Working Conversations

Episode 64: 10 Ways Kayaking is Like Difficult Conversations 

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson shares observations she had while kayaking and makes the comparison to holding difficult conversations. From doing the hard part first to taking risks and discovering unexpected surprises along the way, you’ll get tips on how to take difficult conversations further than you thought you could while experiencing success along the way. You might also be inspired to get out on the water or do some other activity you enjoy!

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/64

Episode 63: Stop Apologizing! 

Do you have someone in your life who apologizes for every little thing? Sorry when they make a wrong turn. Sorry when they bump into you. Sorry when they can’t find their keys or don’t have the right change when buying a product. In this episode Dr. Janel Anderson explains that all of these small apologies are not merited, and in fact, result in giving away your power. Tune in and hear when to apologize and when to say “excuse me.” She also offers a step-by-step formula on how to make an effective and authentic apology when you do need to apologize. 

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/63

Episode 62: What to do with a Conversational Narcissist 

In this episode, join Dr. Janel Anderson as she takes on a listener question in the first Ask Janel Anything episode. She fields a question from a listener who is distraught by a person in their lives who always turns the conversation back on themselves: a conversational narcissist. Dr. Anderson explains what conversational narcissism is, why people might be afflicted with it, what to do when you’re on the receiving end, and what to do if you recognize yourself to be a conversational narcissist. If you have a question or topic you’d like her to address in an upcoming episode, drop her a note at [email protected] with Ask Me Anything in the subject line.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/62

Episode 61: Why You Need a Mentor

Having a trusted mentor can be a very strategic part of your career growth strategy. And having a mentor isn’t just for those who are early on their career journey. In this episode, join Dr. Janel Anderson as she distinguishes having a mentor from having a sponsor or a coach. She provides guidance on how to select a mentor, how to ask them to be your mentor, and how to structure the mentor relationship. She shares stories from her own experience on both sides of the mentor relationship, including some interesting mistakes! Even if you are highly experienced in your field or nearing the end of your career journey, this episode will provide great reasons to have a mentor.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/61

Episode 60: Words Create Reality

The difference between “I have to . . .” and “I get to . . .” may seem small at first glance. But the results you generate from just a bit of semantic adjustment are huge. The words we use to label things in our world define how we engage with others and our own emotional state. In this episode, join Dr. Janel Anderson as she explores the impact our vocabulary and word choices have on our personal and professional worlds. You’ll never listen to yourself the same again.  

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/60

Episode 59: How to Communicate Strategically

At work, so much of our communication is tactical. It’s about the nuts and bolts of getting the work done. And, our communication at work has become even more task-oriented and tactical with so many people working from home. Sometimes, however, it is very important to be more strategic in our communication, especially if you need to influence or get someone on board with a new set of ideas. In this episode, I share a process for communicating more strategically so that you can have broader influence. 

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/59

Episode 58:How to Deal with Angry Customer

It’s inevitable that you will encounter angry customers. We all have customers, whether they areexternal customers that are buying products and services from us or our company or internal customerswho are in need of ourwork product in order to complete their own work. Invariably things go wrong.In this episode, I share ideas on how to diagnose what is behind the customer’s anger and offer somestrategies based in neuroscience for deescalating challenging situations with customers.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/58

Episode 57: Three Powerful Ways to Influence

We are influenced in big and small ways every single day. The products we purchase, where we live, and what we deem as valuable uses of our time all have outside influences. In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores three powerful types of influence and brings examples and stories from her life to show how influence works. She explores expert authority, social proof, and reciprocity.  

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/57

Episode 56: When Leaders Make Mistakes

Leaders are human and in their humanity, they make mistakes. It’s how leaders handle and learn from those mistakes that make all the difference for those they lead. As people begin to return to the office in larger and larger numbers, mistakes will be made. Plenty of them. When leaders demonstrate humility and take responsibility when things go wrong it makes them stronger, better leaders and that makes for stronger and better organizations. In this episode, I share about a time when I made a mistake recently. I also share how my team members reacted to the mistake and my ownership of it. 

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/56

Episode 55: Leadership Lessons from a Fifth Grader

My son came home from school recently absolutely buzzing with excitement about running for Mayor in Biz Town, a real-world curriculum developed by Junior Achievement to give kids practical knowledge of how business, the economy, and banking work. Along the way, they also learn valuable communication and community building skills. As my son shared his excitement about the program, I took some notes on the leadership lessons that were implicit in his description of the program and his plans to campaign for Mayor. I hope you enjoy!

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/55