Sometimes bosses are afraid of conflict. They just don’t know how to handle disagreements between employees. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss an interesting phenomenon: What do you do when a manager who avoids dealing with employee conflict causes more conflicts to erupt? They start with a question from someone whose boss keeps insisting that the staff resolve their interpersonal disagreements, while the employees believe they need the boss to help them work them out. Does your boss avoid conflict? Listen here.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss something that arises more often than you may think — what happens when the person you consider to be your mentor (and protector) at work leaves? They start with a question from someone who has been working at the same company for 8 years and just learned that her mentor there is leaving, without an explanation of why. Kathi and Katherine discuss the implications of losing a mentor at work and how to navigate the situation.

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine talk about a difficult situation that can arise for any ambitious employee: What do you do if your boss blocks you from moving ahead? They start with a question from someone who has successfully launched a new program for her company and would like some tangible rewards (promotion, raise, more resources) for her success. Her boss refuses to consider any of these options, instead telling her to be happy with where she is.

Feeling blocked by your boss? Listen here.

Sometimes, getting a job offer can be stressful. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss “job offer jitters.” They start with a question from someone who’s been applying for jobs and is now the final candidate for two different positions. Both are appealing, but one company has made an offer, and the other one has not. How can this person hold off a decision until the other job offer comes in?

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine address a very frustrating situation: what do you do when a coworker’s poor work habits make YOU look bad? They start with a question from someone who relies on the data from a coworker to do her job. The data she receives is always late, and often incomplete. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to manage a situation where someone else’s poor work could make you look bad.

It can be infuriating if your boss protects someone who you don’t like working with.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine address a question that many of you may relate to – Do you work with an angry person? They start with a question from someone who sits next to a person who looks angry, sounds angry and makes others uncomfortable. Kathi and Katherine discuss the challenges of working with someone who always seems angry, and what you can do to manage the situation.

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine ask an important question – Is your job your identity? If so, does changing your job threaten your identity? They start with a question from someone who recently left a job at a large, recognizable brand for a better position at a smaller, less well known company. Even though the new job offers much more opportunity, the change in visibility and status is causing this person self-doubt. Is your identity tied into the status of your job? Listen here.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss a tough situation – How do you manage a toxic employee who you’re afraid to fire? They start with a question from someone who has an employee that creates enemies in the workplace. This person is valuable because of the business she brings in. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to handle a toxic employee and whether keeping them on is a good idea.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine ask a provocative question – Is your boss not letting you make decisions? They start with a question from someone who has been at the same job for three years and still has to run every decision by the boss. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to manage a boss who has trouble relinquishing control and thinks every decision should be run by them.