twenty years. He’s full of insights and tips on the value of hybrid working and how to make the commute to the office count. Whether your workplace is remote, in-person or a mix of both - this episode is for you!
Nick co-founded WorkFromHomeResearch.com and has influenced policy on remote work, meeting with notable figures like President Barack Obama. He consults with CEOs, speaks at events, and if you’re reading an article about remote work - chances are he’ll be referenced! Nick's mission is to advance remote work adoption and empower workers and organisations.
Nick and I discuss:
The evolution of working from home and how it all began way before COVID!
Why hybrid work schedules and performance reviews are transformative
The importance of social interactions at work and how to maximise them even when working remotely
Annette Sloan and I sum-up the three biggest takeaways from my conversation with Nick and we answer a listener's question about what to do when a colleague breaks down in tears about being overwhelmed by their job.
Tune in to gain insights on making working from home better, improving hybrid team performance and Nick’s predictions for the future of work.
In episode 30, we chat with Carol Kauffman about being the best version of yourself in the toughest moments at work and in life. Whether you’re making a split-second decision when your business is hit sideways or finding the ways to stay calm when someone shouts you down in a meeting, how can you be at your best in the most crucial moments?
Carol Kauffman is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and is ranked number one by leadership coach Marshall Goldsmith. Her book Real Time Leadership: Find Your Winning Moves When The Stakes Are High, was co-written with David Noble and shows you how to navigate crucial leadership moments successfully using their innovative MOVE framework.
Carol and I discuss:
The super question to ask yourself dozens of times a day.
How to overcome your reflexes using the MOVE Framework
Her top advice for future aspiring leaders
Annette Sloan and I sum-up the three biggest takeaways from my conversation with Carol and we answer a listener's question about what to do when your boss doesn’t like you.
Tune in to gain insights on rising above our reflexes and being the best version of ourselves whether we’re leading, reaching for patience, or giving feedback.
In episode 21, we chat with Professor Ian Robertson about the science and neuroscience behind confidence. If you have confidence, it can empower you to reach heights you never thought possible. But if you don't, it can have a devastating effect on your future. Confidence lies at the core of what makes things happen.
Probing the science and neuroscience behind confidence that has emerged over the last decade, clinical psychologist and neuroscientist Professor Ian Robertson tells us how confidence plays out in our minds, our brains and indeed our bodies. He explains where it comes from and how it spreads. And why it's not necessarily something you are born with, but something that can be learned.
We discuss:
How our upbringing impacts our confidence
The science behind confidence
The ‘can do’ and ‘can happen’ matrix
Our imagination is the Chief Operating Officer of confidence
Why women face more issues with self-confidence than men.
From the science behind confidence to practical tips for boosting self-assurance, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their mindset and achieve their goals
And in let's take this offline, Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Shane, who’s company has been partnered with another company for a major project and both have very differing views.
In episode 20, we chat with Kate Goodger about the approaches to unlock our best performance ever.
Formerly a PE teacher, Kate is one of the most experienced performance psychologists in Olympic sport in the UK having worked with Team GB athletes and medallists at seven Olympic Games. She has also built a reputation as a high-performance coach and facilitator with leaders and executives in European and global businesses. Clients have included LEGO, Morgan Stanley, Pfizer, ASDA, and Laing O’Rourke.
We discuss:
Taking time to know 1) who you are, 2) what really matters and 3) where you belong
How the strongest athletes have the best relationship with failure
The Psychology & Biology of Performance
The biggest barriers that prevent people from improving their own performance
How to be proactive and nurture our sense of belonging
Plus, Kate puts Cathal on the spot for his views on some topics
This is a fantastic discussion from a thoughtful, present, and very articulate Kate, we hope it helps with improving your performance.
And in let's take this offline, Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Natasha, on the impact an error she made at work is having on her.
In episode 19, we chat with Joe Hirsch about feedback. Most of us dread giving feedback and we're not that effective when we do. International lecturer and best-selling author Joe explains why our present method for feedback is flawed and he has made a career investigating how we can transform feedback from something we fear, to something that brings us joy.
We discuss:
The difference between good and bad feedback
How feedback focuses on a past we can’t change and how we should embrace a new approach
A new strategy of shifting feedback from what you see to helping people see for themselves - a “mirror holding” approach for self-reflection to provoke an insight
The super practical WRAP approach to feedback over the “Praise Sandwich”
The four steps to handle receiving feedback
Joe Hirsch helps organizations design and deliver feedback without fear. He is an internationally recognized expert on leadership and communication, who makes research-based practices more accessible to improve the way people work, learn and lead. In his book The Feedback Fix, Joe presents a bold alternative to traditional feedback techniques and performance management practices. A lot of our listeners have asked for an episode on feedback, and we hope you take a lot from this great discussion with Joe.
And in let's take this offline, Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Ashley on how to deal with a clique at work
In episode 18, we chat with Ayse Birsel about designing a life you love. Ayse (pronounced Eye-Shay) Birsel is one of the world’s leading industrial designers. She has designed hundreds of products, from toilet seats to office systems to potato peelers to concept cars. However, her current work has shifted beyond that. Now, Ayse is focused on what it takes to design a good life. Through her workshops and writing, Ayse has helped thousands of people design their work and lives, and we really wanted to get the chance to share her methods.
We discuss:
Why designing your life is important and how to apply design principles to your life
Insights into her year-long codesign with older people
Making friends is as healthy as exercising
How thinking of a hero of yours, somebody who inspires you can help define your values
In our chat we also take a look at the key steps to create the life you really love. Ayse speaks about the importance of collaborating and what she means when she speaks about the friendship factory. We look at how self-love is one of the key components in creating a long life you love.
And in let's take this offline, Annette Sloan joins me again as we break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Paul, who was recently made redundant and feels lost after working in that job for nearly 15 years and how does he come back from it.
Becoming A Better Communicator with Maryanne O’Brien
Tuesday, March 14, 2023 • Duration 56:24
In episode 17, we chat with Maryanne O’Brien about the importance of conscious communication in the workplace. Our work lives revolve around effective communication. It is essential for cultivating trust and team collaboration, as well as strengthening our motivation and well-being at work. And with teams experiencing more anxiety, stress, and burnout than ever before, strong communication skills have never been more essential.
We discuss:.
How communication is at the heart of many workplace issues
Understanding communication styles improves your ability to be heard
The four communication styles–and how to master yours (link below to help you discover your style)
How to bridge the gap between your style and others’
How stress has a significant impact on your communication skills
In our chat we take a look at how communication is at the heart of common problems. We dive into understanding our own communication style and how to use it in the most effective way as a leader. Maryanne speaks about how self-assessment helps you identify your communication style, raise your self-awareness and build the communication skills needed to create a positive impact at work.
And in let's take this offline, my friend Annette and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Georgina who is dealing with a close colleague who is working in a dysfunctional team and wants to pull Georgina into the drama.
How to be an Extraordinary Leader Using The Science of Trust with Joe Folkman
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 • Duration 01:01:51
In episode 16, we speak with Joe Folkman about leadership and trust.
We discuss:
- Joe’s background as a psychometrician (psychologist who uses data to predict outcomes) who studies leadership
- How trust in society can predict GDP
- The impact of low trust inside an organisation
- The correlation between trust and leadership effectiveness
- The three behaviours that most affect gaining trust (you do not want to miss these!) and why leaders should be asking for feedback
In his latest book Trifecta of Trust, Joe has collected a mountain of compelling data to make the irrefutable case for the value of trust in leadership. By mastering this leadership trust trifecta, you can increase your success and happiness, both in business and life.
Joe is a globally renowned psychometrician, best-selling author, and speaker on leadership, feedback, and organisational change. For over 30 years, Joe has been assessing and studying top leaders in every industry. He designs unique surveys and assessments utilizing a database comprised of over a million assessments on over 100,000+ leaders.
And in let's take this offline, my friend Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener James, who has been asked by his manager to move to an exciting new area, however James is worried to say yes...
How to Work with Anyone (even Difficult People) with Amy Gallo
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 • Duration 59:30
In episode 15, we speak with Amy Gallo about the most effective methods to deal with conflict and difficult people at work.
Amy Gallo is a contributing editor at Harvard Business Review. She is the author of the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict and Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone, and a cohost of HBR’s Women at Work podcast. She writes and speaks about workplace dynamics, communication, feedback, and emotional intelligence. As a sought-after speaker and facilitator, Amy has helped thousands of leaders deal with conflict more effectively and navigate complicated workplace dynamics.
In our chat we dive into, the reality of difficult relationships, how we may be contributing to the problem, and how to turn things around.
Here's a quick episode breakdown...
We explore workplace boundaries.
The health impacts of bad relationships at work.
How to work well with different types of people.
How our own biases can seep into our relationships without even knowing.
And in let's take this offline, my friend Annette Sloan and I break down the three biggest takeaways, plus we answer a question from our listener Claire, who has a younger team member experiencing a dysfunctional relationship with an important stakeholder.
Get Ready for the Future of Work with Lawrence Goldstone & Caitlin Guilfoyle
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 • Duration 01:12:06
In episode 14 of Better@Work, we chat with two leading experts on the future of work, Lawrence Goldstone and Caitlin Guilfoyle. Many of the solutions for the future of work are vague when they’re not tied to an example e.g. ‘Upskilling’, ‘True self’, ‘Purpose’: Plus, these concepts are all journeys (maybe even journeys that don’t have measurable endings).Lawrence and Caitlin provide practical and tangible ways to get ready for the future of work. This is a no jargon approach with insights into 1) What we need to do as individuals to get ready for the future of work? 2) What organisations need to consider and change? and 3) Hybrid work, the pros, the cons and everything in between.
Lawrence Goldstone is a Partner at PwC Australia, and leads the firms Future of Work agenda and Signature Experience program, ‘The Outside’. He is passionate around disruptive models of change and bringing new perspectives to Executives and Boards, Lawrence brings over 25 years local and international experience and is an expert in strategic problem solving, collaborative design, employee engagement and communications. Caitlin Guilfoyle is one of Australia’s leading Future of Work voices and specialists. Caitlin is a Future of Work Leader at PwC Australia, with over 15 years’ experience in roles within public and private enterprise both in Australia and overseas. Caitlin develops research and thought leadership on the market trends that affect organisations and people, as well as supporting leadership teams, to help them prepare for their future of work.
Advice for individuals and organisations on how to get ready for the future
About Guest
Carol is known globally as one of the top leaders in the field of coaching. She has been named the #1 Leadership coach in the world by the Marshall Goldsmith group. Thinkers 50 shortlisted her as one of the top 8 coaches for her contribution as a thought leader and coach. She is on the faculty at Harvard where she is the Founder of the Institute of Coaching. In addition, she supervises an international fleet of leadership coaches and has created a Coach Approach training program with a global footprint. Her book Real Time Leaders: Find Your Winning Moves When The Stakes Are High, was co-written with David Noble.
If you want to learn more about Carol and her work, visit carolkauffman.com/
Ian Robertson is an Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin and Co-Director of the Global Brain Health Institute. He is also the T Boone Pickens Distinguished Scientist at the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas and is a Member of Academia Europaea, as well as being a trained clinical psychologist and neuroscientist.
Strategies around people returning to the office and really 'Earning the Commute'
Advice on reframing the flexibility debate, not only about the individual’s needs, but about the team and the organisation
If you are looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving modern world of work, tune in to this insightful and fun chat with Lawrence and Caitlin.
On top of all that, I debrief on Lawrence and Caitlin’s key insights with my friend Annette Sloan and answer a question from our listener Melanie, who is working in an organisation where she feels the culture is broken and every day feels challenging and political.
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