How to Be Awesome at Your Job

Dina Denham Smith shows you how to use a leadership transition to strengthen relationships, expand your network, and find new ways to grow. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The first step in dealing with a change in leadership 2) Why it’s worth investing in a relationship with an interim manager3) Why it pays to know the “operating preferences” of your new manager Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1190 for the full transcript!— ABOUT DINA — Dina Denham Smith is an accomplished executive coach who draws on her background in organizational psychology and first-hand executive experience to help senior leaders and teams at world-class companies such as Adobe, Netflix, Goldman Sachs, PwC, and Sephora thrive. Dina has written more than 70 articles on leadership and career success for outlets such as Harvard Business Review and Fast Company. Her work is also frequently featured in other global media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and the BBC. She is the lead author of the bestselling book, Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work.• Article: The Keys to Succeeding Under a New Manager• Book: Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work• LinkedIn: Dina Denham Smith• Website: DinaDSmith.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Book: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl• Past episode: 275: How to Manage Your Manager with Mary AbbajaySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kerri Garbis breaks down how to make your communication more effective by making your practice more effective. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The three stages to prepare for any kind of speaking 2) Quick techniques to help reduce your nervousness3) Why practice feels boring—and how to fix itSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1188 for the full transcript!— ABOUT KERRI — Kerri Garbis is the CEO and founder of Ovation Communication, a firm that trains global business leaders in the nuanced arts of Professional Presence and Speaker Development. A certified Business Etiquette and Emotional Intelligence expert and seasoned Professional Speechwriter, her expertise culminates in her book Presentation Skills for Managers, published by McGraw-Hill.Evolving from a professional actress as a kid to empowering today’s business professionals, Kerri's journey weaved through The Baltimore School For The Arts to Syracuse University, where she graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre. She shares her actionable insights on effective preparation and presentation in her widely-viewed TEDx Talk, "How To Rehearse Anything."Offstage, Kerri's quest for the quintessential French fry mirrors her approach to professional excellence. She notes that “sometimes it's a sprinkle of salt that makes all the difference.”• Book: "Presentation Skills For Managers, 2E (Briefcase Books)"• AI Rehearsal Tool: BRAVO• Instagram: ovation_communication• Facebook: Ovation Communication• LinkedIn: Ovation Communication• YouTube: Ovation Communication• Website: GetOvation.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Book: "Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away" by Annie Duke• Book: "The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control" by Walter Mischel• Past episode: 253: How to Speak Out…Without a Freak Out with Matthew Abrahams• Past episode: 614: Making Smarter Decisions When You Can’t Know Everything with Annie Duke• Past episode: 683: How to Break Free from Negative Self-talk and Chatter with Ethan Kross• Past episode: 1184: How to Know When to Quit with Lindsay CrouseSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leslie John makes the compelling case for why we need to open up more in work and in life.— YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The surprising upsides to oversharing 2) The easiest and loveliest thing to overshare3) Why it’s a good sign when people cringeSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1186 for the full transcript!— ABOUT LESLIE — Leslie John is the James E. Burke Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. Her award-winning research appears in top academic journals and media, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist. She is the author of the new book, REVEALING: The Underrated Power of Oversharing. A Canadian-born, professionally trained ballet dancer, she now calls Boston her home, where she lives with her husband and two young sons.• Book: Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing• Instagram: @proflesliejohn• LinkedIn: ProfLeslieJohn• Website: ProfLeslieJohn.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Tool: zeeg• Article: “Will Blue Light Glasses Improve Your Sleep?” by Christopher M. Barnes• Book: Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara• Book: Broken Plea: The Explosive Search for Truth Behind the Idaho Murders by Christopher Whitcomb• Video: The Announcement: Magic Johnson• Article: “My Medical Choice” by Angelina Jolie• Podcast: "A Very Fatal Murder" The Onion PodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lindsay Crouse reveals the surprising signs that your grit may be working against you. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) How purposeless endurance keeps you stuck2) How small acts of quitting can make bigger decisions better3) Why we’re so afraid to quit–and how to get over it Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1184 for the full transcript!— ABOUT LINDSAY — Lindsay Crouse is an independent producer and journalist and author of The Case for Quitting: The Surprising Benefits of Opting Out. A 15-year veteran of The New York Times, her Emmy-nominated work on women’s sports brought widespread change to the industry, including maternity protections for elite athletes sponsored by Nike. In The Times’s Opinion section, she wrote and commissioned widely read essays and produced hundreds of short documentaries, including commissioning The Times’s first Academy Award-winning film. A life-long competitive distance runner, she graduated from Harvard College, and lives in New York City with her family.• Book: The Case for Quitting: The Surprising Benefits of Opting Out – Revolutionary Strategies for Personal Growth and Shifting Your Mindset on Success• Instagram: @lindsaycrouse• Website: LindsayCrouse.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Book: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith• Past episode: 798: How to Have Difficult Conversations about Race with Kwame Christian— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Shopify. Sign up for your free trial at Shopify.com/awesomepodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gina London discusses how to hone in on your presence and purpose to distinguish your communication. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The one communication skill AI still can’t replace or replicate 2) How to train your brain for more confidence3) The habits that undermine your credibility and presenceSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1182 for the full transcript! — ABOUT GINA — From Farmland, Indiana, to boardrooms around the world, Gina London has spent her career helping people find their voice. Founder and CEO of Language of Leadership, Ltd., Gina is an American entrepreneur based in Ireland, a dual U.S.-Irish citizen, and a trusted advisor to leaders across nearly 60 countries.A former CNN correspondent and Emmy-winning journalist, she now coaches executives, government leaders, and high-performing teams on communication, leadership, and influence.Gina is an adjunct professor at University College Cork, a columnist for The Irish Independent, and author of Amplify You: How to Power Up Your Connections in an AI World. As AI gets smarter, human connection is the essential skill that sets us apart.• Book: Amplify You: How to Connect More Powerfully in an AI World• Instagram: theginalondon• LinkedIn: Gina London• TikTok: @theginalondon• Website: GinaLondon.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • App: How We Feel• Book: Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time by Susan Scott• Book: The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier• Past episode: 487: Communicating Powerfully, Succinctly, and Clearly with Erica Mandy• Past episode: 700: How to Make Your Anxiety Work For You with Wendy Suzuki— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Shopify. Sign up for your free trial at Shopify.com/awesomepodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matt Abrahams explains the pitfalls of outsourcing your communication to AI—and how you can use it to enhance your communication instead.— YOU’LL LEARN — 1) Why polish is no longer an advantage—and what is 2) The many ways AI can hurt or help your communication skills3) How “Costco credibility” helps you win moreSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1180 for the full transcript! — ABOUT MATT — Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. As a Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, he teaches popular classes in strategic communication and effective virtual presenting. He received Stanford GSB’s Alumni Teaching Award in recognition of his teaching students around the world. When he isn’t teaching, Matt is a sought-after keynote speaker and communication consultant. He has helped countless presenters improve and hone their communication, including some who have delivered IPO road shows as well as TED, World Economic Forum, and Nobel Prize presentations. His online talks garner millions of views and he hosts the popular, award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart The Podcast. His previous book Speaking Up without Freaking Out: 50 Techniques for Confident and Compelling Presenting has helped thousands of people manage speaking anxiety and present more confidently and authentically.• Book: Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You're Put on the Spot• AI ChatBot: ChatMatt• LinkedIn: Matt Abrahams• Newsletter: Think Fast Talk Smart• Podcast: FasterSmarter.io• Website: MattAbrahams.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: “Individual differences in adult decision-making competence” by Wändi Bruine de Bruin, Andrew M Parker, and Baruch Fischhoff• YouTube: Brendan Dell• Book: "Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up" by Patricia Ryan Madson• Past episode: 1010: Getting the Most Out of Generative AI at Work with Jeremy Utley— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Shopify. Sign up for your free trial at Shopify.com/awesomepod• Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees!• Fitnexa. Get $10 off the SomniPods3 with the link and code AWESOMESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Marilee Adams shows you how to ask the questions that drive improvement and innovation. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) How your inner questions shape your decisions and behavior 2) Why brainstorming often falls short–and what to do instead 3) The hidden assumptions that limit your thinking and creativity Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1171 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT MARILEE — Marilee Adams, PhD, award-winning author, is a pioneer in inquiry-based coaching, leadership, and organizational culture. The originator of the Question Thinking methodologies, she is CEO and founder of the Inquiry Institute and a consultant for organizations large and small. Dr. Adams is an affiliate instructor for Weatherhead’s Executive Education Program at Case Western Reserve University and for ten years was an adjunct professor in the Key Executive Leadership Program at American University.• Book: Change Your Questions, Change Your Life, Fifth Edition: 14 Powerful Tools for Leadership, Coaching, and Results• Book: The Art of the Question: A Guide to Short-Term Question-Centered Therapy (Wiley Series in Couples and Family Dynamics and Treatment)• Email: [email protected]• Website: InquiryInstitute.com• Tool: Choice map— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Book: How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth by The Moth, Meg Bowles, Catherine Burns, Jenifer Hixson, Sarah Austin Jenness, Kate Tellers, Chenjerai Kumanyika, Padma Lakshmi• Book: The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better by Will Storr— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Shopify. Sign up for your free trial at Shopify.com/awesomepod• Monarch. Get 50% off your first year with code AWESOME at Monarch.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DJ DiDonna makes the case for why taking more extended time off helps professionals get further in their careers–and shares tricks for actually snagging that time. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) How to convince your boss to let you take a sabbatical 2) How sabbaticals act as “regret insurance”3) How to plan a truly fulfilling sabbaticalSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1169 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT DJ — DJ DiDonna is a senior lecturer of business administration at Harvard Business School, where he teaches MBA courses on entrepreneurship and building meaningful professional and personal lives. He has spent his career translating social science research into real-world tools for positive change. In 2019, DiDonna founded The Sabbatical Project to define, explore, and research the role of sabbaticals in modern life. He has helped organizations around the world—from nonprofits to Fortune 50 companies—design and implement sabbatical policies.His work has been featured in The Atlantic, Harvard Business Review, Time, Fast Company, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. Previously, DiDonna cofounded EFL Global, a fintech company that enabled more than $2 billion in capital to underbanked businesses and individuals across twenty countries before its acquisition in 2018. DiDonna earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. On his sabbatical, DiDonna walked nine hundred miles on pilgrimage in Shikoku, Japan, helped lead the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities at his undergraduate alma mater, Notre Dame, and unskillfully remodeled his kitchen. Outside work, you can find him plotting how to be in the Big Outdoors.• Book: Big Time Off: The Transformative Power of Sabbaticals and How to Take One by DJ DiDonna• LinkedIn: DJ DiDonna• Website: TheSabbaticalProject.org• Website: djdidonna.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Tool: Voice Dream Reader• Book: The Three-Body Problem (The Three-Body Problem Series, 1) by Cixin Liu• Book: Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career by Herminia Ibarra— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Shopify. Sign up for your free trial at Shopify.com/awesomepod• Monarch. Get 50% off your first year with code AWESOME at Monarch.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.