97. On Strategic Thinking - When You Start Turning Over Rocks, You're Going to Find Worms with Prina Shah

Is your knowledge contemporary?

Are you and your team keeping on top of all of the industry changes that are happening, or the contemporary you need to know.

And the reason I ask this is because when I led a huge HR team of, you know, HR professionals, We're the worst people to develop ourselves, I tell you, and I love learning. 

So it was really difficult for me to be in a team that didn't really value learning for themselves. 

So what I did, as a result, in our team meetings, we used to have, one little agenda item ten minutes, and everybody used to take turns in taking this agenda item.

And what it was was what is a cool new thing happening beyond our organization, beyond our little bubble, in our industry or within our specialism that we work in, that we truly to know about. And the person, whoever was presenting or reporting back, would be creative. They might bring a white paper for us to read, or might present to us on this wonderful novel thing happening in the HR world in my world that I was in, or that share whatever else.

So my question to you is, how are you staying on top of All of the things that out there? Of the contemporary knowledge that you truly do need to be aware of, if not for now, then definitely for the future.

Try this example of having just a ten minute agenda item within your team meeting for people to bring some cool new to the conversation. Oh my gosh, your team meeting will be much better for it as well!

Let me know how you go.

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Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace) Shah

Welcome back to another insightful episode of Ways to Change your Workplace, where we strive to create meaningful discussions around improving our professional environments. This week, listen in as I'm joined by Jamie Lee, an Executive Coach from New York, who brings a wealth of knowledge on the complex dynamics women face in office politics.

Together, we unpack the subtleties of navigating workplace hierarchies and the often unspoken rules that govern our career trajectories, especially poignant during International Women's Week.

In our sometimes hilarious and genuinely heartfelt exchange, Jamie and I tackle the reality of being the only woman in high-pressure, male-dominated fields, like hedge fund trading desks and startup leadership teams.

The psychological toll of such environments can't be overstressed, and we discuss how hyper-vigilance affects creativity and presence at work.

We also delve into the exhausting need to conform to masculine behaviors, and the profound importance of maintaining one's integrity amidst the inauthenticity that office politics may demand.

Finally, we address the elephant in the room: workplace toxicity and the quest for parity.

The conversation moves beyond just identifying the issues, as we also share personal experiences and reflect on the larger systemic changes necessary for creating equitable workspaces.

The importance of personal space, the freedom of self-expression, and the impact of leadership on team dynamics are all explored, leaving you with a deeper understanding of the challenges and potential solutions for fostering a fair and supportive professional environment. Join us in this crucial conversation and if it resonates with you, be sure to subscribe for more empowering discussions.

Connect with Jamie:

• Website: https://www.jamieleecoach.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leejieunjamie/
• Podcast: https://podcast.jamieleecoach.com

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Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace) Shah

Are you stuck in the middle as a leader or or a manager? ...

...In the middle of the board, the executive decisions, and then everything that your team and the people that report to you are telling you, and you are stuck in the middle. 

So a bit of a piggy in the middle situation is what you may well be in. 

And when you such a situation when there's change happening in an organization,
especially, you as the manager or the leader have to relay the messaging from the top.

Now, you might not believe in it. You might think it's a bucket of crap.

However, you still have to tow the corporate line, and that's where a lot of internal conflict happens for such people.

So I've got some tips for you in that respect. If you do have in or conflict, and you do disagree with whatever changes, you know, the powers that beer making, but you have to relay it to the rest of your team...

Remain factual. Listen, allow your team to ask questions and respond to those
questions without being emotive.

Truth is you are there to be the messenger of whatever news it is, allowing your motions to get into the mix and, disagreeing with whatever changes have been made, may be career suicide for you.

If you are able to disagree and you have valid reasons and solutions for anti the change,
then absolutely go forth and share. But often, it is the case that the powers that be
in their wonderful ivory towers who often have no idea of what's happening on the ground level, make wonderful decisions. Sometimes they are brain farts (!) sometimes they are really good decisions, that you have to relay back to the rest of the team,
and it puts you in a tough situation. 

So relay the information back without being emotive.

Listen, allow your team to ask you questions.

I wish you well in being the piggy in the middle.

It's a tough one, but it can be done!

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Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace) Shah

You heard it - I am writing a book on leaving a legacy at work!

UPDATE: I have plenty of early readers so doors are now closed. 

This book is:

• For Executives, Leaders and Teams who feel there is more to their 9-5 than simply clocking in and out.
• For those who want to leave the workplace better off.
• For those who want to make work more meaningful.
• For the dreamers, visionaries and change agents who wish to leave a legacy at work, whatever stage and age they are in their career – they know there is something more…!

More about the book:

• It is a practical guide. Your work companion.
• It will challenge you.
• It will develop you beyond your expectations if you apply all the learnings.
• It is more than you – this book will help you to leave a ripple effect of positive change for the better that will impact those around you and those in years to come.

About me, Prina:

• I got disillusioned with work early in my career so I decided to learn the ropes and break / rejig the system, in this book are my learnings. 
• I specialised in organisational culture change and individual behaviour change in my corporate days. 
• I have a BSc in Sociology and Social Psychology and a Diploma of Professional Coaching (and a BA in Contemporary Art – that is a story for another time.)
• I now have my own consultancy business and I host a podcast called Ways to Change the Workplace. Tune in! 
• My email is here, if you want to be an early reader. 
• I love a good bad joke, food and travel – if you want me to speak or develop your people, get in touch! If we work together – muchos laughs and serious conversations are guaranteed.

Learn more about your host Prina Shah and the Ways to Change the Workplace Movement!

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Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace) Shah

Ever wondered how a leader inspires others not just to follow, but to lead in their own right?

Join me as I sit down with Geoff Stewart, a renowned figure from the Western Australian Police Force, whose 45 years of service have shaped his profound understanding of leadership.

This episode is an insight into Goeff's world, from his early days in traffic and forensics to his current influence and focus on senior management and police welfare.

Our conversation is more than just a walk through Geoff's decorated career — it's a deep exploration into the heart of leadership and its potential to create environments where everyone feels valued and capable of greatness.

Geoff's commitment to evolving from a position of authority to one of emotional intelligence and authenticity reveals the essence of what it truly means to lead.

Discover the powerful concept of GDP—being a good, decent person—and how it serves as the foundation for fostering a positive workplace culture as well as building bridges with the community.

This episode is one you cannot miss!

Feel free to reach out to me and Geoff. And connect with Geoff on LinkedIn.

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Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace) Shah

Growth will also feel like loss...

Growth will also feel like loss.
Remember that.
I'm gonna say it again.
Growth will also feel like loss.
Completely so, as we change,
as we go up to new levels, sometimes we shed people It's like,
you know, the analogy of the snake shedding its skin.
There's a loss there. Every time something changes,
we gain something, but we also lose something.
So consider that from your perspective,
growth will also feel like loss,
and that's okay because you're growing.

Keep growing! 

Learn more about your host Prina Shah and the Ways to Change the Workplace Movement!

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Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace) Shah

Have you ever walked into a room so thick with tension it felt like a physical barrier?

That's a telltale sign of an avoidant culture, and it's choking workplaces around the world.

I'm Prina Shah, your guide through these murky corporate waters, and in this solo episode, I'm zeroing in on five distress signals that reveal your environment might just be one of them.

From muffled voices in meeting rooms where open communication should thrive, to the silent march of employees heading for the exit - the red flags are waving, and I'm here to show you how to spot them.

Not only will we uncover the symptoms of an avoidant workplace, but we'll also navigate through the practical solutions that can transform a stifling office space into one that breathes positivity and collaboration.

Without any guest to distract us, this episode is a concentrated dose of insight, allowing us to focus squarely on the strategies that dismantle an avoidant culture.

Whether you're the CEO or the intern, this discussion is crucial because a healthy workplace isn't a luxury—it's a necessity for success.

This isn't just a conversation; it's a call to action for every listener to become an architect of change within their own professional space.

Another episode on how to run a post mortem exercise to learn and create a conversational culture. 

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Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace) Shah

Transform the way you think about workplace meetings and discover the keys to making every sit-down a springboard for team success with communication guru Chris Fennig.

If you're weary of gatherings that go nowhere, Chris's expertise will guide you toward creating impactful and engaging interactions that everyone actually looks forward to.

We delve into the nitty-gritty of why meetings often miss the mark, emphasizing how a shared commitment to effective communication can revolutionize the way we exchange ideas.

By dissecting the anatomy of a failing meeting, Chris arms us with practical tools that promise to rejuvenate our collaborative efforts and foster a culture of productivity and innovation.

This episode is a treasure trove of alternative strategies and thought-provoking insights that challenge conventional meeting norms.

It's not just about troubleshooting; we're reimagining the future of workplace gatherings, where ongoing training morphs every meeting into a rich opportunity for personal and professional development.

Tune in, and you'll be equipped to lead conversations that not only meet objectives but inspire long-term change within your teams.

Chris has been kind enough to share lots for you:

Chris' Website and LinkedIn And ALSO...

• Freebie 1: The First Minute Workbook - A practical tutorial with self-assessment and activities to help you improve the clarity of your communication at work. Based on the multi-award-winning book, The First Minute 
• Freebie 2: A short video series on 15 steps for successful meetings 

Let us know how you went with the episode and learnings!

Learn more about your host Prina Shah and the Ways to Change the Workplace Movement!

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Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace) Shah

Do not self reject!

The amount of friends I have who say, oh, no. no. 

I can't apply for this job or that job because I don't meet a hundred percent of the criteria. 

Fuck that. Who cares? It does not matter.

Your skills are transferrable, and the whole point of applying for a new job or a new opportunity is that you're gonna learn new things!


You're not gonna be that fully perfect person that's just going to know everything and go there from day one and, you know, begin working as if you know everything about the organization. 

No. That is not what is expected of you either!

So please do not self reject. 

There's no need for it.

There's far more to you, and remember your skills are transferable.

So please do not self reject.

Learn more about your host Prina Shah and the Ways to Change the Workplace Movement!

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Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace) Shah

Prepare to navigate the challenges of dealing with dominant people at work with this PRACTICAL episode of the Ways to Change a Workplace podcast. 

Your host, Prina Shah, shares 8 practical strategies to handle situations involving dominant individuals in the workplace. 

She'll lay the foundation by identifying dominant behavior and its manifestations like talking over others, controlling conversations, and micromanaging. Follow on as she delves into the motivations behind such behaviors and highlight the significance of having an open and honest conversation.

As the ep. progresses, Prina will show the importance of building assertiveness skills and setting clear boundaries. 

Learn how to address boundary violations assertively and ensure your voice is heard, your opinion is valued, and the work environment remains positive. 

She also discusses seeking support from mentors, managers, and HR. 

Plus, she will explore when it's necessary to engage a neutral third-party mediator. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with the tools you need to create a respectful and collaborative workplace. 

So, lend us your ears and let's change the workplace together! Listen to Eight Ways to Deal with Dominant People at Work.

Learn more about your host Prina Shah and the Ways to Change the Workplace Movement!

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Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace) Shah