Cubicle Confidential

Tune in to hear Chris and Tim discuss “Lessons in Strategery Part One and Two.”  You'll understand the title when you hear the podcast. We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn!

Tune in to hear Chris and Tim discuss “Lessons in Strategery Part One and Two.”  You'll understand the title when you hear the podcast. We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn!

“Oops you made a mistake, that's all … and making mistakes is never fun” was a jingle from a decades-old cartoon series.  Truer words were never sung.  Blunder … error … gaffe … mis-step … oversight … blooper … many terms share that singular, sinking feeling when you realize you messed up in a big way. We help listeners own up and make amends when things go awry at the office.  Jack shares the story of an impromptu acoustic performance that saved a concert waylaid by technical difficulties.Segments in this episode:Not Ticking all the Boxes in Vancouver – “We shipped a large order to an overseas customer and I just realized I sent the wrong stuff!”They're all Johns in Indiana - “OMG … I told the wrong John Smith he'd been promoted and given a raise.”The Gist: “How to Apologize for a Mistake Professionally” by Genevieve Northup, MBA, SHRM-CP, HCI-SPTD as posted on Indeed.comWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Send your emails to info@cubicleconfidential.comThanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn!

Leading a high-profile initiative can be daunting … even more so when you're coordinating team members scattered around the globe. We help listeners tasked with getting the job done while navigating different languages, cultures and work styles. In honor of July 4th, the Cubicle Crew reminisces about the magic of fireworks.Segments in this episode:We're Not in Kansas Anymore - “Help! I'm about to lead a global initiative and this will be my first time traveling outside the U.S.”Here, There and Everywhere in New York- “I have real concerns about coordinating a virtual team … these people are based in 17 different countries!”This Week in Pyrotechnics: A bottle rocket is a small firework made of a cylindrical case filled with combustible material, attached to a guiding stick. The stick can be placed in a bottle or other vessel to help control the rocket's launch direction. Bottle rockets can be dangerous and are considered unguided missiles that can travel at speeds of almost 200 miles per hour.  These characteristics appeal to Jack and Tim; Chris … not so much.The Gist: “Top 10 Tips For Managing Multicultural Teams” by Mursal Hedayat (accessed via Chatterbox.com and originally published on Forbes.com)We want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Send your emails to info@cubicleconfidential.comThanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn!

As the saying goes, “Life unfolds at the office.” Feeling sad or down is a normal reaction to disappointing or difficult times. But when a low mood stretches from days to weeks it can be difficult to sleep, think or work. If you feel depressed, take the first step by talking to a mental health professional, your doctor, a friend or loved one. This week we hear from a listener reluctant to disclosure his struggles even as they impact his performance. Another listener expresses concern for a colleague whose cheerful disposition might be a façade.Segments in this episodeDown But Not Out In Madison - "I'm depressed and finding it hard to work, should I tell someone at my office or just wait for it to pass?”Faking Joy In Seattle - "My co-worker is pretending to be happy but I can tell it's an act … what should I do?”The Gist: “Depression Attacks: 8 Steps To Cope With Sudden Depression And Anxiety” medically reviewed by Julie Dodson, MA as posted on BetterHelp.comWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Send your emails to info@cubicleconfidential.comThanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn!

A new title, more responsibility, better pay and perhaps a little prestige … what could be bad about getting promoted?  This week we help listeners grappling with the complexities and consequences of “moving on up” the corporate ladder.  Chris probes Tim about his quasi-agrarian roots.Segments in this episode:Down About Moving Up In Bloomfield - “I got promoted and now my work friends are giving me a hard time”Up For Grabs In Chattanooga – “I'm one of four vying for two promotions, how should I rate my competition during our 360 review process?”The Gist: “Explaining Game Theory” – the Cubicle Crew introduces this branch of behavioral economics. Is it possible to predict the way two or more seemingly-competing parties will act in a given situation?  Would you make the choice that most benefits you, or cooperate to maximize outcomes for all?We want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Send your emails to info@cubicleconfidential.comThanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn!

Honesty is the best policy, but … the early bird gets the worm. Which idiom can save a listener from being an idiot? Next, an honest mistake does real harm … how to handle damage control when you unwittingly spill the tea about a job change. Is it just me, or has tipping gotten more complicated? Plus, a wild and wonderful tale from Wildwood.Segments in this episode:A Wasted Opportunity in Omaha - “If the boss is drunk, thinks you're someone else, and offers you a high profile project, do you accept?”Spilling the Beans in Bakerfield - “I congratulated a client on his new job in front of his bosses who didn't know he was leaving”The Gist: “How to Handle Social Gaffes at Work” from Monster.comWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Send your emails to info@cubicleconfidential.comThanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn!

This week we help listeners master the mid-day meal: one wants in on the action, while another wrestles with the cost of lavish lunching. Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive. Reflections on different types of lies. Segments in this episode:Not Clicking with the Clique in Chicago - “How do I crack the boy's club at lunch?”Food for Thought in New York City - “Eating out with my boss is costing me a fortune!”The Gist: “Do You Believe In White Lies?” by Barbara Field (from VeryWellMind.com)We want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Send your emails to info@cubicleconfidential.comThanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn!

What to do when work travel gets awkward? How to deflect when another couple wants to join your vacation. How to navigate a work trip when teammates become roommates. Chris reflects on his time as an instructor at a school for new consultants and the classical motif puer mingens makes a surprise appearance.Segments in this episodeTwo's Company, Four's a Crowd in Cleveland - "I am taking my girlfriend to Europe and my work pal wants to make it a double date”Budding Bedroom Blues in Las Vegas - "Good news: I get to go to Las Vegas for work. Bad news: I have to bunk with a co-worker.”The Gist: “How to Travel with Someone Whom You Don't Like” by Jessica Jazz (What a cool  name!) as posted on Medium.comWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Send your emails to info@cubicleconfidential.comThanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn!

Religion … money … politics … in the modern workplace almost no subject is off limits. This week we help a listener in Texas do the two-step when his new teammates talk politics. The Gaylord hotel, the Curse of Knowledge and the toppling trees of the biosphere are a few more ingredients in this week's stew.Segments in this episode:Damned if You Do, Damning if You Don't in Lubbock - “My new coworkers talk politics all day … do I dare reveal myself as being on the other side of the aisle?”Chris shares his “A-E-I-O-U” framework for enabling productive engagement and fostering genuine dialogueThe Gist: “How to Change Someone's Mind” by Katy Scott as posted on INSEAD.edu. This though-provoking piece references “1,001 and One Nights” and Scheherazade's psychological judo.We want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Send your emails to info@cubicleconfidential.comThanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn!

This week we help listeners shake up the status quo. What to do when your comp doesn't match your contribution to the business?  Next, how to start a job change when you think you've found some greener grass. In honor of Mother's Day:  Chris, Tim and Jack share memories of traditions both old and new. Science Corner: Butler's Law of Conservation of Self-esteem.Segments in this episode:Hacked or Hacked Off in New Jersey - “My boss is trying to commandeer my commission”Word of the day:  An adjective … 11-letters … meaning “next to last” (but in the common vernacular often used incorrectly as a synonym for “last”)Angling for a Dream Job in Memphis - “How do I land a position with one of our vendors?”We want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com.Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn!

Given the transient and mobile nature of the modern workforce, is poaching an ethical dilemma or a smart sourcing strategy? We help a restaurant owner contemplate countermeasures when an upscale rival raids his roster. Next, Chris and Tim help a consultant calm the waters when he is accused of aiding and abetting a defection. Also, a spirited point-counterpoint on the concept of “brunch” and a few confessions about runny eggs.Segments in this episode:Dine and Dash in Austin - “The restaurant up the road is swiping my servers”Scrambled not Poached in Spartanburg - “My client thinks I pilfered his people”The Gist: “The Ethics & Etiquette of Employee Poaching ” by Cherone Duggan (Workable.com)We want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com.Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn!

Tim's much-maligned reference shelf includes the American Heritage dictionary which defines a crush as:  “a usually temporary infatuation.” This week we help listeners work through the twists and turns of office obsessions. Chris waxes poetic about the rotary phone and the dating scene at Illinois Bell. Plus:  back by popular demand – the word of the day!Segments in this episode2Good 2Be 4Gotten in Tulsa- "My boss is hot. Can I? Should I? How do I?”Word of the day:  A noun … 10-letters … defined as “the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous pattern” … can you guess the word?Daddy Issues in Des Moines - "We are dealing with a perilous paternal paradox”We want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com.Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn!

Sometimes it's hard to stand out from the crowd, sometimes it's hard to hide.  We help listeners chart a course into -- and out of – the spotlight. Plus: an apology to Sean Evans, the “pretend agent” that launched a career, and the all-too-common confusion around Patrick Stewart and  Patrick Swayze.Segments in this episode:TV NV in NYC - “I want an internship but I'm not in Kansas anymore”Kitemath is an award-winning design team specializing in corporate communications. They work across media to solve problems and help companies connect with their employees, consumers and other key audiences. We thank Chris and Jen for designing our new logo.  Learn more about this amazing firm and the high-impact work they do at Kitemath.com.It's Funny until someone Dies in Pittsburgh - “OMG, I emailed a carton about a stupid boss to my stupid boss”The Gist: “5 Ways to Make a Lasting Impression” by Jeff Vijungco from TheMuse.comWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Recreational marijuana is all the buzz but what happens when Mary Jane dances a little too close to the office? We explore the complicated tapestry of state law, company policy and individual liberty. Is pot the new alcohol or is it a little more complicated?  On a completely unrelated topic … Chris, Tim and Jack talk about their favorite binge-worthy snacks. Segments in this episodeTaking the High Road in Durham - “I saw my employee smoking a joint!”Purely Hypothetical Scenario: If – for whatever reason – you suddenly get the munchies, what is your go-to snack?Dazed and Confused in Vancouver - “My staff wants a new kind of office party”The Gist: “Marijuana in the Workplace … How to Craft an HR Policy” as published by HSIWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

When does a stretch goal become a fool's errand? This week listeners share their challenges with unrealistic expectations both foreign (from a client) and domestic (from the boss). Chris shares one of his favorite tools for assessing personality types and channels his inner Ross Perot.Segments in this episodeBaffled in the Bay Area - “S.O.S., the boss is setting beyond-audacious growth targets!”Fishing for Sponsors: DiSC® is a personal assessment tool used by more than one million people every year to help improve teamwork, communication, and productivity in the workplace.  Learn more at DiSCProfile.comDoing the Hustle in Houston - “My client's fake deadlines are causing real problems”The Gist: “10 Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Customers ” by Skye SchooleyWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Intelligensia Artificialis is not a real phrase but it should be. We tackle two takes on the omnipresent A.I. system, Chat GPT. How can a freelance writer stay relevant? If you find time in your day, should you ask for more work (or just play)? We close with a quick tour of A.I. trends for 2024. Bonus quiz: what do acoustic guitar, snail mail and cloth diaper have in common?Segments in this episodeMan vs. Machine in Philly - "How can I keep A.I. from taking my writing gigs?”Fishing for Sponsors: Back by popular demand … a live, on-air taste test of spicy gummies from Pakistan, made possible by our friends at ExoticSnackGuys.comHAL's the Word in Hartford - "Chat GPT cut my writing time in half, should I ask for more work?"The Gist: “Will A.I. Take Your Job? Fear of A.I. and Trends for 2024” by Kazimierz RajnerowiczWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

What to do when a co-worker's pride and joy becomes your noisy nemesis?  A cry for help as the office devolves into a petting zoo. In a first for the podcast, we help two listeners from the same company! Plus, an homage to a dark chocolate-enrobed peppermint confection.Segments in this episodeHound from Hell in Accounting - “How do I handle this furry miscreant?”An interlude: waxing poetic about the York Peppermint Patty (and the other Peppermint Patty)To Hell with this Menagerie in Accounting - “The office looks and smells like Noah's Ark”The Gist: “How to Create a Pet Policy for Your Office” by Julie Thompson from Business.comWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Sharing the gym – and the locker room – with coworkers can lead to some uncomfortable encounters! Tune in to hear Chris and Tim help listeners avoid pulling a hamstring when access to amenities gets awkward.Segments in this episodeExorcised in LA - “My boomer boss wants me to be his workout buddy”Fishing for Sponsors: The StopAlong serves impressive pizza, burgers and more! The Wicker Park and Logan Square locations are both walking distance from Tim's house … how great is that? Check out the menu www.TheStopAlong.comMy Private Parts Stay Private in Jersey - “I'm the only one wearing a towel in the company locker room”The Gist: “Amenity Downsides: When an Employee Shower Becomes a Liability” by Peak Construction (Rosemont, IL)We want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com, tweet us: @cubicleconfide1 and connect with us on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Did you know the number one fear in America is glossophopia? Chris and Tim help a listener manage their high anxiety. Next, they discuss how to tap the brakes on an unreserved rookie without crushing his spirit.Segments in this episodeNaked Below the Waist in Boston - “I am so nervous about presenting to senior management”Fishing for Sponsors: A live, on-air taste test of banana candies from Serbia and Croatia, made possible by our friends at The Exotic Snack GuysLoud and Proud in Savannah - “The new kid is sharp but chimes in early and often”The Gist: “America's Top 7 Phobias” by Dr. Kathryn Soule, Anxiety SpecialistWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com, tweet us: @cubicleconfide1 and connect with us on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

In this episode, Chris and Tim offer advice on collaborating with co-workers from around the globe. The hosts discuss a resource for assessing and developing “cultural competence.”  Are you a Gemini? You are if you like great food served in a comfortable, welcoming setting!Segments in this episodeDefending or Offending in St Paul - "How do I help a non-assertive co-worker without playing into a stereotype?”Fishing for Sponsors: Gemini is fabulous American restaurant in Chicago's beautiful and historic Lincoln Park neighborhood. Chris heads there to enjoy a juicy steak grab or grab a burger while relaxing at the bar. Learn more at www.GeminiChicago.comA Dream Team in Dallas - "How do I break the ice with my new, multi-national team?"The Gist: “Cultural Competence: The Nuts & Bolts of Diversity & Inclusion” by Mercedes Martin and Billy Vaughn from Diversity Officer MagazineWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com, tweet us: @cubicleconfide1 and connect with us on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Tune in to hear Chris and Tim help listeners navigate the sense and sensibility of eating at the office and weigh the risks and rewards of drinking with clients. Is there a new sponsor on the horizon? Only time will tell …Segments in this episodeFlabbergassed in Baltimore - “The new girl is stinking up our office!”Fishing for Sponsors: Freeze-dried crunchy bears? The Exotic Snack Guys scour international marketplaces for unique and limited items! Check them out at www.ExoticSnackGuys.comThree Sheets to the Wind in Phoenix - “Trying to close a deal with a client that likes to imbibe”The Gist: “12 Do's and Don'ts for Drinking with Clients” by Andrew SealeWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com, tweet us: @cubicleconfide1 and connect with us on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

How do you deal with a little old lady who happens to be a liar and a slacker and a favorite of the owner?  Can you advance as the nice guy at a firm full of cut-throat alphas?  In this episode Chris and Tim share advice for dealing with office a-holes.Segments in this episodeSweet Old Lady My Ass in Omaha - “She's a total jerk but the owners love her!”Nice Guys Don't Even Get in the Race in Boston - “I need to be an asshole to get promoted?”The Gist: “5 Proven Tactics For Dealing With Jerks At Work” by MeiMei FoxWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com, tweet us: @cubicleconfide1 and connect with us on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

This week Chris and Tim give tips on starting a job search and navigating changes to the work from home policy. We also talk through some practical advice for a smooth re-entry after a vacation.Segments in this episodeFrozen in Place in Pasadena - “I'm done with my job but can't get past my fear of leaving!”Tag, I'm IT in Wichita - “Help! My office is about to end our work-from-home policy.”The Gist: “Going Back To Work After A Vacation: 5 Tips” by Beth Braccio HeringWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com, tweet us: @cubicleconfide1 and connect with us on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

In this episode we wade into the waters of the grumps, the grumblers, the bellyachers and malcontents. Chris and Tim offer advice on dealing with whining in the workplace and share takeaways from an article on dealing with chronic complainers.Segments in this episodeFlabbergast In Fremont … "OMG, my new staff person just asked for an easier assignment!”STFU in Jeff City - "My neighbor in the office complains about everything and everyone!"The Gist: “6 Ways To Deal With Chronic Complainers” by Gwen MoranWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com, tweet us: @cubicleconfide1 and connect with us on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

This week we hear from listeners struggling to toe the company line when they have reservations about the products they're asked to sell. Tune in to hear Chris and Tim discuss navigating company misfires and reflect on some epic marketing fails.Segments in this episodeElectrifying Bad in White Plains … “Our dealership just got the new EV and it sucks!”No Tips if you Do, No Job if you Don't in Geneva “What if our lunch special isn't so special?”RIP: New Coke and the American Airlines AAirpassWe want to hear about the drama, the dilemmas, and the conundrums that you face at work! All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent.Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com, tweet us: @cubicleconfide1 and connect with us on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening!Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Tune in to hear Chris and Tim discuss “Lessons in Strategery Part Two.”  You'll understand the title when you hear the podcast.These next two weeks will be a little different here at Cubicle Confidential. Tim McClure, the owner of Blue Oak Consulting LLC will be the substitute co-host with Chris De Santis while Mary wraps up a very busy year at her firm Careerstone Group.While Mary will be missed, all is not lost.  We're going to take this opportunity to learn about strategy, a topic Chris find interesting but knows little about it, luckily Tim does, and he's got stories to prove it.Tune in to hear Chris and Tim discuss “Lessons in Strategery Part One and Two.”  You'll understand the title when you hear the podcast. We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

These next two weeks will be a little different here at Cubicle Confidential. Tim McClure, the owner of Blue Oak Consulting LLC will be the substitute co-host with Chris De Santis while Mary wraps up a very busy year at her firm Careerstone Group.While Mary will be missed, all is not lost.  We're going to take this opportunity to learn about strategy, a topic Chris find interesting but knows little about it, luckily Tim does, and he's got stories to prove it.Tune in to hear Chris and Tim discuss “Lessons in Strategery Part One and Two.”  You'll understand the title when you hear the podcast. We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

During a recent Managing Up presentation, Mary received some questions about dealing with a variety of bosses. She thought it would be fun to get Chris' input on them, too!Tune into this week's episode to learn how to work with an impulsive boss, ask for help when you're spread too thin, share your achievements with your manager, and so much more!We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us at: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us at @cubicleconfide1.  All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

This week we hear from a listener trying to figure out how to select a candidate for a promotion, one seeking to climb the corporate ladder, and another one who realized their new role isn't all it's cracked up to be.Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' advice surrounding giving promotions and getting promoted!King Solomon's Redux in Virginia has two perfectly suited candidates for a promotion but only one slot. They're both outstanding at managing their respective retail stores and this promotion will elevate one to regional manager. Beyond filling the regional manager slot with a qualified candidate, they're also tasked with adding more diversity to the management cadre. How can they keep both of these fantastic performers while only promoting one? Do This Not That in Texas works for a retail chain and excels in product placement when stocking shelves.  They've increased sales by 10-15% on certain products based solely on where they put them. Unfortunately, their manager never gives them the credit they deserve. Being at the bottom rung of the ladder, how can they get the attention of senior management and supercharge their career?Charles Doesn't Want To Be In Charge in Spokane just got promoted and discovered they HATE managing other people. They're tired of dealing with their scheduling needs, questions, and sucking up. This clearly isn't the job for them, but the pay is significantly better. They'd much prefer to just do their old job. Is there any way they can make this work or should they just look for a new job that pays the same without the added responsibilities?We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: at info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: at @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Do office holiday parties get you in the festive spirit or turn you into the Grinch?Our listeners are navigating some ho, ho, horribly awkward holiday situations at work.Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' advice on how to handle this season with a little extra joy and cheer!Shit Canned at Christmas in Atlanta got laid off from his job and his fiancé—who works at the same company—wants him to attend the annual holiday party with her as if nothing happened. How can he get through this event and answer the question “how's it going” when things aren't going well.Santa's Secret Is Safe in Stanford in participating in the company's annual Secret Santa. Unfortunately, they drew the name of their boss' boss. The spending cap is set at $20 for a gift and the present is supposed to be funny. They work for a health sciences lab which is an industry that doesn't lend itself to people with great senses of humor. Is there a way they can make a favorable and fun impression?In The Spotlight, Again, in Fremont got a little bit out of control at their annual Christmas outing last year. They were overserved and ended up as the talk of the office for months. Eventually, the chatter died down but now everyone is making jokes at their expense again. They even received a visit from a person in HR who reminded them what is considered appropriate at office functions. Should they attend the party again this year and if so, how do they overcome last year's shame?We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us at: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us at @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

When was the last time you did something brave in your job or career?This week, we hear from listeners trying to find their voice in meetings, harness extra energy for a retreat, and confront an executive about bogus expense receipts…Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' advice on how to channel courage in the workplace!A Sleuth on The Loose in Chicago just started his first real job out of college in a firm where everyone but him has a business degree from a fancy Ivy League school. In meetings, he feels intimidated by the business school crowd—who take up all the air space and seem to do nothing but state the obvious. How can he share what he knows without freezing up and being talked over?Sharing Is Scaring in Buffalo has to attend a weekend firm retreat in Florida. The retreat is part team-building and part learning. She doesn't mind the learning part, but she loathes the idea of team building for an entire weekend. There will be networking sessions between offices, levels, and affinity groups. As an introvert, she finds the thought of all this overwhelming. How can she survive all these days and nights without losing her energy (and her mind)?Pocketing Change in Philadelphia works in accounting for a consulting firm. They handle invoicing and reimbursing employees for expenses. Recently, they noticed that a senior employee's expense reimbursement requests consistently lack the necessary receipts for things like cabs, meals, etc. This person does this way more often and in greater quantities than anyone else in the office. Word among the staff is that he may run this firm one day. Is this issue even worth bringing forward?We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: at info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: at @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

What work situations make you cringe?Some of our listeners find themselves stuck in awkward situations and need support to figure out what to do!Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' advice about job changes, connection requests, and honest feedback. Worried About a Gaffe with The Government works for the government with a good job that boasts a great salary and benefits. Unfortunately, their job is being phased out. They interviewed for a highly prestigious position, but this organization expects them to accept the job without providing salary information. Should they take a chance and accept the offer hoping for the best or should they voice their concerns?Avoiding The Awkward in Arkansas has a “friend” who is launching a new business and has asked our listener for her help in securing new business through introductions to our listener's client base. The problem is that our listener doesn't want to help. After multiple unsettling personal and professional interactions, they don't want to have their name associated with this person and certainly don't want to waste their clients' time with someone they don't respect. How can they gracefully decline this request?Is Honesty the Best Policy in Hanover has their annual review coming up, and in addition to sharing a narrative on their accomplishments and challenges, their boss wants them to give him feedback on his management style. The problem is that he's not a very good manager and they suspect he's not very open to feedback based on their history with him.  How honest should they be with their feedback and what's the best way to deliver it to him?We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Decisions, decisions!This week, our listeners are trying to decide if they (or others) should stay in their jobs or move on to greener pastures… Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' advice on retirement, switching jobs, and making other big career choices (for yourself and others!)A Few Cards Shy of A Full Deck in Denver has spent 45 years at the same company--working their way up from the mailroom to the C-suite. They now find themselves at a crossroads – either retire or continue to work as a contract employee. They don't need the money, so they could easily retire but they can't picture themselves sitting around. If they stay, they'd report to a former direct report who isn't the sharpest tack in the box. Can they tell the powers that be that this project manager shouldn't be managing at all?A Curtain Call in California works in HR and has the unwelcome task of talking to senior partners about retiring. They don't have a formal retirement age, so some partners stay way past their expiration date. Their contributions have been declining and they cause angst in the other partners. How do they go about having this difficult conversation?Painted Into a Corner in Houston's father started their paint business nearly 53 years ago and it has grown into a seven-store chain. Now, it's being run by second and third-generation family members but their father still comes in every day. If he doesn't like what's going on in a store, he'll grab the employees and make them do things the way he thinks they should be done. Our listener is supposed to confront his Dad about this, but it's still his business. Is there any way they can get Dad to see things differently?We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: at info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Do you strive for fame and fortune?Some of our listeners do, too and others have already achieved it.In this week's show, Mary and Chris address the wins and woes of being famous!Too Big for His Breeches in Boise runs a management training company. Their business is booming. To meet client demand, they farm out much of the work to subcontractors, and one of their most popular contractors is using his reputation to demand more money than the other subcontractors. How can they keep him in the fold without ruffling any feathers with the rest of the contractors?The Big Bang Theory in Trenton had an employee perform an amazing act at one of their production facilities recently. She caught an error that literally prevented the plant from exploding. However, she's not the best worker otherwise – so bad, that she's actually on a Performance Improvement Plan. After this big save, she thinks she's untouchable. How can they convince her or management she needs to be moved on or moved out?What Wood You Do in Minnesota has a side hustle that's growing in popularity so much so that they might have a shot at being an influencer. They take their knowledge from their full-time job and relay it to their side hustle. They're worried because the company they work for doesn't allow part-time jobs and they're very private in how they operate. What should they do if, and/or when their company finds out?We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Are you more of an optimist, pessimist, or realist?This week, we hear from listeners who find it challenging to work with bosses or coworkers on the other end of that spectrum. Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' advice on how to bridge that gap!No Motion with This Lotion in Memphis works for a boss who is wildly optimistic, yet not too practical. He recently set an unrealistic sales goal for their latest skincare line. How can they respectfully convince their boss that this goal is unrealistic?Cassandra Works Here works next to a negative Nancy. Nothing is ever going well for her – not in her life, job, family, or health. Every time she opens her mouth, she says something tragic. They're at their wit's end. What can they do to avoid sending in a letter of resignation?Half As Good or Twice As Bad in Dallas manages a team with two employees who couldn't be more different. One is always upbeat and hopeful but makes little mistakes while the other finds fault in everything but is a high performer. Can these two be fixed? We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

All human beings have a neuropsychological need for status. We need to feel that we are worthy and valued in the eyes of others. So, what happens when people lower our status? Or when we feel our status gets in the way of positive workplace relationships? A Star is Made and Born in Kentucky feels his increased status and success as a professional in the big city has impacted his ability to connect with her hometown friends and family. You Talkin' To Me in Upstate New York just got snubbed by some executives at her company. She was invited to attend a planning meeting with upper-level management only to be talked over and dismissed. Should she say something?No Tall Poppies in Poland believes that touting one's accomplishments to others is arrogant. They were brought up to be humble and unassuming. However, now they worry that their exaggerated humility may be hurting their career…We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Do you know the number one aspect of creating high-performance organizations?If you said trust, you nailed it!This week, we hear from listeners who want to earn trust or learn to trust. Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' advice on creating a culture of trust in the workplace.Catering To My Needs in Portland is the first to admit they're a micromanager. Paying attention to details has gotten them to where they are now. Their recent promotion means they'll do more managing and less “doing”. Quite frankly, they don't trust the people reporting to them to produce the same quality work that they did. How can they learn to let go and still maintain control from on high?Fool Me Once in Fremont works in accounts payable and is tired of getting thrown under the bus by a senior manager in another department. Out of the blue, that same senior manager wants our listener to co-lead a corporate-level process improvement initiative to streamline invoicing. It's an opportunity to be seen by the higher-ups but knowing this manager's history, they fear they could end up just being the fall guy. Can they say yes and if so, how do they avoid the bus?Faking It in Phoenix has been asked to go to college campuses to do recruiting. They have been paired with someone they find arrogant, loud, and inappropriate. The problem is that the other guy acts all charming around potential recruits, but when they're not in front of recruits, he's a total jerk. They're supposed to look like teammates, but our listener has a hard time pretending to like this guy. Any advice on how to get past his obnoxiousness?We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: at info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

On this week's re-release schedule, we have a fan favorite from Season Two – “It's Not Me, It's You.” This episode is all about dealing with annoying people because, unfortunately, they always have been and always will be a fact of life at work.Let's be honest—sometimes other people are just a pain in the a**. In this week's show, Mary and Chris address a myriad of listeners' challenges in navigating difficult colleagues and situations. Feeling Like a Highschooler in Scottsdale is being iced out by her colleagues. They treat her like an outcast. Is there any way she can turn this situation around? Should she tell her supervisor? Confront the mean girls? Or just call it a day?Happy to See You in Hoboken is trying to convince her colleagues that hiring for culture fit is just as important as hiring for skills. How does she make her case and change their minds?Serenity Now in Santa Ana has a business partner (who is also her husband) who barrages her all day long with texts. How can she get him to stop or at least organize them into a semblance of a to-do list?  Join us next week for an all new episode!We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

This week, we're re-releasing our most popular episode from Season One and third most popular episode of all time – Promotion Motion. If you're here to accelerate your career, you came to the right place and won't want to miss this greatest hit!Are you trying to climb up the corporate food chain? Trying to crack that promotion code? Or are you tired of being passed over for promotions? If so, then this episode is for you!Mary and Chris answer questions on how to power up your promotion prospects. Hint: Just doing your job isn't enough…We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Next up on our re-release schedule is a timeless classic! We're heading all the way back to the Season One for this fan favorite – “My Boss Sucks” to help our listeners deal with their bad bosses.“Conflicted on the Crew” wants to know if and how he should intervene on a difficult boss. “Recovering in Rhode Island” needs advice in dealing with a gaslighter. Tips abound in this episode for navigating difficult and toxic bosses!We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Did you know that only 48% of Americans use all their vacation days?You have paid time off for a reason, and taking a vacation reduces stress, improves well-being, and boosts productivity, so it's important to capitalize on that benefit!This week, we hear from listeners who don't want to let their PTO go to waste. Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' advice on how to ask your boss for some me time.Use It Or Lose It in Atlanta hasn't taken a vacation in seven years, so they've been banking their time off. Recently, their company changed their PTO policy to a “use it or lose it” system. Their existing 14 weeks of vacation time must be used within the next 24 months, or they lose it. If they want to use it all up at once, they could be gone for weeks or months at a time. They recently received a promotion, so they fear taking their PTO time now could leave a bad taste with their company. Can they fulfill their dream of sitting on the beach while staying in the company's good graces?Anchors Away in Charlotte received an invitation to speak at a nonwork-related conference in Oslo. The company they work for has several big plants in Germany, so they thought they could use their work budget to pay for their trip to Oslo. Is it ethically dubious to mix work with personal and what's the downside if someone finds out about the nonwork-related conference?In Need of A Little Me Time in Honolulu is supposed to be on vacation yet they find themselves sitting with an open laptop answering emails. They've been fielding questions from their boss and subordinates almost every day and, with the time differences, they're working into the evening. While they can put aside the questions from their subordinates, they feel obligated to address their boss' questions. How can they tell their workaholic boss that they need some me time?We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

We're taking a little trip down memory lane to revisit one of our most popular episodes! This week, we're traveling back in time to Season Two to relearn how to navigate generational friction at work – which is essential to succeeding in today's multi-generational workplace!Do generational differences have work have you perplexed? Annoyed? Confused? Do you look at other generations at work and think to yourself WTF?Well, Chris De Santis is here to help! In honor of his newly published book Why I Find You Irritating: Navigating Generational Friction at Work, Chris and Mary answer questions from multiple generations about how to deal with each other.“Ants in My Pants in Ann Arbor” wants to turn down a promotion to travel the world. After 4 years in the workforce, they feel they need a break. WTF?“My Way or the Highway in Hawaii” is frustrated that their young employees don't want to come into a physical office. Yet, they complain that they don't feel “connected” to the firm. WTF?“He Who Has Had It with Them in Everywhere USA” doesn't know what to make of the focus on pronouns. After 30 years of work experience, he is having trouble making sense of this “pronoun thing.” WTF?PPS: Mary says that Gen X is really the greatest generation ever!!!!Show us your love! Please give us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Are you looking to make a move within your company?Maybe you want a new role or maybe you are trying to decide whether to change bosses.This week, we hear from listeners interested in advancing their careers and setting themselves up for success at work. Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' advice on mentorship, internal mobility, and moving up the corporate ladder!Alice in Corporateland, Minnesota  is new to corporate life, and she doesn't think she is prepared for it. Both of her parents worked for themselves. While her parents are supportive, they know nothing about a big corporation. She was assigned a buddy to help show her the ropes, but her “buddy” has only been at the company for a year. Now that she figured out where the restrooms are, how can they get a promotion?From Balance Sheets to Silk Sheets in Cincinnati  works in the accounting department of a luxury goods company. They've been there for three years and love the company but not their job. They would rather work in marketing. The company runs a mentoring program which could be a great opportunity to get to know someone in the marketing department but they don't want their future mentor to think they're trying to use them. Is there a way to go about this without potentially offending someone they might report to one day?Mentored Or Tormentored in the Big Apple  works as an analyst at an investing firm. The best performer at the company is a hard ass with a short fuse. She has a terrible reputation as a manager but a great one in the industry. They'd like to learn more about what she does but were cautioned that she goes through analysts like nobody's business. It's like “The Devil Wears Prada” x10. Could this be a great opportunity or a horrible mistake? We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Let's go around the world in 30 minutes!Our listeners are working across the globe, and they need our help dealing with time changes that leave them always on the clock, bridging cultural gaps, and transferring overseas.Tune in to travel to workplaces far and wide with us in this episode!Not Enthralled with Being On Call in Milwaukee works for a company with offices in Asia, France, and the U.S. None of the organizational leaders are based in the U.S. which means she must attend virtual meetings at all hours of the day and night. She's not getting any sleep – and she has a newborn at home. She's starting to feel the strain of being on the clock 24/7! What can she do to get her bosses on board with having meetings that don't start at 4 am or 11 pm?!Offended Not Befriended in Atlanta is a consultant for an India-based IT firm and is struggling to connect with her U.S. clients. She learned that her colleagues possess multiple misconceptions about India – some of which are offensive. Being the only woman on the team and coming from a country that adheres to the organizational hierarchy, how can she correct them without coming across as not being a so-called “team player” in the American sense?Anchors Away in LA works in the diversity space of “Big Law” and wants to get transferred from their firm's U.S. location to their offices in London. The firm has over 1,800 lawyers in the U.S., Canada, and various European countries with London as their main office. She's never been outside of the U.S. and would love to take this opportunity to work overseas. Her boss is on board but said that she'll have to make a case to the managing partner in the London office. Any tips on how she can sell herself and convince them to bring her on board?We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

What's a dish that's best served cold?Yes, you guessed it! We're talking about revenge.This week, we hear from listeners who aren't interested in forgiving and forgetting but want to get back at their perpetrators. Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' advice about whether or not, revenge is a dish that should be served at all…Here Not There in Zelienople is dealing with a revengeful colleague who is bitter that she got a better office space at the new HQ than he did. Now, this bitter colleague is making her life miserable. To make matters worse, our listener has a dotted line reporting structure to this person. The office space allocations were determined by the VP of HR who likes things the way they are. How can they respond to petty revenge tactics while still maintaining a professional relationship?Tips On Lying in Louisville is a bartender at a neighborhood watering hole and has a regular customer who NEVER tips. It turns out another customer has a crush on the non-tipper. When the interested party expressed interest in the cheapskate, our listener told her that the guy has a drinking problem. They lied and now feel awful since knowing them both, they think the two would hit it off. Is there a way to fix this without looking like a s*%#?Givers To Takers in Gurney works as a floor manager at a distribution center. He was up for a promotion and part of his plan was to have lunch with the boss and talk about ways they can improve the physical movement of inventory at the plant that would save both time and money. Interestingly, he didn't get the promotion, but his boss eventually did. Guess what? Six months later his boss introduces the improvement plan as his idea. What a piece of work! How can he get even with his boss for not only robbing them of their promotion but stealing his idea?!We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Are you afraid to give feedback? Does the idea of giving someone difficult feedback give you cold sweats? Well, fear no more, because, in this special episode, Chris and Mary are joined by author and feedback expert Joe Hirsch! Joe shares his wisdom on how to give fearless feedback. If you want to have more caring, candid, and collaborative conversations, Joe shows us how.Joe Hirsch, author of The Feedback Fix, helps organizations design and deliver feedback without fear. An internationally recognized expert on leadership and communication, Joe has earned accolades from Fortune 500 executives to NFL coaches for his forward-thinking approach to improving organizational culture and effectiveness. Described by Wharton professor Adam Grant as a “breath of fresh air,” Joe makes research-based practices more accessible to improve the way people work, learn, and lead. (Yes, he's putting that shiny Ph.D. to good use.)In The Feedback Fix, Joe presents a bold alternative to traditional feedback techniques and performance management practices. He's shared that message as a TEDx and international keynote speaker with Fortune 500 leadership teams, members of the U.S. armed forces, and close to 10,000 others across three continents.Joe's work and research have been featured in Harvard Business Review, Inc., Forbes, CNBC, The Wall Street Journal, and other major outlets. When Joe isn't on stage or hosting his popular podcast, I Wish They Knew, he's probably doing something outdoors with his wife and four boys.Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Have you ever made a decision and then almost immediately regretted it? Or maybe you've been sold something that wasn't quite what it seemed?This week, we hear from listeners who are in some sticky situations that they're looking to get out of or turn around. Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' advice on how to make lemonade out of lemons!The Bavarian Blues in Paramus took a job at a company because of the opportunity to work overseas. Well, the company kept their promise and they plan to send our listener to Germany for 18 months. The problem? They don't want to go anymore. They met someone recently and want to see where it goes. Plus, they don't want to move to a small town in Bavaria. They like the work they're doing stateside but took the job knowing that a temporary move was part of the deal. Any thoughts on whether they can have it both ways?Color Blind to Your True Colors in Omaha is a store manager for a popular health and fitness chain. They were recently informed by HR that an employee has complained about not being allowed to bring her authentic self to work. She feels the company uniform and how she's being told to interact with customers doesn't conform to how she sees herself. She's quick to anger and shows little patience with customers or staff. If authentic means she can be an asshole, they want no part of it. How can they navigate this new terrain?On Hold in Houston accepted a job for a “people first” company where they were told we "empower our people” to make the customer happy. Well, they're at a call center where they can't even get up to use the bathroom without permission. If they spend too much time trying to resolve a customer concern, the floor manager walks over and debriefs the call with them – implying they did something wrong. Lunch isn't even an hour.  They've only been there three months, but it feels like a lifetime.  Is it too soon to quit? What do they tell an interviewer? And more importantly, how do they not fall for a scam like this again?We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

We're going back to the beginning and reviewing our ABC's……and in this case, we mean Always Be Closing in relation to making sales.This week, we hear from listeners who could use some extra support to close deals. Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' top sales advice!Beauty's Only Skin Deep in Sacramento just started her first job at a popular beauty products chain. She's a salesperson and the job pays minimum wage plus commission. She's never sold stuff before and asked two other people who are good at it how to sell but they both looked at her funny – like she asked a stupid question. She thinks they might view her as competition because if she makes a sale, then they don't. Any sales advice for beginners?Growing A Team in Milwaukee manages a group of five lawn care salespeople. The summer season has arrived and it's a great opportunity to sell and upsell customers. One of their salespeople, Barb, is a star. She's the best performer and can sell anything. Two of the other employees are decent – one knows lawn care and the other knows lawn equipment. Then there's the new one who is amazing with the technical aspects but can't seem to close a sale. How can they turn their sales team into five Barbs – or is that even possible?Small But Mighty in Fairfield is working on a pitch for a potentially big client. They're a small consulting firm with only six employees, two of whom are admin. Their fear is that because they're a small team, the client might think they aren't big enough to take on the project. How can they make the most of their team to impress them and convince them they're fit for the job?We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

There are some new kids on the block!Gen Z'er's are entering the workplace and they're bringing their opinions, feelings, and social awareness with them.Some of our listeners are struggling to understand and work with this younger generation. Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' strategies to maximize the potential of these new youngsters in the workplace.Trigger's A Horse in Houston wants to know what the heck “being triggered” means. They had a weird experience at an employee orientation session where they explained the consequences of not storing equipment properly. Working in a manufacturing facility with robotic equipment on the line means misplaced tools can be hazardous – and result in potentially losing a limb. Well, that set this one lady off and she goes to HR claiming she was triggered by being exposed to violent scenarios. WTF – doesn't safety trump feeling triggered?! Hacked Off By Her Hacking in Palo Alto works in IT at a mid-sized law firm. They just hired a new employee who has been there a month and has already found several serious flaws in the IT systems. They should be happy because she's doing great work, but her people skills --or rather lack of this--are a problem. Frankly, no one on her team can stand her. While she may be right, she makes people feel stupid. They'd love to keep her because of her amazing contributions, but her behavior is doing serious damage to team morale. What should they do?NoZ in LA is 23 and just started working at an accounting firm. Their new boss is a self-described “Millennial” and wants to understand what makes us Gen Z tick. They told their boss that they don't see themselves as a category or even part of a group. She gave them an odd look and backed away. Now the boss thinks they have an attitude problem – which they don't. How can they explain who they are without getting into what they may or may not be based on what the boss has read about Gen Z?Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!

Career mobility might not be as straightforward as you think……because not everyone actually wants to move up the corporate ladder (shocking, we know!)This week, we hear from a listener wanting to move up, one looking to step down, and one ready to move across. Tune in to hear Mary and Chris' advice on how to take control of your career – no matter where you want to take it!All That Sparkles Is Not Gold in Virginia would like to convince her boss not to promote her. She also has no interest in managing people – she likes her current role as a salesperson and she's good at it. If she says “no” to the promotion, she's afraid her boss will promote a guy, whose romantic advances she spurned a while back. She's afraid if he gets the promotion, he'll make her life miserable. What should she do?Lumbering Along in Jeff City is 62 years old and manages a lumberyard in Missouri. The owner is 79, in failing health, and asked if he could run the place. While he loves the owner, he wants to retire in three years and doesn't see himself taking on all the additional headaches of running the whole organization just to leave in a few years. Should he come clean and tell the owner he doesn't want the job (which will break his heart) or does he take the job until the owner passes?Padre Conoces Mejor in Alburquerque works for a third-generation local Mexican restaurant chain. He's one of three siblings in the family business. He and his two sisters each manage a location. Their father wants him to take over. Two problems: his sister runs a much better operation, and he doesn't want to run the business. He wants to be a chef, not a manager. Their father is old school and thinks the business needs to pass down to the son. How can he get past his father's biases and make himself, his sisters, and his father happy?We're here to help you succeed! Send us your workplace dilemmas or career questions. Email us: info@cubicleconfidential.com or tweet us: @cubicleconfide1. All names will be changed to protect the guilty and innocent...Thanks for listening! Connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter!