Leading Questions Podcast

This episode's question is...

I've noticed lately that my productivity has been all over the place. Some days, I'm able to work for hours and get a lot done. Other days though, I'm at a standstill. I'm getting really frustrated because of this fluctuation. I'm concerned that this teetering is going to be detrimental to the quality of my work. Also, I'm scared it might impact my entire team's productivity and drive. What do you think? What should I do in this situation?

Book discussed in this episode Burnout: The Secreto to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski Affiliate Link || Non-Affiliate Link

In this episode we talk about...

Recently, I started leading a new group of people at my work. In the process of getting to know everyone, I noticed something and I don't know how to approach it appropriately. There is this one person, who is overwhelmingly talkative and who refuses to even hear others' ideas if they contradict her own opinions. The only time she allows other people to contribute to the conversation is if they further her own plans. I'm concerned that she drowns out other people and is making the team less productive and, honestly, less enjoyable. How do I deal with this?

Don't forget to join our bookclub! We're currently reading The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova!

In this episode we talk about...

At the beginning of 2021, I'm going to be taking on a lot of new projects and work. Over the past few months, I've been freaking out, trying to plan for the siege of to-do's coming my way. I think the planning may be making me more anxious, but I can't stop myself. How do I deal with the caseload? and how do I stop freaking myself out?

Don't forget to join our bookclub! We're currently reading The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova!

Let's discuss Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates (not Michelle Obama).

Next up, The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova.

This episode is all fun and games, other than the parts that aren't...

My company moved everyone to WFH when COVID-19 hit our state. It's been several months and my team has settled into their routine well, hitting their goals. In this time where people feel isolated already, the team is understandably feeling it as well. How do I keep them bonded, and maintain healthy relationships, when the most interaction you have is a square on a Zoom call?

(Also, it was teambuilding.com)

We are reading Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates for our bookclub, so, if you'd like to join us, get to reading!

In this week's episode, we answer...

My family is a dual income home. My partner is still working, and I've been laid off. So I've taken over the household and our two young children. There is no in-class school, and there is no daycare, meaning they are with me all day. There are shifts I can make once I go back to work, but the days of the 8 - 10hr work day are long gone. If this is the new normal, what should working parents in this situation be expecting from their leaders? What should companies be doing to pivot with their employees new challenges? And what have you two changed to help your team succeed and meet them where they are?

We are reading Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates for our bookclub, so, if you'd like to join us, get to reading!

Time to discuss the current bookclub book, The Art of Leadership by Michael Lopp.

For our next book, we will be reading Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates.

In this episode...

Like many, I've been furloughed. I work in the event industry, so being brought back full time is looking grim until spring next year. The company I work for is a small tight knit team that is committed to getting everyone back, and I love working there. There are still some projects and events that trickle in, and they've given us the option of working them, but they will have to back pay them when we come back on board.

I want to be a team player to help us get back on our feet, but back pay doesn't help me right now and working an event can be Russian roulette. How do I set boundaries between helping a team out of love for the place, and taking a stand on what I need to as a professional they hired?

Don't forget to read along with us, The Art of Leadership by Michael Lopp is our next bookclub read!

This episode, we answer this:

My brother works in a manufacturing engineering plant. The company is a week or more behind promised delivery dates to various customers and has been running frantic shifts 7 days a week, to the extent that they are pulling marketing and engineering staff out of their normal roles and having them hand assembly parts. Today, someone in his group tested positive for COVID-19. They are not allowing employees in the group to leave for testing; they sprayed everything down in the area with disinfectant and sent everyone back to work. What would you do in this situation? He's not long out of school, so hasn't gotten himself well established yet - walking isn't a great option, especially with the economy like it is.

Don't forget to read along with us, The Art of Leadership by Michael Lopp is our next bookclub read!

It's time to talk about Radical Candor by Kim Scott!

For our next book, we're reading The Art of Leadership by Michael Lopp.