Working Conversations

Hosted by Dr. Janel Anderson

Episodes

Language

EN-US

About the show

Join Dr. Janel Anderson for actionable insights on leadership, workplace dynamics, and the future of work. Rooted in UX Thinking, these episodes help you lead by design—not default—with practical strategies to boost your clarity, effectiveness, and influence in today’s fast-changing, tech-driven workplace. Tune in for practical strategies, cutting-edge trends, and fresh perspectives that help you lead better, work smarter, and stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

30 min

#272: How to Run Skip-Level Meetings That Create Value

You have probably heard you should be doing skip-level meetings. But if you are not sure what the point is or what you are actually supposed to talk about, you are in good company. Dr. Janel Anderson breaks down why skip-level meetings are relationship infrastructure, not a surveillance tool, and lays out three compelling reasons every senior leader should have them on the calendar. She walks through how to set them up with your managers first, why a formal agenda works against you, what to actually talk about, and what to redirect when the conversation drifts. Whether you are the senior leader initiating these meetings or the junior employee trying to get them started, this episode covers both sides. If you manage people at any level, this episode is built for you. Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/272

28 min

#271: Middle Manager Caught in the Middle on AI? Here Are Your Three Moves

Executives are convinced their teams are embracing AI. Frontline employees are doing the opposite. And you, the middle manager, are absorbing the pressure from both directions with no clear playbook. Dr. Janel Anderson breaks down exactly why this gap exists, backed by Harvard Business Review research showing a 45-point perception gap between what executives believe and what employees are actually doing. She then walks through three specific moves: reframing the problem upward as change management rather than tech deployment, closing the perception gap by surfacing your team's real fears in a direct conversation, and shrinking the ask to something specific and completable. If you are managing a team through AI adoption right now, this episode gives you a framework you can use in your next one-on-one. Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/271

31 min

#270: How to Get Started with AI at Work (Without Overwhelm)

Your organization wants you to use AI, but nobody gave you training, context, or an on-ramp. That gap is real, and it is not your fault. In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson shares four practical strategies for getting started with AI at work, including why picking a specific problem beats trying to learn AI broadly, how to use AI as a thinking partner rather than a ghostwriter, and a personal example involving a difficult email that illustrates the difference. If you have been avoiding AI or wondering where to begin, this episode gives you a clear, low-stakes starting point.Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/270

27 min

#269: How Do I Deal With a Coworker Who Takes Credit for My Work?

When a coworker takes credit for your work, the damage is not just frustrating. It is reputational. Dr. Janel Anderson breaks down three types of workplace credit theft, explains why the type matters for how you respond, and gives you four concrete techniques to protect your professional visibility. From creating a paper trail before the meeting to a specific, calm script for a direct conversation, this episode gives you a clear framework to reclaim what is yours without blowing up a working relationship. Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/269

15 min

#268: What is Your Difficult Conversation Type? (And Why Knowing Matters)

Most people know they should handle hard conversations better. What they do not know is which specific pattern their brain runs every time the pressure is on. Dr. Janel Anderson identifies four distinct patterns: the Improviser, the Avoider, the Escalator, and the Deflector. She explains what drives each pattern, why most people misidentify their own, and why that misdiagnosis is the real reason nothing has worked. She also shares how to identify your own pattern accurately using a free two-minute quiz. If you have ever fumbled a hard conversation and wondered why, this episode will tell you.Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/268

20 min

#267: How to Say No at Work Without Hurting Your Career

You already know what the word no means. The fear is what you think it will cost you. Dr. Janel Anderson reframes the real career risk: it is not saying no, it is saying yes to more than you can deliver. She walks through five specific scripts for giving a strategic no at work, including the honest redirect, the trade-off ask, the soft hold, the values-based no, and the no with the bridge. Each one keeps the conversation professional, protects your reputation, and lets you show up at your best where it counts. If you are a high performer who chronically overcommits, this episode is for you.Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/267

25 min

#266: Do I Need a Coach? Three Signs You Are Ready for Executive Coaching.

Most leaders ask this question at the wrong moment, when they are already stuck. But the leaders who benefit most from executive coaching are the ones who are already performing well. Coaching is not remediation. It is acceleration. Dr. Janel Anderson breaks down three signals that indicate you may be ready for a coach: the plateau, the transition, and the perception gap. She also clarifies the difference between executive, career, and life coaching, and shares what to look for when vetting a coach so you do not waste time or money. If you are serious about your career growth and want to move faster, this episode is worth your time.Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/266

12 min

#265: When It’s Time to Stop Avoiding a Hard Conversation

That workplace issue that's been bothering you keeps taking up mental real estate during your commute, in the shower, and when you're trying to fall asleep. You know the feeling - there's this thing at work that's bothering you, but you keep telling yourself it's not really worth making a big deal of. So you let it slide, and then it happens again and again. In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson gives you a clear framework for deciding when it's time to stop ruminating and start talking. She covers the warning signs that you've crossed from minor annoyance to must-address-now, four critical questions to evaluate any situation, and how to recognize when you're hoping others will magically read your mind. She also explains why your friends and family want you to have the conversation more than you realize. If you find yourself complaining about the same workplace issues or losing sleep over situations you're avoiding, this episode is your roadmap to action.Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/265

20 min

#264: How Do I Have a Difficult Conversation With My Boss?

Your boss is micromanaging you, made a decision you know won't work, or completely misunderstood a situation — and now you have to set the record straight. The power dynamic makes these conversations terrifying because they control your paycheck, projects, and daily happiness at work. In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson shares her five-step framework for approaching your manager when they've messed up. She covers how to stay emotionally regulated, open with facts instead of accusations, and create solutions that preserve the relationship while solving the problem. She also explains why your boss likely has no idea their behavior is counterproductive and how to follow up for lasting change. If you're scared to talk to your boss about problems or feel like they won't listen to feedback, this episode is your roadmap.Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/264

15 min

#263: What's the Difference Between a Mentor and a Sponsor and Why Does It Matter for Your Career?

You have a mentor, but your career still is not moving. That might be because mentorship and sponsorship are not the same thing. A mentor invests their time in you. A sponsor invests their reputation. In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson breaks down the real difference between mentors and sponsors and shares four tactical steps for getting the career advocate most people are missing. She covers how to assess whether your work is sponsor-worthy, how to identify the right person two levels above you, how to build a relationship with genuine mutual benefit, and the exact language for making a direct ask without pressure. If nobody is saying your name in the rooms that matter, this episode will show you how to change that.Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/263