This Working Life

Can you bio hack your way to performing better at work? Lisa Leong is giving it a red hot go.

Since a health scare two years ago This Working Life Lisa has been using science and technology to try help her body and brain function better.

But in order to sort which are useful from those which are a waste of time and money we brought in a couple of scientists. ABC Science editor and neuroscientist Jonathan Webb sorts and ABC science journalist Jo Khan who puts her body on the line to trial a couple of these bio hacks.

* Blue light blockers

* Long cold showers

* Light emitting ear buds

Then executive coach Karen Gately unpacks whether you can be both a boss and a friend.

Negotiation is something we all do every day, often without even realising it.

But there is a skill to it, and on this book club episode of This Working Life we explore what works, and doesn't work, when it comes to successfully navigating these relationships.

Kyle Wilson is a former diplomat, Russian expert and visiting fellow at the Centre for European Studies at ANU and Allan Parker is a consultant and negotiator whose books include "The Negotiator's Toolkit".

They discuss our book club title "The Kremlin School of Negotiation" by Russian business coach Igor Ryzov.

The right mentor could make or break your career. So what makes a good one and how can you find them?

We speak to Madeleine Grummet who started an organisation dedicated to mentoring the future workforce; and meet Maria Antwan who opened a business in the most male dominated industry in Australia, the construction industry, and find out how a mentor helped her deal with criticism, build her resilience and realise her true potential.

GUESTS: Madeleine Grummet, CEO and Co-Founder of Girledworld;

Maria Antwan, Director of NWD Design and Build;

Isabel, student.

While many of us might fear public speaking even just at a work morning tea, stepping up to the job can make or break your career, especially for those at the top.

Dr Lucinda Holdforth knows a thing or two about speeches. She has been writing them for corporate leaders and politicians for more than 25 years.

Lucinda dissects some well-known addresses to highlight what we can learn.

And executive coach Amanda Blesing shares the biggest mistake she has made early in her career and the crucial lesson she learnt from it (spoiler alert: don't leave careers for love).