Thinking at work can often feel invisible, but it's never been more important. In this episode, Michelle and Chase explore why critical and strategic thinking matter more now than ever in an AI-enabled workplace, how they differ, and why technology hasn't replaced our responsibility for judgment. As AI accelerates answers, strong thinking, asking better questions, evaluating information, and connecting today's decisions to tomorrow's outcomes, has become a core human skill. Absorb LMS - Strategic and Critical Thinking is the Number 1 Skill

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You can share your Career Dreams with us anytime via email: [email protected].

To learn more about making your Career Dreams come true at FORUM Credit Union, visit our website: https://www.forumcu.com/careers

Dream on!

In this episode of the Career Dreams Podcast, Chase and Michelle explore why having agency is essential for growth at every stage of your career. They break down what agency really means (and what it doesn't), drawing on research like self‑efficacy and self‑determination theory to make the concept practical and realistic. Through real workplace examples and simple frameworks, they show how to focus on what you can control and influence, even when constraints exist. You will take away five actionable strategies you can apply immediately to take greater ownership of your career development.

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Do you have a question you'd like to hear answered on Career Dreams? You can submit an audio recording of your question to be featured on an upcoming episode!

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If you're finding value in exploring your Career Dreams through this podcast, please share it with your friends, followers and colleagues! Also, your ratings and reviews help others find the show...so please, let us know what you think!

You can share your Career Dreams with us anytime via email: [email protected].

To learn more about making your Career Dreams come true at FORUM Credit Union, visit our website: https://www.forumcu.com/careers

Dream on!

Does the way you listen change what people say?

In this episode, Michelle & Chase explore how the quality of your listening shapes the quality of your conversations. They discuss why active, intentional listening makes interactions more meaningful, memorable, and impactul, and how it can transform relationships at work and beyond.

You'll also hear simple, pratical strategies you can start using immediately to strengthen your listening skills and become the kind of listener people open up to.

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Do you have a question you'd like to hear answered on Career Dreams? You can submit an audio recording of your question to be featured on an upcoming episode!

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If you're finding value in exploring your Career Dreams through this podcast, please share it with your friends, followers and colleagues! Also, your ratings and reviews help others find the show...so please, let us know what you think!

You can share your Career Dreams with us anytime via email: [email protected].

To learn more about making your Career Dreams come true at FORUM Credit Union, visit our website: https://www.forumcu.com/careers

Dream on!

What could you learn by observing? In this episode, Michelle and Chase explore the often-overlooked power of observation, and why simply spending time in other departments, with intention, can be one of the most valuable development experiences in an organization.

They talk about how stepping into the day-to-day work of other teams helps you understand the business on broader and deeper level, see member impacts more clearly, and build relationships that strengthen relationships.

You'll also discover how observation can accelerate your own career growth by expanding your business acumen, relationships, and perspective.

Sample language to initiate a department visit:

Hi (so-and-so),

I'm working on (insert your project or responsibility), and I'd like to shadow (insert a specific activity) for (a specific timeframe) to understand how your team (does a specific activity). My goals for this are:

• Learn (specific process) so I can (make a specific impact).
• Clarify opportunities so I can support your team better in my role.

If this works, I can meet at your convenience and I will come prepared with a short list of questions and will respect your team's workload and schedule. Thanks for your consideration!

(Your name)

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Do you have a question you'd like to hear answered on Career Dreams? You can submit an audio recording of your question to be featured on an upcoming episode!

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If you're finding value in exploring your Career Dreams through this podcast, please share it with your friends, followers and colleagues! Also, your ratings and reviews help others find the show...so please, let us know what you think!

You can share your Career Dreams with us anytime via email: [email protected].

To learn more about making your Career Dreams come true at FORUM Credit Union, visit our website: https://www.forumcu.com/careers

Dream on!

Michelle and Chase explore why deep understanding must come before simple solutions, and how that mindset leads to better habits and more intentional career growth. Inspired by James Clear and Atomic Habits they explore the importance in understanding details before simplifying.

3 - 2 - 1 Artcle: Ignorance vs. Genius

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Do you have a question you'd like to hear answered on Career Dreams? You can submit an audio recording of your question to be featured on an upcoming episode!

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If you're finding value in exploring your Career Dreams through this podcast, please share it with your friends, followers and colleagues! Also, your ratings and reviews help others find the show...so please, let us know what you think!

You can share your Career Dreams with us anytime via email: [email protected].

To learn more about making your Career Dreams come true at FORUM Credit Union, visit our website: https://www.forumcu.com/careers

Dream on!

In this follow‑up episode, Michelle and Chase get practical about how leaders and teammates can create environments where people do their best work - from managing up and asking better questions to naming, "you'll get the best version of me when…"

When people feel understood, safe, and supported at work, everyone wins.

Got a question? Ask us!

Do you have a question you'd like to hear answered on Career Dreams? You can submit an audio recording of your question to be featured on an upcoming episode!

Like it? Share it!

If you're finding value in exploring your Career Dreams through this podcast, please share it with your friends, followers and colleagues! Also, your ratings and reviews help others find the show...so please, let us know what you think!

You can share your Career Dreams with us anytime via email: [email protected].

To learn more about making your Career Dreams come true at FORUM Credit Union, visit our website: https://www.forumcu.com/careers

Dream on!

Personality assessments - some people think they're used to put others in boxes or manipulate behavior. But when used well, tools like the Predictive Index (or the assessment of your choice) can help leaders and teammates understand each other better, communicate more effectively, and create environments where everyone performs at their best.

In this episode, MIchelle and Chase explore what PI really measures, why self-awareness (internal and external) matters, and how to use insights thoughtfully without losing your authenticity or burning out. You'll hear the metaphor "set the table" from PI expert John Ranaletta, plus practical tips for leaders and individual contributors to improve collaboration right away.

Whether you're leading a team or contributing to one, this episode helps you build stronger relationships, anticipate needs, and remove friction so you can work toward your career dreams with more clarity and confidence.

You'll learn:

• Why using assessments well isn't manipulation, it's thoughtful
• How internal + external self-awareness improve collaboration
• The "set the table" approach and how to apply it

Got a question? Ask us!

Do you have a question you'd like to hear answered on Career Dreams? You can submit an audio recording of your question to be featured on an upcoming episode!

Like it? Share it!

If you're finding value in exploring your Career Dreams through this podcast, please share it with your friends, followers and colleagues! Also, your ratings and reviews help others find the show...so please, let us know what you think!

You can share your Career Dreams with us anytime via email: [email protected].

To learn more about making your Career Dreams come true at FORUM Credit Union, visit our website: https://www.forumcu.com/careers

Dream on!

As the Winter Olympics begin, Michelle and Chase take a closer look at a surprising insight from author Daniel Pink: bronze medalists are sometimes happier than silver medalists, and the reason why can change the way you think about your career.

In this episode, Michelle and Chase break down the psychology of counterfactual thinking - the "what might have been" stories we tell ourselves and explore how both upward and downward counterfactuals influence motivation, confidence, and learning.

They share:

• Why our brains default to certain "what if" scenarios
• How upward counterfactuals can motivate growth (without pulling you into self‑doubt)
• How downward counterfactuals help build resilience and perspective
• Practical ways to turn regret into insight instead of discouragement

Whether you're celebrating a win or navigating a setback, this episode gives you the tools to use your past experiences to create better future outcomes.

Article: Using Regret To Do Better

Got a question? Ask us!

Do you have a question you'd like to hear answered on Career Dreams? You can submit an audio recording of your question to be featured on an upcoming episode!

Like it? Share it!

If you're finding value in exploring your Career Dreams through this podcast, please share it with your friends, followers and colleagues! Also, your ratings and reviews help others find the show...so please, let us know what you think!

You can share your Career Dreams with us anytime via email: [email protected].

To learn more about making your Career Dreams come true at FORUM Credit Union, visit our website: https://www.forumcu.com/careers

Dream on!

Michelle and Chase explore a powerful shift in how we approach our work and well‑being: managing energy, not just time and effort. We've been taught that in order to be successful, we have to manage effort by simply working more hours, working harder, pushing longer, but today's reality is much more complex, and it actually demands that we make our energy the true priority and manage it just as much, if not more, than our effort.

Training Industry Article: From Hours to Energy: The Power of Energy Management and Micro-Breaks

Got a question? Ask us!

Do you have a question you'd like to hear answered on Career Dreams? You can submit an audio recording of your question to be featured on an upcoming episode!

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If you're finding value in exploring your Career Dreams through this podcast, please share it with your friends, followers and colleagues! Also, your ratings and reviews help others find the show...so please, let us know what you think!

You can share your Career Dreams with us anytime via email: [email protected].

To learn more about making your Career Dreams come true at FORUM Credit Union, visit our website: https://www.forumcu.com/careers

Dream on!

Michelle and Chase explore a fresh idea that sparked for Michelle while writing her annual performance check‑in: what if we approached career development like renewable energy? Inspired by trends from the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs report and the rapid disruption of core skills, Michelle and Chase talk about why development can't be a one‑and‑done effort, it has to be intentional, adaptable, and continuously renewed. They introduce a Renewable Development Framework, built around four powerful outputs: Skills, Purpose, Momentum, and Relationships. Research shows that people who set career goals engage in learning four times more than those who don't. So: How might you treat your development as a renewable resource?

Got a question? Ask us!

Do you have a question you'd like to hear answered on Career Dreams? You can submit an audio recording of your question to be featured on an upcoming episode!

Like it? Share it!

If you're finding value in exploring your Career Dreams through this podcast, please share it with your friends, followers and colleagues! Also, your ratings and reviews help others find the show...so please, let us know what you think!

You can share your Career Dreams with us anytime via email: [email protected].

To learn more about making your Career Dreams come true at FORUM Credit Union, visit our website: https://www.forumcu.com/careers

Dream on!