This Working Life

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.

Debbie Haski-Leventhal, a Professor of Management at Macquarie University, delves into the quest for purpose at work. She discusses how meaningful work can dramatically enhance job satisfaction and engagement. The conversation covers the disconnect between lofty corporate mission statements and genuine employee fulfillment. Haski-Leventhal also highlights the positive impact of community initiatives and corporate volunteering on employee morale, urging organizations to bridge personal passions with professional goals for greater workplace happiness.

If you have a tendency to take on too much, you might want to look at the boundaries you have with your co-workers and your boss.  It seems hard, but setting boundaries could improve your life, and your work as well. Boundaries expert Nedra Glover Tawwab teaches you how. Guest:Nedra Glover Tawwab, therapist and author of New York Times best seller, Set Boundaries, Find Peace 

Job sharing could soon be back in vogue as some businesses and governments push for return to office policies.  What are the pros and cons of job sharing and could it be the answer to work life balance? Guests:Rosalind Dixon, Professor of Law at the School of Global & Public Law, UNSW Mariebelle Malo, job sharing consultant Angela Dally and Kath Slack, job sharing lawyers for a large corporate retailer 

In helping young people prepare for a life of work, asking them what they want to do for a job, or what they’re good at may limit their options. Learn a different way of thinking about careers that focuses on challenges, rather than job titles. Learn a different way of thinking about careers that focuses on challenges, rather than job titles. Guests:JP Michel, organisational psychologist and author, The World Needs You: A New Mindset for Career ExplorationKate McBeath, who works with career advisors in schools in Australia and New Zealand

Most of us are faced with managing multiple changes in our work lives, sometimes all at once. Learn how to anticipate, accept and grow with change, and be the "pilot" of your own career. Guest: Andrea Clarke, futurist and author of Adapt

The CEO is retiring, your team leader is moving interstate, your key IT architect has been poached by a competitor. How do you keep an organisation running smoothly without people who can step up into key roles? The answer lies in careful succession planning. Here's how it works.The answer lies in careful succession planning. Here's how it works.Guests:Donald (DJ) Schepker,  Associate Professor, Research Director at Centre for Executive Succession, Darla Moore School of Business, University of Southern Carolina Melissa MacGowan, Strategic People and Culture leader, executive coach