Better At Work with Cathal Quinlan

• Christmas Episode 2025: Help Annette Ban the Word 'Problematic' | Better at Work 2025 Wrap-Up

  Our final episode of 2025! Cathal and Annette wrap up the year with takeaways from last week's Smart Conflict episode - plus Annette has a hilarious problem: she can't stop saying the word "problematic."In this Christmas special, we review key lessons from Alice Driscoll and Louise van Haast's brilliant conversation, thank our amazing community, and ask for your help with Annette's vocabulary crisis.IN THIS EPISODE:- Christmas catch-up with Cathal and Annette- Why last week's Smart Conflict episode is perfect for family gatherings- Annette's 3 takeaways from Smart Conflict- The 5 R's framework: Reflection, Regulation, Readiness, Response, Repair- Singles tennis to doubles tennis: Shifting from adversarial to collaborative- Annette's "problematic" word problem - we need your help!- Why "problematic" has become problematic- Thank yous to the team: Phoebe, Harrison, Grace- Thank yous to listeners: Angela Collins, David Monroe, Linda Menos, Jesse- Preview: Russell Beck on World of Work to 2030 (first episode back January)- Christmas wishes and 2026 excitementANNETTE'S 3 SMART CONFLICT TAKEAWAYS:1. The 5 R's Framework - Reflection, Regulation, Readiness, Response, Repair. If you're short on time, focus on REPAIR.2. Singles Tennis to Doubles Tennis - Move from adversarial (me vs you) to collaborative (us vs the problem together).3. The Decision Tree - Should I have this hard conversation? The book has a decision tree that helps you work through it.THE "PROBLEMATIC" CHALLENGE:Annette has banned herself from using the word "problematic" after realizing she says it constantly. She needs a replacement word that isn't "aligned" (already banned), isn't too rude, and works professionally.Help Annette! What should she say instead?RESOURCES:Smart Conflict Book: How to Have Hard Conversations at WorkAuthors: Alice Driscoll and Louise van HaastLast Week's Episode: Smart Conflict with Alice and LouiseWebsite: betteratwork.netInstagram: @betteratworkABOUT BETTER AT WORK:Making your work life better, one conversation at a time. New episodes every Thursday.We're back in January 2026 with Russell Beck discussing the World of Work to 2030.Submit your career dilemma: betteratwork.netThank you for an incredible 2025! See you in January 2026.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Cathal, Annette, and the Better at Work team!

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• Smart Conflict: How to Have Hard Conversations at Work | Louise van Haast & Alice Driscoll

  Louise van Haast and Alice Driscoll, co-authors of Smart Conflict: How to Have Hard Conversations at Work, join Cathal in-studio for a masterclass in navigating workplace conflict.This is our first in-studio episode with 4-camera setup - and it looks stunning.If you've ever avoided a difficult conversation, taken feedback too personally, or struggled to speak up at work, this episode is for you.IN THIS EPISODE:- Where their passion for conflict work began- How they met and decided to write a book together- The two main conflict styles: harmony-seeking vs goal-focused- "Get curious, not furious" - the principle that changes everything- Alice's story: "Feedback isn't that I don't like you"- Ripcord phrases to exit conversations gracefully- Louise's lesson: "Just because you're good at it doesn't mean you enjoy it"- The Conflict Style Quiz (both individual and team)- Practical scripts for hard conversationsKEY INSIGHTS:"Get curious, not furious. Whether you're someone who avoids conflict or someone who charges straight in, this principle applies. When you notice you're getting furious, pause and get curious instead." - Louise and Alice"Every time I heard feedback, I was collapsing it into 'you're not good enough.' Then someone finally said: 'You know this feedback isn't that I don't like you, right?' It was a light bulb moment." - Alice Driscoll"Just because you're really good at something doesn't mean you enjoy it. And just because other people think you should keep pursuing it doesn't mean you should have to." - Louise van Haast"I wasn't expecting to have this conversation. I need some time to reflect so I can give you a considered response." - Ripcord phrase for exiting conversationsABOUT LOUISE VAN HAAST AND ALICE DRISCOLL:Louise van Haast and Alice Driscoll are executive coaches, conflict specialists, and co-authors of Smart Conflict. They help leaders and teams navigate difficult conversations with confidence and skill.Louise started her career in advertising where she witnessed high conflict and big egos. She became passionate about finding better ways to navigate workplace tension.Alice grew up as the hyper-aware child analysing family dynamics. She went on to work in human rights NGOs where conflict was constant. Through painful self-awareness moments, she learned how to navigate difficult conversations effectively.Together, they've created practical frameworks for handling workplace conflict without avoiding it or escalating it.RESOURCES:Book: Smart Conflict - How to Have Hard Conversations at WorkWebsite: thepowerhousecompany.comConflict Style Quiz: thepowerhousecompany.com/quizIndividual and team versions availableCoaching Programs: thepowerhousecompany.comABOUT BETTER AT WORK:Making your work life better, one conversation at a time. We tackle the real challenges of modern work with practical advice you can use immediately.New episodes every Thursday.Guest interviews and listener Q&A episodes.Website: betteratwork.netInstagram: @betteratworkSubmit Your Question: betteratwork.netNEXT EPISODE:Listener Q&A with Annette - Takeaways from this Smart Conflict conversationSubmit your career dilemma: betteratwork.net

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• Stuck in a Grad Program That Feels Too Narrow? Here's What to Do | Listener's Questions

  A listener on a graduate program asks: "I'm not learning what I expected. The role feels narrow. I want to be an entrepreneur. What should I do?"Cathal and Annette tackle this question with practical advice that applies to ANYONE feeling stuck in a narrow role, not just graduates.Plus: Cathal shares what it was like meeting Dermot Kennedy (and whether he lived up to expectations).IN THIS EPISODE:- Why large organisations are "friend factories"- The 5 things to do when your role feels limiting- How to use "easy" time for work-life balance- Side hustles vs full-time entrepreneurship- Getting involved in company-wide projects- Why you won't know what you learned until later- Meeting Dermot Kennedy: Did he live up to expectations?- The Tig Notaro/Taylor Dayne story everyone should hearANNETTE'S 5 PIECES OF ADVICE:When your job feels too narrow or not challenging enough:1. Find your people - Your workplace is a "friend factory." Build friendships that create belonging and resilience.2. Use the time wisely - If work is easy, use that space for work-life balance, volunteering, or building future skills.3. Reflect deeply - Name exactly what frustrates you, then counter it with innovation projects or improvements.4. Find mentors/coaches - Shadow people, join employee action groups, get guidance from those ahead of you.5. Give it time - You won't know what you learned until you're in your next role. Patience reveals the value.CATHAL'S ADVICE:- Talk to your manager about getting involved in company-wide projects- Consider a side hustle on weekends (test entrepreneurial ideas)- Join internal committees (People Development, Innovation, etc.)- Give it a year before making big decisions- Be proud you got the role - grad programs are incredibly competitiveKEY INSIGHTS:"Your workplace is a friend factory. Spend time finding your people and making friends at work. Those friendships build belonging, purpose, and resilience when the day-to-day isn't energising you." - Annette"You probably won't really know what you've learned from this time until the future comes and you go, 'I grew there, I learned about myself.'" - Annette"Give it a year. You're already six months in. Talk to your manager, get involved in other projects, maybe do a side hustle on weekends." - CathalRESOURCES:Website: betteratwork.netInstagram: @betteratworkSubmit Your Question: betteratwork.netABOUT BETTER AT WORK:Making your work life be

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• How to Build Your Personal Brand (Even If You're Terrified) | Carlii Lyon

  Carlii Lyon helped me start this podcast 5 years ago. Today, she's sharing her journey from terrified first-timer to leading personal branding expert—and her new book "Courage to Be."If you've ever felt too scared to put yourself out there, this conversation will change how you think about courage.💡 KEY INSIGHTS:"I was that person who was terrified. I was that person who thought she was going to throw up the first time she posted on social media. I was that person who stood in front of an audience for the first time and was shaking with sweat pouring down my body. I was that person who went on TV and cried before the interview and straight after the interview. The only way through it is through it.""Courage really is about faking it till you make it. Of course you don't know what you're doing. Of course you're afraid. But courage is doing it anyway.""Be impeccable with your words—not just with others, but with yourself. What you say to yourself, you'll make true.""Add massive value to people you want to connect with—so much so that they can't ignore you."📚 ABOUT CARLII:Carlii Lyon is a personal branding expert, author of "Courage to Be," and the person who helped Cathal start Better at Work 5 years ago. She specialises in helping professionals build their influence and attract the right opportunities through authentic personal branding.📚 RESOURCES:🌐 Website: carliilyon.com (or carliilyon.com.au)📖 Book: "Courage to Be: Build Your Influence and Attract the Right Opportunities"🎙️ ABOUT BETTER AT WORK:Making your work life better, one conversation at a time. New episodes every Thursday, with listener Q&A episodes bi-weekly.🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode!📸 Instagram: @betteratwork🌐 Website: betteratwork.netNEXT EPISODE:Listener Q&A EpisodeSubmit your questions: betteratwork.net🎙️ Want to be a guest or submit a question? betteratwork.net

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• Why I Started Better at Work (And Where We're Going Next) | Listener Q&A with Cathal Quinlan

  You asked, we answered. In this special listener Q&A episode, co-host Annette turns the tables and asks Cathal the questions we usually ask our guests.This is the story behind Better at Work: why it started, what we're building, and where we're going next.💡 KEY INSIGHTS:"People invest so much time in personal trainers to help them look better. We're like coaches to help you have a better day at work. What about in the world of work? What do you need to do? Set your intention going into a meeting. Think about how you can do this presentation to the best of your abilities. All of these little tweaks help you have a good day at work—and that'll make you feel great.""We're joining the dots from all these researchers, all these experts across all the fields. We've identified 100+ topics that we're distilling and bringing the nuggets so we make it easier for you to be better at work.""Most people experience work through who their leader is. Most people experience culture through who their leader is. So if we could help more leaders, that would be transformational."📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:🌐 Better at Work: betteratwork.net📸 Instagram: @betteratwork📩 Submit Your Question: betteratwork.net/questions✨ ABOUT THIS EPISODE:This is a special format where we flip the script. Usually, Cathal asks the questions. Today, his co-host Annette interviews him about the journey, the mission, and the future of Better at Work.If you've ever wondered, "Who is this Cathal guy and why should I listen?" - this episode is for you.Shoutout to our amazing community members mentioned in this episode: Helen, Sarah, Angela Collins, and David Munro. Thank you for being with us on this journey!New episodes every Thursday.Listener Q&A episodes are bi-weekly.🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode!NEXT EPISODE:🎙️ Carly Lyon - Personal Branding Expert | New Book LaunchSubscribe so you don't miss it!#betteratwork #careerdevelopment #workplacewellness #ProfessionalDevelopment #leadership #worklifebalance #podcast #ListenerQA #originstory #corporatewellness 🎙️ Want to submit a question? betteratwork.net

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