Working Your Way

ADHD in the workplace is often misunderstood—especially when it shows up in women. In this Career Questions episode, I’m joined by Katarina Stiles to explore how ADHD impacts work performance, communication, and career fulfillment in ways that are often missed or misdiagnosed.

Together, we unpack the unique challenges women face—from masking and perfectionism to burnout and time blindness—and how many traditional work systems unintentionally create friction for neurodivergent minds. We’ll share our personal experiences and insights and discuss professional strategies for creating more sustainable ways of working that honor the way your brain actually functions.

This conversation is for anyone who has ADHD, suspects they might, or supports someone who does. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of executive function, the real cost of internalized ableism, and tools to work with—not against—your brain.

Disclaimer:  We are not medical or mental health professionals. This podcast shares our personal experiences and learning, but is not meant to serve as a substitute for therapy or medical advice. Please reach out to a qualified professional if you have questions or concerns.

Resources:

• Learn more about Her Clarity: herclarity.com
• Follow Her Clarity on Instagram: @helloherclarity
• Read: How to Keep House While Drowning
• Listen: HBR Women at Work: ADHD Is Different for Women

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

Three years into running my own business, I’ve had countless conversations with friends, former colleagues, and curious onlookers asking what it’s really like to leave corporate and go solo. In this episode, I’m sharing the most important lessons I’ve learned during my transition from corporate leader to self-employed entrepreneur.

This isn’t a step-by-step guide or advice disguised as expertise. It’s simply my lived experience—what I’ve had to unlearn, the surprising truths about building a solo business, and what I wish more people understood before taking the leap.

We talk about why the 40-hour workweek doesn’t translate, how managing your energy is more important than managing your time, and why the concepts of “success” and “failure” just don’t apply the same way when you work for yourself. I share what it means to build a business that fits your brain, why community matters more than ever, and how perfectionism can stall your progress.

Whether you’re dreaming of leaving your job, already testing the waters, or building something of your own, I hope this episode offers support, clarity, and some much-needed honesty about what it takes to work your way.

Resources:

• Episode 11. Should I quit my job? | Career Questions
• Episode 16. Independent work or self-employment: Is it right for me? | Career Questions
• Episode 50. Behind the Scenes of Working Your Way | Celebrating One Year

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

What does it actually look like to thrive at work—and how do you know when you're doing it?

In this episode, Sandhya welcomes Shannon O’Shields, VP of Marketing at Rubix Foods, for a real and reflective conversation about authenticity, growth, and the spark that drives great work. Shannon walks us through her path from an uncertain start in the workforce—feeling behind her peers and unsure of her direction—to finding her voice as a creative and confident leader in marketing. Along the way, she was handed the reins to social media before it was even a thing, found mentors who championed her growth, and learned to quit roles that didn't serve her.

We talk about how to build safe spaces for creativity, how personality shows up in the workplace, and why being transparent with your team can change everything. Shannon shares how she knows she’s thriving and what she does when that creative spark starts to fade. This episode is for anyone navigating their career with curiosity, courage, and a refusal to settle for anything less than joy at work.

Resources:

• Follow Shannon on Instagram: @shannonoshields
• Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn
• HBR: Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome
• Episode 61. How do I define my personal brand? | Career Questions

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

How often do you take time to reflect on what you naturally do best?

In this episode, I'm joined by Shereen Sater, an organizational change consultant and leadership coach, to dive into the Reflected Best Self Exercise (RBSE)—a powerful tool designed to help you uncover the strengths that others see in you but that you may overlook.

Shereen and I share our own experiences with the RBSE, from the unexpected emotional impact of receiving positive feedback to how these insights have shaped the way we navigate our careers. We also talk about why recognizing and leaning into our natural strengths can transform confidence, work, and leadership.

If you've ever wondered how others perceive your unique impact or the traits you embody—or maybe you struggled to see your own strengths—this episode is a must-listen.

Resources:

• Learn more about the Reflected Best Self Exercise
• Bring RBSE to your group or team: Self At Work Workshops 
• Check out Shereen’s work at the-curve.co
• Connect with Shereen on LinkedIn

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

Psychological safety isn’t just a leadership buzzword—it’s the foundation of strong, high-performing teams. When people feel safe to speak up, challenge ideas, admit mistakes, and contribute freely, they do better work. But too often, fear of judgment, rejection, or failure holds people back.

In this episode, I break down:

• What psychological safety really is (and what it isn’t)
• How to create the conditions for it to thrive on your team
• What gets in the way of psychological safety—and how to fix it

As we dive into the barriers leaders face, we explore the four stages of psychological safety, share about why different people experience it in different ways, and highlight how personality differences can impact how we show up at work.

When leaders build an environment where people feel safe to take risks and be themselves, teams become more creative, engaged, and effective. Listen in to learn how to create a culture that supports authenticity, inclusion, and great results—without burnout. If you missed Part One, go back to Episode 70 to hear how to build an inclusive culture that supports authenticity, innovation, and high performance.

Resources:

• Read: Psychological Safety in Cannabis: The Foundation for a Successful Workplace Culture & Talent Strategy
• Listen: Restoring Psychological Safety LIVE Panel featuring Sandhya Sudhakar, Dr. Jeb Hurley, and Earl Foote - Capital P in People Work
• Listen to Episode 20: How do I find my Enneagram type? | Career Questions
• Listen to Episode 21: How can I develop my emotional intelligence using the Enneagram? | Career Questions

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

Creating an environment where people can show up authentically at work isn’t just about good intentions—it’s about building an inclusive culture that welcomes their uniqueness. If we want our teams to thrive, we need to design workplaces that support them, not force them into a one-size-fits-all mold.

In this episode, I explore how to build an inclusive culture by:

• Recognizing and leveraging peoples’ individual strengths so they can maximize the impact of their effort
• Designing for diverse thinking and working styles instead of defaulting to just one way of working
• Understanding what makes your people tick and managing based on what actually motivates each person

This is part one of a two-part conversation. In part two, I’ll dive into psychological safety and how we can create the kind of trust that allows our teams to take risks, innovate, and grow.

Resources:

• Listen to Episode 20: How do I find my Enneagram type? | Career Questions
• Listen to Episode 21: How can I develop my emotional intelligence using the Enneagram? | Career Questions

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

Tiffany Welton knows what it's like to lose her voice in a toxic work environment—and she also knows the power of getting it back. We’re revisiting this empowering conversation with Tiffany, a former executive turned entrepreneur, as she shares her journey from navigating a fear-driven corporate culture to creating a people-first business in the hospitality industry.

After years of working in environments where her ideas were dismissed and her leadership was undermined, Tiffany left it all behind to open RBF, a wine bar in North Carolina with a mission: to create a space where women feel seen, safe, and heard—both as employees and as customers.

We dive into how childhood experiences shape workplace dynamics, how Tiffany broke the cycle of toxic leadership, and why giving employees agency is the key to building a thriving business. Plus, she shares what it really took to challenge industry norms and build a successful, profitable company that refuses to compromise on culture.

Resources:

• Learn more at rbf.wine
• Follow RBF on Instagram: @showmeyourrbf

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

The Enneagram is one of the most powerful tools for self-discovery we’ve come across, and that’s why we’re kicking off the Tools to Work Your Way series with it. In this episode, we’re diving into how the Enneagram can help you navigate your career, relationships, and personal growth with more awareness and intention.

Erin Baute and I have both used this framework extensively in our work, and we’re unpacking what makes this tool so unique. We’re breaking down why it’s not just another personality test, why typing yourself is more of a discovery process than a test result, and how understanding your Enneagram type can shift the way you show up at work and in life.

This episode is for anyone looking to deepen their self-awareness, move beyond old patterns that no longer serve them, and embrace their full potential. Let’s dig in!

Resources:

• Learn more at livingtheenneagram.com
• Follow Erin on Instagram: @livingtheenneagram
• Listen to Episode 20. How do I find my Enneagram type? | Career Questions
• Episode 21. How can I develop my emotional intelligence with the Enneagram? | Career Questions
• Listen to Episode 42. How does my past affect my work habits? | Career Questions
• Listen to Erin on Pantsuit Politics: Your Personality Shapes Your Politics: The Enneagram and the 2024 Election

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

What does it really mean to own your voice and show up authentically in your career? That’s exactly what we’re diving into as we revisit my conversation with Nneka Ude, VP of Strategy at ARC Worldwide, founder of Love Dot, and a children’s book author. If you’ve ever struggled to embrace your own voice or felt the pressure to prove your worth in a professional setting, this episode will leave you feeling empowered to stand in your authenticity.

Nneka shares her journey of navigating corporate spaces as a Black woman, the power of asking why—both externally in the workplace and internally with ourselves—and the realization that leaders don’t always have all the answers. She opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, embracing her unique value, and finding ways to integrate creativity and strategy into a career that truly reflects her identity. From corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, this episode is a powerful reminder that the way you think, work, and create is exactly what makes you valuable.

Resources:

• Follow Nneka’s work at nnekaude.com
• Follow Nneka on Instagram: @nnekacarrie
• Connect with Nneka on LinkedIn
• Shop LOVE DOT
• Check out Nneka's children's books, The Gratitude Series: Thank You, Mommy & My Daddy Is Awesome
• Enneagram Resources: Any of these would be a good starting point for self-exploration!
• Self At Work Guide: Discovering Your Enneagram Type
• Book Recommendations: The Essential Enneagram or Discovering Your Personality Type 

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA

Storytelling is the most magical part of being human—it connects us, inspires us, and helps us make sense of the world. In this episode of Working Your Way, I’m joined by Tessa Rawson, a former TEDx organizer turned speaker coach and founder of Resonance. With over a decade of experience in helping people craft TEDx and keynote talks, communicate with authenticity, and make their ideas unforgettable, Tessa is an expert in the field of storytelling and communication.

Together, we break down what makes a story impactful, why storytelling is critical in leadership and business, and how to discover your unique voice. We share practical insights on how leaders can use stories to connect with their teams, foster trust, and inspire action, and how to find your big idea if you have aspirations to speak on a stage someday. Whether it’s a presentation at work or a simple one-on-one conversation, this episode will inspire you to share your stories with confidence and intention.

We talk about:

• [02:25] About Tessa’s career and how she became involved in storytelling
• [11:22] The root of TED Talks and how to make the most of one
• [24:17] The power of storytelling
• [30:03] Where storytelling can be used in your career and how to use it effectively
• [49:54] Creating a bank of go-to stories
• [55:39] Telling stories in an authentic way—even if you’re not a natural storyteller

Resources:

• Learn more at resonance-ideas.com
• Connect with Tessa on LinkedIn
• Episode 24. How do I define my personal brand? | Career Questions
• Read: TED Talks by Chris Anderson

Connect with me:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• selfatwork.com

Produced by NOVA