We did it, listeners - one whole year of Standard Office Procedures!

Our final episode before our indefinite hiatus is dedicated to you, whoever you are, wherever you are. Thank you for finding us and supporting us with your time and attention and for allowing us the opportunity to learn, grow, and laugh alongside you.

Thank you to every guest who came on our show and helped expand our views and better ourselves. Thank you to everyone who emailed in, left comments, or engaged with us over the last year.

Special thanks to Blue Summit Supplies, Owen, and Larry, who funded and supported this project every step of the way. And to Melvin, our tireless editor and producer who worked hard and used his boundless talents to make this show the shiny little diamond it has become. Thank you to Lizzie who has dedicated her talents and discerning eye to getting the SOP podcast out into the world, and who worked with our designer, Jess, to create beautiful images and videos to convey the messages we have always felt were so important.

And thank you to Shannon, who came into every recording with her head full of wisdom and knowledge, and who consistently builds me up and makes me feel like I can do it, no matter what ‘it’ is.

A whole year of learning and growing through culture, communication, and candor - I’m proud of our team and proud of you for coming with us.

Thank you so much.

xo, Grace

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Listen to all episodes of the Standard Office Procedures podcast and reach out to us by emailing [email protected]

Do you feel misunderstood at work? Disconnected from your coworkers? Not part of a cohesive, engaged team? If so, then you might need an infusion of empathy. 

Feeling understood — the main byproduct of empathy — is incredibly important to one’s well being. In fact, some believe feeling understood is even more important than feeling loved.

Showing empathy can bridge this gap between feeling alone and misunderstood to feeling seen, heard, and part of a supportive team. So, how do you begin to foster this kind of behavior in a work environment? It's not as complicated as you might think.

This week on the podcast, Grace and Shannon talk about what empathy looks like at work, and what it doesn't, why it's important in creating a healthy work environment, and how to develop, practice and grow in empathy.

Read the article that inspired this episode on the blog at BlueSummitSupplies.com

Connect with Blue Summit Supplies for more helpful professional development content on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Listen to all episodes of the Standard Office Procedures podcast and reach out to us to be featured on the podcast or offer feedback by emailing [email protected]

We all have different personality traits and tendencies. Introverted, extroverted. Gregarious, reserved. Nomad, homebody.

But if you stop and think about it, it’s our core values that truly define who we are.

Our values help us choose between right and wrong, guide us on which paths we take in life, determine where we focus our energy, and how we find our purpose.

This week on the podcast, Grace and Shannon talk us through why determining our core values is so important to our career and our personal life, how they can change over time, and how to check in with ourselves to know when that should happen.

Joining us as special guest is influencer and Life Coach, Taina Nixon, MPH. Taina shares with us how she advises her clients to dig deep and identify their core values, and how doing so can provide purpose and direction in establishing and achieving attainable goals within your personal and professional life.

You can find Taina on her blog Abundantly Tiny or on Instagram.

Read the article that inspired this episode on the blog at BlueSummitSupplies.com.

Connect with Blue Summit Supplies for more helpful professional development content on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Listen to all episodes of the Standard Office Procedures podcast and reach out to us to be featured on the podcast or offer feedback by emailing [email protected]

When you’re negotiating a contract for a new job, salary is a main conversation point, but there are many things to negotiate besides salary. Sure, you want more money, but let’s dream bigger.

What would make the job more worthwhile? What tools could help you do better work? What might mean more to you than a pay raise?

Look beyond your paycheck, think outside the box, and ask for what you really want. Maybe it’s extra paid time off, better health benefits, relocation costs, flexible hours, or the ability to work remotely.

This week on the podcast, Grace and Shannon talk about 10 different benefits (besides salary) that you can negotiate when interviewing for a new job, and how to posture these requests so you can get what you really want.

On the latter half of the episode, Jaime Hamilton, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at Wilson Lumber Company, joins us to share her wisdom and insight into the things you should to bring to the table during an interview, and what kinds of questions a recruiter really wants you to ask.

You can contact Jaime or find out more about Wilson Lumber Company on their website or Facebook page.

Read the article that inspired this episode on the blog at BlueSummitSupplies.com.

Connect with Blue Summit Supplies for more helpful professional development content on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Listen to all episodes of the Standard Office Procedures podcast and reach out to us to be featured on the podcast or offer feedback by emailing [email protected]

How many times have you been on the receiving end of a microaggression? Or perhaps, you're the one that said something, even unintentionally, and regretted it immediately.

Oftentimes, the perpetrator of a microaggression has no idea they are being offensive, which makes issues involving microaggressions difficult to bring up or resolve.

Because of this, it’s easy for the majority to dismiss a microaggression as a simple slip of the tongue. Half-hearted apologies like “You know I didn’t mean it like that,” or, “it was just a joke,” are quite common for those who feel marginalized at work to hear.

But just because microaggressions are subtle or unintentional doesn't make them okay. Marginalization in the workplace in any form is completely unacceptable.

It's a complicated and sensitive topic, but it's a topic that’s vitally important to discuss. That's why this week on the podcast, Grace and Shannon get into the nitty gritty of microaggressions, what they look like, and ways to help address them in the workplace.

Read the article that inspired this episode on the blog at BlueSummitSupplies.com.

Connect with Blue Summit Supplies for more helpful professional development content on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Listen to all episodes of the Standard Office Procedures podcast and reach out to us to be featured on the podcast or offer feedback by emailing [email protected]

Got a micromanager in your office? Or, maybe, are you the micromanager?

If so, we've got tools for you.

Micromanaging has a reputation for being akin to a four-letter word, but why does micromanaging have such a negative connotation?

This week on the podcast, Grace and Shannon talk about what micromanaging is, when it is and isn't effective, and how to handle a micromanaging boss (or learn to micromanage less yourself).

Eileen Linnabery, an executive coach with experience working with large corporations, small start-ups, and everything in between, joins us as special guest to share advice and knowledge on a realistic approach to handling micromanagement.

Read the article that inspired this episode on the blog at BlueSummitSupplies.com.

Connect with Blue Summit Supplies for more helpful professional development content on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Listen to all episodes of the Standard Office Procedures podcast and reach out to us to be featured on the podcast or offer feedback by emailing [email protected]

Do you want to foster a healthy work environment fueled by teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect? Start by cultivating strong leaders.

Without steadfast and healthy leadership, teams can crumble—collaboration slows, trust dwindles, decision making is hindered, and there’s a general lack of enthusiasm and drive.

Strong leaders inspire and motivate those around them. Having strong leaders in your workplace improves productivity, engagement, and the overall wellbeing of your team.

This week on the podcast, Grace and Shannon talk about what strong leadership looks like, and how team-building within your leadership team can help cultivate those strong leaders that a company needs to be successful.

Matt Jones, self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur and VP of Development of the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville, joins us as special guest to share advice and knowledge on a realistic approach to team building.

Read the article that inspired this episode on the blog at BlueSummitSupplies.com.

Connect with Blue Summit Supplies for more helpful professional development content on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Listen to all episodes of the Standard Office Procedures podcast and reach out to us to be featured on the podcast or offer feedback by emailing [email protected]

In this fast-paced, task-driven world, where we're all hustling and running from one thing to the next, it can be difficult to slow down, and take a moment to survey ourselves and our surroundings.

When we learn how be in the present moment, how to integrate mindfulness activities into our work day, it can lead to reduced stress, increased productivity, and an improved mood.

This week on the podcast, (while Shannon is on vacation with her family in the magical land of the Great Mouse), Grace and Melvin (our Production Associate) talk about what mindfulness means to them, what it looks like, why it's important, and how it can wildly improve your focus and overall workday.

Joining us on the latter half of the episode is Erika Bartlett, certified yoga instructor and entrepreneur, to share her unique perspective on mindfulness and living in the present moment, and give us advice on how to incorporate mindfulness practices into our daily lives.

You can follow Erika's yoga journey and find her resources on the Zen Bend Facebook page, on Instagram, or on YouTube.

Read the article that inspired this episode on the blog at BlueSummitSupplies.com.

Connect with Blue Summit Supplies for more helpful professional development content on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Listen to all episodes of the Standard Office Procedures podcast and reach out to us to be featured on the podcast or offer feedback by emailing [email protected]

Instead of completing an important project, you procrastinate. 

Instead of making a career switch, you continue at a job you despise.

Instead of accepting help, you push people away.

Does this sound like you or someone you know? If so, these may be symptoms of self-sabotage.

The reasons for self-sabotage vary, and it could look different for every person — but at its core, self-sabotage comes from feelings of low self-esteem and lack of self-worth. These feelings can become so internalized that when you’re on the cusp of succeeding at something, you veer in the other direction, derailing any positive outcome.

But here’s the good news – there’s a way to stop, and this week's episode can help you on that journey to a healthier you.

Cassidy Dear of Huntsville Psychotherapy and Counseling Services joins Grace and Shannon this week to share her professional expertise and advice about how to deal with self-sabotaging behavior.

If you'd like to get in touch with Cassidy, you can contact her via email at [email protected].

Read the article that inspired this episode on the blog at BlueSummitSupplies.com.

Connect with Blue Summit Supplies for more helpful professional development content on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Listen to all episodes of the Standard Office Procedures podcast and reach out to us to be featured on the podcast or offer feedback by emailing [email protected]

Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone – at some point – has turned an ordinary moment into an awkward moment. These awkward situations, whether we’ve created them, or stumbled into them, are inherently uncomfortable and usually throw us for a loop.

Sometimes, there’s no getting around it. Sometimes, you just have to lean into the awkward situation and have a laugh. Other times, there can be a more strategic way to exit the socially awkward tunnel and into the beckoning light of relief.

This week on the podcast, Grace and Shannon talk about their own personal, awkward experiences and why it's so important to approach yourself with compassion when dealing with them. They also dig into why (neurotypical) individuals can be faced with awkwardness at work, what that can look like, and how to successfully overcome those awkward situations.

(The woman cartoonist Shannon talks about in this episode is Gemma Correll, and this is the cool illustration she refers to.)

Read the article that inspired this episode on the blog at BlueSummitSupplies.com.

Connect with Blue Summit Supplies for more helpful professional development content on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Listen to all episodes of the Standard Office Procedures podcast and reach out to us to be featured on the podcast or offer feedback by emailing [email protected]