Make Work Not Suck

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the two wolves inside us all: the Wolf of Gratitude and the Wolf of Complaining. Which one are you feeding? In this episode of Make Work Not Suck, co-hosts Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges dive deep into the power of gratitude in the workplace and beyond. Learn how practicing gratitude at any level—employee, manager, or execut...

Do you ever feel like work has become too important—or maybe not important enough? In this episode of the Make Work Not Suck podcast, co-hosts Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges, joined by special guest Maria Dobreva, dive deep into how to find the perfect balance between your personal and professional life. We explore why work can consume your identity, the dangers of being “always on,” and how to spo...

In this episode of Make Work Not Suck , co-hosts Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges tackle one of the most widespread issues in today’s workplace: burnout. Especially relevant in a post-COVID world, burnout has become a struggle for employees and leaders alike, affecting productivity, morale, and overall job satisfaction. Ryan and Daniel share personal stories of burnout, exploring its causes and offer...

In this powerful episode of the Make Work Not Suck podcast, co-hosts Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges dive deep into one of the toughest aspects of professional life: layoffs and terminations. Whether you’re on the giving or receiving end, these conversations are never easy—but they don’t have to be devastating. Ryan and Daniel share personal stories of difficult terminations and discuss the most com...

In this episode of the Make Work Not Suck podcast, Ryan Hodges and Daniel Steere dive into a common issue that holds organizations back: getting stuck in a cycle of backward analysis without taking meaningful steps forward. Through real-world examples, Ryan and Daniel discuss why business leaders often look for results without putting the right journey and culture in place to support those goals....

In this episode of the Make Work Not Suck podcast, Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges dive into a scenario every business leader dreads—what happens when the boss goes on vacation? Whether work derails while they’re away or chaos erupts when they return, this episode unpacks the real reasons why things fall apart and how to stop it from happening. From the visionary vs. integrator dynamic to the frustr...

In this episode of the Make Work Not Suck podcast, we sit down with Iky Chan, a former leader in a $12 billion multinational tech company, who shares her invaluable insights on navigating corporate challenges and unlocking your potential by identifying and addressing the "invisible systems" that hold many businesses back. From overcoming adversity as a woman in tech to turning around underperformi...

Election years bring a whirlwind of uncertainty that can paralyze businesses. In this episode of Make Work Not Suck , Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges explore how political shifts impact companies at every level—from executive decisions down to the frontline employee’s daily tasks. As we approach a presidential election, we discuss how business leaders can lead their teams through uncertain times and...

In this episode of Make Work Not Suck , hosts Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges break down a common leadership pitfall: trying to “result” your way out of a problem. Too many organizations jump straight to firing people when the results don’t match expectations, but the real issue often lies in unclear vision and a missing journey. Daniel and Ryan discuss how senior leaders, who are naturally results-...

In this episode of the Make Work Not Suck podcast, Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges explore the art of applying pressure strategically within your business. Knowing when to push, when to hold back, and how to avoid organizational whiplash can mean the difference between success and burnout. Too often, executives press for results too late or with the wrong approach, causing more harm than good. Learn...

Are you following processes that no longer match the reality of your business? In this episode of Make Work Not Suck , Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges discuss why so many leaders fall into the trap of prioritizing results over reality. When you push SOPs that don’t align with the current state of your company, you create chaos, confusion, and inefficiency within your teams. In this conversation, Dan...

In this episode of the Make Work Not Suck podcast, Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges tackle one of the most frustrating challenges in any organization: conflicting priorities. Whether it’s sales versus operations, or budget constraints clashing with urgent software rollouts, conflicting priorities can grind progress to a halt and make work miserable for everyone. Drawing from real-world experiences, w...

In this episode of the Make Work Not Suck podcast, Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges dig into one of the most common struggles for business leaders: finding a group of like-minded peers who truly understand your business challenges. Too many executives, founders, and business owners are left feeling isolated, with their only outlets being LinkedIn conversations or YouTube videos. We discuss the import...

In this episode of the Make Work Not Suck podcast, co-hosts Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges relive one of the most dreaded aspects of any job: monotonous, repetitive tasks. Whether it’s punching data cables, managing assembly lines, or driving trucks, repetitive work can feel soul-crushing if not handled correctly. But does it have to be that way? Daniel and Ryan share personal experiences with thei...

 In this episode of the Make Work Not Suck podcast, Ryan Hodges and Daniel Steere explore the historical evolution of work paradigms and its impact on modern organizations. They illuminate the shift from traditional apprenticeship models to technology-driven workplaces, emphasizing the growing disparity in emotional intelligence (EQ) across generations. Advocating for a transformative approach, t...

In this dialogue from the "Make Work Not Suck" podcast, hosts Ryan Hodges and Daniel Steere delve into the criticality of vision within organizational frameworks. They unpack the multifaceted nature of vision, discussing its distinction from mission, purpose, and values, while highlighting its function as the guiding force directing all efforts within a company. Through anecdotes and insights, the...

In this episode, the focus lies on the journey as a crucial component in achieving a vision within a business framework, emphasizing both the mental aspect and the practical execution required for success. Using examples such as Chick-fil-A and Disney, the discussion delves into how efficient processes and attention to detail contribute to exceptional customer experiences. The episode also highlig...

In this episode of "Make Work Not Suck," Ryan Hodges and Daniel Steere delve into the significance of organizational culture, dissecting its impact on behaviors, roles, and performance metrics within a company. They discuss how culture influences everything from employee behavior in meetings to the overall success of the business, drawing on examples of companies with strong cultures like a traile...

The episode delves into the final aspect of a new work paradigm, emphasizing the significance of achieving results while maintaining a balanced approach with the journey. Through a client anecdote, it illustrates the pitfalls of a company excessively fixated on results, neglecting the development of standardized processes and journey capabilities. Such a myopic focus on tangible outcomes can hinde...

In this episode of the "Make Work Not Suck" podcast, the hosts, Ryan Hodges and Daniel SteerE, explore how to leverage the framework of vision, journey, culture, and results to enhance workplace environments. They emphasize the importance of identifying and addressing blind spots within organizations, recognizing that each individual and organization tends to lean towards a particular strength whi...

In Episode 9 of the Make Work Not Suck podcast, hosts Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges tackle the critical question of how to apply a new framework to make work more fulfilling, regardless of your role in an organization. Whether you’re an individual contributor, a manager, or an executive, this episode provides practical insights on how to use this paradigm to improve your work environment and creat...

The hosts delve into the critical components of organizational health and effectiveness, breaking down the concepts into tangible elements like vision, culture, journey, and results. They emphasize the importance of aligning culture with vision for organizational health and ensuring harmony between journey and results for effectiveness. Through a nuanced discussion, they highlight the significance...

In this episode of "Make Work Not Suck," Ryan and Daniel explore the repercussions of deviating from the traditional order of vision, journey, culture, and results in problem-solving scenarios. They delineate how most people tend to retrogress through the stages when diagnosing issues, often halting at blaming individuals rather than examining processes. The discussion delves into the dynamics of...

In this inaugural episode of the Make Work Not Suck podcast, hosts Daniel Steere and Ryan Hodges dive into a provocative discussion about the state of work today. Why does work suck for so many people? Is it inevitable, or can we change the paradigm? They explore the root causes of workplace dissatisfaction, discuss rare examples where work doesn’t suck, and introduce the mission of the podcast: t...

In this episode of the "Make Work Not Suck" podcast, the hosts delve into the practical application of their paradigm shift aimed at improving work environments. They engage with Alex, a member of their filming crew, who brings up pertinent questions regarding applying the concepts discussed to personal career journeys, especially for young professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs. Through the dia...