Andrew’s Podcast: 50 WAYS TO SUCCEED AT WORK

CHALLENGING THE STUTUS QUO--a career-enhancing Strategy

 
In this episode I examine the potential career-enhancing impact of challenging the status quo at work.
Most notably, this episode explores how individuals who demonstrate a healthy dissatisfaction for the status quo like Grant Reid, the former CEO of the powerful Mars company, can significantly boost their careers.
By examining case studies like Wendy Kopp and Jason Killar, this podcast establishes how successfully managed disruption can lead to tremendous success.
It addresses the inevitable labelling someone a disruptor or a challenging employee and discusses the potential resistance a change advocate might encounter from their colleagues or superiors.
Remarkable influencers like Grace Hopper, and a former Starbucks chief officer, and John Kotter- a leadership expert, and others have defied the status quo. They made a positive difference in their respective fields and society at large. Their extraordinary narratives provide inspiration and guidance for those willing to introduce substantial changes at work.
However, challenging the status quo requires careful planning and strategic allies. Andrew's podcast offers three essential actions that can potentially help you to challenge the status quo in a safe manner. They include careful preparation, understanding how to present the proposal convincingly, and gathering collaborative allies to support the change.
The episode concludes with a note on the potential impact of questioning traditional norms on your career and in the organization. It suggests that altering processes and introducing new ideas can increase organizational efficiency and productivity, leading to career advancement.
This engaging episode helps to discover why and how to challenge the status quo to boost your career. Find the complete Series 3 episodes and more at 50ways.site. Don't forget to check out my book, "Happiness At Work", available at Amazon and myhappinessatwork.com. See you next week!

SELLING YOUR IDEAS UP THE LINE

This episode dives into the art of selling your ideas effectively to your superiors in the workspace. Aptly titled 'Selling Your Vision Up the Line'
I suggest you need to command attention, communicate effectively and champion your ideas efficiently, using proven strategies.
I explain the importance of speaking up, ensuring clarity of ideas, highlighting the organisation's benefits, using storytelling as a persuasion tool, and leveraging trusted allies.
I present revealing studies that uncover employees' fears when raising issues or presenting ideas, and provides practical advice to overcome these.
The episode brings to light the tactful approach of seeding ideas during casual conversations, emphasizing timing, understanding managerial psychology and using the power of flattery.
It explains about convincing superiors effectively on the gains and opportunities attached to your ideas, and the ways to avoid common pitfalls.
Drawing parallels to the dangerous terrains of mountaineering, Andrew encourages you to navigate the complex world of decision-making with insightful guidance and tips.
I also share an engaging narrative about dealing with insecure managers, providing effective strategies to win them over.
Listen, learn and leverage the insightful lessons from this episode, and transform your approach to selling your ideas 'up the line'.
Be sure to check out my book 'Happiness At Work' available at Amazon and the book's website 'myhappinessatwork.com' for more insights.
Listen to the rest of my podcasts every Monday on Spotify, Apple, and all the main podcast platforms and tap into important ways to develop your career.
 

HOW BOASTING CAN BOOST YOUR WORKPLACE CONFIDENCE

Today, I explore why a bit of boasting at work is not just acceptable, but quite necessary. While it is often suggested to let our work speak for itself, it sometimes falls to us to shed light on our achievements to avoid being taken for granted.
Imposter Syndrome, a constant fear of feeling like a fraud, can be a hurdle on the path to self-appreciation. It affects many, including renowned personalities like Tom Hanks, Sheryl Sandberg, and Lady Gaga.
Some degree of self-promotion, far from being detrimental, can serve as a healthy expression of pride in our work accomplishments.
Boasting at work cannot be fully productive if it makes us liable for scorn and criticism. I discuss some strategies that you can deploy.
Begin by acknowledging and reframing your negatives into positives and drowning out the inner critic. Seek feedback from mentors, colleagues, and loved ones to gain an objective evaluation of your abilities. Lastly, cultivate an optimistic mindset to enhance your self-esteem.
Be sure to check out other episodes from the '50 Ways to Succeed at Work' podcast series available on our website.
And for additional insights and practical advice on tackling workplace issues, do take a look at my book "Happiness at Work", available on Amazon and the book's website. There's also an audio version if you prefer listening.
Join me next week for another episode full of actionable advice. Until then, goodbye!

EXECUTIVE PRESENCE +STORY TELLING--your ticket to career progression

In this episode of '50 Ways to Succeed at Work', I delve into an intriguing concept - the blend of executive presence and storytelling as a golden ticket to your career progression.
I explore the potential pitfalls of the two crucial skills and ways to harness them to claim bigger roles in the organisation effectively.
The episode spotlights a character named Megan – a financial services employee with a widely admired reputation yet an impending challenge: her boss is leaving. Will she be able to seize this opportunity?
Megan must conquer three significant questions: What does she want? What do those responsible for the decision want? And, most importantly, how can she share her vision for the organization?
A key aspect of her strategy, I explain, lies in mastering executive presence. This involves communicating leadership capabilities, levelling up communication impact, and maintaining a professional appearance.
I also stress that integrity, once considered a cornerstone for an executive presence, has given way to respect for others.
Superior speaking skills and understanding an audience's body language have maintained their significance.
Yet, to truly stand out, Megan – and by extension, listeners – must move beyond mere presenting towards emotionally engaging, action-inspiring storytelling.
I distinguish the gaps between generic presentation programs with bullet points and compelling narrative-based storytelling. I cite the exceptional storytelling abilities of renowned business leaders like Howard Schultz, Brian Chesky, and Donna Carpenter.
Through the intermingling of personal anecdotes and corporate missions, these CEOs created emotional connections that furthered meaningful changes.
Their stories serve as powerful examples if you want to step up in your professional journey. The secret recipe? A high executive presence underpinned by outstanding storytelling abilities.
Overall, the episode is a rich resource for professionals eyeing their 'boss's job'.
It's filled with practical advice, intriguing stories, and innovative techniques, this podcast episode acts as a roadmap for those ready to navigate the treacherous path of career advancement.

HELP! I'M FALLING BEHIND IN MY WORK

Welcome to the first episode of Series 3 of '50 Ways to Succeed at Work', my weekly podcast series. 
In this episode I focus on a universal problem we all face at some point—falling behind at work. He presents ways to improve productivity, performance, and well-being, thus aiming to help you regain control and find happiness at work.
Many people struggle with the issue of falling behind at work. This not only affects their professional life but has severe repercussions on their mental health, relationships, and reputation. Based on my own own extensive experiences, I shed light on the danger signs you must look out for that could indicate falling behind at work.
I guide you on how to make sense of your struggles with mistakes and suggest the importance of addressing them by reconnecting with your goals, finding innovative solutions, and being kind to yourself.
I encourage you to engage in self-reflection and self-compassion to overcome the misery of falling behind.
This insightful episode is also packed with practical suggestions to tackle the problem effectively. From rejuvenating sleep routines, finding balance with work and hobbies, to effective time management, discipline, and learning from mistakes.
I also share useful strategies to boost productivity and crawl back from the slump.
Visit the 50 Ways website, and maybe get a copy of my new book 'Happiness at Work' to explore more useful tips and strategies for workplace success.
Stay tuned for the next unmissable episode in this enlightening podcast series. Until then, goodbye!

E34/S2 LIST LOVER - You’ll never remember everything so learn to love your to-do list

Abdul, a new employee, receives advice to keep a daily to-do list to manage his tasks. As he starts compiling his list, it grows larger and larger, becoming overwhelming. A colleague suggests that rather than listing everything he needs to do, Abdul should focus on what is most important to get done today and how much time he should spend on it. To stop being overwhelmed, Abdul should resist the temptation to demand that his list tracks everything he should be doing and instead prune it to within an inch of its life. He should prioritise his list by asking if the task needs to be done today, by him, or at all. Keeping a modest, well-kept list can make life at work more manageable.
There are different ways to keep a to-do list, such as computer-driven ones or scribbles on a whiteboard. However, your list will inevitably keep growing.  So it's vital to focus on what's most important. Break big projects into smaller tasks but without necessarily always adding these to your daily list. Make sure you prioritise your lists and keep refining them so you can plan. If your to-do list is at more than five or six items for the day, you should rethink it. To avoid failure, your list should not be stuffed with goals, minor tasks, and many jobs that need doing. Instead, you can just list what you will do next and when there are unfinished ones at the end of the day, think hard about whether to add them to tomorrow's list.Finally, ask yourself if you spent the intended amount of time on each task, if you got distracted and why?
Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at
www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading
and
www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.BOOK:The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.
www.myhappinessatwork.com/book 

Practical Strategies for Workplace Wellness

Welcome to another exciting episode of Andrew's podcast, '50 Ways to Succeed at Work.' Today's episode, part 12 in Series 3, delves into one of the most challenging aspects of the workplace environment - dealing with toxic colleagues. The episode aims to help listeners manage challenging coworkers and transform their work atmosphere into a more positive and productive one.Andrew shares three real-life tales of dealing with toxic colleagues in various work environments. He provides practical step-by-step advice on tackling workplace toxicity effectively, focusing on elements like setting boundaries, documenting incidents, avoiding escalation, seeking support, and involving HR or management when necessary. In each toxic tale, simple yet effective actions resulted in a significant shift in team dynamics and overall workplace wellness.Andrew also emphasizes the power of empathy, active listening, building allies, and setting clear personal boundaries as strategies to mitigate the destructive impact of toxic coworkers. In this episode, you'll gain valuable insights to improve your working conditions, enhance team collaboration, and foster open dialogue while ensuring toxic behavior doesn't diminish your work happiness.Remember, you can catch other episodes of '50 Ways to Succeed at Work' on the official site. Don't forget to check out Andrew's book 'Happiness at Work,' which teems with engaging stories and insightful advice on tackling workplace issues effectively.Join Andrew again next week for more actionable tips to thrive in your professional life. Here's to improving your work happiness. Until next time!

50 Ways to Succeed at Work - Series 3 with Andrew

Welcome to the recap of the recent episode from the Series 3 of Andrew's weekly podcast, 50 Ways to Succeed at Work. v. And guess what? These motivational nuggets are also encapsulated in Andrew's book 'Happiness at Work', which is available now on Amazon and the book's official website, 'My Happiness at Work'.
This specific episode in Series 3 is designed to educate and empower you on various ways to achieve success at work. As Andrew always affirms, navigating through the problems at work can seem a bit overwhelming, but with the right advice and knowledge, it can be surprisingly manageable.
Want more resources? Feel free to explore the previous podcasts at '50ways.site' where you can delve into nearly 100 more topics that align with your individual interests. And if you ever have any burning questions, Andrew welcomes you to get in touch through the website.
Also, take a moment to check out Andrew's book, 'Happiness at Work'. It's an enlightening read crammed with captivating stories, motivating advice, and practical solutions for dealing with issues that occur frequently in our work life. This empowering guide is available on Amazon and on the book's official website, 'myhappinessatwork.com'. Prefer absorbing knowledge audibly? There's an audio version too!
Keep tuning in every week for more enlightening episodes in Series 3. Until next time!

E33/S2 TACKLE TRIVIA - Just because you’re smart, you can’t avoid the trivial

In this podcast, Andrew discusses the importance of tackling trivial tasks at work.
The story follows Edd, who is frustrated when his college education is not being used, and he is given trivial work to do. However, Edd learns that even small, seemingly unimportant tasks can be valuable and help develop skills such as attention to detail. 
Trivial work may be unavoidable, but it can provide an opportunity to shine, as Edd discovered.  The episode also answers three frequently asked questions about dealing with trivial work, including how to ask for help, how to make the work less tedious, and whether to stay in a job that mainly involves trivial tasks.Andrew suggests that accepting trivial work is essential because many mundane but critical tasks are necessary for individuals and organisations. 
Rather than trying to avoid or make these tasks less tedious, try to improve at doing them to build a reputation for out-of-the-box thinking and persistence.It is important to remember that even small tasks can be valuable and that avoiding trivial work may lead to being labelled as unwilling to do tedious work.
If you face a lengthy, trivial task, consider sharing the workload with others. Options include hiring part-timers, temporarily borrowing colleagues from other departments, or suggesting automation. 
When it comes to making boring tasks less tedious, try pairing them with another activity that demands more attention, Such as listening to music while working out can be helpful. 
Finally, Andrew suggests that people should be aware of the value of trivial work in developing attention to detail. It may be simple and easy to tackle, but it requires a high level of detail orientation. 
You can learn to be more detail-orientated yet still hold the bigger picture. 
Finally, Andrew argues that while trivial work may be frustrating, it can provide opportunities for you to grow and develop skills.
 
Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at
www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading
and
www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.BOOK:The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.
www.myhappinessatwork.com/book 

E32/S2 TIME TRAVELLER - Avoid lateness or early leaving; it breeds resentment

Andrew talks about the issue of lateness at work, highlighting its negative impact on career prospects and the resentment it can breed among colleagues.He says if you are running late, to let colleagues know immediately.  Apologise, tell the truth, offer solutions, and thank their boss for understanding.
To avoid lateness, Andrew recommends adopting a better approach to time management, writing down a list of those affected by your lateness and how, and adopting new strategies to counter the lateness tendency. Andrew suggests laying out clothes and shoes ready for the next day before bed and seeking help from a partner or a friend who can prompt you to leave for work on time.Andrew stresses that lateness is a form of abuse that can harm how others regard you and hurt your career prospects. It is disrespectful and tells others your time is more valuable than theirs. Arriving too early every day can also create a sense of resentment among colleagues.In conclusion, Andrew urges people to recognise the importance of arriving on time and impacting their career prospects, colleagues, and overall work environment. Being on time shows respect builds trust, and enhances productivity.
 
Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at
www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading
and
www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.BOOK:The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.
www.myhappinessatwork.com/book