In our working society, true listening is a rarely spotted talent in many workplaces. Yet, in our uber-competitive world, it has the power to differentiate you from your colleagues, make a standout impression on your boss, and deepen personal relationships with colleagues. It's the ultimate free tool for connection and personal growth.

Poor listening can lead to feelings of disconnection, frustration, and a lack of belonging, as illustrated by a client's experience. Conversely, being a great listener can stand out to bosses and deepen relationships.

I share practical tactics to elevate your listening skills and challenge you to put them to the test in this week's experiment: in your next conversation, focus entirely on the other person and observe the transformative effects.

[00:30] The Cost of Poor Listening

[01:52] The Power of True Listening

[02:33] Practical Tactics for Better Listening

[04:17] This Week's Joy at Work Experiment - Be An Active Listener

   Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes. Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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In this episode, I'm joined by Sinead Sharkey Steenson to discuss how men can support women during perimenopause and menopause in the workplace (and at home).

We delve into the importance of involving men in these conversations, offering them tools and insights to better understand and support their female colleagues.

Sinead also shares her experience leading men-only sessions to help demystify menopause and encourage supportive interactions. Additionally, the episode provides resources for further learning, including books, podcasts, and organizations committed to addressing menopause in a constructive manner.

[00:00]  Why men need to join the menopause conversation with Sinead Sharkey-Steenson

[01:17] The Importance of Men in Menopause Conversations

[02:08] Men's Role in Supporting Women

[04:37] Men-Only Sessions: Creating a Safe Space

[07:39] Resources for Men to Learn More

All of the resources mentioned in this episode are available on our website.

   Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes. Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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I read the book Deep Work by Cal Newport some years ago and it hit me like a brick. It connected a few dots of thoughts that had been floating around my mind for years and it changed the way I structured my work week forever. It felt like I'd found a magic wand that had been missing in my work life forever.

Deep Work is the antidote to the kind of shallow, time frittering, needle stuck in place work that many professionals drown in daily. Deep work is focused, distraction free, and high impact. It's the kind of work that shifts the needle on your biggest priorities and unlocks creative, innovative problem-solving.

So, if you're someone who's ever glanced at a clock or at your watch at 5pm and thought Wait, what the heck did I actually do today? This Joy at Work experiment is for you.

[00:00] Making Time for Deep Work - A Joy At Work Experiment

[00:29] The Concept of Deep Work by Cal Newport

[01:50] The Three Enemies of Deep Work

[02:51] Implementing Deep Work - A Joy At Work Experiment

[04:32 ]Personal Success and Encouragement to Try Deep Work

   Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes. Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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When I was growing up in Northern Ireland, women would whisper the phrase, “the change”, when talking about perimenopause and menopause.

Thank goodness the conversation has evolved since then. Yet, until very recently, no one was talking about how it impacts our joy at work.

Today we delve into the impact of perimenopause and menopause on women in the workplace with leadership expert Sinead Sharkey-Steenson. We discuss the physical, emotional, and mental challenges women face and how these can manifest in professional settings.

Sinead shares practical advice on recognizing symptoms, the importance of medical consultation, and stress management techniques. She also highlights organizational strategies to support female employees through awareness sessions, flexible working conditions, and open conversations. She gives actionable steps for individuals to reduce workplace stress, such as setting boundaries, recharging energy, and practicing focused breathing.

[00:00] Introduction: Breaking the Silence on Menopause

[00:26] Meet Sinead Sharkey-Steenson

[00:58] Understanding How Menopause Impacts Women in the Workplace

[01:53] Emotional and Mental Challenges

[03:49] Physical Symptoms and Stigma

[04:49] Organizational Support and Awareness of Menopause

[08:00] Practical Tips for Individuals

[09:05] The Three B's: Boundaries, Battery, and Breath

   Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes. Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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In the hustle and bustle of professional life in our 40s, 50s and 60s, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters and many of us find ourselves questioning, What do I really want out of life?

One powerful way to refocus is to create a vision of your dream normal day. Not a fantasy weekend day filled with yachts and champagne, but your best possible regular Tuesday.

A Tuesday where your priorities align with the very small actions you take. Where making sure your needs are fulfilled. And that enough satisfaction is baked into your everyday routine.

 By envisioning your ideal normal Tuesday, from what time you wake up to your evening wind down, you'll gain clarity about what truly matters to you.

  Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes. Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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If you’re over 40 you have probably been in about 10,000 meetings by now - and according to Malcolm Gladwell - you should be an expert in them by now! But sadly we are not.

According to Dr. Carrie Goucher, studies have shown that meetings have not improved in the last 50 years, despite everyone being aware of basic techniques of how to run an effective meeting.

In this episode, we are talking about the root of meetings and how we can be an effective leader and participant in meetings that will make tangible progress, strengthen relationships, and achieve important strategic milestones.

[00:00] Introduction: The Role of Meetings in Organizations

[01:11] The Root of Meeting Frustrations

[02:11] Understanding Tribal Behavior in Meetings

[03:26] Practical Tips for Leading Effective Meetings

[06:05] Participant Strategies for Productive Meetings

[08:11] Success Stories and Results

[10:13] Additional Resources

  Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes. Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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 Envy can be a powerful tool for identifying what’s missing in our professional lives. Envy serves as a vital message from our body, highlights gaps we can bridge, and reveals unchangeable aspects we need to adapt to.

This week’s Joy At Work experiment encourages you to reflect on your own work-related envy and take small actionable steps to address it, using envy as a motivator for positive change.

[00:30] Understanding Envy: A Powerful Signal

[00:53] Pete's Story: Transforming Envy into Action

[02:34] The Three Purposes of Envy

[05:24] Beware the Dark Side of Envy

[05:53] Weekly Experiment: Harnessing Envy for Growth

[06:38] Conclusion: Tools for Greater Joy at Work

  Assess how feeling career stuck is impacting you across ten areas of life - in 30 minutes. Then, decide what you want to do about it.

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Many of us start the new year with good intentions like this is going to be the year I am absolutely going to focus on my health.

But many of the professionals I speak to feel that their health goals are hindered by their work that finds them glued to a screen for so many hours a day that it impacts their health and potentially their longevity.

So I asked Jon Field, co-founder and director of Field of Fitness, to join me on the Joy at Work podcast.

We're unpacking why movement is the most underrated medication out there, the critical difference between exercise and training, and why this is non-negotiable if we want to get strong enough to grow old.

[00:00] Join Jon Field  co-founder and Director of Field of Fitness

[00:43] The Importance of Movement

[01:36] Movement as Medicine

[04:11] Exercise vs. Training

[07:00] Its Never Too Late to Start Training

[08:53] Practical Tips for Desk Workers to Move More