This Working Life
ABC listen
You spend so much time on work, why accept the status quo, when there are ways to do it better? Get expert advice, research and hacks that will crush your inertia.
Join Lisa Leong and other This Working Lifers as we experiment and explore the latest in the world of work.
We cover policy issues, like hybrid workplaces and remote work, employee wellbeing and organisational culture, the use of AI, employee surveillance, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion. We talk about progress on wider issues that relate to work, like work life balance, organisational change, restructures, and casualisation. On This Working Life our focus is on everything related to the people in a workplace too, including culture, individual experiences, performance management and career advice.
Join Lisa Leong and other This Working Lifers as we experiment and explore the latest in the world of work.
We cover policy issues, like hybrid workplaces and remote work, employee wellbeing and organisational culture, the use of AI, employee surveillance, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion. We talk about progress on wider issues that relate to work, like work life balance, organisational change, restructures, and casualisation. On This Working Life our focus is on everything related to the people in a workplace too, including culture, individual experiences, performance management and career advice.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 5, 2024 • 25min
How leaders can use humour at work, and keep everyone happy
Laughter is good for us, but sometimes jokes and funny quips just don't land, especially when they're delivered by your boss.If you're a leader or you report to one, here's how to use humour to make work a more enjoyable experience for all concerned.
Jun 28, 2024 • 25min
Why we love and hate jargon at work
Put a pin in it, leverage that, circle back, LMK (let me know) - ugh! Some of us are drawn to use jargon and buzzwords, while others are annoyed by them.Learn when and how to use jargon so that you can avoid miscommunication at work.
Jun 21, 2024 • 25min
Your new team member is an AI and they’re coming to your meeting
Delve into the world of artificial intelligence in meetings, its impact on efficiency and communication. Explore the benefits and risks of AI integration, privacy concerns, and the importance of human interaction for fostering trust within organizations.
Jun 14, 2024 • 25min
Uncertainty at work stressing you out? Here’s how to deal with it
Job cuts have been announced, a restructure is imminent, you've got a new boss, AI is about to change your job. These events are all part of regular working life, so what can you do?Learn why we struggle with uncertainty at work, and get some skills to help you cope.
Jun 7, 2024 • 25min
Job reference horror stories, and how to avoid them
They’re usually the last step in the process, but reference checks are an important part of a job hire. And if you get them wrong, you can have a real situation on your hands.What's best practice when it comes to reference checking: whether you’re hiring, trying to be hired, or giving a reference for someone else?
May 31, 2024 • 25min
Are you being micromanaged? Here’s how to break free
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.
May 24, 2024 • 25min
How music’s secret skills can scale up your performance
You’ve probably got a focus music playlist but did you know being musically trained can help you in other jobs? And no, it’s not too late if you didn’t learn the piano when you were a child.Guest: Dr Diana Tolmie - Musician and Senior Lecturer in Professional Practice at the Queensland ConservatoriumAnd thanks to Sophie, George, Mark and Deirdre for sharing their stories.And if you liked this episode you’d enjoy our episode on the power of being a generalist at work - find it in our podcast feed from March 2023.
May 17, 2024 • 25min
What did you want to be when you grew up? Here's why it's still important.
Our childhood phantasy careers (different to fantasy with an ‘f’) help uncover our unconscious motivations and can unlock job satisfaction in our careers. Here’s how to figure out yours.Guest: Paul Harvey - Lecturer and Executive Coach at the INSEAD Business SchoolAnd thanks to Afrouz, Karen and Ryan for sharing their stories.
May 10, 2024 • 25min
What does it mean to have an ethical career? And why should you care?
"Don't we all hold many things? We all have to work jobs often we don't fully politically or ethically agree with because we have to pay our rent."When we have the privilege to choose what work we do, how do we ensure we're ethically aligned with that career choice? And once we’re working in a job, how can we ensure we’re behaving ethically day to day?Guests:Dr Tim Dean - Senior Philosopher, The Ethics CentreMaryam Kouchaki - Professor of Management & Organizations, the Kellogg School of ManagementJess Shane - radio and podcast producerIf you enjoyed this episode, you'd like our episodes about values at work (from April) and why good people do bad things (from June 2023). Find them in our podcast feed.
May 3, 2024 • 25min
How can you be a supercommunicator at work? Charles Duhigg explains...
“I can honestly say this is a question that I’ve never encountered before.”New Yorker magazine reporter and author of Supercommunicators - How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection, Charles Duhigg answers your questions about how to navigate tricky conversations at work, sharing advice and skills to truly connect with colleagues.Thank you to listeners Lorissa Garcia, Louise Thomson and Tanmay Vora for your questions.
