Andrew’s Podcast: 50 WAYS TO SUCCEED AT WORK

E18/S2 TOXIC TURNOFF - Dealing with difficult work colleagues

It seemed a good idea at the time. Let's hire someone with high-level business skills, which need to be added to our young organisation.
“Let’s take a risk and recruit Tiffany ”, suggested one interview panel member.
“She’s counterculture, but she’ll be just what we need, agreed another of the panel.
“It’ll be an interesting hire; let’s see how it works out,” said the third-panel member.
It took several months before reality hit home. By then, disenchanted colleagues were branding her “Toxic Tiffany.” 
While Tiffany knew her stuff business-wise, she needed help to work with the team. It was not just that she was rude and insensitive. She influenced everyone else around her, denigrating her victim’s efforts, and the whole team suffered. 
For example, the team would meet, discuss an issue, and decide. Toxic Tiffany would then hold separate meetings, bad  mouth the agreed actions and say things like, “I’m not going to support that decision.”
One of her early mistakes was crossing Brandon, an influential but easy-going team member. A confident person, he was shocked when she dismissed his ideas in a meeting in language that showed her contempt for him. 
Unlike his colleagues, Brandon would not take this lying down. He made an appointment to see Tiffany and came straight to the point. 
“I will die at the barricades for your right to critique my ideas.” Then fixing her with a steely gaze, he declared:
“If you ever talk to me like that again, we will be at war with each other.”   
Tiffany blanched and realised that she had made a dangerous enemy. From then on, she was careful to avoid public speaking about him. That did not stop her from running him down when he was not around. He soon found out. 
Toxic Tiffany had no time for even her most senior colleagues. She told one he was a “waste of space” and another that he was “hard to work with”. It was as if Tiffany had a death wish, and no one was surprised, only relieved when she was asked to leave.
In your search for success at work, you may encounter a toxic individual and need to know how best to deal with a destructive person who may be doing nothing illegal yet be hard to neutralise.Every workplace has its toxic colleagues. There is no need not fall victim to them if you develop a strategy for action. 
Sources:Master the minefield - dealing with bullies, bozos & buffoons | Jeanne Sullivan | TEDxBarnardCollege, May 2015, https://
 
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 

E17/S2 BOSS BOVVER - Respect, love, or praise but don’t antagonise the boss

In this podcast, Andrew focuses on managing relationships with bosses in the workplace.  He explains that about 50% of employees leave their jobs due to their supervisors, and at least 10% of employees don't like their bosses. Empathy is essential, he suggests if you are to build a strong relationship with your boss, putting yourself in their shoes. That way you can start to understand their perspective and work with them better. Creating development sessions is another recommendation for building a strong relationship. These sessions can help you understand your boss's expectations and work towards helping to achieve them.
Delivering results is another vital aspect of building a good relationship with one's boss. It is crucial to set goals and work towards achieving them. Finding reasons to praise the boss genuinely is another recommendation. Recognising the boss's achievements and efforts can help build a positive relationship.
Andrew offers other solutions to common problems you may face.  For instance, when your boss keeps changing their mind about what's important. In such situations, Andrew suggests that you have a conversation with your bosses and seek clarity on what they expect of you.  Andrew's podcast ends this week by reminding you yet again that managing relationships with bosses is critical to success and effectiveness in the workplace. By following these recommendations and solutions, you can build strong relationships with your bosses and contribute to a positive work environment.
 
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 

E16/S2 PLAY BIG - Avoid being petty at work and retain the bigger picture

In this episode, Andrew discusses the issue of pettiness in the workplace and its consequences. The story follows a team leader who is met with resistance when he announces new work coming their way. Sonia, one of the team members, becomes upset and vocalises her frustration, leading the team leader to label her as petty. However, when the leader discovers that Sonia is going through personal issues, he realises he has misunderstood her behaviour.
Next, Andrew addresses the leading causes of pettiness at work, which are essentially unwanted distractions from the main aims of a team or individual. Examples include ambient noise, equipment malfunction, conversations that disturb concentration, and letting the mind wander. Pettiness is often an excess reaction, where negative or vindictive behaviour is directed towards things that are typically meaningless. This can harm relationships and, if left unchecked, damage long-term success.
The text also outlines behaviours that amount to pettiness, such as acting immaturely or unprofessionally, constantly complaining about minor issues, giving disproportionate attention to detail, and losing sight of the bigger picture. Finally, Andrew suggests avoiding pettiness in the workplace, such as holding onto the big picture, refusing to be dragged into unimportant matters, setting priorities, and developing a sense of perspective.
 
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 

E15/S2 TAME THE BEAST - Be smart and master your anger and impatience

“Tame the Beast” provides insights into how to manage anger and impatience in the workplace. Andrew shares a story about Brian, who struggles to control his anger when he finds his favourite chair missing for the third time in a week. After a reprimand from his supervisor, Brian attends an anger management course and learns to express his anger in an assertive, not aggressive, manner. He also practices calming techniques such as breathing and meditation, works on a strategy to deal with chair borrowers and communicates his needs more effectively to his colleagues.Andrew emphasises that anger is not necessarily bad and can be a powerful force for change if channelled correctly. However, it is essential to acknowledge and communicate strong emotions safely. Andrew also addresses the effectiveness of venting anger and explains that while it may provide temporary relief, it can cause more significant problems down the road. Instead, he recommends taking a break, exercising, and practising mindfulness to harness and reduce the power of anger. The episode concludes by highlighting that acknowledging emotions can boost emotional intelligence and motivate individuals to focus on solving current problems.
 
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 

E14/S2 TEAM PLAYER - Why being a team player makes perfect sense

The audio text for Episode 14 emphasises the importance of teamwork in achieving success at work. Corinne, the protagonist, had a challenging experience with a competitive and unproductive team. However, she realised the importance of teamwork and the value of collaboration in a healthy team. She also recognised that some work can only be done with a group effort. As a team player, Corinne had the opportunity to celebrate successes, share risks, draw upon various unique skills, ask for help, and avoid burnout.
To be a successful team player, one needs to be able to work well with others, respect their points of view, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and ask relevant questions to achieve the common goal. These questions include understanding the project’s objectives, steps to take, deadlines, budget, the definition of success, and individual responsibilities. Working in a team encourages personal growth, innovation, and job satisfaction and reduces stress.
Overall, the audio text emphasises that teamwork is crucial to achieving success and that being a team player is essential for anyone in a company that values collaboration.
 
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 

E13/S2 GOAL POLISHER - Helping others with their goals can help you to succeed

Andrew identifies the three main concerns that people have about goals are: 
“Do I need to set my own goals at work? Can’t I just let my boss do it?
“I know all about goal setting, but it never seems to work for me.”
“What do I need to be sure I can reach my goals?”
His podcast today deals with each of these in turnThe number one reason for goal setting hitting a brick wall is that many people don’t believe what they hear.  They’re sceptical and don’t think they can do much more than they are currently achieving. If those around you set poor goals or uninspiring them, it’s hardly surprising if you feel sceptical or unambitious about yours. There are many tools for making sure you have the best chance of reaching your goals are, says Andrew. He lists at least 12
Write down your goal—drag your goal out of your imagination and into a written statement of intent. This forces your subconscious to accept the commitment to work towards your target. 
Set a deadline—state when you’ll reach your goal; if necessary, break it into smaller steps with a deadline for each. Add these to your diary or planner. 
Beef up your mindset--begin working on this long before you tackle your first goal; what might get in the way of completion? 
Seek inspiration—talk to other motivated people; find inspiring reading and videos; work on your attitude daily. 
Develop skills—your new goals may require learning a new skill or some form of personal growth; what new knowledge and other support will you need? 
Take the first step—make it easy and fight any urge to delay; don’t wait for something out of your control to happen first; goals tend to die at the first hurdle of a first step; start now and adjust along the way. 
Persist until completion—it’s unlikely that the path to your goal completion will be straight and simple; fight the natural urge to give up when you encounter the first or later obstacles. 
Stay focused--always keep the result in sight and keep moving forward; treat each difficulty as an opportunity for learning and growth. 
One a day--commit to doing at least one thing every day that moves you closer towards your goal.  
Reward yourself—choose a reward for when you will complete your goal; make sure it’s worth having; this trains the subconscious mind to focus on activities that produce successful results. 
Set your next goal—m
 
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 

E12/S2 SMILER - Why smiling gets other people purring

In today's episode in Series 2, Andrew explores why smiling gets other people purring.The opening scene of the podcast has a team member making a presentation and worrying about his impact. Andrew uses this story to explain the importance of smiling for making effective presentations and daily interactions at work. He identifies the three main questions people tend to have about smiling at work:
“My face is naturally serious and not built for smiling; does that matter?” 
 “How much smiling should I do at work?”
 “Just how important is it to smile at work?”
 After briefly answering each of these questions, Andrew offers three practical actions you can take right away:
Smiling can get people purring at work if your smile is genuine.
A genuine smile puts people at ease, making them more comfortable around you.
Excessive smiling can bounce back at you 
 He ends the podcast with a single TAKEAWAY: Your authentic smile can change how others see you in the workplace, but avoid overdoing it. 
 
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 

E11/S2 PERFECT APPEARANCE - Why your appearance matters so much

Why does your appearance at work matters so much? Andrew tackles this critical issue in today's broadcast, presenting a scenario in which Jerome, a new recruit to a major pharmaceutical company, learns about his demeanour.Next, Andrew identifies the three main questions most people have about appearance or demeanour at work:
“Who cares what I look like at work these days?” 
“I love fashion. Can I always turn up at work looking terrific?”
“What image should I project at work?”
He unravels answers to each of these issues, giving examples from his extensive experiences as both a manager and a leader. Finally, he offers three practical steps you can take on this issue: 
Do your research; looking on social media can be a cultural miscue as overdressing may be promoted as an essential fashion statement 
Meet the basics of good hygiene and cleanliness 
Be sure that your grooming at work and demeanour make you look and feel good
His final TAKEAWAY is: More than 1 in 4 employees have experienced discrimination due to their looks; most often, it happens to women. Check what people at work expect about employee appearance.
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 
 

E8/S2 JOKER - Using your brilliant sense of humour

In this latest 50 Ways to Succeed at Work podcast, Andrew offers fresh insight into the importance and danger of using your natural sense of humour at work.In the short opening scenario, we hear how one employee is just a bit too jokey, and his team supervisor tries to explain his current concerns. Andrew then identifies three essential questions that people have about using their humour at work: 
“What sort of humour should I avoid at work?” 
“Can humour help me be a success at work?” 
"How does humour at work make a worthwhile difference?” 
In particular, Andrew points out that studies confirm that people who share a healthy, positive sense of humour tend to be more likeable and viewed as more trustworthy.It's also a key to success since most (91%) of executives believe that a sense of humour is essential for career advancement.On the other hand, Andrew explains that too much joking can become a burden, as happens in the opening scenario when the team supervisor tries to warn Steff that his joking is proving counterproductive.  The action that Andrew suggests includes three steps you can take, plus  The final Takeaway: Humour at work is good and healthy; please ensure that yours comes at the right time without disrespecting or damaging others. 
 
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 

E10/S2 LIVELY LISTENER - Become a terrific listener and watch your impact expand

Maria has had a great experience meeting an essential member of her organisation who is most interested in her. She is an excellent listener, and Maria feels she has never been so "heard" in her life."In contrast, the team meetings she attends are unsatisfactory, which Maria puts down to a lack of listening by those attending. The team leader agrees, brings in a consultant who interviews the group, and calls a meeting to suggest a new way of running the team session. He suggests a new rule in which you can't just interrupt someone speaking or immediately they've spoken go off a tangent.Instead, members must build on what the speaker has said to show they've heard and understood that contribution. Surprisingly this works really well.Next, Andrew identifies three essential questions that people have about listening and then s presents many suggestions and tips about improving your listening. These are set out at length in Andrew's new book, also called 50 Ways to Succeed at Work.
 
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