In honor of April Fools' Day, we tell the story of Typhoid Mary, a carrier of typhoid fever although she herself was without symptoms. She infected a number of families and was eventually forcibly quarantined for 26 years. Lots of interesting issues to unpack here about the ability to work, the importance of references, dangerous employees, public health, and freedom. A short and fascinating episode. Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at: https://www.discreetguide.com/ Follow the hos...
Apr 01, 2020•17 min
First-time author and life coach, Corrinn Davis, joins us to talk about her new book, "Useful Questions: A Guide to Self-Coaching." According to Jack Canfield, the book should be read by "anyone serious about living a happy, successful, and fulfilling life." Corrinn shares her own personal development journey with great stories and tips to keep us mentally strong during difficult times and feed the good wolf. An uplifting episode during a pandemic. To buy the book (introductory sale price!): htt...
Mar 31, 2020•45 min
Christine Dinan, an attorney with A Better Balance, a worker advocacy group, joins us to talk about how the pandemic is bringing the lack of adequate leave policies into sharp focus. She discussed the recent sick leave legislation and who it leaves out (some surprises there). The US lags behind other developed countries in its leave policies, and this is creating another crisis for struggling families during this pandemic. An educational episode. A Better Balance's website with resources we disc...
Mar 30, 2020•35 min
In our 100th episode, we change things up a bit to talk about creative projects people might be contemplating during the pandemic and what to consider in choosing between publishing books or other written materials and podcasting. We look at potential reach and difficulty for each option with some observations about costs and eventual impact. A good starter episode for people thinking of putting their voices out into the world. Jennifer's publishing company: https://www.whistlingrabbitpress.com/...
Mar 29, 2020•26 min
Jennifer Jacobus of the San Diego Employers Association joins us to provide updates about the latest legislation regarding sick leave and what problems employers are facing during this public health crisis. She discusses strategies companies are using to mitigate the economic impact and take care of their employees, increasing flexibility and remote work. She also looks into her crystal ball and tells us what she thinks is on the horizon. A practical and positive episode. About San Diego Employe...
Mar 27, 2020•36 min
Futurist and expert on productivity and rest, Alex Pang, talks about the challenge of remote work, organizing your day, how to facilitate your most creative moments, and how to be productive even when you're not working! Also, how the pandemic might be disruptive in a good way, forcing us to rethink unhelpful beliefs and creating opportunity to make work better. A positive and profound episode. Alex's website: http://www.strategy.rest/ Alex's latest book "Shorter," a recommended read (Amazon is ...
Mar 26, 2020•29 min
Wayne Turmel of the Remote Leadership Institute joins us to talk about some basics of effective remote leadership, pitfalls, how remote work can exaggerate poor management, how to establish ground rules, and to pivot between staff in the office and those working from home. We also talk about why using a webcam will make you happy. A valuable crash course for managers new to remote leadership. Wayne's company: https://www.remoteleadershipinstitute.com/ Follow Wayne on Twitter: @WTurmel Wayne's Am...
Mar 25, 2020•45 min
Content creator and influencer Ted Bauer joins us to talk about email blasts and other news releases during the pandemic and why some fall flat with generic communication or blatant sales "slimy-ness." We also discuss how the crisis provides an opportunity for businesses to demonstrate real leadership with relevant, helpful, and reassuring messaging and forge a new kind of relationship with their customers. Don't miss this episode. It could make a difference in your world. Ted Bauer on LinkedIn:...
Mar 24, 2020•47 min
Coach Helena Demuynck talks about strategies to stay positive, creative, and forward-looking during difficult times, in order to contribute and pursue our purpose. We can help others by dodging negative energy, overcoming our reptile brain, and keeping our head straight when our kids and partners are stressing us during quarantine. A practical episode for an unusual phase of our lifetime. Contact the guest: https://www.oxygen4leadership.com/ Follow the guest on Twitter: @HelenaDemuynck Comment o...
Mar 23, 2020•33 min
During this time of Corona, we're all learning the risks of working remotely. From pets, kids, and naked roommates appearing on camera to unmuted mics and other technical mishaps to discovering what your partner's work persona is *really* like, we cover what #WFH peeps are reporting. A funny episode after a tough week. Professor Kelly and Daughter Miriam's viral video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh4f9AYRCZY A Conference Call in Real Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMOOG7rWTPg Share yo...
Mar 20, 2020•22 min
Humor researcher Barbara Plester joins us to talk about the four types of humor, why jokes sometimes offend, how managers can embrace humor and reduce its risk, and an effective response to an offensive comment. We also go deep on why some people think a fake used condom, a poster about punching a woman, and a Catholic-eating alligator are funny–and others don't. An insightful and practical episode. Barbara's book "Laugh Out Loud: A User's Guide to Workplace Humor" https://link.springer.com/book...
Mar 17, 2020•39 sec
Stuart Gaston and Jennifer, both fans of the movie, Office Space, chat about the evolution of the film into cult status, why it's been called a "brutal portrayal of workplace misery," its iconic moments and related memes, its continued relevance, as well as Mike Judge's subsequent projects. Lots of laughs, along with some diversions into Buddhism and the importance of absurdity. An episode to lighten the mood on Friday the 13th. Scene from the move: [don't watch the trailer; it wrecks the film] ...
Mar 13, 2020•54 min
Futurist and author Alex Pang joins us to talk about his new book "Shorter: Work Better, Smarter, and Less - Here's How" and his discoveries about companies that have implemented four-day work weeks or six-hour work days. Fabulous insights into productivity, creativity, flexibility, retention, and families. The book launches today and is highly recommended. About the book: https://www.amazon.com/Shorter-Work-Better-Smarter-Heres/dp/1541730712/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=shorter+alex+pang&qid=1583794...
Mar 10, 2020•56 min
Welch biographer and early skeptic, Tom O'Boyle, joins us to talk about his book "At Any Cost: Jack Welch, General Electric, and the Pursuit of Profit," Welch's legacy, and how it has developed over the past decades since his retirement. GE was a powerhouse during Welch's tenure as CEO, growing in market value from $12 billion to $410 billion. Welch was lauded as a genius and named by Fortune as "The Manager of the Century." Through today's lens, however, many of Welch's decisions seem to have l...
Mar 07, 2020•54 min
Entrepreneur and author Sherry Stewart Deutschmann joins us to talk about her new book "Lunch with Lucy" that comes out next week and the unique culture she created at her printing company, including an egalitarian profit-sharing plan, generous benefits, a new way to calculate a living wage, and even an unconventional organizational chart. She also talks about her new venture to provide assistance to small women-owned businesses. A thought-provoking episode with great takeaways. The book: https:...
Mar 03, 2020•48 min
Working parents are often overwhelmed and looking for advice about how to handle all their responsibilities. I can't say that I was particularly successful, but I share here some things I learned that helped me reduce stress, accomplish more, prioritize, and live better. I also share some awful stories of stuff I got wrong. A personal episode. Comments welcome! A related episode about productivity: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/deardiscreetguide/episodes/2020-02-14T09_00_00-08_00 An article...
Feb 28, 2020•1 hr
Ever wonder how on earth it came to be that we get our health insurance from our employer? How did that happen, what changes have transpired since the 40s, what changes were brought by the Affordable Care Act, and how might insurance change in the future? In this fascinating episode, former CEO and author, Rick Lindquist, discusses the forces that brought in employer-provided health insurance and those that are driving it out. An essential and relevant episode. About the guest: https://www.rickl...
Feb 25, 2020•1 hr 3 min
We discuss the various terms used for female people: ladies, women, gals, and girls, their connotations and use, to good and bad effect in the workplace. Book we talk about: https://www.discreetguide.com/product/whats-a-guy-to-do/ Follow the host on Twitter: @DiscreetGuide
Feb 21, 2020•29 min
What happened to the labor unions in the US? A review of their heyday, their current state, related legislation, the Teamsters, and some of their colorful figures, ending with a discussion of The Irishman. Contact the host: https://www.discreetguide.com/ Follow the host on Twitter: @DiscreetGuide
Feb 18, 2020•27 min
How to keep focus, maximize high productivity moments, eliminate time-wasters, use organizational tools, and master your work day. How to save days of wasted time and trim minutes from routine tasks. Get your work done sooner and better so you can go enjoy life. An essential episode. Article we refer to: http://www.discreetguide.com/articles/1616-2/ Contact the host: https://www.discreetguide.com/ Follow the host on Twitter: @DiscreetGuide
Feb 14, 2020•29 min
