In this MCO podcast, Kathi and Katherine cover a hot topic – Does your boss ask you to lie? If so, what can you do? They start with a question from someone whose boss always promises clients unrealistic deadlines and budgets, then insists that the project manager keep lying to the client until it’s too late. Kathi and Katherine discuss what your options are for managing this kind of difficult situation. Does your boss ask you to lie? Listen here.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss whether going over your boss’s head is a mistake. They start with a question from someone who brought a great idea to her boss’s boss, only to have her direct boss become furious with her for going over his head.  Kathi and Katherine discuss how to navigate these sticky situations and when it might be understandable to go over your boss’s head.

Even if you’ve outgrown your current job, fear of the unknown can make it hard to leave. In this podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss why it can be hard to leave a job, even when you know you want out. They start with a question from someone who’s been at the same job for 10 years, knows it’s time to go, but can’t take any steps to get out. Kathi and Katherine discuss the internal obstacles to leaving a job and how to address them.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine explore something that they hope will benefit any manager listening to the podcast: How to be a beloved boss. They start with a question from someone who was recently promoted to manager but does not know how to be a good boss. Like many of you listening, this individual only knows what not to do — because of their own negative boss experiences. Kathi offers proven tips for becoming the kind of boss that your employees care about and work hard for.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine do something different. They address a topic near and dear to any manager’s heart: What are the signs that one of your top employees may be looking for a new job? Kathi and Katherine review five signs that might indicate this is happening. They draw on research by Alexander Kjerulf, a global expert on Happiness at work.

Do you suspect that one of your top performers is looking for a new job? Listen to this podcast.

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss how a change in management can sometimes lead to a change in your job. They start with a question from someone who enjoyed two years of working for one boss who was hands-off and supportive, only to then start working for another boss who works incessantly and micromanages.  Kathi and Katherine consider how to navigate a change in management – especially when it makes your job more difficult.

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine investigate why so many managers are uncomfortable asking their staff for help. They start with a question from a manager who has a team of six and fears asking them to work on additional projects, only to discover that they are more than happy to do so. Kathi and Katherine discuss why the nicest bosses often refrain from seeking the help they need for fear of angering their staff.

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.