Boss Better Now with Joe Mull

A manager wrote to me recently with this question, I've got an employee who joined our team last year, and she does a great job, but she calls off a lot. Each time is for a perfectly good reason. Her son was sick, then her furnace died, then her dad had a fall. You get the idea. She's a single mom like I was, so I want to be understanding and support her. I know how hard it is to juggle everything alone. She tries hard and she cares about doing a good job, but she's not reliable and it's creating a variety of issues on my team. Have any advice? Signed, Frustrated in Philly? Well, Frustrated, I do, in fact, have some advice. Here we go.

When the Coronavirus closed schools and daycare centers across the country, working parents everywhere faced a crisis. How do I go to work, homeschool the kids, take care of a house that we can't leave, and keep everyone from killing each other? While in quarantine, it was a demanding multitasking mess. In response, many companies rushed to help their employees by creating flexible work arrangements and generous leave policies -- and Zoom meetings, a lot of Zoom meetings. But then non-parents started expressing resentment. Several news stories have highlighted the growing frustration among some employees at companies like Facebook and Salesforce, that accommodations, benefits, and flexibility has disproportionately benefited parents over non-parents. Non-parents are complaining that they too would like more time away from work, but the absence of parents is leaving them to shoulder more of the load. Faced with these new circumstances. Non-parents at work are saying, "Hey, no fair." I'll tell you what's really going on here and why it has nothing to do with parenting leave policies or workload in this episode of Cultivating Commitment. Can I get a rock and roll riff with some flashy opening credits, please?

For eight consecutive years, I partnered with a local hospital to deliver a leadership development workshop to the residents there going into their fourth year. The fourth year of residency at this hospital required those early career physicians to supervise others really for the first time in their careers. As part of that morning spent together, I'd facilitate a series of exercises and discussions to get these young leaders thinking about what the younger residents will need from them as supervisors, and every year during this exercise when I'd ask participants to describe the leadership style they believe works best, inevitably someone would say the following, my boss last year was terrible, so I learned what not to do. My plan is to do the opposite and be the kind of boss I'd want to have. Believe it or not, this is deeply flawed thinking when your charge is to lead people. I'll tell you why right after this commercial break. Just kidding, we don't have commercials. Play our theme song.

If you've been in the workforce for any amount of time, you've probably heard a boss say something to an employee that just made you cringe. Maybe it was an inappropriate remark or an off-color joke or something to belittle or demean the employee. Sadly, even smart bosses do dumb things from time to time. In fact, there are a couple of common boss phrases that we need to eliminate from our repertoire because they do harm the very moment they leave your lips. I'll tell you about three of these and what to say instead, in about 18 seconds from right now.

I want you to imagine that you've just sat down at a restaurant for a dinner out with your family. Now, imagine that the waiter came to the table, introduced himself, and then announced what you would be having for dinner. How would you react? You'd probably be shocked, right? And you'd probably object. "No, I'm not having the steak because I'm a vegetarian." Now, imagine that when you started to speak up, the waiter cut you off and said, "Listen, I know that you don't know me very well, but I know what I'm doing, and this is the way it's going to be." At that point, you're outta there, right? I mean, you're gone. Believe it or not, leaders stepping into new roles do exactly this over and over again when they implement change too quickly and without the support of the people working there. Grab your doggy bag and follow me as we fix the biggest mistake leaders make with a new team or in a new role. Check, please!

Here's a question that comes up a lot - especially among newer managers. Can bosses be friends with employees? Answer: Sure they can! Believe it or not, it happens all the time. Perhaps the better question to ask though...is should they? For my money, asking this question is a little like asking if you can and should eat an entire 24-pack of string cheese at once. Can you? Sure, I guess. But if you do, some very uncomfortable things are probably going to happen not long after. Friendships between bosses and employees are the topic of the day - so don't touch that...mobile device.

Are you finding it harder than ever to concentrate? Is your brain filled with nonstop chatter about what you should do or remember? Plus, maybe it's time to make a to-DON'T list. That's what's ahead now on Boss Better Now.

It turns out there's not just one kind of burnout, there's actually six. We'll tell you what they are and why understanding them matters. Plus, how does a small boss fish in a big company pond improve morale with little power to make change? We're starting now on Boss Better Now.

You're the boss and you've just discovered that two team members are dating. What do you do? Plus, stop working on vacation! Let's get after it now on Boss Better Now.

Do you spend time with other leaders talking about the challenges of being a boss? Plus, how do you fill positions and keep morale up for employees in a high-stress, low-pay job? We discuss it all now on Boss Better Now.

It's here! Employalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work - my first new book in five years, has arrived. It's launch week! And, as a very special presentation for you, our loyal BossHeroes, I'm sharing my Employalty Keynote. Let's go!

So exactly what does it take for an employee to describe their leader as a great boss? Plus, these Gen Z workers today are just so different...or are they? Join me now, on Boss Better Now.

An argument can be made that it's more important to keep a good employee than to try and find a new one. That's why today we're reviewing 5 questions every boss should periodically ask their employees. Plus, do you know what coaching actually sounds like? You'll hear it now, on Boss Better Now!

How do you get off on the right foot with a team that's been done wrong, and is not likely to trust? And what if the prior boss, who caused some of these issues, was still going to be around? We're unpacking it all now, on Boss Better Now.

One of the biggest reasons employees quit is something that almost no one at your company is talking about. Plus, do you have an employee who you wish had a bit more giddy-up in their step? Let's dive in now on Boss Better Now!

You know all that time and effort you spend trying to help team members improve on their weaknesses? It may be a waste of time. Plus, the settings you need to change on your computer to accomplish more, suffer less, and stay sane. That's what's ahead now on Boss Better Now!

There's a silent killer of morale and retention that's been ever-present in workplaces for years. I'll tell you what it is in an exclusive excerpt from my new book Employalty. Plus, stop being so hard on yourself. Oh, and we have a really big announcement…there's so much happening now on Boss Better Now.

This week you get an exclusive sneak peek at my new book, as we'll be talking about one of the biggest reasons employees everywhere are leaving employers. Plus, what are some ways to help team members cut down on bringing you non-urgent matters repeatedly that they think you need to address immediately? That's what's ahead now on Boss Better Now.

Are there times when you feel like you're being clear but the people around you don't get what you're trying to say? We've got some help for you ahead. Plus, if you want your employees to take more ownership of their work and do more critical thinking around it, you may need to change how you assign that work. Play that theme music now on Boss Better Now.

Sometimes you have to change your plans to reach your goals. That's the real work of resilience and one of the many brilliant insights shared by today's guest. It's happening now on Boss Better Now.

The idea of asynchronous work is suddenly everywhere. Is that a good thing? Plus, a listener asks for advice about an employee overusing an FMLA leave and the toll it's taking on her team. That's what's ahead now on Boss Better Now.

Recent research from Gallup indicates that employee engagement has declined more than 10% since the pandemic. I'll tell you why and how to rally engagement where you work. Plus, I'll read an excerpt from my forthcoming book about the adapt-or-die moment facing businesses and leaders everywhere. That's happening now on Boss Better Now.

The job market is sizzling hot and everyone is still understaffed. So why are you suddenly hearing about layoffs? Plus, I'll give you a 3-word script that earns the respect of your employees every time you use it. Let's get into what's happening now, on Boss Better Now.

The word bullying gets thrown around a lot. But, what is it, and what is it not? And how does it differ from incivility? Most importantly, how do you spot and stop both? We're doing a deep dive now, on Boss Better Now.

Vulnerability has become THE latest, greatest trait that leaders are encouraged to develop. We'll talk about what it is, why it matters, and how to do it without overdoing it. Plus…post the damn salary! We're starting right now on Boss Better Now!

At a time when so many are struggling with retention and turnover, we'll tell you why professional development leads people to join and stay, and how to provide this perk to your people in a variety of ways. Plus, the power of thank you notes…let's dive in now, on Boss Better Now!

Most micromanagers don't know they do it. Might you be guilty of being an oblivious micromanager? Plus, some advice for a listener on delivering bad news. We've got lots for you now on Boss Better Now!

There are a handful of morning routines that research suggests have a notable impact on our health and happiness. Plus, we explore a number of the email responses, auto-replies, rules, and disclaimers that have become popular of late, and whether they really do help you boss better. That's what's ahead now, on Boss Better Now.

Two months ago, and against the advice of experts, I made the riskiest decision in the history of my career. This is the story.

Today's the day! Get ready BossHeroes because my first new book in nearly five years is here! And today, you're getting an exclusive sneak peek. That's right, we're going to reveal the title, the cover, and even share an excerpt. It's happening now, on Boss Better Now!

How do you rediscover your inner strength and confidence after workplace trauma like bullying or discrimination? How do you get back to a place of happiness at work? We'll learn all that and more from my guest today. It's happening now on Boss Better Now.

You just found out your rock-star, superstar top performer is secretly job searching. Why? What happened? Do you say something? Plus, are you properly framing the reward of more work? That's what's ahead now on Boss Better Now.

If you've had staff departures, leaving an exhausted few to pick up the slack, there are a handful of steps you must take, right now, to keep those labor left-behinds from leaving. Plus, how to coach an employee who shuts down in the face of stress or frustration. That's happening now on Boss Better now.

Research suggests there's a small, simple act that, done regularly, can combat burnout. We'll tell you what that is and how to get started with it. Plus, how do you handle conversations about remote work with employees who can't…remote work. We'll tackle that now on Boss Better Now.

Can you really go from stressed to resilient, especially after the two years we just had? My guest today says yes, and she's written the book to help you do it. It's nothing but a G thing now, on Boss Better Now.

How do you get two co-workers with wildly different personalities to flex their style and work more successfully together? Plus, I'll give you a BossScript that's a polite and effective way to ask people to get to the point. That's what's happening now on Boss Better Now!

Have you ever heard a story about a crappy boss and thought “how does that even happen?” Or “what is wrong with people?” This happens to me a lot and we've got one of those stories today, plus, what are the new rules of work clothing? Let's tackle all that now on Boss Better Now!

There are many skills a leader must hone and practice to be a successful boss. One of them – Storytelling – doesn't get mentioned often but is critically important. I've got a special Boss's Day surprise for you right now on Boss Better Now.

Boss's Day is just around the corner. What should you get YOUR boss? Do you NEED to give a gift? And what does it mean if you're a boss and you DON'T get something for Boss's day? We're diving into our favorite holiday of the year now on Boss Better Now!

“Quiet Quitting” is all the rage -- except for the part where it's been around for decades. Plus, a listener asks for help with a manager who is terrorizing her team. That's happening now on Boss Better Now.

Are your switchers who switched regretting their switching? Plus, the common joke bosses make that's doing more harm than good. It's all ahead now, on Boss Better Now.

Why how we sound influences how we lead, what high-achievers at work need to hear from their bosses, and Alyssa shares an introvert mommy fail. It's all coming up on this episode of Boss Better Now.

When politics divide your team, embarrassing moments we can laugh at now, and an entertaining story about the importance of knowing your audience. That's what's on tap for this episode of Boss Better Now.

Are there days when you are too busy or frenzied at work to think clearly? Are there times when you sacrifice the future just to get through today? If you're stuck living the same day or week or problem over and over again, then don't go anywhere. We're joined today by one of the top business thinkers in the world and she's going to teach you how to free up your time, focus on what's important, and achieve your long-term goals. It's happening now on Boss Better Now.

Vacations are just around the bend, hooray! But…they're probably not going to do what you're hoping…plus, How most of the success of being a boss starts with being brave for one minute. That's all ahead, on this episode of Boss Better Now.

The slow decaying of your team's social muscles, profound career advice, and the mic drop moment I had years ago with my very first boss. It starts now, on BossBetter Now.

How can leaders manage disruption when disruption never stops coming? What are the best practices for those struggling with the pace of change? My guest today says that our future depends on changing the way we change. It's happening now on Boss Better Now.

Do you ever feel like there's probably some technology out there - like apps or a website that could help you be more effective in your leadership role, but you just haven't found it yet? Today we're exploring digital tools and tricks for productive productivity, tolerable to-do lists, and making your "boss life" a little bit easier. Come meet "My Nerdy Best Friend" now, on Boss Better Now.

Do you find small talk painful? Do you find it hard to connect with colleagues in our email-driven world? Do you want to have better conversations with employees but don't know where to start? Well, don't turn that…iPhone screen? Today we're talking about asking better questions to create better connections. It's all ahead now on Boss Better Now.

Exhausted employees, not enough staff, and customers who are more difficult than ever before. The last 2 years have created a tsunami of service fatigue in people facing roles everywhere. How do you keep your team serving clients well when they're so exhausted that they just don't give a f…ind out now… on Boss Better Now.

So many conversations these days about what it takes to find and keep devoted employees are missing a key ingredient. I'll tell you what it is and why it matters. Plus, I'll tell you why we need to stop saying there's a staffing shortage. That's what's happening now, on Boss Better Now.