This Working Life

Panio Gianopolous, co-founder of the Next Big Idea Club and a nonfiction editor, shares transformative insights on influential work-related books. He discusses the creative struggles presented in Adam Moss's The Work of Art, promotes Cal Newport's Slow Productivity approach for better focus, and highlights the importance of grit from Angela Duckworth's research. Lisa adds her picks, emphasizing design thinking's role in problem-solving and the joy of process over mere outcomes. Together, they explore how meaningful work emerges from a blend of creativity and discipline.

Melinda Bell, a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright specializing in employment law, and Leonie Green, an organizational coach, dive into the challenges of managing restructures and redundancies. They discuss the crucial shift from advisory to enforcement by regulators on psychosocial risks. Melinda highlights the importance of planning clear communication for redundancies and legal compliance. Leonie stresses the power of genuine consultation and early employee involvement to alleviate fear during transitions. They also share practical tips for tough conversations, making change more human-centric.

There are lessons you can take from the careers of David Bowie and Oprah about identity and authenticity.Being “authentic” in your life and career is something we’re told to aspire to. But can that be taken too far?Dr Tomas, Chamorro- Premuzic, Professor of Business Psychology at University College London and Columbia University, author, Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity is overrated and what to do instead  Julianna Pillemer, Assistant Professor of Management and Organisations, NYU Stern School of Business 

Need help organising your desk or kitchen table workspace? Get decluttering tips that will help clear your mind and your home. Guest:Amy Revell, decluttering expert For more on the psychology of decluttering, check out the All In the Mind episode, Is clutter making you feel bad? 

Dr. Caroline Fleck, a licensed psychologist and corporate consultant, dives into the art of validation in the workplace. She explains how validation signals care and understanding, contrasting it with praise, and emphasizing its role in building psychological safety. Common misconceptions are addressed, highlighting that validation is not agreement but a precursor to influence. Caroline shares practical skills, including attending questions for addressing complaints and exploring underperformance, ultimately showcasing that validation strengthens relationships and enhances influence at work.

Whether you approve of it or not, research shows gossip does have value within organisations, especially when it’s used positively.  Learn how you can harness gossip to improve relationships and communication with colleagues. Guests:Amy Gallo, workplace expert and contributing editor, Harvard Business Review. Author, Getting Along: how to work with anyoneJames Greenslade-Yeats, Research Fellow in Management, Auckland University of Technology 

In this engaging discussion, Megan Gerhardt, a business professor and co-author of Gentelligence, and Florence Potter, the founder of No Umbrellas, tackle the generational divides in today's workplace. They emphasize moving past stereotypes and understanding unique generational perspectives. The podcast dives into navigating mental health views shaped by the pandemic and highlights practical strategies for fostering collaboration across ages. Listeners will learn about the transformative power of open dialogue and mutual mentoring in boosting team productivity and harmony.

We've reached the one year anniversary of the right to disconnect regulations, which now also apply to small businesses. What are the challenges of managing this change to the ways we contact each other outside of work hours, and how is it impacting work life balance? Guests: Anna Volkova, People and Culture leader, Hi Bob Matthew Addison, Chair, Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) Lisa Heap, senior researcher and labour lawyer, Centre for Future Work, Australia Insitute And thanks to Jeromine Alpe from Corporate Diversity Pathways for sharing her tips for small businesses More information for small businesses navigating the right to disconnect can be found at www.smallbusinesspeak.org.au

Soon more people will be leaving the workforce than joining it, but most organisations don't encourage older workers to stay on and thrive.Experts say redesigning work to retain mature-age workers across the life cycle is part of the solution to Australia’s ageing population and productivity challenges. We explore how planning for "longevity work" across the career cycle, can help eliminate bias and ageism well before workers hit retirement age.Guests:Daniela Andrei, Associate Professor in the School of Management and Marketing at Curtin University, Associate Investigator with CEPAR Stream 3, Organisations and the Mature Workforce  Chris Eaton, General manager, People and Culture, Chobani And thanks to contributors: Julian Williams, Maturious, a talent platform for hidden mature age talent Alison Hernandez, co-founder, Recreate100 Michele Lemmens, longevity work advocate, strategic innovation expert 

Everyone at work plays a part in preventing psychosocial hazards, including you.We ask an expert how to create a psychosocially safe workplace, and why it's important.Guest:Dr Laura Kirby, chief psychologist, Australian Psychological ServicesCheck out our companion episode: What are we getting wrong about psychosocial safety? , featuring Professor Amy Edmondson from Harvard Business School and Dr Rachael Potter, research lead and expert in psychosocial safety, Uni of South Australia.