Don't Do That!

Welcome to another episode of with Karen and Anee. Today we’re talking about something that feels obvious but often goes unspoken: people are not okay. Across the workplace, in our communities, and in the world more broadly, people are carrying more than we can see. You may have noticed it. It shows up as more fatigue, more reactivity, more disengagement, or just a general sense that something fee...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with Karen and Anee. Today we’re talking about facilitation. Facilitation is probably not a part of most professional’s vocabulary. But you’ve likely encountered this skill set in meetings, at retreats, or training - when the person leading has control of the room, makes everyone feel engaged, and creates great conversation. That’s facilitation! In this...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That ! Today we’re talking about executive coaching. Is it a powerful leadership tool—or just expensive advice? Executive coaching used to be something mostly reserved for CEOs and senior executives, but now you see everyone from new managers to seasoned leaders working with coaches to think through career decisions, leadership challenges, and big transitions...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! We're talking about banter - you know, shooting the breeze with your coworkers. Those “water cooler” moments build company culture and boost productivity. Yet, the expectations around social interactions can make some professionals feel left out or excluded. In this episode, we discuss: The benefits of social interaction and banter How employees from di...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with your hosts Karen and Anee! Today, we’re diving into racism at work, specifically for Black professionals. Many Black professionals have had interactions at work that hurt or just feel icky. After the experience, we are left asking ourselves “Was that racist or nah?” In this episode, we discuss: The subtle ways racism and anti-Blackness shows up at...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with Karen and Anee. We're talking about success — and the story we’re often told about how it’s earned. That success requires struggle. That you have to “pay your dues” to deserve it. But is that actually true? Have we collectively accepted the idea that success can’t exist without hardship? In this episode, we discuss: The adage of “paying dues” which...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with your hosts Karen and Anee! Today, we’re diving into today’s job market and the best strategies to land your next gig. We are joined by executive recruiter, Rory Verrett .  In this episode, we discuss: The job marker as we know it has changed. The Trump Administration with the help of DOGE gutted many federal agencies. The government shutdown furlou...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with Karen and Anee. Today, we’re diving into the complicated reality of quitting — and staying — in today’s workplace. In this episode, we discuss: How workplace loyalty has shifted — the median tenure is now just 3.9 years (BLS 2024) Why 75 % of workers plan to stay put through 2027 (Forbes 2025) What “quiet quitting” really means (Gallup 2024) How so...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with your hosts Karen and Anee. Today, we’re talking about the language of work — and how “professional speak” has become its own dialect. You know the one: “Let’s align,” “I’m at capacity,” “Let’s take this offline.” In this episode, we unpack how trendy corporate buzzwords have quietly replaced clear communication — and why that matters. From email ur...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with your hosts Karen and Anee! Today, we’re diving into the idea of work-life balance. We unpack what aspects of work culture support or prevent work-life balance. In this episode, we discuss: The negative impacts of America’s “always-on” work culture How employers can support well-being through flexible work hours, more vacation days, and better benef...

In this episode of Don’t Do That!, we’re reflecting on our first season of the podcast. We are joined by Jael Henry , podcast producer.  In this episode, we discuss: The most memorable episodes and what resonated as co-hosts and producer. The most surprising moments and what we learned about podcasting! Some key takeaways are: Start the thing and find the people to take it from ok to great! If you...

Today, we’re getting personal. We’re talking about our leadership styles. We dive into the experiences that have influenced our approach to leadership, including characteristics we want to model or avoid.  In this episode, we discuss: Tips to develop your personal leadership style The life experiences that shape our leadership style and how we want to keep growing Some key takeaways are: Leadershi...

In this episode of Don’t Do That!, we talk about the intersection of social media and the workplace. From personal brand-building to blurry boundaries, we explore how professionals can use their online presence to amplify their work—without crossing the line. In this episode, we discuss: How Arnold Ford, an educator and vice principal at a school in Philadelphia, uses his platform as a timeline cl...

This time, we’re unpacking the traumatic experiences we have at work and how to heal. Workplace trauma negatively impacts our mental, emotion, and physical wellbeing. These negative experiences erode our sense of self, shatter our professional confidence, and perpetuate narratives of exclusion. In this episode, we discuss: The emotional and physical impacts of belonging uncertainty How Melissa Gol...

This time, we’re unpacking cultural heritage months—those calendar moments like Black History Month, Pride, Women’s History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month (and so many more). Should we still be celebrating these at work? When done right, they can create belonging, visibility, and accountability. When done wrong, they can feel hollow, obligatory, or even harmful. In this episode, we discuss: The hi...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with your hosts Karen and Anee! Today, we’re diving into the power of feedback—why it matters, how bias shows up in performance conversations, and what we can do to make feedback more actionable, fair, and growth-oriented. In this episode, we discuss: What feedback really is—and why actionable feedback is the game changer How bias, power, and culture sh...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with your hosts Karen and Anee! Today, we’re diving into return-to-office mandates. Returning to the office full-time can seem like a good idea in theory, but these mandates can negatively impact employee well-being and satisfaction.  In this episode, we discuss: The pros and cons of returning to the office full-time How employees relationship to work c...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with your hosts Karen and Anee! Today, we discuss how to lean on community in hard times and dissect when solidarity matters most. We are joined by Whitney Tome , consultant, lawyer, and ballerina. In this episode, we discuss: The definition of solidarity How to be a community member and care for each other Some key takeaways are: Solidarity does not ha...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with your hosts Karen and Anee! Today, we’re diving into workplace traditions—those established customs, norms, rituals, and habits that define an organization’s culture. When done well, they can boost morale, strengthen team cohesion, and enhance job satisfaction. But when done poorly, they can leave employees feeling excluded, pressured, or uncomforta...

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with your hosts Karen and Anee! Today, we’re diving into the language of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and why DEI can make some individuals uncomfortable.  In this episode, we discuss: The latest headlines highlighting which companies are pulling back on diversity, equity, and inclusion and which companies are doubling down on their DEI commit...

Welcome to Don’t Do That! with your hosts Karen and Anee! Today, we’re introducing the podcast and sharing what you can expect when you listen. Don’t Do That! is a platform to tell stories about making mistakes at work and how to fix them. Each episode will feature honest conversations with leaders who have experienced a Don’t Do That! moment. We’ll explore what happened and how to turn a negative...