Andrew’s Podcast: 50 WAYS TO SUCCEED AT WORK

PARTNERS OR RIVALS? –help your career by resolving this dilemma

In episode 44 I explore the delicate balance between collaboration and competition in the workplace through the story of Morton, a new recruit at a mid-size tech company.
Morton faces his first major challenge: a viral marketing campaign for a new product launch. He quickly realizes that collaboration with peers, who are also his rivals, is essential.
Guided by his team leader, Mosi, Morton learns the benefits and pitfalls of working closely with others.
The episode delves into how Morton navigates this complex dynamic, from improving communication and building strong relationships to setting personal goals and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It highlights the importance of autonomy in balancing collaboration and competition.
Tune in every Monday to discover valuable insights and strategies for succeeding at work by effectively managing the compete or collaborate dilemma. 
Don't forget to check out the other episodes of "50 Ways to Succeed at Work" and my book, Happiness at Work, available on Amazon and the book's website. 

BE A CLIMATE CHAMPION--inspire others and boost your reputation

In Episode 43,  "Be a Climate Champion: inspire others and boost your reputation," I delve into the importance of addressing climate change in the workplace.
Do you have strong environmental concerns? Learn how you can influence your employer's sustainability practices without alienating colleagues.
I talk about "climate quitting," where young employees leave jobs for greener pastures. A Deloitte survey reveals that 70% of job seekers consider an employer's green credentials crucial. Discover how you can become a climate champion and push for climate action within your organisation.
The episode outlines a journey with six key destinations: Build Alliances, Start Small, Leverage Your Skills, Scale Up, Educate and Inspire, and Highlight Organisational Gains.
Learn from real-life examples of individuals like Sarah Collins, John Miller, Raj Patel, Emily Chen, Maria Gonzalez, and Ahmed Khan, who successfully implemented sustainability initiatives in their workplaces.
I provide practical tactics to try, such as requesting meetings with managers, celebrating small victories, joining or starting a green Employment Resource Group (ERG), and advocating for energy-saving practices.
Your positive and persistent efforts can lead to significant improvements in your workplace's environmental impact.
Join me for this insightful episode and learn how addressing climate change can enhance your growth, satisfaction at work, and possibly your career growth. Don't forget to check out my book, Happiness at Work, for more great stories and advice. See you next week for another unmissable episode in Series 3. 

YOUR PERSONAL BRAND STORY—craft your narrative for a lasting impression

Today's episode is about your personal brand story. I explain how to craft your narrative for a lasting impression.
Cristina Scoccia, CEO of Ilia Cafe, joined in 2022 to expand the Italian coffee company outside of Italy. She says,
"I came in with a clear objective. I see my role a bit like a doctor's. I like taking care of a specific condition. Once I'm done with the job, I like to move on to the next patient." Christina made the overall task reflect her brand.
All of us need to understand the importance of branding, says Tom Peters, the management consultant and co-author of one of the most successful business books of all time. He says,
"We're CEOs of our own companies, me, Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketeer for the brand called you," he continues.
Many others echo similar sentiments. For example,
"Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room," says Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Jonathan Sachs, co-founder of Free Range Studios, stresses that your brand "extends beyond your online presence. It's about consistent interactions with people and shaping how you're perceived."
Dan Schwabel, a personal branding expert, explains that "your brand is what makes you weird, makes you unique, and therefore makes you stand out."
Let's look at crafting a brand narrative. Crafting your brand narrative is a big ask. Even becoming comfortable thinking of yourself as a brand requires clarity about what's realistic and what you can live up to.
For instance, there's a big difference between aiming to be seen as a competent musician and expecting others to see you as a direct competitor to Taylor Swift or Beyoncé! It's not that you can't dream, but effective branding has to be solidly grounded in some reality.
Your brand narrative or personal story is a powerful way to bring your brand to life. This narrative helps you consider what you want and the behaviours you may need to adopt to support the brand.
The narrative is like a film, a story around a campfire, or even a computer game. What, for example, would the audience see or hear?
Here are the five basic steps to help you think about your personal brand and bring it into daily existence:
Identify your core message
Create characters that embody your brand values
Design a plot 
Incorporate conflict or challenges
Conclude with a resolution
My final thoughts about developing a narrative:
Develop a narrative that expresses your brand
Get clear on the core values of this brand
Demonstrate your brand value through your daily behaviour.
 

TREASURY OF CONTACTS—developing this vital career asset

In episode 41 I talk about your "Treasury of Contacts: developing this Vital Career Asset," I delve into the importance of building a robust network of professional relationships.
I use insights from Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, and his approach to creating a valuable network that has significantly contributed to his entrepreneurial success.
I discuss how to develop your contact treasury, emphasizing the quality of relationships over quantity--learn how to deepen existing connections and widen your network with meaningful contacts.
Discover strategies for maintaining and nurturing these relationships to support your career development and overall well-being.
I also cover the evolution of contact management systems.
Finally, we highlight the ongoing effort required to build and sustain a valuable network.
Join me for next week's insightful episode 41 in Series 3, 50 Ways to Succeed at Work
 

WRITE LIKE IT MATTERS--deliver quality writing and make it a career strength.

In today's episode, "Write Like It Matters," I review the critical role of effective communication in the workplace.
Discover how honing your writing skills can significantly impact your career growth, regardless of your job role.
Explore the importance of quality writing and how it shapes how others perceive you.
Learn how to craft well-structured documents, avoid jargon, and tailor your writing to meet your audience's needs.
I also share insights on proofreading, using writing tools like Grammarly and Hemingway Editor, and adopting best practices for clear and concise communication.
Delve into the top 10 writing tips to ensure you deliver your best quality work. From using the active voice to adding visual elements and sharing sources, these guidelines will help you create professional, high-impact written communications.
Don't miss this episode on elevating your career through quality writing. Check out my book, Happiness at Work, for more compelling advice and stories. Available on Amazon or at myhappinessatwork.com.
 

KINDNESS--do the unexpected, support colleagues and build your reputation

Today's episode is Kindness: Do the Unexpected, Support Colleagues, and Build Your Reputation.
Work stress, deadlines, and competition often influence workplace behaviour.
Many colleagues may be fighting invisible battles, such as mental health issues, family challenges, personal hardships, and work fatigue.
Acknowledging these struggles during casual conversations can help create a compassionate workplace where everyone feels understood and valued.
Workplace kindness is more than a positive attitude; it's about creating an environment where empathy has value and compassion turns into real action.
Kindness fosters a harmonious and productive environment, contributing to a positive atmosphere and personal benefits. Acts of kindness create a culture of generosity that benefits everyone, forming a reinforcing cycle of goodwill.
Mounting research shows the hidden benefits of kindness, which resonate in the workplace.
Acts of kindness can contribute to better health, reduced stress, and overall well-being. Small actions of kindness raise morale and promote teamwork. For instance, even buying a cup of coffee for a co-worker can be a kind gesture.
Kindness at work is a significant predictor of happiness, often more so than income. Feeling valued is one of the most critical contributors to workplace happiness.
Doing purposeful work is directly linked to happiness. Kindness builds happiness and well-being, with job postings often listing it as an essential organizational value.
Here are some practical actions to show kindness at work: help co-workers when they need it, greet colleagues with a smile, acknowledge efforts and achievements, express gratitude regularly, bring treats to work, ask about interests, and listen actively.
Random acts of kindness can have a significant impact, and you're only limited by your imagination.
Kindness is a powerful tool for building stronger relationships and improving well-being. Small acts of kindness can have a more significant impact than you might expect. Use the power of kindness at work to help others and build your reputation.
Check out my book, Happiness at Work, available at Amazon or at myhappinessatwork.com. There's also an audio version if you prefer listening. Join me next week for another unmissable episode in Series 3. Bye for now.

PROCRASTINATION--master this damaging career virus

 I'd like you to meet Lisa, a talented graphic designer whose perfectionism causes her to delay client projects, leading to missed deadlines and lost clients. Her story highlights the adverse effects of procrastination on her career and well-being.
Next, we meet David, a sales executive at a tech firm. He finds follow-up tasks tedious and often delays them, which negatively impacts his sales performance and raises concerns about his commitment and competence.
Then there's Emma, a project manager overwhelmed by responsibilities. Her tendency to delay action results in decreased team productivity and missed deadlines, affecting her career progression.
Procrastination is like a hidden virus with symptoms including missed opportunities, damaged reputations, increased stress, and health issues.
But it can be managed with practical strategies like breaking down tasks, setting achievable goals, and using tools like the Pomodoro technique. Even successful people like J.K. Rowling, Bill Clinton, and Frank Lloyd Wright have overcome procrastination with specific strategies.
You can hear other episodes at the 50ways.site, where nearly 100 titles await. If you have questions, feel free to reach out. Also, check out my book, Happiness at Work, for more stories and advice. Join me next week for another unmissable episode in Series 3. 

WELL BEING--stay well and support your mental health

In today's fast-paced work environment, maintaining mental health can be a challenging task. From meeting tight deadlines to handling increasing workloads, the pressure can lead to stress and burnout.
Social upheavals such as wars and climate disasters add to the strain, prompting organizations to prioritize mental health initiatives focused on sleep, nutrition, and overall well-being.
The podcast reviews practical steps to create a healthier work-life balance, such as setting strict boundaries between work and personal time.
Discover how taking regular breaks, managing your time effectively, and creating an ergonomic workspace can significantly enhance your productivity and mental clarity.
Through real-life examples, like Sonia's improved productivity by setting a 6pm work cut-off and Blake's success with project management tools, I show the benefits of adopting healthier work habits.
I also explore how building positive relationships with colleagues and practicing mindfulness can reduce work-related anxiety.
Finally, I stress the importance of seeking professional help when needed. Expert support through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) can provide valuable strategies to manage stress and improve overall well-being, as shown by Linda's experience as a teacher.
For more episodes and resources, visit 50ways.site and check out my book, Happiness at Work, available on Amazon and at myhappinessatwork.com. See you next week for another unmissable episode in Series 3. 

BALL JUGGLER--unraveling the paradox of multi-tasking

Hello, I'm Andrew, and this is Series 3 of the weekly podcast, 50 Ways to Succeed at Work. These podcasts build confidence and know-how, helping you achieve happiness at work. By the way, that's also the title of my book, available at Amazon and from the book's website, My Happiness at Work.
Now for today's episode in Series 3. This is episode 36, titled Ball Juggler--unraveling the paradox of multi-tasking. This morning, Jess is finalizing a report for his manager. He also answers a flood of calls from needy colleagues, prepares for a team session this afternoon, and jots down some notes for next week's client presentation.
Due to his diligent approach, Jess completes all of these tasks within the deadlines on his current to-do list. But which activities do you guess Jess does well, and which fall just short of the standard he likes to achieve?
In a work environment like Jess's, there's considerable pressure to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. From managing projects to responding to emails, attending meetings, and handling client requests, it often feels like he's working to keep several balls in the air. This skill is a critical factor in his success at work. But how crucial is it to be a skilled ball juggler?
Multi-tasking holds a paradox at its heart. The more tasks you manage simultaneously, the more productive you theoretically become. However, there's solid evidence that doing several things simultaneously, or switching back and forth, produces poor results.
Our brains are more designed to focus on one thing at a time. This constant switching increases brain strain, making it harder to focus intensely on any one task, leading to a shallower understanding and reduced creativity.
Another concern with being a ball juggler at work is that you're more liable to make errors. Constantly shifting gears can be mentally exhausting.
Over time, this stress can lead to burnout and decreased well-being. Each time we switch tasks, we pay a cognitive price for refocusing. These switching costs add up and damage overall performance.
To unravel the paradox of multi-tasking, it's best to block out chunks of time rather than attempt to do them in combination with others.
Or you can divide tasks into particular ones that can be manipulated to navigate this paradox effectively. Solving the paradox is not about doing more tasks simultaneously. It's about doing the right ones with intention and focus.
Here are some tips for aspiring jugglers: Aim to reduce your cognitive load, group similar tasks together, fight attention fragmentation, and reduce strain from constant context switching.
Watch out for signs of stress and burnout. Create a to-do list and prioritise tasks based on urgency and importance. Try mindfulness to help you stay present in the moment.
And my final thoughts on this? Being a ball juggler isn't about circus tricks. It's about unravelling the paradox of multitasking. Embrace juggling to demonstrate your capability, adaptability, and efficiency.
And remember, it's not about how many balls you juggle, but how well you keep them in motion.
You've been listening to an episode of Series 3 of my weekly podcast, 50 Ways to Succeed at Work. You can hear the other podcasts at the 50ways.site.  Also, check out my book, Happiness at Work. Join me next week for another unmissable episode in Series 3. Bye for now.

HEURISTIC HERO--solve problems, make better choices, build your career

Today's episode, "Heuristic Hero – Solve Problems, Make Better Choices, Build Your Career," dives into the power of heuristics in the workplace.
Learn how Jai, an IT support expert, uses heuristics to resolve issues efficiently and how these mental shortcuts can enhance your decision-making skills, simplify complex problems, and boost your productivity.
Discover the different types of heuristics, such as availability, representativeness, anchoring, recognition, and affect heuristics, and see how successful figures like Warren Buffet, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk have applied them to their careers.
Understand the benefits and potential downsides of relying on heuristics and how to use them strategically for better outcomes at work.
Join me in exploring how heuristics can be a game-changer in your career, leading to better judgment, adaptability, and success. Don't miss this enlightening episode of Series 3 of 50 Ways to Succeed at Work. For more episodes, visit 50ways.site, and check out my book for even more insights and practical advice.
See you next week for another unmissable episode in Series 3. Bye for now.