Working Conversations

Episode 233: Timing Is Everything: How to Make Big Changes Stick

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores the power of timing when launching new projects, habits, or organizational changes. Drawing on recent research about CEO transitions, she explains why aligning change with natural cycles—like the start of a new year or quarter—leads to more successful, less disruptive outcomes. Using user experience (UX) principles and real-world examples, Dr. Anderson provides actionable strategies for matching change initiatives to the rhythms and mental calendars of those affected. Whether you’re leading a team or working on personal goals, this episode offers practical advice for making your next change easier to adopt and more likely to succeed.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/233

Episode 232: Beat Workplace Overwhelm with UX Thinking

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson tackles the challenge of workplace overwhelm caused by competing priorities and shifting demands. Drawing from cognitive load theory and UX thinking, she explains the difference between volume and complexity of work, and shares practical tools—including card sorting and the Eisenhower matrix—to help listeners prioritize tasks and reduce mental overload. Dr. Janel also highlights the importance of clear communication and navigation from leaders to align teams and minimize confusion. Whether you’re an individual contributor or a leader, you’ll discover actionable strategies for regaining focus and managing competing demands more effectively.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/232

Episode 231: The Real Reason Employees Quit and How to Fix It

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores why high-performing employees leave organizations—not due to burnout or pay, but because of gaps in their workplace experience. Drawing on design thinking principles, she introduces three key heuristics—visibility into the system state, error prevention, and minimalist design—to help leaders create environments where employees feel seen, valued, and supported. Using the story of “Alex,” a software engineer ready to quit due to lack of feedback, Dr. Janel offers actionable strategies for leaders to foster retention and engagement. No matter your industry, you’ll find practical ideas for designing a great workplace where people want to stay.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/231

Episode 230: Innovation by Design: Lessons from Airbnb

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson unpacks the myth of innovation as a lightning-bolt moment and reveals the deliberate design behind truly innovative ideas. Using the story of Airbnb as a case study, she explores how innovation thrives through a structured process involving Personas, Divergent Thinking, and Storyboarding. Dr. Janel draws practical connections to leadership and workplace innovation, showing how anyone can apply these three steps to spark creativity and problem-solving. Whether you lead a team or serve customers, you'll find actionable insights for cultivating an environment where innovation doesn’t happen by accident, but by conscious, thoughtful design.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/230

Episode 229: Why Planning Fails – and What to Do Instead

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores why traditional planning no longer works in today’s unpredictable environment and advocates for a shift toward design thinking in leadership. Drawing from her keynote, she illustrates how prototyping, feedback loops, and iterative design help leaders adapt amid constant change. Through practical examples—such as piloting policies and using feedback mechanisms—Dr. Janel explains how designing for flexibility outperforms static plans. Whether you’re leading a team or guiding an organization, you’ll find actionable ideas to navigate volatility and build strategies that evolve with your users’ needs. Embrace design, not rigid plans, to thrive in uncertainty.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/229

Episode 228: Chunking Change: A Smarter Way to Lead Through Innovation

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores how software teams can drive innovation without burning out their people. Sharing the story of a team struggling to integrate AI into their core product, she delves into the concept of “chunking” from UX design—breaking down big changes into smaller, manageable micro-cycles. By moving from two-week sprints to three-day intervals, the team rediscovered focus, excitement, and energy. Dr. Janel provides actionable tips for leaders on structuring projects and deadlines to reduce overwhelm, boost team well-being, and keep progress moving—all while highlighting the power of thoughtful design in managing relentless change.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/228

Episode 227: Fix Miscommunication with UX Thinking

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores how slowing down to create a shared language can boost team efficiency and effectiveness. Drawing from UX design principles like “speaking the user’s language,” she illustrates how clarifying terms and aligning definitions reduces friction, miscommunication, and cognitive load within organizations. Dr. Anderson shares practical examples—from missed deadlines to communication style mismatches—and offers actionable tips for building alignment, including listening for sensory language and asking clarifying questions. No matter your role or industry, this episode offers valuable strategies for enhancing collaboration and accelerating progress through intentional, well-defined communication.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/227

Episode 226: Powerful Paradigm Shifts Can Change How We Lead

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores the concept of paradigm shifts and how they radically transform the way we see the world. She shares both personal and organizational examples, from learning not to believe everything you think to embracing a growth mindset, challenging industry assumptions, and responding proactively to market changes. Drawing lessons from leaders like Carol Dweck, Andy Grove, and Jeff Bezos, Dr. Anderson offers listeners actionable insights for questioning limiting beliefs, fostering innovation, and leading meaningful change. Whether you’re leading a team or your own growth, this episode invites you to see the world—and your work—differently.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/226

Episode 225: Turning Technical Expertise Into Everyday Leadership

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson challenges traditional notions of leadership by highlighting the hidden leadership skills within technical teams. Drawing on real-world examples, she demonstrates how technical professionals routinely showcase leadership through skills like debugging, systems thinking, process design, and rapid prototyping. Dr. Anderson urges managers to recognize and call out these attributes and encourages technical team members to reframe their own expertise as leadership in action. Whether you’re a technical contributor or a leader, this episode offers practical ideas for identifying, nurturing, and celebrating effective leadership where you might least expect it—among your technical staff.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/225

Episode 224: The Hidden Leadership Power of UX Thinking

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson redefines user experience (UX) beyond digital design, exploring how UX thinking can transform leadership and company culture. Drawing from her extensive background in UX and leadership, she explains how principles like empathy, clarity, and iterative improvement can be applied to team management, policy creation, and organizational systems. Dr. Janel shares practical examples and strategies for applying UX thinking at every level—whether you’re a C-suite executive or an individual contributor. No matter your role, this episode provides actionable ideas to enhance experiences and drive organizational success through a user-centered, human-focused leadership mindset.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/224