Andrew’s Podcast: 50 WAYS TO SUCCEED AT WORK

EPISODE 48 (50) CUSTOMER CARER - focusing on customer service is a sure way to gain confidence

Andrew tackles this issue head-on and wonders why as a species able to put a human on the moon, create the Mona Lisa and invent vaccines we find it challenging to deliver outstanding customer service, 
Even if you’re not in retail or selling, you need to think of yourself at work as someone there to give customer satisfaction, urges Andrew in today's podcast. He explains that your “customers” could be co-workers, another department or a demanding boss who wants everything by yesterday.
If you think of yourself as giving customer care, he says, you’re in the right place to burnish and grow your brand. That is, improve your work impact and build how others view you. 
Providing excellent customer care is a terrific way to enhance your work profile. It can enable you to stand out from the crowd and help you move towards your goal of success at work. 
Why does thinking of yourself as a customer carer help you achieve that goal? Because this kind of thinking rapidly makes you aware that an essential part of your work depends on people wanting more of what you do.
One aspect to which Andrew draws attention is how coming across well to your “customers” depends on developing reliable writing skills. 
Everyone knows about spell checks. Yet most people, especially those starting work or having worked for a short time, often fail to apply them? Too often, that means shoddy documents, full of poor grammar and weak presentation.
Yet if you’ve come across Grammarly or Hemmingway Editor, you have two excellent writing tools at your fingertips. 
Using one or both regularly can transform your performance. If you’re humble enough to know you should improve your writing skills, these two free programs alone can help build your brand.
Another customer service communication touchpoint is your impact on the phone and in virtual or real face-to-face meetings. 
It’s easy to assume that you’re already good at these. When next you use Zoom or its equivalent, such as MS Teams, Andrew suggests that you click on the “record” function. Then check out how you come across. 
Do you look interested in what people are saying? Or are you an expr
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
 

EPISODE 47 (50) UNDEFENDED - why being approachable can underpin your success at work

In this week's Podcast, Andrew explains that being approachable is critical to building good relationships with your colleagues. He explains that it underpins long-term success.  
An approachable person is undefended. That means you are happy to break down barriers and build an environment of trust.  
What exactly would that look like, asks Andrew? For instance, what would you see or not if you saw an undefended person? For a start, no grumpy looks, lack of eye contact, failure to smile, or show impatience. 
You probably know the basics of being approachable. Still, Andrew takes you through the seven main indications to be sure: 
Number 1 is you smile at people no matter their level in the organisation and invite them to interact with you.
Number 2, you make eye contact and encourage people to approach you. 
Number 3, you show positive body language by being angled towards and not away from the other person.
Number 4, you look up from your work, desk or screen and give the other person your full attention.
Number 5 is you remain still rather than fidgeting, which sends negative signals.
Number 6, you often nod to show the other person they have your attention
Lastly, Number 7, you convey your positive outlook and readiness to engage.
Two other ways to be undefended are also worth your attention: showing empathy and compassion; and the technique of mirroring. These will be dealt with later in Series 2 of 50 Ways to Succeed, starting soon.
If you want to be a hit with your colleagues, says Andrew, some key personality traits can make you likeable in the workplace.  These include being positive, approachable and having a sense of humour.  
The evidence suggests that two out of three workers feel disliked people struggle to get ahead at work.
 As with all Andrew's weekly podcasts, this one ends with him offering you three action points you can pursue immediately. Together they can help you to become more approachable at work.
You'll also learn how to obtain the relevant e-learning mobile unit to consolidate your learning further.All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.COMING SOON!
 Customer Carer: Focusing on customer service is a sure way to gain confidence.
Horn Blower: Demonstrate how you add value and why modesty can backfire. 
Integrity Wins: Showing integrity is a sure way to build your reputation.
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
 

EPISODE 46 (50) TRASH TALKER - bad mouthing may boomerang back and leave a nasty taste

Rudeness pervades organisations, reports Andrew in this week's podcast on Trash Talking. More than half the employees (57%) in a Fortune 500 survey reported trash-talking happening every month in their organisation.
Trash talking used to mean slagging off competitors. Now there's a general trend of rudeness and less respectful attitudes towards others. Cultural factors partly explain this change. 
Becoming a victim of someone badmouthing and saying unpleasant things about you is a terrible experience. It may even occur in front of your boss. When it happens, you may lose sleep and dream about revenge. 
Trash-talking victims may become highly motivated to seek revenge but may become less cooperative. So, this kind of behaviour disrupts and reduces performance, especially when tasks need creativity and divergent thinking. 
Trash-talking is competitive incivility. It includes boastful comments about oneself or insulting someone else. If you want to succeed at work, avoid this sort of rudeness. 
Once you start trash talking, others may soon view you as a rival. You may even be unwittingly promoting the use of unethical behaviour. 
With a genuine opponent, trash-talk may prompt them to perform better. But if you make uncivil remarks to a teammate, you may cause them to perform worse.  The point is you never really know the impact such talking sets in motion.Manipulative language comes in many guises.  It can sometimes appear harmless. Yet it can be dangerous and further perpetuate the oppression of women and the disadvantaged. It is just another form of racism.
Trash-talking now pervades social media. Nasty postings have an uncomfortably long-life span and may return to haunt you.
If trash-talking is frowned upon in your organisation, it's certainly not going to boost your chances of success. 
If you’re caught bad-mouthing someone, be sure to apologise at once.  Explain that you were venting frustration, and that’s not how you feel about them. Then give two examples of what you like about the person.
And tell a senior person or your team leader what happened before your co-worker does. If they file a complaint, you will have removed the possible source of shock. 
Just tell your senior colleague: “Look, I messed up and didn’t mean it. I have already apologised, but I wanted you to know if it comes up again.”      If you’re a victim of trash-talking at work, you can’t quickly punish the other person. But you can take steps to tackle it.  If you stay silent, you may make the
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
 

EPISODE 45 (50) PAY RISE - how to get one and will it make you a success?

In this episode, Andrew starts with a personal story of attempting to win a pay rise and how that went wrong.Pay is only a crude way of keeping the score when it comes to success, says Andrew.  How well you’re doing in pay terms seldom says much about how successful you are. 
Nor does your working pay connect to how much you deserve to be paid. It's far more to do with market rates for the job. And how hard it would be to replace you.
Naturally, you think you need a pay rise. After all, prices are rising and seem destined to continue upwards for the foreseeable future. 
Also, you work hard and consider that it’s time you were rewarded better for what you currently do. Yet none of this matters much to those who pay for your time at work. 
Most employers are reluctant to offer pay rises. They may do so if you’re about to leave and you’re hard to replace.  Or if your performance is essential to the work of a team, or your contribution can’t be replicated with internal candidates. 
But pay seldom represents true success. For example, money may not be enough to compensate for a terrible commute, bad relations with work colleagues, an overdemanding boss, or stressful work conditions that threaten your health and wellbeing. 
Still, at some point after you have started work, you may wonder if you're underpaid relative to your talent. So, what are the signs of you being underpaid and the signs that you are not?
Start by talking to recruitment agencies. If they tell you about other local jobs with similar responsibilities, paying a lot more than you’re currently earning then you may be underpaid.But if those same agencies suggest jobs with pay, much like you're earning now with worse travel and hours or fewer benefits, then you are almost certainly not underpaid.
Next, check out the salary survey sites. Is the average pay for someone with your responsibilities and experience much higher than yours? If so, it’s time to negotiate for a pay rise. 
You're underpaid, explains Andrew in this latest podcast, if you could easily find a new job with a better-paying one. But if others in your area do the same work for more money, you're not, or if there are seldom any new job openings.
Another sign you are not being underpaid is if you have practical knowledge, such as using statistics yet don't ever use this know-how in your job. 
What would be your perfect pay increase in funding your vision of a “comfortable” life, asks Andrew.  
In 2018, a UK study reported that most people’s
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
 

EPISODE 44 (50) FEEDBACK FRIENDLY - dealing well with negative feedback

EPISODES (50) 44 FEEDBACK FRIENDLY--dealing well with negative feedback.
Negative feedback, says Andrew, could be one of the most radical ways for you to become a success at work When it comes to negative feedback, Andrew asks, can you roll with the punches, not just out? Feedback at work sometimes hurts. Your bruised ego suffers and may make you feel shame.  
Think of a time when you received some unpleasant feedback suggests Andrew.  How would you rate your response to that unpleasant feedback? Did you welcome it, thank the person for being honest, and reflect on what you intended to do about the feedback?  Did you do something active to apply what you heard in real life? 
Learning through feedback is a potent mechanism. It’s almost certainly a way to build your chances of success at work, by embracing such feedback. 
Even the most confident person may struggle to handle negative feedback well.  You may be fine with straight criticism, or even what passes for constructive criticism.But what about those destructive remarks about you and your work performance? Not so easy, is it?
Negative feedback can touch a nerve. It can trigger your brain into a defensive state from which it’s hard to emerge feeling improved or inspired.
Rating your response to negative feedback works can be an antidote to the poison that such information administers to your whole being. 
Another valuable approach to embracing negative feedback is the “Grain of Truth” tactic. This is a mental aid to convert your reaction from pain into curiosity. 
The Grain of Truth method It that you're interested in discovering just two per cent of the truth of such awful feedback. Start by thinking:
“Yes, I’m hurt and angry. But could there be something in it? Perhaps  two per cent of what the other person tells me has something I should think about?”
The Grain of Truth tactic helps get you over the threshold of discomfort. You defuse its emotional power by reframing the criticism into a search for meaning. 
Your search for the elusive two per cent can prevent feelings from swamping your ability to extract something positive from the information.  To uncover this grain of truth you pay close attention to what was said. You take it apart with questions such as:
 “Can you be more specific about what you mean by that?”
“What examples can you point to that lead you to say that?”
 “Could you explain a bit more why you think that?
Andrew makes the poin
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
 

EPISODE 43 (50) ASSIGNMENT ADDICT - rarely if ever refuse an assignment

Andrew introduces this tricky situation you may face at work-to accept or refuse a new assignment.While you could be the exception, most people find it almost impossible to refuse a work assignment from a senior person. Yet those responsible for handing out assignments know that a potential recipient may refuse for various reasons. Andrew suggests your first step is to analyse the possible new assignment in this way: 
What are the opportunities or threats of this new assignment? 
What benefits will its completion give the organisation? - viewing the assignment in this broader way can help clarify its importance or urgency. 
What benefits will you get from it-this may sound selfish, but if you don't look out for your interests, who will?
Will the new assignment provide you with tangible benefits? It may, for example, even distract you from your core work, on which you will ultimately be judged.  Accepting a new assignment may be worth it if it 
Showcases your talent or ability to contribute 
Strengthens relationships with your team
Offers a learning opportunity
Presents you as a can-do person
Provides valuable new contacts 
Unleashes your underused creativity
Does not undermine your core work on which you will be judged
Hopefully, these wins will emerge when you analyse the assignment.Later in the Podcast, Andrew reviews when, why and how you might refuse an assignment.All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.You'll also learn how to obtain the relevant e-learning mobile unit to consolidate your learning further.COMING SOON!
Feedback friendly Dealing well with negative feedback. 
Pay rise—how to get one, and will it make you a success?
Trash Talker: Bad mouthing may boomerang and leave a nasty taste.
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
 

EPISODE 42 (50) HIGH MAINTENANCE - it’s short-sighted to be high maintenance at work

Being hard to manage can be toxic even for people brilliant at their job. Nor will your talent always protect you from losing out on significant opportunities. Being labelled as over-demanding or problematic to work with can damage your prospects. It may place an invisible question mark over your head about your long-term aim of being a success. 
Those responsible for handling challenging behaviour at work say things like:
·        “She spends more time looking for another job than the one we gave her” 
·        “She’s convinced that nothing we do for her is good enough.”
·        “Yes, terrific in the job, but he always acts like he’s indispensable.” Once you acquire a reputation for being high maintenance, people will start avoiding you. At first, you may not notice, but they may even exclude you from events, discussions, or sharing vital information.  
Soon, you're out of the loop because nobody wants to be around someone selfish, complicated, or insensitive.
What are the signs that you might be high maintenance? First, you get by delivering only enough to give others hope that there will be more, but it never comes.
Second, you keep offering up inferior work compared to others. You may not know that right away and assume that all is well. 
A third warning sign is that you keep making mistakes. While forgivable, these force others to keep doing damage limitations due to your deficiencies. Hoping it will get better or not caring will be a poor strategy for success. 
The opposite of being high maintenance is being easy to work with. People gravitate towards you, and new opportunities keep coming your way. There are many small steps you can take to be anti-high maintenance. Andrew lists a few of them in today's podcast, and you can check them out by re-listening it at the website www.50Ways.site.
A takeaway from this : Become aware of what makes a high-maintenance person at work and make sure people find you easy to work with.You'll also learn how to obtain the relevant e-learning mobile unit to consolidate your learning further.All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.COMING SOON!
 Assignment Addict—never refuse an assignment.
Feedback friendly Dealing well with negative feedback.
Pay rise—how to get one and will it make you a success?
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
 

EPISODE 41 (50) GIVER NOT A TAKER - why giving out is more effective than taking out

Andrew starts today's broadcast by explaining that success depends on how you interact with other people.  When you do that, you also have a choice. Do you try to get as much as possible from the connection?  That is, you're a Taker.Or do you contribute value without worrying about what you receive back?  That is, are you a Giver? 
 It’s tempting, says Andrew ,to be a Taker.  As a Taker, you expect to get more than you give.  You are likely to see the world as a competitive, dog-eat-dog place. To succeed, you must excel and prove your competence.
 Naturally, Takers get good at self-promotion and always extract the most credits possible from their efforts.  Nor does this mean you are always entirely selfish.  Instead, you can justify being a Taker as you're merely being cautious and self-protective: “If I don’t look out for myself first, no one else will.”
Next, Andrew asks: Why waste your precious energy on being a Giver or a Taker? You don’t have to become one or the other. There is a third way---to become a Matcher. 
 Matchers keep a balance between giving and getting. What drives them is the principle of fairness. For them, work relationships are a mix of giving and taking. It's an exchange of favours: “You do this, and I’ll do that.”  As a Matcher, when you help others you expect something in return. Being a Giver gives you an excellent chance to reach the top of an organisation.  Yet some Givers become stuck down in the dungeons of an organisation because they always say "yes". 
Their "yes" comes at the expense of their work. It affects their time management, project delivery, communication, and execution in general. 
Instead, it makes more sense to be a Smart Giver. That's someone who thinks about what’s best for the organisation, not just what’s best for you or only for the person asking for help.  All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.COMING SOON!
High Maintenance---being hard to manage at work is short-sighted.
Assignment addict:---never refuse an assignment.
Feedback friendly---dealing well with negative feedback.
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
 

EPISODE 40 (50) HAVING IT YOUR WAY - getting your way may be the wrong way

At work, always demanding to do things your way or getting what you want may damage your long-term prospects says, Andrew.
He explains that is even more true if you become angry, agitated, or downright rude if you fail to get your way.
Whether arguing with someone or making an important choice, most of us like to come out on top. This can have dire career consequences. 
So be cautious about always insisting on people agreeing with you and giving in to your demands. Getting what you want may be the opposite of what you need. 
But if you’re pushy and demanding and in too much of a hurry, you may make bad choices. 
Naturally, there may be a good reason for trying to get what you want at work. 
For example, you believe that your supervisor or colleague has less knowledge about a task than you.  If this sounds familiar, you are in danger of being seen as a “know-all”. 
This doesn’t make you an easy person to work with. A  "my way or the highway" attitude can create discontented colleagues, disgruntled clients, and an unhappy work environment.
Consequently always wanting things your way at work can harm your journey towards success.  So be cautious about always insisting on people agreeing with you and giving in to your demands. 
All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.You'll also learn how to obtain the relevant e-learning mobile unit to consolidate your learning further.COMING SOON!
Giver not a taker—why giving out is more effective than taking out.
High Maintenance: Being hard to manage at work is short-sighted.
Assignment Addict—never refuse an assignment.
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
 

EPISODE 39 (50) ARRIVAL ARTIST - how you turn up makes a more significant difference than you might think

Your mood on arrival, says Andrew, can have a significant effect on your own and other people’s performance that day.
He gives an example of a managing director who realised that he needed to improve his relations with his work colleagues. Yet he struggled to find a way that worked for him, as well as for them. 
When he arrived each day at his office, he walked straight past open doors where people were working. Head down, looking neither left nor right and with head down Jason strode without stopping towards his room at the end of the corridor.
 Hearing this uncomfortable feedback was a shock.  It never occurred to him that how he arrived each morning impacted others. 
Jason took the feedback to heart. He took steps which Andrew describes to change how he interacted with people. It made a big difference and soon people saw him in different light.
Your arrival in the office matters. Being on time, or a little early helps. Even if you work from home, mainly meet colleagues virtually, or have a hybrid work pattern your arrival can still convey mood.It sends a silent message about your commitment or sets a standard that others can emulate. 
 When you arrive at work, take your time to connect with colleagues. Do the minor things, like making eye contact, smiling and asking about their journey. Check whether they need any help. It can do wonders for your reputation. People often come into work harried because they never leave enough time to deal with “home stuff. If you’re commuting, you may have a stressful journey. This is why some people even meditate for ten minutes every morning before doing anything else.
Slow down and take a moment to pause. Create a routine of centring yourself, to arrive both physically and mentally. This approach can work wonders, affecting both you and others. How you treat yourself on arrival can inspire them to do the same. Try to assess your current mood and be aware of its effect on colleagues. Emotional intelligence has the most impact early in the morning.  Like that managing director, make a special effort to adopt a cheerful outlook on arrival. Grab a second or third cup of coffee if that’s what it takes.
Your arrival can set your ‘attitude barometer’ and do it for others too. One morning moan, for instance, can infect an entire team, getting everyone off to a poor start. Mix things up a bit. For example, if you can, choose to sit somewhere different. Gain a fresh perspective. If possible, walk around and be visibl
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