Organizationally Speaking

Conflict isn't a sign something has gone wrong, it's a sign people care. In this episode, Nicole unpacks the difference between functional and dysfunctional conflict, the three types of conflict and what the research actually says about each, and a five-stage model for understanding how conflict escalates. Plus the five conflict handling intentions and when to use them, how to tell the difference...

Everyone groans when they hear the word "teams," and honestly, the research backs up some of that frustration. In this episode, Nicole cuts through the idealism to give a clear-eyed look at when teams actually work, why they so often don't, and what separates a team that produces something genuinely better from a group of people just sharing a label. We cover the difference between work groups and...

Power and politics make people uncomfortable, but understanding them makes you more effective, more protected, and better equipped to do meaningful work. In this episode, Nicole breaks down the five bases of power, why personal power outlasts positional power, and how dependence is the real engine underneath it all. Plus the nine influence tactics and which ones actually work, why power can corrup...

Leadership isn't a title, it's influence. And the research says it can be developed, not just discovered. In this episode, Nicole walks through the major leadership theories, from trait and behavioral theories to contingency models, LMX, and transformational leadership's four I's. Plus the dark side of charisma, why laissez-faire leadership is more damaging than it sounds, what virtual leadership...

Diversity isn't just a buzzword, it's one of the most researched topics in organizational behavior, and the findings are consistent: inclusive organizations perform better. In this episode, Nicole breaks down what diversity actually means, how bias operates (including the kind we don't realize we have), and what the research says about prejudice, discrimination, microaggressions, and stereotype th...

Communication isn't just what you say;  it's whether the meaning you intended is actually the meaning received. In this episode, Nicole breaks down everything from oral and written communication to nonverbal cues, meeting culture, and information overload. Plus: why virtual communication is more draining than it should be, what social media means for organizations and employees, cybersecurity basi...

Why do two people experience the same event and walk away with completely different stories? In this episode, Nicole breaks down how perception shapes everything in the workplace — from how we judge each other's behavior to the decisions we make and why we make them. We cover attribution theory, the biases that distort our thinking, and practical tools for catching yourself before you act on a bad...

Why do some people thrive in chaos while others need structure? Why does your most agreeable teammate struggle to advocate for themselves? This episode breaks down the science of personality in the workplace, the Big Five, the Dark Triad, core self-evaluations, and why the MBTI is everywhere but the research support is thin. We also cover ability, values, and what it actually means to find the rig...

Why do we try hard at some things and barely show up for others? This episode breaks down the science of motivation, from Maslow and McClelland to Self-Determination Theory, goal-setting, expectancy theory, and organizational justice. We look at what actually drives performance, why fairness matters more than most managers realize, and how to apply all of it to your work and group projects right n...

US worker satisfaction is at an all-time highs, o why is global engagement at a ten-year low? In this episode, Nicole breaks down the science of job attitudes: what they are, why they're hard to change, and what actually drives satisfaction at work (spoiler: it's not the paycheck). Plus, what dissatisfied employees actually do and what organizations can do about it.

What’s the difference between a mood and an emotion, and why does it matter at work? In this episode of Organizationally Speaking, we unpack mood contagion, emotional intelligence, emotional labor, affect intensity, and why “leave your emotions at the door” was never realistic advice. 

What does it actually mean to study how people behave at work, and why should you care?  Learn the fundamentals of Organizational Behavior (OB): what it is, where it comes from, and why it matters whether you're a manager, an employee, or just someone who's ever had a truly terrible boss.