Maneuvering Monday

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We continue our purpose of creating conversations about how work can be fit for humans as we create a new universe - a universe where MegaCorp dominates the world. Working for MegaCorp is soul crushing. It is full of bullshit words and bureaucracy.

We read our first letter received from inside MegaCorp. The letter comes from someone we’ll call L., who has spent 8 years inside MegaCorp’s Global Delivery Organization watching his colleague David achieve a successful corporate career with almost no measurable outcome. 

We then apply a lens of humour and expert advice to help L maneuver in his situation. 

Guest Experts:

• Carsten Ruseng Jakobsen - you are the founder of Grow Beyond and co-author of Thrive: A Pragmatic Guide to Enterprise Agility and organizer of Product Leader Summit Copenhagen 
• Luxshan - you are the creator of the amazing cartoon universe Comic Agile and spending your worklife reducing agile BS through humor 

Comedians on this episodes:

• Peter - a journalist at DK’s leading org for environmental and climate solutions - and in your spare time, panicking about not having time to write enough jokes before the climate collapses
• Karol - a full-time programmer during the day and standup comedian after sunset (and a beer) 
• Maja - manipulates algorithms for a living and work in the gambling industry. When your parents asked what you do, you told them OnlyFans. It sounded more respectable.
• Akira - an on and off burned out mechanical engineer who wants to make a difference in people’s lives through inventions and longs to have fun doing it
• Ivanna - the creative director of Maneuvering Monday, host of Lab to Lives and my partner in crime in the mission of making people laugh about the state of their work lives - so they can find ways to maneuver their Mondays 

Your host is Anne Katrine Carlsson Sejr 

Let us know what made you laugh in the episode by commenting on the episode via our LinkedIn page. 

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Anne Katrine & Ivanna

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In this book swap episode, we have invited digital wellness and happiness expert, Christian Dominique, to explore the theme of happiness at work.

In the context of Marie's story in Zebra Apps, we discuss how to overcome limiting beliefs, how to practice acceptance, and the difference between the narrative and experiential self. Together, we go on a scavenger hunt for the 4 A's, 8 P's and 7 C's of happiness, which Christian have discovered and defined during his many years of studying the topic across different cultures, countries, and organizations.

Our dialogue also delves into character studies from Maneuvering Monday, illustrating the journey of individuals like Shaine (also known from previously podcast guests as the asshole/the intelligent jerk"), Willie (the former convict, later janitor, datacentre specialist, and finally performance artist) and Natalie (the CEO) as they navigate their paths to fulfilment and purpose.

Connect with Christian on LinkedIn, visit the AWE digital wellness website for inspiration and guidance related to happiness in life and work, and read more about Christian's work on his blog here.

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Anne Katrine & Ivanna

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In our first book swap episode, we are excited to talk with author and CEO of Sense Labs, Paul Sweeney about all the bullshit we encounter at work. Paul has published the book Magnetic Nonsense: A short history of bullshit at work and how to make it go away, and we absolutely love how it calls out the absurdities and dysfunctions prevalent in modern workplaces.

In the context of Marie's story in Maneuvering Monday, we discuss the impact of cognitive biases on leadership, the illusion of culture, and the role of consulting in perpetuating these issues. Through the lens of Paul's experiences and insights, we reflect on the complexities of organizational change and the importance of critical thinking in addressing these challenges. We explore the power dynamics within organizations and the role of leadership. Finally, we address the dangers of AI in the workplace and role of HR. 

The conversation culminates in reflections on the publication process of our respective books and insights into navigating the future of work.

Psst! You can find Paul here on LinkedIn, buy his book here on Amazon, and visit his company's website here.

Themes of the episode

• Introduction to Magnetic Nonsense
• Understanding absurdities in organizations
• The complexity of human behavior
• Cognitive biases and organizational dysfunction
• The illusion of control in leadership
• The role of consultants
• Critical thinking and evidence-based leadership
• (The limitations of) Corporate Values
• Power dynamics in organizations
• The risks of AI in the workplace
• Rethinking the role of HR
• The publication process: Different approaches
• Looking ahead: Navigating uncertainty and bullshit at work

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Anne Katrine & Ivanna

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In this book swap conversation, we discuss organizational design and unblocking barriers within companies with Jurriaan Kamer, author of the books 'Unblock' and 'Formula X'. In the context of Unblock and Maneuvering Monday, we explore the importance of leadership, metrics, employee empowerment, and corporate culture, while also sharing insights on writing and publishing books.

Some of the main themes from the conversation are

• Organizations often feel busy yet unproductive due to systemic dysfunctions
• Autonomy in teams must be balanced with alignment to organizational goals
• Leadership teams should function as cohesive units rather than individual silos
• Metrics can distort productivity and lead to unintended consequences
• Effective meetings require clear processes and engagement from all participants
• Corporate culture is shaped by behaviors and decisions, not just stated values
• Engaging employees in conversations about barriers can lead to actionable solutions

Jurriaan shares lots of great, tangible advice and methods for how to navigate when you feel stuck in organizational dysfunctions. If you would like more advice, you can visit his website or check out his services.

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Anne Katrine & Ivanna

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In this episode, we discuss the intersection of gender, finance, and leadership with our guest Rikke Lundsfryd, author of "Meget Mindre" (loosely translated: "Much Less"). The conversation explores the persistent gender gap in pension savings, the societal expectations placed on women, and the importance of financial literacy. Rikke shares insights from her book and personal experiences, emphasizing the need for open conversations about financial equality and the role of women in financial decision-making. The episode also touches on the challenges of publishing and the importance of sustainable investments.

You can buy Rikke's book here, read more on her website, and we absolutely also recommend that you check out her podcast, which deep dives into the different themes of the book.

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Maneuvering Monday - The Podcast - is back! We have been busy this past year, moving homes, having a baby, and getting engaged AND also, we have finally published Marie's story as a book!

In this episode, we catch up and talk about the process of publishing the book, the book launch event, what we would have done differently, how we are doing on book sales, and many other fun facts! We also reveal what will happen to the podcast now, and why you should keep listening to our BOOK SWAP episodes.

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Anne Katrine & Ivanna

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In this final episode of Maneuvering Monday the podcast, AK and Ivanna wrap up everything and share the next steps for our book project.

There is a bit of heavy breathing (sorry!) as we discuss Natalie and her trajectory, and how she ends up finally connecting with her purpose and passion after having suffered from 'The Peter Principle' throughout the story in her role as CEO at Zebra Apps. 

We talk about Anne and how she started off a bit arrogant, but ended up with good self-reflections (and a bit of a depressing conclusion about the human inability to improve company culture, which we do not believe is true). 

We investigate Carrie's mum's actual problem, and talk about the pressure and competition amongst parents with children in kindergarten and school - and not least society's expectations to us as mothers, when really the fathers of our children are Chief Playdate Officer and Head of Spare Kindergarten Outfits.

We ask ourselves why the two most unlikeable and unpopular characters end up winning in the end, and whether a bit of friction might actually be necessary to progress.

And suddenly, Ivanna quotes John Lennon for the first and last part on this show (and maybe in general?).

Finally, we talk about how it all started vs. how it ended, how we got unexpected praise from a publisher for having a story with "a beginning, a middle part and an end", and then we share the most recurring questions and comments from our beta readers. We disclose the next steps for the book and what we wish we had known before we started to write. And will there be a Maneuvering Monday the movie? 

Thanks a million to our beta readers, guest experts, voice talents, and listeners.

Stay tuned for more maneuvers!

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The fate of Zebra Apps is finally decided, and all the characters' stories are wrapped up. What will be next for Marie? Tune in and listen to this final episode of the entire story to find out!

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Our very last guest on the podcast, Cecil 'Gary' Rupp, is an expert in leadership, business transformation, and Lean-Agile frameworks. With both executive management and management consulting experience, Gary brings a unique perspective to what our friends in Zebra Apps need to be doing to save their own future.

Value stream mapping is the name of the game in this episode. Gary takes us through the concept, which is covered in his newest book, The Lean-Agile Way, co-authored by several other experts (Richard Knaster, Steve Pereira, Al Shalloway).

As a proficient "herder of human cats", Gary shares advice on how to get large numbers of people to go in the same direction by applying a systemic perspective to improve flow. We talk about green Lamborghinis, project vs. product, and Lean vs. Agile. We talk about people, process, information, technology, and services as business enablers. And we discuss Eliyahu Goldratt's point about how it is waste to spend money on anything that is not an organizational constraint.

But most importantly, we discuss value stream mapping from concept to delivery and how this continuous exercise will lift an organization's ability to reach its target. Gary also shares insights into the BLAST and BASE frameworks for team collaboration in a Lean-Agile setting.

Curious? Check out The Lean-Agile Way, visit Gary's homepage and browse his learning site The Lean-Agile Accelerator Bundle. You can also find Cecil 'Gary' Rupp on LinkedIn.

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Anne Katrine & Ivanna

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Richard himself makes an appearance in the meeting, where a group of Zebra employees investigate scenarios for the company's survival. The tension builds as it becomes clear that Zebra Apps will not make it for much longer with its current setup. But then what?

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Anne Katrine & Ivanna