World at Work – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions

Kathi Brewer-Gouthro

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Why You Are Using Job References the Wrong Way

Episode 96

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 • Duration 16:46

"You cannot allow the important decision that you're about to make get hijacked by somebody else's agenda."

Notable Moments

01:02 Being strategic when choosing references for job applications.

05:29 Use references to verify professional history objectively.

06:40 Subjective questions risk skewed, unobjective performance evaluations.

11:22 Proper interviewing prevents agenda-driven hiring mistakes.

13:56 Assess each hiring step's purpose and effectiveness.

For years, I relied heavily on job references to gauge a candidate's potential. It isn't an uncommon practice. Leaders schedule reference calls, then ask for insights into a candidate’s performance, strengths, and weaknesses. You name it, it gets asked.

The problem is that this rarely gives insight into the authentic performance of someone. Instead, you end up with subjective opinions, cherry-picked praises, generic answers, hidden agendas, and non-stop bias. Employers end up getting answers that are often anything but the truth.

In fact, it took countless mistakes before I understood that traditional reference checks weren’t telling me what I needed to know. It became clear that I needed to make a shift and stop depending on references to validate what I hoped to hear. I shifted to calling references for truth verification and relied more on a robust interviewing process. And guess what? The quality of my hires improved dramatically. We started finding candidates who truly fit our roles and culture.

If you’re in a challenging season of hiring, consider evaluating and evolving your process. It may be time to part with old ways and embrace new techniques. Revamping the way you use job references can help you build a stronger team, one honest step at a time!

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How to Return to a Previous Employer

Episode 87

Tuesday, August 13, 2024 • Duration 20:20

"While I know that the experience will be different, I also know a little bit about what I can expect from the company and what their values are and what they're striving towards, and those are things that I am interested in."

Key Moments

01:17 Changes between organizations are not uncommon.

05:50 Familiarity with industry, connections, and leadership changes can help transition.

09:27 Be cautious about idolizing the past experience.

12:59 Consistent pay, aligning work with passion. Podcast.

15:25 Consider moves to a job that align with personal interests and use desired skills.

Connect with Tim and his team:

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions

It is not uncommon for professionals to consider returning to a previous employer. It is also not always the same experience we try to convince ourselves it once was. During this conversation Katie and I share our own experineces with this, including the complexities, benefits, and strategies for making a comeback at a former workplace.

Here are three key takeaways from our discussion:

Avoid Assumptions: Things might have changed since you left. Avoid assuming that everything is the same and approach the situation as a fresh experience. Some aspects may have improved, while others might be different from how you remember.

How to Decode Job Titles in Different Organizations

Episode 86

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 • Duration 16:29

"Highlight transferable skills on your resume instead of just focusing on titles. Sometimes, the right fit comes from skills, not a matching job title."

Key Moments

00:37 Importance of Job Titles

01:27 Creative Job Titles in Modern Businesses

04:18 The Challenge of Matching Job Roles

07:41 Acknowledging Scarcity Mindset

12:14 Advocating for your Professional Identity

Connect with Tim and his team:

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions

The responsibilities that come with the title 'Director' at one company may not be the same responsibilities at another. In fact, the same title can mean vastly different roles depending on the company's size, scope, and structure. This can cause people to overlook potentially good roles based on their preconceived understanding of a title. For job seekers, understanding the true scope of a job post is crucial. There are ways to read between the lines and discern if a role is genuinely a good fit for your experience and aspirations.

Some of the ways to navigate the hierarchy of job titles are:

Understand Your Scope: Titles like "Director" or "Manager" can mean vastly different things across different organizations. Always dig deeper into the specific responsibilities and scope of work associated with a title, rather than taking it at face value.

Taking Care of Yourself During Change

Episode 85

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 • Duration 19:57

"People are more and more aware of the the need to take care of mental health. And yet they're still intensely afraid and fearful of actually taking those actions."

Connect with Tim and his team:

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions

Change is inevitable, yet it can often bring about feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. In our latest episode of the World at Work podcast, Katie Currens and I dive into strategies to handle these transitions effectively, ensuring both personal and professional growth.

Believe it or not, periods of change are good times to consider new healthy habits. Take time to reflect on what you are - or are not - doing for your own well being. Maybe it's incorporating exercise into your routine or connecting with a hobby you once loved or have been interested in. Identifying activities that provide mental and physical relief is crucial. For me, high-intensity workouts do wonders for maintaining mental clarity and resilience.

While it may feel easier to retreat into isolation, it is important to connect with others. Reach out to friends, colleagues, or even professional therapists. Sharing your journey with someone can provide new perspectives and alleviate the burden you're carrying. Remember, it's okay to seek professional help for mental well-being. Change can be easier to process when you have the positive guidance of others.

If change is looming make sure you take action. The longer you wait the heavier the mental burden will become. Break down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps. Making consistent progress, no matter how small, is better than stagnation. Plan your actions, execute them, and focus on the process rather than the immediate results.

How Do You Communicate Recognition

Episode 84

Tuesday, July 9, 2024 • Duration 14:20

" It's important to say it. It's also important to tell the story behind it."

Key Moments

01:32 Leverage Achievements When Job Searching

03:50 Emphasize Recognition and Volunteering on your Resume

05:48 The Power of Storytelling in Job Applications

10:20 The Impact of Early Achievements

11:35 Sharing Achievements Without Bragging

Connect with Tim and his team:

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions

How to Communicate Recognitions

There is value in celebrating and communicating recognitions in both professional and personal settings. Too many people overlook their achievements or feel uncomfortable sharing them. However, recognizing your own value is crucial for growth and opportunity. Especially if you are looking for your next career opportunity. During this episode, Katie and I discuss how to communicate recognitions in a way that feels genuine and empowering.

Some highlights from our conversation include:

Own Your Success but Stay Humble: When sharing your recognitions, be sure to maintain humility. It’s not about bragging; it’s about demonstrating how your accomplishments add value. Use phrases like "I was recognized for..." instead of "I won..."

How to Not Lose Yourself in Your Work

Episode 83

Tuesday, July 2, 2024 • Duration 18:31

"Block out things in your calendar now to get to the life you want, instead of just waiting for it to come to you or waiting to see what it's going to be."

Key Moments

00:00 Forced pause allows reflection on work-life balance

03:25 Establishing processes in new business takes time

09:01 Overcommitting leds to losing focus and control

10:31 Challenges transitioning from entrepreneurship to employee

15:29 Prioritize and block out time in calendar

18:10 Saying no is important for time management

Connect with Tim and his team:

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions

How to Not Lose Yourself in Your Work

It is easy to let work consume us, especially when the line between personal an professional life blurs. Katie and I are no strangers to losing ourselves in our work over the years. During our conversation we look at our own personal experiences to share professional advice on navigating the challenges of staying present and avoiding burnout.

A few of the quick takeaways we discuss include:

Stay Focused on Your Core Duties: Keep a clear vision of your primary responsibilities and be wary of tasks that don't align with your mission.

Signs of a High Performing Employee

Episode 82

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 • Duration 15:41

"Successful people aren't afraid to share their credit."

Key Moments

01:40 LinkedIn Perspectives on High Performing Employees

:38 Employee and Leadership Perspectives on Side Hustles

08:44 Focusing on Outcomes over KPI's

11:23 Email Misuse and the Impact on Communication

14:02 Balancing Humility with Sharing Accomplishments

Connect with Tim and his team:

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions

Signs of a High Performing Employee

If you're aiming to identify top talent or elevate your own career then you will be really interested in an LinkedIn post Jody recently came across. It outlines 14 signs of a high performing employees. While lists like this seem to have a lot of common signs, this one had a few that were a bit unconventional. From embracing side hustles to focusing on outcomes over KPIs, we break down what truly sets top performers apart.

.A few examples of the signs of a high performing employee:

Side Hustles Indicate Commitment - Employees with side hustles often showcase high levels of accountability and self-motivation. They're balancing workloads and pursuing passions, which translates to high performance in their primary roles.

Experience Does Not Equal Performance

Episode 81

Tuesday, June 18, 2024 • Duration 15:33

"The number one indicator of whether or not somebody is going to be a high achiever in any role is whether or not they are motivated for that role."

Key Moments

02:13 Hockey team GM selection highlights passion over management experience.

04:39 Inexperience doesn't predict success; motivation does.

06:33 High achievers have skills, attitude, and passion.

10:00 Why clear communication is vital; ignore baseless negative feedback.

13:16 Value of transparent communication about hiring process and improvement.

Connect with Tim and his team:

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions

Experience Does Not Equal Performance

Recently the St. Louis Blues appointed former player Alexander Steen as their new general manager, despite his lack of management experience. While it may come off as a surprise to some hockey fans, it is a great example of an organization embracing the idea that experience does not equal performance. For many leaders, they know that hiring for experience alone isn't the golden ticket to success. It is more about succession planning, looking at motivation, and understanding the broader implications for hiring practices.

Jody and I take the time to explore a few lessons from this current event. Some of the key takeaways include:

How to Prepare for Challenging Conversations

Episode 80

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 • Duration 17:20

“Using a brand script before you approach the person then get very clear about how this is going to help them, how it's going to help the business, and how it will help your relationship."

Key Moments

01:37 The need for courage and vulnerability when facing difficult conversations.

05:21 Importance of asking questions for clarity.

08:42 Reflect before addressing perceived conflicts and take responsibility when necessary.

11:12 Effective communication shows willingness to engage proactively.

13:59 Acknowledging a lack of genuine apology; reflect on ways improve workplace relationships.

17:02 Seeking guidance for help navigating a change in workplace environment.

Connect with Tim and his team:

Instagram: @best.culture.solutions