My Circus, My Monkeys

Do you ever wish you had more hours in the day to get everything done? One of the biggest challenges supervisors mention is simply not having enough time to get everything done that’s been added to their plates. In this episode, we’re going to talk about how to navigate this overwhelming problem. We’ll talk about how to stop worrying about how to do more with less and instead focus on the things t...

If you're a supervisor, you probably love folks who are team players. You know, the people who over perform, exceed expectations, and give 100% for your students and Institution. I've had folks complain and worry about this new generation of employees because they don't go above and beyond. But did you know that the very attributes we love to see in our employees are also trauma res...

We've talked about the importance of having a well-rounded team in past episodes, which includes having a diverse set of talents. But what if other people's talents leave you feeling drained? It can feel like a win-lose situation. Either you and your talents get what they need and have a great day, or they do. In this episode, you'll learn how to navigate those situations so both of...

Have you ever had to have a difficult conversation with a team member who continuously has difficulty meeting expectations? It's a pretty common situation, and one of the most challenging ones for supervisors. In this episode, I answer a listener's question concerning how to handle difficult situations with staff members. You'll learn how you can better address your team's perf...

You've heard me talk about employee engagement and Gallup's Engagement Survey the Q12. Well, one of the Q12 is about having a best friend at work. And it can seem like one of the oddest of the Q12. In this episode, Anne and guest, Alicia Wojciuch, celebrate their 15th Friendiversary by discussing this often misunderstood engagement element. Having a Work Best Friend (WBF) can improve you...

Do you ever get stuck trying to make a decision? You keep going round and round trying to decide the best course of action. Frustrating isn't it? In this episode, we talk about what's really happening when you can't decide. We'll talk about how you can get out of your thought loop, focus on addressing the real issue, and finally make a decision.  If you’re listening to this pod...

It's officially 2024! The new year means reflecting on the past and planning for the future. When you look back at the things that frustrated you in 2023, it's easy to focus on external circumstances. It can easily seem like if we were just in another job or worked with other people, we'd be more successful and less stressed. But if you want lasting change in your life, you don&apos...

How are your strengths showing up for you right now? It's the end of the semester and the year. This time of the year can be stressful for a number of reasons. While it often seems like those stressors are coming from external sources, when you're not using your talents as strengths you actually add to that stress. In this episode, we talk about why it's so important to check in on...

Every year we remind ourselves how important it is to thank the folks in our lives for everything they do. But every year, we forget one important person. In this week's episode, we talk about why giving thanks is so important to engagement and growth. We also talk about why you need to add that always forgotten person to your list.  If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as...

If you've been working in Higher Ed for awhile, you've probably noticed that way more folks are leaving their jobs for other opportunities. If you've had the additional burden of trying to fill these new vacancies, you know it can be challenging to find replacements with the same qualifications. This has become such a big issue, organizations like CUPA-HR are trying to find out why....

We're talking about Strengths this week in the Supervisor Strengths Institute. In this episode, Alicia Wojciuch joins us to talk about why CliftonStrengths can be such a valuable tool for you and to upgrade your team's performance. Whether you've taken the CliftonStrengths assessment but it hasn't quite stuck or you've just been wondering what the big deal is, listen to di...

We know the impact fake news has had on our society. When politicians, organizations, or companies put out fake news, we stop and question their motives and the evidence. Even though we're on alert for external fake news, we miss one of the largest sources of fake news in our lives - the thoughts in our head. Learn how to identify the lies you tell yourself everyday that keep you from being y...

In previous episodes, we've mentioned the Supervisor Strengths Institute. It's our signature program that combines many of the things we cover in this podcast. Our fall Institute starts this month, so in this episode we talk about what that experience is actually like, including the time commitment and the curriculum. If you've ever wondered if the Institute is right for you, listen...

In the last episode, we talked about why waiting until you have more time just makes your stress worse. In the second part of this August 911 series, we go through three quick exercises you can do in the office to reset your nervous system and get out of fight or flight. This won't make the work disappear, but it will allow you to better navigate those challenges.  If you’re listening to this...

Whelp, it's August. Prepping for the new academic year is typically associated with busyness and exhaustion, especially for supervisors. Yes, you need to get all the things ready for your students, but when the stress gets too high it triggers your sympathetic nervous system - aka fight or flight. When that happens, your ability to think critically, respond appropriately, and bring your best...

It's almost August again. How does that make you feel? Stressed? Overwhelmed? Anxious? If you work in Higher Ed, those responses are pretty typical. But what if things didn't have to be so chaotic? In this episode, we talk about how you can start organizing and planning what REALLY needs to be done now to have a calmer, more productive, and less stressful August.  If you’re listening to...

Performance management involves setting expectations and holding your team members accountable. Unfortunately, this process has gotten a bad wrap. Most folks only focus on the negative aspects of accountability, so they get flustered and avoid it. In this episode, we reframe the concept of holding your team accountable. When you change how you approach this part of your job, you not only make it l...

Managing your stress is crucial to your health and wellbeing. But when self-care just becomes another thing to do, it can just add to your stress. In this episode, I share my own struggles with stress management, including the one thing that has empowered me the most in my journey to less stress and better self-care.  If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader seriously. Y...

We have so much on our plates that we all too often just jump from task to task. But when we're unclear about what we want the end to look like, we set ourselves up for frustration and lots of wasted energy. When you start with the end in mind, you can more easily make sure you're staying on track and achieving the goals or objectives you want. In this episode, we explore why stopping to...

In this episode, we continue our conversation with Alicia Wojciuch. This time Alicia shares her thoughts on setting boundaries, being intentional where you're spending your energy, and complementary partnerships. By making changes in those areas, you can start to change the culture at your institution and in Higher Education.  If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leade...

In 2017, Alicia and I founded Strengths University to help supervisors feel more confident, empowered, and less stressed. Alicia joins me on today's episode to talk about what we wish we would have known about supervising before we started Strengths University and really researching how to be an effective supervisor.  If you’re listening to this podcast, you take your role as a leader serious...

If you're listening to this podcast, you're probably busy...like, too busy. You go, go, go all day long. And when you're done, you feel like you've done oh so much. But what if you're not? What if all that busyness isn't really helping you move towards your goals? Far too many of us waste our most valuable resource - energy - every day. In this episode, you'll le...

We use Maslow's Hierarchy to inform how we support students. But those needs are just as important for us. In today's episode, we talk about why making sure your needs are being met is crucial to bringing the best for your students. We'll review the theory, and how to assess what need gaps you might have. And even more importantly, we'll tell you how to start bridging these gap...

Too many of you have too much to do. Combine that with a culture that emphasizes overworking and pushing through, and you're probably not using your PTO or sick time when you should. The problem is, when you're ignoring what you need physically and mentally, you're not going to be your best. In today's episode, we'll discuss the three times you should stay home from work....

We create stories to interpret the world around us. But those stories aren't benign, they impact how we see the world and what we do. In this episode, we discuss how your stories can have a positive or negative impact on the outcome of any situation. You'll learn how to start assessing your own stories, so you can change any that aren't serving you.  If you’re listening to this podc...