How to Be Awesome at Your Job

Charles Conn shares how to be strategic and make breakthroughs when things are uncertain. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) How talented people unknowingly self-sabotage. 2) The simple question that leads to clever breakthroughs. 3) How to communicate your ideas so people will care. Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep900 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT CHARLES — Charles Conn is an investor, environmentalist, and entrepreneur. He is co-founder of Monograph, a venture firm, and was previously CEO of the Rhodes Trust in Oxford. He is Board Chair of Patagonia and sits on The Nature Conservancy European Council. He was founding CEO of Ticketmaster-Citysearch, and was a partner at McKinsey & Company. He is a graduate of Harvard, Oxford and Boston Universities. He is co-author with Robert McLean of Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything, published with Wiley in 2019, a best-seller now in six languages, and The Imperfectionists: Strategic Mindsets for Uncertain Times, 2023. • Book: Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything (website) • Book: The Imperfectionists: Strategic Mindsets for Uncertain Times (website) • LinkedIn: Charles Conn — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Article: “M.B.A. Students vs. ChatGPT: Who Comes Up With More Innovative Ideas?” by Christian Terwiesch and Karl Ulrich (and full-text PDF of paper) • Website: Kaggle • Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman • Book: Obvious Adams: The Story of a Successful Businessman by Robert Updegraff • Book: The Selfish Gene (Popular Science) by Richard Dawkins • Book: Biodiversity by E. O. Wilson • Past episode: 896: Finding More Success and Joy in Everything You Do with Suneel Gupta See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Sep 202350min

Matt Abrahams outlines six steps to improve your spontaneous speaking skills. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) How to feel more comfortable speaking on the spot. 2) Four tactics to keep speaking anxiety in check. 3) The easy formula for great self-introductions. Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep899 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT MATT — Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting. He received Stanford GSB’s Alumni Teaching Award in recognition of his teaching students around the world. When he isn’t teaching, Matt is a sought-after keynote speaker and communication consultant. He has helped countless presenters improve and hone their communication, including some who have delivered IPO roadshows as well as TED, World Economic Forum, and Nobel Prize presentations. His online talks garner millions of views and he hosts the popular, award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast. He is the author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot. His previous book Speaking Up without Freaking Out: 50 Techniques for Confident and Compelling Presenting has helped thousands of people manage speaking anxiety and present more confidently and authentically. • Book: Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot • LinkedIn: Matt Abrahams • Podcast: Think Fast, Talk Smart • Website: MattAbrahams.com — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: “Get Excited: Reappraising Pre-Performance Anxiety as Excitement” by Alison Wood Brooks • Podcast episode: “Space, Pace, and Grace: How to Handle Challenging Conversations” with Matt Abrahams and Collins Dobbs • Book: Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up by Patricia Ryan Madson • Past episode: 253: How to Speak Out…Without a Freak Out with Matthew Abrahams See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

18 Sep 202333min

Cy Wakeman discusses why engagement is overrated and what really drives results. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) How your ego ruins 2.5 hours of each day. 2) Three questions for breaking free from your ego. 3) Why to stop saying “should". Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep898 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT CY — Cy Wakeman is a drama researcher, international leadership speaker, and consultant. In 2001 she founded Reality-Based Leadership. She is the author of four books: Reality-Based Leadership: Ditch the Drama, Restore Sanity to the Workplace and Turn Excuses Into Results (2010), NY Times Bestseller, The Reality-Based Rules of the Workplace: Know What Boosts Your Value, Kills Your Chances, and Will Make You Happier (2013), No Ego: How Leaders Can Cut the Cost of Workplace Drama, End Entitlement, and Drive Big Results (2017), and her newest release, Life’s Messy, Live Happy. Deemed as “the secret weapon to restoring sanity to the workplace,” Cy Wakeman was voted in the top 100 leadership professionals to follow on twitter for 7 years in a row. In 2021, 2022, and 2023 she topped the Global Gurus list of Top 30 Leadership Professionals across the globe, coming in at #1. • Book: No Ego: How Leaders Can Cut the Cost of Workplace Drama, End Entitlement, and Drive Big Results • Newsletter: Reality-Based Leadership Newsletter • TED Talk: Ditch the Drama – How to Live Happy in a Messy World • Website: RealityBasedLeadership.com — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Book: Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words by David Whyte • Book: Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David Burns • Figure: Byron Katie See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 Sep 202345min

Jon Acuff reveals why we often struggle to meet our goals—and shares practical advice for achieving results. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) How to make your loftiest goals more reachable. 2) The “right” amount of goals to pursue. 3) How to stay motivated when things get tough. Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep897 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT JON — Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of nine books, including Soundtracks, Your New Playlist, and the Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done. When he's not writing or recording his popular podcast, All It Takes Is a Goal, Acuff can be found on a stage as one of INC's Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges, and companies around the world, including FedEx, Range Rover, Microsoft, Nokia, and Comedy Central. He lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife and two daughters. • Book: All It Takes Is a Goal: The 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential • Book: Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking (Overcome Toxic Thought Patterns and Take Control of Your Mindset) • Podcast: All It Takes Is a Goal • Website: JonAcuff.com — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: “Automaticity of Social Behavior: Direct Effects of Trait Construct and Stereotype Activation on Action” by John A. Bargh, Mark Chen, and Lara Burrows • Product: Leuchtturm1917 Notebooks • Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman • Book: The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield • Book: The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) by Seth Godin • Personality: Mike Peasley, MTSU professor See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

11 Sep 202340min

Suneel Gupta shows how to find more joy and success every day by drawing from the wisdom of ancient Indian traditions. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The eight essential practices for daily success. 2) How to reset your energy in just five minutes. 3) Why you achieve more with only 85% of the effort. Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep896 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT SUNEEL — Suneel Gupta lost his Dharma and then found it again. He is the founding CEO of RISE and co-founder of the Gross National Happiness Center in the United States. As an author, a visiting scholar at Harvard Medical School, and host of a hit documentary series, Suneel studies the most extraordinary people on the planet to discover and share simple, actionable habits to lift our performance and deepen our daily sense of purpose. His work has been featured by major outlets including CNBC, TED, and the New York Times. • Book: Everyday Dharma: 8 Essential Practices for Finding Success and Joy in Everything You Do • Past Episode: 708: The 7 Steps to Winning Others’ Support with Suneel Gupta • Website: SuneelGupta.com — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Tool: OmniFocus • Experiment: Dartmouth Scar Experiment • Book: The Bhagavad Gita translated by Eknath Easwaran • Book: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl • Book: Be Here Now by Ram Dass • Previous episode: 625: How to Be Happier, More Fulfilled, and More Effective Every Day with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

7 Sep 202351min

Eduardo Briceño reveals the fundamental factors that accelerate your growth and improvement. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) How focusing on performance actually hurts results. 2) The one feedback method that always tells the truth. 3) The five key elements that drive growth. Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep895 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT EDUARDO — Eduardo Briceño is a global keynote speaker and facilitator who guides many of the world’s leading companies in developing cultures of learning and high performance. Earlier in his career, he was the co-founder and CEO of Mindset Works, the first company to offer growth mindset development services. Previously, he was a venture capital investor with the Sprout Group. His TED Talk, How to Get Better at the Things You Care About, and his prior TEDx Talk, The Power of Belief, have been viewed more than nine million times. He is a Pahara-Aspen Fellow, a member of the Aspen Institute’s Global Leadership Network, and an inductee in the Happiness Hall of Fame. • Book: The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action • Website: Briceño.com • LinkedIn: Eduardo Briceño • Organization: MindsetWorks • TEDx Talk: The Power of belief -- mindset and success | Eduardo Briceno | TEDxManhattanBeach • TED Talk: Eduardo Briceño: How to get better at the things you care about | TED • Previous episode: 316: Maximizing Your Learning and Growth with Eduardo Briceño — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Tool: Roam Research • Tool: Otter • Study: “Systematic review: the relationship between clinical experience and quality of health care” by Niteesh K. Choudhry, Robert H. Fletcher, and Stephen B. Soumerai • Psychology: Goal Hierarchy • Book: The Art of Happiness, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Handbook for Living by the Dalai Lama • Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck • Book: The Clan of the Cave Bear: Earth's Children, Book One by Jean Auel • Past episode: 001: Communicating with Inspiration and Clarity with Mawi Asgedom See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

31 Aug 202336min

Joe Mull breaks down the fundamentals of why people leave their jobs then shares simple solutions to creating a happier, more committed workforce. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The true story behind the myth, “Nobody wants to work anymore.” 2) The sweet spot for a team’s workload. 3) How to talk to your boss about improving your job. Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep894 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT JOE — Joe Mull is the author of 3 books including No More Team Drama and the forthcoming Employalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work. He is the founder of the BossBetter Leadership Academy and hosts the popular Boss Better Now podcast, which was recently named by SHRM as a “can’t miss show for leaders” along with podcasts from Brené Brown and Harvard Business Review. In demand as a keynote speaker, Joe has taught leadership courses at two major universities and previously managed training at one of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S. Joe has appeared as an expert in multiple media outlets including Forbes, the International Business Times, on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and on Good Morning America. • Book: Employalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work • Book: Cure for the Common Leader: What Physicians & Managers Must Do to Engage & Inspire Healthcare Teams • Website: JoeMull.com — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Instrument: NASA Task Load Index • Article: “To Build a Top Performing Team, Ask for 85% Effort” by Greg McKeown • Book: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink • Book: It's the Manager: Moving From Boss to Coach by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter • Music: “Requiem” by Mozart — THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • BetterHelp. Calm racing thoughts with online therapy. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/awesome. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28 Aug 202338min

Maura Thomas shows you how to create a distraction-free work environment to make time for the tasks that matter most. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The underlying cause of derailed productivity. 2) How multitasking hurts your productivity and attention. 3) The two questions that will help you eliminate distractions. Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep893 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT MAURA — Maura Nevel Thomas is an award-winning international speaker and trainer on individual and corporate productivity and work-life balance, and the most widely-cited authority on attention management. Her proprietary Empowered Productivity™ System has been embraced by the likes of NASA, Dyson, and Google. She is a TEDx Speaker, founder of Regain Your Time, author of six bestselling books, and was named a Top Leadership Speaker in Inc. Magazine. Maura is frequently featured in major business outlets including Business Insider, Fast Company, and Washington Post, and she’s also a regular contributor to both Forbes and the Harvard Business Review, with articles there viewed over a million times. • Book: Attention Management: How to Create Success and Gain Productivity ― Every Day (Empowered Productivity, 1) • Book: Everyone Wants to Work Here: Attract the Best Talent, Energize Your Team, and Be the Leader in Your Market (Empowered Productivity) • Forbes article: "Why Leaders Should Want Their Employees To Quiet Quit" • Website: MauraThomas.com — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • App: Blinkist • App: Todoist • App: Twist • Book: The Gift of Fear: And Other Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin de Becker • Book: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill • Book: Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, and Sexy - Until You're 80 and Beyond by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge • Company: Doist • Personality: Frank Kick • Personality: Gloria Mark — THANK YOU, SPONSORS! — • Factor. Get healthy, quick, delicious meals at factormeals.com/beawesome50.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

24 Aug 202345min