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
Dec 1, 2023 • 25min
"You are surrounded by your worst triggers" - the sounds that drive you up the wall at work
From loud chewing to breathing and keyboard tapping, many of you have your pet peeves when it comes to sounds at work that drive you to distraction.But for some of you, it’s a disorder that can cause extreme reactions like anger, panic, and fear. It’s called misophonia and in this episode you’ll understand exactly what it is, how it impacts people at work and what you can do about it.
Nov 24, 2023 • 25min
Why so tired? The 'Great November' disease at work
Explore the impact of tiredness on workers and the phenomenon of 'Great November' disease. Discover the correlation between psychological stress and physical fatigue. Learn how workplace expectations contribute to employee exhaustion. Recognize signs of fatigue and differentiate between normal tiredness and psychological distress. Explore the responsibility of leaders in managing tiredness in high-pressure jobs.
Nov 17, 2023 • 25min
The case for reading fiction at work
“Fiction seems to do something in our brains that nonfiction doesn't.”What was the last book you read? And did you know it gave you something more than just some relaxing downtime?It turns out that books, especially fiction, can develop key skills needed for our careers.Book and short story recommendations mentioned:Poseidon, Franz KafkaThe Helpline, Katherine ColletteOut of Sheer Rage, Geoff Dyer
7 snips
Nov 10, 2023 • 25min
Adam Grant on how to unleash your hidden potential
Organisational Psychologist and Professor Adam Grant discusses tapping into hidden potential, developing character skills, and seeking advice for improvement. The importance of motivation over talent, overcoming self-doubt with support, finding mentors, and embracing deliberate play are also explored.
Nov 3, 2023 • 25min
How to escape the perfection trap
“I remember I wrote 500 words of my thesis on Christmas Day. I was really proud of that at the time.”Dr Thomas Curran is bruised from the perfection trap but he slowly made his way out of it. But how did he do it?He shares insights from his own experience, unpacks why perfectionism is on the rise, what it can look like at work, and how you can move away from perfectionist tendencies yourself.
Oct 27, 2023 • 25min
Out for blood: Energy vampires at work
They’re not creatures of the night, but creatures in every workplace.Ever had a colleague that left you feeling drained of energy after a conversation? Or perhaps you’ve been feeling low in energy yourself and worried you might be the one sucking the fun out of the room?Either way, we’re here to help. Learn how to identify the workplace energy vampire and arm yourself not with a garlic necklace but with some useful tools to help restore energy levels without drawing blood.
Oct 20, 2023 • 25min
Live at SXSW - Ben Crowe and Aubrey Blanche on why peak performance is dead
Why do our ‘old’ concepts of “High Performance Team” and "Peak Performance” need a rethink?Recorded live at SXSW Sydney, we interrogate these concepts and why it can lead to burnout, brittleness and budget blowouts.Ben and Aubrey share stories about their own burnout and the powerful role that values can play when it comes to our performance.
Oct 13, 2023 • 25min
URGENT! Listen to this episode (to control urgency at work)
Ever felt that overwhelming sense that there’s just not enough time to do your job? And that everything is suddenly urgent?How did we get here and how can we stop the urgent work loop?Tips from Dermot Crowley:Six dials you can tweak to manage urgency: Time, Quality, Scope, Resources, Budget, and Risk.How to plan ahead to avoid urgency: Daily: 10 minutes each workday morning to get focusedWeekly: 45 minutes once per week to get organised for the coming weekMonthly: 1 hour at the start of each month to step back and get some perspective
Oct 6, 2023 • 25min
Sick of meetings? Try this instead...
“If we do this, it could profoundly change how we are together.”Is your day full of meetings leaving you tired and working late just to get everything done? Surely there must be a better way...In this episode, Lisa Leong finds out how we can do meetings better and looks at one technique called The Circle Way.
4 snips
Sep 29, 2023 • 25min
What to say when you’re put on the spot at work
Learn how to handle spontaneous speaking situations at work with expert advice from Matt Abrahams. Discover the importance of authenticity in professional communication and explore strategies to overcome barriers to effective listening. Enhance your communication skills by understanding the significance of structure and focus, and apply the What, So What, Now What framework for clear and compelling messages.
