Are Your Afraid To Fire a Popular Employee?

On this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss the challenge of firing an employee who seems to be popular with the staff. They start with a question from someone who has discovered that a popular employee has been cheating on time sheets and disseminating confidential information to unauthorized people. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to manage these unruly employees despite your fears about letting them go.

Have You Forgotten How To Network?

On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss the forgotten art of networking. They start with a question from someone who knows it’s time to change jobs but doesn’t know how to network. Kathi and Katherine discuss the value of networking, and offer simple steps you can take to start building your professional network again.

Need Your Employee More Than They Need You?

On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss a difficult situation for any manager: What do you do if you need an employee more than they need you? They start with a question from a manager whose key employee is skilled but produces mediocre work and seems unmotivated to improve. Kath and Katherine consider what you can do to motivate an employee who doesn’t really care about
the job.

Afraid To Give Negative Feedback?

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss a management challenge that many people face: Being afraid to give negative feedback. They start with a question from someone who oversees three managers but is afraid to give any of them important feedback concerning their weak areas. Kathi and Katherine talk about how to overcome whatever fears prevent you from performing this essential management task.

Getting Bullied by a Co-Worker?

On this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine investigate what you can do if a coworker starts to bully you. They start with a question from someone who discovers that a colleague who she thought was a friend begins to act differently in a group setting. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to detect a closet bully and how to handle their inappropriate behavior at work.

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.

Can I Turn Down a Promotion?

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine address an interesting question: Is it okay to turn down a promotion? They start with a question from someone who has been offered a promotion but doesn’t want the management headache that comes with it. Kathi and Katherine consider the pros and cons to saying “No,” and what your options might be if you have to say “Yes.”

Promotion negotiation — Do you know how to do it?

Do you know how to negotiate a promotion? In this My Crazy Office episode, Kathi and Katherine discuss what it takes to do just that. They start with a question from someone who wants to get promoted but has been told by her boss to wait for another year so that he can offer a better promotion with higher pay. This individual would like to propose a compromise that would result in a smaller promotion in the near future. Kathi and Katherine talk about the pros and cons of this approach.