Afraid To Hold Your Staff Accountable?

It can be scary to confront staff if you fear that they may get angry and quit. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss the importance of holding your staff accountable for their behavior. They start with a question from someone who manages many frontline staff but never confronts any of them because of the fear that they will quit. Now this lack of holding staff accountable is getting the manager in trouble.

Is Your Co-Worker a Suck Up?

On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine address a familiar challenge to many individuals at work: What do you do if your co-worker is a suck-up? By “suck up” they mean someone who constantly does and says things to flatter and impress the boss. Kathi and Katherine start with a question from someone who recently got promoted, only to discover that her new co-worker spends most of his time sucking up to the manager that they both report to.

Is Your Boss Afraid You Will Outshine Them?

Most bosses want you to do your job well, but some bosses may view your personal success as their loss. In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine examine a delicate situation: What can you do if your boss is afraid that you will outshine them? They start with a question from someone whose recent recognition for outstanding performance resulted in the boss becoming distant and uncooperative. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to detect if your boss fears being diminished by your success and what you can do about it.

How Do I Fire a Long-time Employee?

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss a subject that many people in leadership positions must address: How do you fire a long-time employee? They start with a question from someone who was recently hired as the senior director of a large department and realizes there is a key employee who must be let go. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to navigate this kind of delicate situation carefully and professionally.

Pets in the Office?

On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine talk about a hot topic – pets in the office. They start with a question from someone who is interviewing for a job that seems like a great fit, but learns that pets are part of the office environment. Kathi and Katherine discuss the pluses and minuses of pet-friendly work environments.

Is Delegating Difficult for You?

On this epidsode of My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine talk about a skill that all managers need to develop, but few managers feel comfortable doing — delegating. They start with a question from a manager who wants to be promoted but knows that it won’t happen without learning to delegate. Kathi and Katherine discuss why delegating is so difficult and what you can do to get better at it.

Is Your Anger Backfiring with Your Staff?

On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine ask an important question of anyone who manages people: Is you anger backfiring with your staff? They start with a question from someone whose angry reactions to under-performing employees are hurting their reputation at work. Kathi and Katherine discuss what managers can do instead of getting angry when employees under-perform.

Do I Have to Go to My Company’s Holiday Party?

On this second podcast of MCO Holiday Series, Kathi and Katherine answer a question that many people ask this time of year: Do I have to go to my company holiday party? They start with a question from someone who is up for a promotion and wonders whether she needs to attend her company’s “large, formal, boring Christmas party.” Kathi and Katherine discuss why these events may be important and how to navigate them.