Better Workdays – Details, episodes & analysis

This episode is for anyone who deals with challenging customers! Leadership skills like emotional regulation and active listening aren’t just for folks at the top of the org chart – they’re essential skills for any and every employee who interacts with customers. Customer Experience Specialist and REAL Custom Training instructor Heather Butterworth joins host Andy Morrison for a look at how customer-facing professionals can navigate challenging, emotionally charged situations. Heather provides some great tips that listeners can put into action right away and talks about her 6-hour training program that helps people fully develop the skills necessary for Keeping Your Cool In Customer Service.     About REAL Custom Training REAL Custom Training is committed to enhancing workplace performance through focused and practical professional development workshops. Our approach is built on the belief that adult-learners need and deserve learning experiences that are Relevant, Engaging, Actionable, and Lasting (REAL).   We offer a range of in-person and live-online workshops in key areas such as Supervisory Skills, Leadership Development, Personal Productivity, Customer Service Public Speaking, and more. Each workshop is designed to equip professionals with the tools and insights needed to thrive in their roles and contribute positively to their teams. With REAL Custom Training, you're investing in practical skills and strategies for real-world effectiveness.   Private group training is available and can be fully customized to align with organizational goals.     Learn More About REAL Custom Training Read about our workshops: www.realcustomtraining.com   Contact me to discuss your training and development needs: Andrew Morrison, MSOM – Owner/Instructional Staff andrew@realcustomtraining.com 860.753.3710.   Follow for live event updates and helpful content: www.facebook.com/REALCustomTraining www.linkedin.com/company/realcustomtraining   Subscribe here for some great free resources: www.youtube.com/@REALCustomTraining  

This episode is for anyone who’s ever battled impostor syndrome! Host Andy Morrison is joined by Allison Rich, the Associate Director of TEEG - the Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group – a leading non-profit social service agency in Northeastern Connecticut.   As a young leader, Allison shares her own experience with impostor syndrome – the sense of self-doubt that we possess the knowledge or skills required in our professional role – and how to address it in ourselves and others. Allison also gives the Better Workdays audience wonderful insight into leading others in the nonprofit sector and highlights several ways that TEEG’s people-first approach to managing others can be applied at any company in any industry.    To learn more about TEEG, visit https://teegonline.org/about/   About REAL Custom Training REAL Custom Training is committed to enhancing workplace performance through focused and practical professional development workshops. Our approach is built on the belief that adult-learners need and deserve learning experiences that are Relevant, Engaging, Actionable, and Lasting (REAL).   We offer a range of in-person and live-online workshops in key areas such as Supervisory Skills, Leadership Development, Personal Productivity, Customer Service Public Speaking, and more. Each workshop is designed to equip professionals with the tools and insights needed to thrive in their roles and contribute positively to their teams. With REAL Custom Training, you're investing in practical skills and strategies for real-world effectiveness.   Private group training is available and can be fully customized to align with organizational goals.  Learn More About REAL Custom Training Read about our workshops: www.realcustomtraining.com   Contact me to discuss your training and development needs: Andrew Morrison, MSOM – Owner/Instructional Staff andrew@realcustomtraining.com 860.753.3710.   Follow for live event updates and helpful content: www.facebook.com/REALCustomTraining www.linkedin.com/company/realcustomtraining   Subscribe here for some great free resources: www.youtube.com/@REALCustomTraining

This episode is for anyone who wants to understand how each level of leadership affects the other levels of leadership in your organization! From the front-line to the C-suite, organizational leaders are tasked with specific areas of responsibility, but these distinctions are not commonly understood in the workforce, leading to internal obstacles and frustrations. Start removing those obstacles in your organization by understanding the levels of leadership!   About REAL Custom TrainingREAL Custom Training is committed to enhancing workplace performance through focused and practical professional development workshops. Our approach is built on the belief that adult-learners need and deserve learning experiences that are Relevant, Engaging, Actionable, and Lasting (REAL).   We offer a range of in-person and live-online workshops in key areas such as Supervisory Skills, Leadership Development, Personal Productivity, Customer Service Public Speaking, and more. Each workshop is designed to equip professionals with the tools and insights needed to thrive in their roles and contribute positively to their teams. With REAL Custom Training, you're investing in practical skills and strategies for real-world effectiveness.   Private group training is available and can be fully customized to align with organizational goals.     Learn More About REAL Custom Training Read about our workshops: www.realcustomtraining.com  Contact me to discuss your training and development needs: Andrew Morrison, MSOM – Owner/Instructional Staff andrew@realcustomtraining.com 860.753.3710.  Follow for live event updates and helpful content: www.facebook.com/REALCustomTraining www.linkedin.com/company/realcustomtraining   Subscribe here for some great free resources: www.youtube.com/@REALCustomTraining

In this special episode of Better Workdays, host Andrew Morrison dives deep into his love for The Batman (2022) — and invites an unlikely guest: ChatGPT. Together, they unpack what makes the film a true noir, explore the power of moral ambiguity, and break down the detective story structure. But it’s not just about Gotham. This episode reveals how storytelling, character complexity, and even pop culture obsessions can shape how we learn, lead, and work. Part movie analysis, part reflection on AI, narrative, and personal growth — it’s a thoughtful, creative take on what really makes a better workday.  About REAL Custom Training    REAL Custom Training is committed to enhancing workplace performance through focused and practical professional development workshops. Our approach is built on the belief that adult-learners need and deserve learning experiences that are Relevant, Engaging, Actionable, and Lasting (REAL).     We offer a range of in-person and live-online workshops in key areas such as Supervisory Skills, Leadership Development, Personal Productivity, Customer Service Public Speaking, and more. Each workshop is designed to equip professionals with the tools and insights needed to thrive in their roles and contribute positively to their teams. With REAL Custom Training, you're investing in practical skills and strategies for real-world effectiveness.    Private group training is available and can be fully customized to align with organizational goals.      Learn More About REAL Custom Training  Read about our workshops:   www.realcustomtraining.com     Contact me to discuss your training and development needs:  Andrew Morrison, MSOM – Owner/Instructional Staff  andrew@realcustomtraining.com  860.753.3710.     Follow for live event updates and helpful content:  www.facebook.com/REALCustomTraining  www.linkedin.com/company/realcustomtraining    Subscribe here for some great free resources:  www.youtube.com/@REALCustomTraining 

Inspired by the great Malcolm Guite, Andy attempts to give an improvisational tour of his library and accidentally smashes his cell phone in the process.     But before he breaks his phone, Andy shares and reflects on some enlightening clips of Malcom Guite discussing embarrassment over a messy office and the inspiring notion that “there is no such thing as a blank piece of paper.”      If Malcom’s work resonates with you as it does Andy, you can see more of his videos on his YouTube channel:     http://www.youtube.com/@MalcolmGuitespell    You can also find the specific videos referenced in this episode by visiting the RECCOS playlist on the Better Workdays YouTube channel:     https://www.youtube.com/@REALCustomTraining/playlists     About REAL Custom Training    REAL Custom Training is committed to enhancing workplace performance through focused and practical professional development workshops. Our approach is built on the belief that adult-learners need and deserve learning experiences that are Relevant, Engaging, Actionable, and Lasting (REAL).     We offer a range of in-person and live-online workshops in key areas such as Supervisory Skills, Leadership Development, Personal Productivity, Customer Service Public Speaking, and more. Each workshop is designed to equip professionals with the tools and insights needed to thrive in their roles and contribute positively to their teams. With REAL Custom Training, you're investing in practical skills and strategies for real-world effectiveness.    Private group training is available and can be fully customized to align with organizational goals.      Learn More About REAL Custom Training  Read about our workshops:   www.realcustomtraining.com     Contact me to discuss your training and development needs:  Andrew Morrison, MSOM – Owner/Instructional Staff  andrew@realcustomtraining.com  860.753.3710.     Follow for live event updates and helpful content:  www.facebook.com/REALCustomTraining  www.linkedin.com/company/realcustomtraining    Subscribe here for some great free resources:  www.youtube.com/@REALCustomTraining 

This is episode is for bosses who want to promote growth mindset! Growth mindset – the idea that cherished qualities and abilities can be developed through learning, effort, and feedback – is an important tool for leaders who get the best out of themselves and others. In this episode, Andy takes a look at 5 easy to remember mantras that can help any boss lead in a way that promotes the power of growth mindset.   Andy also offers his highest of recommendations to the YouTube channel of Rev. Dr. Martin Guite and shares a clip from one of Rev. Dr. Guite’s many wonderful videos exploring the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. About REAL Custom Training   REAL Custom Training is committed to enhancing workplace performance through focused and practical professional development workshops. Our approach is built on the belief that adult-learners need and deserve learning experiences that are Relevant, Engaging, Actionable, and Lasting (REAL).    We offer a range of in-person and live-online workshops in key areas such as Supervisory Skills, Leadership Development, Personal Productivity, Customer Service Public Speaking, and more. Each workshop is designed to equip professionals with the tools and insights needed to thrive in their roles and contribute positively to their teams. With REAL Custom Training, you're investing in practical skills and strategies for real-world effectiveness.   Private group training is available and can be fully customized to align with organizational goals.    Learn More About REAL Custom Training  Read about our workshops:   www.realcustomtraining.com    Contact me to discuss your training and development needs:  Andrew Morrison, MSOM – Owner/Instructional Staff  andrew@realcustomtraining.com  860.753.3710.    Follow for live event updates and helpful content:  www.facebook.com/REALCustomTraining  www.linkedin.com/company/realcustomtraining   Subscribe here for some great free resources:  www.youtube.com/@REALCustomTraining  Podcast Produced: www.piccolopodcasts.com.au

 This episode is for anyone trying to manage cell phones in the modern workplace!    Join host Andy Morrison for a look at real-world ideas on how organizations can mitigate the impact of cell phone usage and distraction.    And this time around, the ideas aren’t coming from Andy – they were generated by participants in one of Andy’s recent problem-solving workshops.    As frontline supervisors themselves, the participants used their firsthand experience to generate some thought-provoking ideas on how to best manage cell phones at work. If you're dealing with the same issue, you can’t miss this episode.    About REAL Custom Training   REAL Custom Training is committed to enhancing workplace performance through focused and practical professional development workshops. Our approach is built on the belief that adult-learners need and deserve learning experiences that are Relevant, Engaging, Actionable, and Lasting (REAL).    We offer a range of in-person and live-online workshops in key areas such as Supervisory Skills, Leadership Development, Personal Productivity, Customer Service Public Speaking, and more. Each workshop is designed to equip professionals with the tools and insights needed to thrive in their roles and contribute positively to their teams. With REAL Custom Training, you're investing in practical skills and strategies for real-world effectiveness.   Private group training is available and can be fully customized to align with organizational goals.    Learn More About REAL Custom Training  Read about our workshops:   www.realcustomtraining.com    Contact me to discuss your training and development needs:  Andrew Morrison, MSOM – Owner/Instructional Staff  andrew@realcustomtraining.com  860.753.3710.    Follow for live event updates and helpful content:  www.facebook.com/REALCustomTraining  www.linkedin.com/company/realcustomtraining   Subscribe here for some great free resources:  www.youtube.com/@REALCustomTraining  Podcast Produced: www.piccolopodcasts.com.au

This episode is for anyone who wants to lead their team through a brainstorming exercise that actually gets results!  Better Workdays host Andy Morrison takes a look at a repeat offender when it comes to terrible meetings: the poorly-run brainstorming session.  Brainstorming can be a fun and highly effective tool IF it’s done properly. This episode gives you 5 ways to make sure your brainstorming sessions don’t rain on your team’s parade.  About REAL Custom Training REAL Custom Training is committed to enhancing workplace performance through focused and practical professional development workshops. Our approach is built on the belief that adult-learners need and deserve learning experiences that are Relevant, Engaging, Actionable, and Lasting (REAL).  We offer a range of in-person and live-online workshops in key areas such as Supervisory Skills, Leadership Development, Personal Productivity, Customer Service Public Speaking, and more. Each workshop is designed to equip professionals with the tools and insights needed to thrive in their roles and contribute positively to their teams. With REAL Custom Training, you're investing in practical skills and strategies for real-world effectiveness.  Private group training is available and can be fully customized to align with organizational goals.  Learn More About REAL Custom Training Read about our workshops: www.realcustomtraining.com  Contact me to discuss your training and development needs: Andrew Morrison, MSOM – Owner/Instructional Staff andrew@realcustomtraining.com 860.753.3710.  Follow for live event updates and helpful content: www.facebook.com/REALCustomTraining www.linkedin.com/company/realcustomtraining  Subscribe here for some great free resources: www.youtube.com/@REALCustomTraining

This episode is for anyone who wants to get the most bang for your buck when you use a third-party provider for your leadership development programming.  Better Workdays host Andy Morrison is in the business of providing leadership development programming for small to medium-sized companies that don’t have an internal department dedicated to talent development.  As a provider, Andy has firsthand experience and knowledge of the simple but impactful steps a company can take to make sure they get a high return on their investment in leadership programming. In this episode of Better Workdays, Andy gives you his top 5 suggestions for maximizing your investment in your people’s leadership abilities.  About REAL Custom Training REAL Custom Training is committed to enhancing workplace performance through focused and practical professional development workshops. Our approach is built on the belief that adult-learners need and deserve learning experiences that are Relevant, Engaging, Actionable, and Lasting (REAL).  We offer a range of in-person and live-online workshops in key areas such as Supervisory Skills, Leadership Development, Personal Productivity, Customer Service Public Speaking, and more. Each workshop is designed to equip professionals with the tools and insights needed to thrive in their roles and contribute positively to their teams. With REAL Custom Training, you're investing in practical skills and strategies for real-world effectiveness.  Private group training is available and can be fully customized to align with organizational goals.  Learn More About REAL Custom Training Read about our workshops: www.realcustomtraining.com  Contact me to discuss your training and development needs: Andrew Morrison, MSOM – Owner/Instructional Staff andrew@realcustomtraining.com 860.753.3710.  Follow for live event updates and helpful content: www.facebook.com/REALCustomTraining www.linkedin.com/company/realcustomtraining  Subscribe here for some great free resources: www.youtube.com/@REALCustomTraining

This episode is for anyone setting goals for 2025!  Join host Andy Morrison for a look at two change models that help explain why some goals and resolutions are easily reached, while others can seem perpetually out of reach no matter how hard or how often we try. Pulling from the books Developing Coaching Skills and The Coaching Habit, Andy presents a framework we can use to reframe our thinking around difficult goals and increase our likelihood for success.   About REAL Custom Training REAL Custom Training is committed to enhancing workplace performance through focused and practical professional development workshops. Our approach is built on the belief that adult-learners need and deserve learning experiences that are Relevant, Engaging, Actionable, and Lasting (REAL).  We offer a range of in-person and live-online workshops in key areas such as Supervisory Skills, Leadership Development, Personal Productivity, Customer Service Public Speaking, and more. Each workshop is designed to equip professionals with the tools and insights needed to thrive in their roles and contribute positively to their teams. With REAL Custom Training, you're investing in practical skills and strategies for real-world effectiveness.  Private group training is available and can be fully customized to align with organizational goals.  Learn More About REAL Custom Training Read about our workshops: www.realcustomtraining.com  Contact me to discuss your training and development needs: Andrew Morrison, MSOM – Owner/Instructional Staff andrew@realcustomtraining.com 860.753.3710.  Follow for live event updates and helpful content: www.facebook.com/REALCustomTraining www.linkedin.com/company/realcustomtraining  Subscribe here for some great free resources: www.youtube.com/@REALCustomTraining