Are You a Manager Who Is Afraid of Upsetting Your Staff?

It’s really hard to manage effectively if you are afraid of upsetting your staff. On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss this challenge for some managers. They start with a question from someone who is new to management but realizes she must give certain members of her staff some tough feedback. This manager is afraid that honest feedback will result in people getting mad at her.

My Psycho Boss

On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine address a hot topic: How to handle a psycho boss. They start with a question from someone who recently took a new job that is both challenging and rewarding. The new boss started out supportive and encouraging, but recently revealed another side – hypercritical, erratic and abusive. Kathi and Katherine offer ideas about how to navigate this kind of very challenging situation.

Is Someone You Manage After Your Job?

On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss what to do if you suspect that someone you manage is after your job. They start with a question from a manager who fears that one of their direct reports is trying to take their job. During the second part of the podcast, Kathi and Katherine consider the same topic from the employee’s perspective: What if you want to be your boss’s equal?

Are Layoffs Coming Your Way?

On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine talk about the uncomfortable-but-important topic of layoffs. They start with a question from someone who suspects that they may be laid off soon. During the second part of the podcast, Kathi and Katherine address managers who may face the difficult decision of who to lay off.

Managing an Argumentative Employee

Kathi and Katherine discuss how to manage an argumentative employee. Are you trying to manage someone who challenges your every move? In this podcast, we’ll examine what happens when a member of your “support staff” questions or corrects everything you want to do. During the second half, we consider the employee’s perspective — What if you challenge your boss because he or she seems insecure or indecisive?

Afraid to Manage Your Staff Because You Know Too Much?

Sometimes, the more you know about your staff’s personal lives, the harder it is to hold them accountable. In this podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss how challenging it can be to hold employees responsible for their work product, when you know too much about their challenges outside of work.

Communication Under Stress: My Crazy Office Overtime, Season 4

Kathi and Katherine talk about communication under stress on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime episode.

Do you talk too much or not enough when you are placed in a stressful situation at work?

Listen here for advice.

#40 – Dating in the Workplace: My Crazy Office, Season 3

Kathi and Katherine talk about dating in the workplace on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.

First we give advice about how to work alongside your ex’s new girlfriend/boyfriend.

Then we discuss what a manager should do with an employee who keeps sleeping with the staff.