Working Conversations

Episode 34: New Lessons from the Pandemic

Think you’ve learned all the lessons there are to learn from the pandemic already? Guess again. In this episode, Janel takes us through some of the most recent lessons she’s learned based on the cascading impact of the pandemic. Global factory shutdowns due to the pandemic, plus local labor shortages in the US equals inconvenience for many Americans. Janel shares how some of these inconveniences have impacted her and the specific lessons she’s taking from them, including personal examples from her own life. 

Find show notes at https://workingconversations.com/34

In this episode we have a real treat for you: Alix Magner. As we continue examining the Great Resignation, we find people who are creating passion and meaning in their work. My guest this week is Certified Financial Planner, Alix Magner, someone who has NOT been tempted by the Great Resignation. She is full of passion and excitement for the work she does. A self-declared career late-bloomer, she shares her career story and a clear thread of meaningful work evolves, even through some extremely varied career moves. Her insight as a financial planner helps explain why many of us may have accelerated the timelines in which we hope to achieve our goals, financial and otherwise. 

Stick around to 30:00 when Alix discusses the importance of the book Designing Your Life. 

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/33

In this episode we continue examining the Great Resignation, this time, by interviewing someone who has made a significant shift in their industry during The Great Resignation. My absolutely delightful guest is Dre Lindsey, a finance professional whose career shifted from retail banking to public sector work. He shares how the shift came about and what it means to him personally and in terms of the impact of his work. He shares everything from why it can be smart to make a lateral move in your career to sage advice from his Grandma that helped him through the worst of the pandemic to the important role of having a mentor. 

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/32

Episode 31: She’s Not Tempted by the Great Resignation 

In this episode we continue examining the Great Resignation, this time, by interviewing someone who is not tempted by the Great Resignation. My guest is Julie Westerlund, a water and soil scientist. She shares her career journey and describes how her commitment to her area of expertise is what has driven her decision to stay put during the pandemic. She also acknowledges that some times she is tempted to look for other work, especially when she gets bogged down in the minutia of her role. She walks us through the process she uses for evaluating whether to stay or go. Stick around to the end of the podcast when she offers sage advice about generating passion for the work, even when the work itself isn’t something you’re passionate about. 

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/31

Episode 30: The Great Resignation  

In this episode Janel gets an up close and personal account of the Great Resignation in an interview with Pam Longfellow, Senior Project Manager at Be The Match. Pam discusses her decisions to change jobs early on in the pandemic and provides an inside look at the factors she considered when making a change. She offers sage advice for others who are considering making a switch, including listening to your intuition, balanced with rationally considering the logistics and circumstances of your life before making a move. Pam also offers some tactical advice on how to leave with integrity.   

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/30

Episode 29: The Great Resignation  

In this episode Janel continues her exploration of the pandemic as it stretches on by looking at the phenomenon of Americans leaving their jobs in large numbers, affectionately known as The Great Resignation. Whether career or organizational misalignment has been present for some time or whether reflecting on one’s priorities as a result of the pandemic, many people’s choices are clearly to leave their current organizations. She offers reasons to stay and reasons to go, and practical advice for both those who choose to leave and those who choose to stay.  

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/29

Episode 28: The Dark Side of WFH Part 2 – Employees Who Don’t 

In this episode Janel continues her exploration of the dark side of working from home and takes on a challenge that she’s heard more and more as the pandemic stretches on: managers getting frustrated and fed up with work from home employees who don’t. Don’t work, that is. She offers some analysis of what might be gong on with work-from-home workers who aren’t putting forth their best effort and some ideas about how to handle it. And, if you’re an employee that isn’t putting your best effort forward, she’s got some tips for you, too. 

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/28

Episode 27: The Dark Side of WFH Part 1 – SOOO Over Being Alone 

In this episode Janel takes on the dark side of working from home. Alongside all the work-life balance promoters who love working from home, are many people who don’t love it. Working from home is not for everyone. While some employees love it and don’t want to give it up, others have found it incredibly socially isolating and are clamoring to get back into the office. In this episode, Janel shares stories from two different listeners who wrote in with why work from home doesn’t work for them, and she offers tips and strategies to get through it when you have no choice but to work from home. 

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/27

Episode 26: How to Talk About Returning to the Office 

In this episode Janel shares her ideas in a slightly different format. She’s been asked to speak to several of her client organizations recently on how to hold conversations about returning to work in the office environment, whether that be on a rotating/hybrid schedule or a full-time schedule. This episode was recorded live as Janel gave that talk recently.  

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/26

Episode 25: The Big Thing that Needs to Change in Job Descriptions 

In this episode, Janel addresses some of the uncertainty and ambiguity that permeates this “new normal” of work-from-home and hybrid work. She presents a revolutionary new idea that will change the expectations of both managers and employees in this brave new world. It’s a simple addition, that comes to us from existing job descriptions that explicitly state whether travel, heavy lifting, or standing for long periods of time are part of the job. Listen to hear Janel’s take on why employers need to start adding the work-from-home mix into the description, like yesterday. 

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/25