This Working Life

Leah Lambart, a career coach and resident expert for SEEK, teams up with Annie Louey, a celebrant and comedian who’s explored career breaks. They discuss the common experience of career regret and how over half of people feel dissatisfied with their jobs. Leah emphasizes the importance of self-assessment and aligning personal values with career choices, while Annie shares transformative stories of stepping back to prioritize mental health. They also explore the benefits of networking and redefining achievements during career transitions.

Mark Granovetter, a Professor of Sociology Emeritus at Stanford, revolutionized our understanding of networking with his theory on the importance of 'weak ties.' Joining him is Wendy Dawson, President of the Melbourne Business Network, who champions a service-oriented approach to building genuine connections. They discuss how casual acquaintances can unlock job opportunities and share practical tips for maintaining networks. Expect insights on shifting from a taking to a giving mindset, plus strategies for enhancing your professional relationships, catering to both introverts and extroverts.

If you think of productivity as hustle culture, endless multi-tasking, and constant busyness, you might be on the wrong track and you may be on the way to burnout.New York Times bestselling author Cal Newport is a long-time advocate for making changes to the way we work. Now he has a new work philosophy: Slow Productivity.He says doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality will deliver lasting success.Guest:Cal Newport, author of Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout.

From pets to pot plants, comfy clothing to noise-cancelling headphones. There have never been more ways to bring a personal touch to your office experience.   But what happens when different employees have conflicting approaches? Guests:Christhina Candido, Professor of Environmental and Sustainable Design, University of MelbourneDr Amantha Imber, organisational psychologist, founder, Inventium, and host of the 'How I Work' podcast

Pick something you enjoy doing and you can 'leisure craft' it! We learn about the benefits of this technique as a way of improving your personal wellbeing, and your performance at work. Plus we'll give you some practical tips on how to 'leisure-craft' in Try This.Guest: Alex Hamrick, Assistant Professor of Management, Robins School of Business, University of Richmond 

From our phones to social media, to search engines, artificial intelligence is becoming a part of our everyday lives.Learn how organisations are incorporating it into their workflows, and explore the ethical considerations and other concerns people have about using artificial intelligence at work. Guests:Jeremy Utley, adjunct professor, Stanford University, co-host Beyond the PromptMark Pesce, futurist and co-founder Wisely AI

The junior person feels like they’re being micromanaged, but the manager feels like the job is not being done properly. When does good supervision tip into micromanagement?Shona Ryan had such a difficult time being micromanaged as a millennial worker, that she decided to research the topic. We hear what she learned, and get advice from an expert on how to break the pattern of micromanagement.Guests:Dr James Donald, Senior Lecturer in Work and Organisational Studies, University of SydneyShona Ryan, employee relations specialistAnd if you liked this episode you’d enjoy our story on the magic of job crafting,  listen to it here.This episode was first broadcast on 2nd June 2024.

Lyndall Strazdins, a clinical psychologist and work-life researcher, teams up with Jono Nicholas, founder of The Wellbeing Outfit, to discuss how childhood experiences with work shape adult perspectives on balance. They reflect on how parents’ careers influence children's choices and emotional well-being. The conversation dives into the importance of flexible work arrangements, shared household responsibilities for gender equality, and how the pandemic has reshaped young people's views on work dynamics and collaboration. Practical tips on handling performance reviews are also shared!

Emma Power, an independent HR consultant and education-focused lecturer at the Melbourne Business School, shares valuable insights on mastering performance reviews. She emphasizes the importance of preparing ahead by documenting achievements and fostering open communication with managers. Emma discusses how to navigate surprising feedback by advocating for a growth-oriented mindset. The conversation highlights how regular check-ins can enhance understanding, ultimately leading to more productive evaluations and aligned goals between employees and managers.

In this engaging discussion, Michelle Brown, a Professor of Human Resource Management at the University of Melbourne, teams up with David Burkus, a former business school professor and consultant specializing in organizational psychology. They explore the pitfalls of traditional performance reviews, emphasizing the disconnect between assessment and growth. The duo champions a shift towards ongoing feedback, highlighting its potential to foster employee development but cautioning against defensiveness. They also tackle inequities in the review process, especially for women, offering practical strategies for improvement.