Cubicle Confidential

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 episode Electrifying 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 G...

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 miss...

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 litt...

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 work...

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 on...

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 atten...

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 i...

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 b...

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...

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 usi...

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...

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...

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 t...

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 naviga...

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, th...

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 navigati...

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. U...

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 th...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 Th...

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...

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 p...

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 w...