My Crazy Office

Hosted by Katherine Crowley and Kathi Elster

Business Careers

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Hosts Kathi Elster and Katherine Crowley are best selling authors of three books about workplace behaviors: Working with You Is Killing Me, Mean Girls at Work, Working for You Isn’t Working for Me. Kathi and Katherine address all of those wacky behaviors that we all deal with at work. That coworker who ate your lunch then complained that you put too much mayo on the sandwich? They know him. Join Kathi and Katherine as they answer real workplace questions with solid advice, and a great sense of humor.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 18, 202611 min

Want To Be a Beloved Boss?

Name (required) Mail (will not be published) (required) Website Gimme a site! Just a username, please. User Name Password Remember Me --> In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine explore something that they hope will benefit any manager listening to the podcast: How to be a beloved boss. They start with a question from someone who was recently promoted to manager but does not know how to be a good boss. Like many of you listening, this individual only knows what not to do — because of their own negative boss experiences. Kathi offers proven tips for becoming the kind of boss that your employees care about and work hard for.

July 22, 202613 min

Is Your Top Employee Looking for a New Job?

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine do something different. They address a topic near and dear to any manager’s heart: What are the signs that one of your top employees may be looking for a new job? Kathi and Katherine review five signs that might indicate this is happening. They draw on research by Alexander Kjerulf, a global expert on Happiness at work. Do you suspect that one of your top performers is looking for a new job? Listen to this podcast.

July 15, 20269 min

Has a Change in Management Changed Your Job?

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss how a change in management can sometimes lead to a change in your job. They start with a question from someone who enjoyed two years of working for one boss who was hands-off and supportive, only to then start working for another boss who works incessantly and micromanages. Kathi and Katherine consider how to navigate a change in management – especially when it makes your job more difficult.

July 7, 20269 min

Afraid to Ask Your Staff for Help?

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine investigate why so many managers are uncomfortable asking their staff for help. They start with a question from a manager who has a team of six and fears asking them to work on additional projects, only to discover that they are more than happy to do so. Kathi and Katherine discuss why the nicest bosses often refrain from seeking the help they need for fear of angering their staff.

June 16, 202612 min

Does Your Conflict Avoidant Boss Create More Conflict at Work?

Sometimes bosses are afraid of conflict. They just don’t know how to handle disagreements between employees. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss an interesting phenomenon: What do you do when a manager who avoids dealing with employee conflict causes more conflicts to erupt? They start with a question from someone whose boss keeps insisting that the staff resolve their interpersonal disagreements, while the employees believe they need the boss to help them work them out. Does your boss avoid conflict? Listen here.

June 9, 202614 min

Is Your Mentor at Work Leaving the Company?

In this My Crazy Office podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss something that arises more often than you may think — what happens when the person you consider to be your mentor (and protector) at work leaves? They start with a question from someone who has been working at the same company for 8 years and just learned that her mentor there is leaving, without an explanation of why. Kathi and Katherine discuss the implications of losing a mentor at work and how to navigate the situation.

June 2, 202610 min

Is Your Boss Blocking You From Moving Ahead?

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine talk about a difficult situation that can arise for any ambitious employee: What do you do if your boss blocks you from moving ahead? They start with a question from someone who has successfully launched a new program for her company and would like some tangible rewards (promotion, raise, more resources) for her success. Her boss refuses to consider any of these options, instead telling her to be happy with where she is. Feeling blocked by your boss? Listen here.

May 26, 202613 min

Job Offer Jitters?

Sometimes, getting a job offer can be stressful. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine discuss “job offer jitters.” They start with a question from someone who’s been applying for jobs and is now the final candidate for two different positions. Both are appealing, but one company has made an offer, and the other one has not. How can this person hold off a decision until the other job offer comes in?

May 19, 202612 min

Does Your Coworker’s Poor Work Make You Look Bad?

In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine address a very frustrating situation: what do you do when a coworker’s poor work habits make YOU look bad? They start with a question from someone who relies on the data from a coworker to do her job. The data she receives is always late, and often incomplete. Kathi and Katherine discuss how to manage a situation where someone else’s poor work could make you look bad.

May 12, 202612 min

Does Your Boss Protect the Wrong People?

It can be infuriating if your boss protects someone who you don’t like working with. In this episode of My Crazy Office, Kathi and Katherine ask a question that many of you may say, “yes” to: Does your boss protect the wrong people? They start with a question from someone who likes their job but can’t stand working with one person who the boss is always protecting. Kathi and Katherine discuss why bosses protect certain people and what you can do to manage those difficult relationships.