The Workplace Chameleon

Send us a textIn the rush of meetings, pings, deadlines, and distractions, how do leaders hold their ground on what truly matters?In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman explores what it really means to hold the line—to protect priorities, maintain focus, and lead with clarity when everything feels urgent. You'll learn why it's so hard to stay aligned (especially when you're trying to be helpful), how doubt can actually make you a stronger leader, and practical ways to say “not now” without shutting people down. This is the leadership work that builds trust, models boundaries, and creates space for what matters most.Dr. Celina Peerman is an organizational psychologist, speaker, and author with 30 years of experience helping leaders navigate change, develop stronger teams, and lead with more intention. With humor, heart, and a focus on practical tools, she brings real-world leadership insights to every conversation.Download the free companion worksheet to reflect on your own leadership priorities and help your team stay focused this week. Email us at hello@workplacechameleon.com for details.This episode is part of our ongoing season on focus, prioritization, and alignment—because the best leaders aren't doing more; they're doing what matters most.

Send us a textIn the rush of meetings, pings, deadlines, and distractions, how do leaders find what truly matters?In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman explores the difference between noise—the things that keep us busy—and signal—the clarity that guides us.You'll learn how to filter out what's urgent but unimportant, tune in to what matters most, and use powerful team practices to realign your leadership and priorities.Plus, grab the free companion worksheet to help you and your team define the signal and quiet the noise this week.Focus. Prioritization. Alignment.This episode kicks off the path forward.

As leaders, we have a responsibility to communicate with our team about why and how priorities are changing. However, it's crucial to strike a balance between sharing too much and not enough information. Dr. Celina provides useful tips for leaders to determine when to share updates and when to wait.

Imagine a console with several levers, each having a handle that can be moved to achieve a specific goal. The question is, which lever should you move, and how much should you move it? Tune in to Dr. Celina's discussion on decision-making in situations where priorities need to be shifted. Learn how to move the levers with certainty and determination.

Have you had a moment when you know something, but you just can't seem to pull it out of your memory? In this episode, we'll look at the connection between change, recall, and focus. How does focus improve our recall? This episode explores these ideas and ways to improve focus and recall during rapid change on the job.

Do any of our listeners enjoy making lists? How many of you write something on your list just to cross it off? Tune in to this episode to learn more about why it feels good to check something off your list. Dr. Celina reminds us that what we focus on matters, and that check mark means more than we may think.

What frustrates you? Dr. Celina explores the topic of frustration during times of change and how it can lead to a loss of focus. She discusses ways to prevent frustration or recover from it, so it doesn't negatively impact progress. By listening in, you can discover new ways to apply your efforts effectively to the right tasks during times of change and beyond.

In times of change, certain actions should be avoided. Dr. Celina discusses both individual and team behaviors that can help direct the necessary resources and attention toward the change by refraining from other activities that hinder progress. Please prepare a notepad or keyboard to jot down the list of "not now" items.

During times of change, it can be challenging to know which areas require your attention the most. To ensure that you and your team are focused on the most important aspects, Dr. Celina has provided a review of key areas and reflection questions that you can use. It is crucial to remember that not all tasks are equally important, and it is essential to prioritize your time and focus accordingly.

Small wins give us a boost for what comes next. What can you celebrate in the midst of change? Even small improvements can be a win, especially if you are further than where you started. Dr. Celina will give you five key tips for making celebrations count when navigating the sea of change.

Often, we describe change in steps and pace - three steps forward, one step back, four steps forward, --- but ideally, not eighteen steps backwards. What is your next best step? Dr. Celina will examine actions you can take to make that next move, no matter how big or small it is. 

No matter how much change is going on, there is always something that has not changed. When we only focus on what is changing, we often lose sight of what has not changed and that can be the anchor we need to navigate what comes next. Are you stuck and wondering what you could say next time you have to announce or support a change to reassure others? Tune in to find out on today's episode.

The adjustment to change is not a smooth linear process. Have you ever asked yourself what to do if you were on board with a change, but now find yourself in a spot where it is not looking so good? What happens when everyone else is moving forward, yet you are feeling like you are stuck? Listen in and find out what to do when you have changed your mind about a change. 

Another thing.  Oh, and another thing. And another one, too. Ever wanted to pump the brakes on a change? In this episode, Dr. Celina will focus on scheduling what you can and waiting for change that isn't priority right now. Dumping change after change does not work. What can you do to go a little easier with yourself on how much and how fast the changes are coming in. 

How do some people just roll easier with change than others? What is that about? Dr. Celina will explore this mindset and our choice in how we respond, rebound, and adjust. Renew your commitment to adjusting to change better, knowing when, and how to, so we can accomplish the goals and challenges in front of us.

Have you ever heard the expression, "Change is good...you go first." Often we can see the potential, yet we don't want to be the first one to have to experience it. Dr. Celina explores what that's about and possible strategies we can take to undo the scary first step when it comes to change. 

In recent years, a dumpster fire has been a symbol of something in life that is fueled by many things and even more so of chaos. This depicted image has even been made into Christmas ornaments. In this episode, you'll get to listen to Dr. Celina's observation of a real dumpster fire and how it might have other lessons for us to learn during times of change.

"Chicken Little," of childhood story fame; isn't the only one to claim the sky is falling...in her work, Dr. Celina hears many employees make similar fateful statements. We are here to question, why is that? In this episode, we explore the why, especially during change, our brain may go to doomsday instead of hope. 

Have you ever said, "I didn't see that one coming." It is often an expression of bewilderment or angst because of some unforeseen ripple effect due to a decision or situation. While we know change is going to happen, is there anything we can practice or do to help see what the ripple effect is? Dr. Celina kicks off this discussion in a 10-episode series about being change ready as a professional, team, and organization. Let's build some strategic thinking muscle to read our environment, to improve our foresight skills, and be even more ready to adjust and adapt when we need to.

When someone says, "that's not my job," what does it mean? Dr. Celina explores that phrase in this episode and digs deeper into what might be happening in that moment. Explore overload, role confusion, lack of motivation, and more in this episode. Hear the phrase with new insight and questions to ask next.

When you step into a leadership role, you can't do all the work you used to do while taking on new responsibilities...well, you can, but you won't do either very well. In this episode Dr. Celina examines the reasons delegation is difficult. She reminds us that when we don't delegate to allow others to learn, we hold them back. While we don't want to do that, what we can do is delegate better.

Focus and the discipline to select where you center your attention is renewable. In this episode, Dr. Celina connects focus and emotions to choices we make in where our energy goes. Every day we make choices about what we put effort towards. At work, it may be situations, people, emails, or deliverables that require you to choose to see the best of it, while setting aside negative aspects that can derail you, your focus, or your effort.

Leaders must navigate crisis situations with skill, precision, and resolve. This episode examines what great leaders do under pressure as well as what they prepare for before the emergency. Little or big issues, leaders can be ready by thinking ahead and having communication plans in place before they really need them.

Pick a movie and consider the actor who finds themselves away from shore. If they are unprepared or unseasoned for sea life, it can be a panic stricken moment when they lose sight of land. There are many times as leaders or team members where we lose our line sight and may need to regain it. Dr. Celina explores this idea and what we need to do in the moment to respond and regain that direction.

Have you ever encountered a change and thought "that's interesting"? There are a few popular comments out there like, "didn't see that one coming" or "plot twist" when something unexpected happens. Dr. Celina explores these responses to give perspective on how to address the change and offers more insight on questions we can ask when we are adjusting to a new situation or circumstance.

Have you ever heard of quiet quitting? Or have you or someone you know felt disengaged on the job? The question we are addressing today is, why do employees disconnect from their team or organization, and what can we as a leader do about it? Dr. Celina explores signs to watch for and steps to take in this episode to help address and avoid the disconnect in the workplace. 

What can you share? Transparency is important in healthy relationships, it can include sharing the why, telling the truth, being upfront, and more. Dr. Celina pushes on her own boundaries of how much is too much, and shares some recent lessons learned about her own learning in this area. Tune in to understand and find out how to be transparent with your team, coworkers, and yourself even when it's difficult.  

What is the difference between positivity as a choice and toxic positivity? Dr. Celina explores the choices we make about our mindset at work and how feelings impact that. What can a leader do to be positive but not to the point where so much of it is too much? Listen in and learn more. 

Why does defensive behavior show up in teams at work? What can be done to recognize and turn it around? Dr. Celina shares examples and strategies to overcome those moments where defenses go up, walls are built, or attack mode is in gear. Listen in to not only understand your own response but the responses of your team better. 

In your team or organization, where does connection happen in-flow? Improving communication and effectiveness can be even better when we look for improvements at points of transitions between teams, departments, or shifts. Dr. Celina offers ideas about ways to see this with new perspective and points to improve on. 

What is complexity and how does it impact us every day? System thinkers are able to work through the muck of complicated and systematically pull back layers to solve the right problems. Dr. Celina will explore key elements in moving forward in teams even when everything we do seems to impact everything else.

Failure has so much to teach us. Listen in as Dr. Celina looks at failure through a systems thinking lens to identify what leaders can do better for our teams and our own growth. Perfect people in perfect systems need not listen.

Leaders must meet people where they are at and take them somewhere, likely a vision, a goal, whatever they will pursue together. In this episode, Dr. Celina will examine how systems thinking can shape our plan and when the "unknowns" seem massive, she'll offer some options to work through next steps.

Leadership can't happen alone. While leading people, you also lead people in systems, which means we have to understand how all actions in a system impact other elements of the system. What does that mean for you? Seeing the interconnectedness is critical. Listen in to learn what skills you can build to do this better.

Change will happen. Being change ready is a choice. Dr. Celina examines what we should consider before the change happens and what mindset it will continue to take to be our best in the moments of change. Our mindset is one of the best things we can control even during unexpected or unplanned change. Listen in for new content and exciting announcements of what will come in 2023!

It's complicated can be a weighty statement that represents emotion and often a sense of being overwhelmed. It can also be viewed as multi-layered and full of opportunity. How you envision this can be key to your next steps. In this episode Dr. Celina explores the required fundamentals to build complex systems and sometimes the opportunity for improvement is simply...simplifying.

Have you ever fallen in love with an idea? Learn more in today's session why that isn't usually a good idea, how you can detect it earlier than later, and how in a recent simulation with a team falling in love with an idea meant buying Texas and a large herd of goats.

In organizational systems, everything you do has an effect on something else.  A leader has a particular impact because of their position, experience, or other types of power and influence. Dr. Celina focuses on the ripple effect leaders have when they move into a situation that, too often, disrupts or creates chaos for others.

Have you heard the term "struggle bus?" What does struggle mean to you as a professional, and a leader? What can you do about it? Dr. Celina explores steps that we can take to identify and recover from challenges, big and small, that we must tackle to become our best.

What happens when a leader is having a hard time making a decision? Others wait. Opportunity is lost. Misunderstandings creep in. This short and sweet episode explores the state of "wishy washy" decision-making and gives you some quick tips to identify and overcome the moments when fear, perfectionism, or uncertainty take hold.

What role does fear have in change? Dr. Celina explores the choice of change and what helps us or holds us back. Organizations and people must change or be changed. The question then really becomes what choice we will make when the circumstances present themselves or if we engage the opportunity so we can drive it.

By definition, judgement is the evaluation of evidence to make a decision. However, we know in teams and organizations it can become a long line of opinions about who, what, when, and why something is or is not a good idea, of value or to standards. When do decisions help us and when does judgment get in the way of progress? Dr. Celina explores judging others and where it limits our potential on the job and off.

Motivation is simple and complex all at the same time. What motivates you doesn't motivate someone else and what motivates you today, won't motivate you tomorrow because things change. Join Dr. Celina for an episode about motivation in our teams, where gaps show up, and what leaders can do about it.

Leadership is hard. It should be challenging. It should stretch you. With a short message, packed with a punch, Dr. Celina reminds us that the journey of leadership should come with more responsibility and accountability. Using some of her favorite mantras, this episode will fire you up to take on what you need to next. Leaders, you can do this. We must.

Moving from a peer to a formal leadership role is a common change for many seeking new challenges. In this episode Dr. Celina describes the opportunities and potential pitfalls that anyone looking to make that move should be aware of. For those who have already made that change, she'll touch on the lessons learned that she has seen, and ways that you can help new leaders have an even better transition. It isn't an easy move but it's a great move to grow and challenge yourself to the next level of responsibility.

Change is extremely hard when we are not ready. So what can we practice now to increase our readiness for the next shift in our path? Dr. Celina explores that in this episode of what we can do to strengthen our change to ready our muscles before we need to use them at full strength. Whether it is our personal life, work life, role as a leader or team member, increasing our change readiness will help us cross a gap that has been placed in front of us. 

Organizational histories are full of hard things, decisions, hurts, and betrayals. Recent research has added new insights into the role of forgiveness in our work life, a concept often complicated with a faith based approach in the work setting. Dr. Celina explores the gaps that are created when damaged relationships linger and letting go is hard. She focuses on setting down the heavy weight that many employees carry for years, which shades their viewpoints, decision-making, and engagement on the job. She offers tips for leaders to help others through these gaps.

Moving from here to there...a common process and yet, what do we know about the transition in between? In this episode Dr. Celina explores the gap, the in between point and where they show up in daily work. She'll offer some reflective questions for you to consider as you move through various types of transitions and what you might want to include, too, for transitions at work.

If we aren't leading our teams, they are following someone. What else happens when there is a leadership void or someone who isn't prepared or empowered to lead? Dr. Celina explores both the lack of leadership and opportunity it creates to do better than "Simon says" and step in to make an impact where you can.

Dr. Celina takes on the gap of alignment and ties it to strategy. When we don't know where we are going, we end up in all sorts of places, and always the best ones in our teams and organizations. Listen in and explore where gaps of alignment may exist and how, whether as a leader or individual contributor, you can stretch your perspective to see best ways to align resources so we can deliver our very best.

Furthering our conversation and understanding about gaps, Dr. Celina addresses why we should seek them out. While gaps happen because of a deficiency, they are also an opportunity. By uncovering and naming, we can choose what to do next. This is our second episode in Season 3 to address the issue of gaps. Stay tuned in each of the next episodes, we'll address specific types of gaps - trust, communication, perspectives, processes, and more. With over 40 types I have already identified for our next future episodes, there is so much we can look at. Join us for more discussion and learning about what we do to close the gap.