Working Conversations

Episode 134: What Happened to Office Etiquette?

It seems there is no end to the breaches of office etiquette these days. Has working from home for the past few years left us so out of practice we don’t know how to behave professionally in an office environment anymore? Or perhaps the offenders joined the workforce during the pandemic and didn’t benefit from learning office etiquette through osmosis like professionals of previous generations. Join Dr. Janel Anderson as she explores the most offensive breaches of office etiquette and what you can do to get professionals behaving professionally once again. 

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/134

Episode 133: Six Books You’ll Love

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson shares the six books she’s currently reading.  Yes, she’s one of those people who reads multiple books at the same time! The books she’s currently reading range in genre from biography to entrepreneurship to United States history to philosophy and self-help. And of course, there’s some fiction thrown in for good measure. She shares why she’s reading each book, what she’s learned from it so far, and whether she thinks you would like it too.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/133

Episode 132: FOBO Is On the Rise (Fear of Becoming Obsolete)

In the age of generative AI, automation, and all manner of technological advances, FOBO, or the fear of becoming obsolete is the latest phenomenon to sweep through the workplace. The most notable rise in concern is with two different groups: the first being those 18-34 years old with a college degree and the second being professionals earning more than 100K per year. Across these categories, FOBO rose 12% percent from 2021 to 2023. In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores what FOBO is, why it can help keep your skills sharp and your company innovating, and what to do if you’re experiencing FOBO yourself.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/132

Episode 131: The Great Unretirement

A full 25% of Americans age 65 to 74 are still participating in the workforce. A growing number of them once were retired and have come back to work full-time or part-time, a trend that’s been dubbed “The Great Unretirement.” And it’s not just happening in the United States. Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, and Italy are all experiencing older workers staying in or coming back to the workforce on a similar upward trajectory. In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores the reasons this is occurring, the impact it will have on the labor market, and what you can do if you want to get in on this trend and hire (or rehire) more experienced workers.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/131

Episode 130: A Typical Week in My Life + My Morning Routine (Version 2)

In this episode we deviate from our typical programming and instead, I answer two questions that I get frequently: What does a typical work week look like for you? and What is your morning routine? This episode is a revision of an episode from 18 months ago (Episode 37). My morning routine has varied considerably since that episode, and while my work week still offers a variety of different activities and engagements as it did then, it now includes more in-person events. I hope you enjoy hearing about my work schedule and morning routine. I know that everyone is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. It is my sincere wish that my sharing provides you with ideas and inspiration for how to create your own routine that works for you, because having a routine can the supportive structure you need for productivity, focus, and overall well-being. Enjoy!

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/130

Episode 129: The Explosive Growth in Green Jobs

For the first time in a very long time, nurses are not the most in-demand job. Green jobs, or those that benefit the environment or conserve our planet’s natural resources, have edged out nursing for the most needed and sought-after occupation.  Green careers have been gaining momentum in recent years, and they offer a promising outlook for the job market.  In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explains what green careers are, noting that some of them have been around for decades and some are relatively new. From wind turbine technicians to solar panel installers to urban farmers and those designing products for a circular economy, this episode will get you thinking differently about how “greening up” your skill set can have a positive impact on your career. 

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/129

Episode 128: Why People Are Rude (and Worse!) Online

Have you ever wondered what makes people act strangely online, being far more aggressive or snarky than they ever would behave in person? If you’ve ever had a colleague harshly criticize you in an email or become overly hostile in a virtual meeting (or maybe you’ve done so yourself), the answer lies in the disinhibition effect. In short, people behave more openly and uninhibited online than they do in face-to-face settings. In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explains the disinhibition effect and how it can affect your workplace communication. From people who’ve been fired for things they’ve done online, to rude colleagues who would never say the same things to your face that they say in an email, you’ll learn why it happens and what to do about it.  

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/128

Episode 127: How Labor Day Can Help Predict the Future

Labor Day, celebrated on the first Monday of September in the United States, is more than just a three-day weekend marking the unofficial end of summer. It carries a rich history that echoes the struggles, victories, and aspirations of the American workforce. As we honor the past on this day, we also have the opportunity to draw valuable lessons from history that can guide us in shaping the future of work. In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson reviews the history of Labor Day and shows how it can help inform the future of work. 

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/127

Episode 126: Digital Nomads and the Countries that Are Wooing Them

People who choose to work anywhere in the world they please are known as digital nomads. They are at the forefront of defining an important sector in the future of work. In addition to the freedom and flexibility on the part of the nomad, nation-states are seeing the value of hosting the nomads. More and more countries want digital nomads to set up shop in their domain. To attract digital nomads, numerous countries around the world are relaxing their immigration policies and tax laws in favor of attracting these tech-savvy workers.  In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson showcases several countries that are rolling out the red carpet to attract digital nomads, whether to inject their local economy with extra income for the short term or to lure the nomads to stay for (much) longer!

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/126

Episode 125: Stealth Working: Globetrotting or the Local Coffee Shop

Where in the world are you working if you are working remotely? Those who sneak off to another part of the world (or even down the street to a local coffee shop) to work are known as stealth workers. They are working remotely without explicit authorization from their employer to be in that exact location.  In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores the pros and cons of stealth working and shares some of the concerns employers might have about not knowing where you are and the liabilities they might face. Tune in to find out more about the ramifications of working in a far-flung country . . . or even your best friend’s house down the street.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/125