Better At Work with Cathal Quinlan

She left her job for a direct competitor. Six months in, she wants out.This week's Q&A tackles a listener career dilemma that most of us have lived through — that sinking feeling when your new job isn't what you expected.Amy's dealing with a culture mismatch, missing processes, and tanking motivation. Cathal and Annette share practical, honest advice drawing from their own career transitions.Plus, Annette shares her three key takeaways from last week's conversation with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez on project-driven organisations.What we cover:→ Why the shock of changing organisations is bigger than we admit→ Finding one friend at work (and why it matters)→ The manager conversation most people never have→ How to protect your personal brand while job hunting→ Annette's sea view analogy — knowing what you need→ Antonio's balanced portfolio approach to projectsMentioned: "Powered by Projects" by Antonio Nieto-RodriguezNext week: Colin Fisher — The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of GroupsSend your career dilemma: betteratwork.netConnect: @betteratworkpod on Instagram

Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez got fired for trying to bring project management to a top consulting firm.Today, he's the most published expert on project management in Harvard Business Review and a Thinkers 50 global authority.His new book "Powered by Projects" makes a bold claim: Every organization is project-driven, but the leaders don't know it.IN THIS EPISODE:The Origin Story:- Almost went professional with Real Madrid (broke his knee)- Got fired for pitching project management ("too tactical")- The moment that sparked his missionGetting HBR to Listen:- Chased Harvard Business Review for 5 years- The pitch: "Everyone's a project manager but nobody knows it"- Became their most published PM expertCOVID Changed Everything:- 3 days to do what used to take 3 months- Laser-sharp focus on priorities- Then we lost all that knowledgeThe Project-Driven Organization:- Shift from operations to transformation- AI taking over operations; people work on projects- "Back to normal" doesn't existThree Dimensions Framework:1. Organization (culture, structure, governance)2. Leadership (prioritization, HR, performance)3. Value Creation (operations, execution)Key Examples:- Haier: Stop projects if no value in 3 months- Fixed to exponential mindset- Lean governance (match intensity to risk)Best Advice:- Do the hardest thing first every day- Care about people (Marshall Goldsmith)- Speak up constructively to leadersKEY QUOTES:"Your projects are your future. If you do them wrong, you put your future at risk.""During COVID we did in 3 days what took 3 months. Then we went back to thousands of projects going nowhere.""There's no back to normal. Change will happen."About Antonio:- Author: "Powered by Projects" & "HBR Project Management Handbook"- Thinkers 50 ranking (2023, 2025)- 25 years corporate (PwC, BNP Paribas, GSK)- Website: antonionietorodriguez.comBetter at Work - Making work better, one conversation at a time.New episodes every Thursday (+ special Sunday episodes!)Hosted by Cathal Quinlan & Annette Sloanbetteratwork.net

Q&A episode answering a tough leadership question from Emer, plus Annette's takeaways from Laura Gassner-Otting.IN THIS EPISODE:Thank You Email Goes Viral:Cathal's email praising his daughter's teacher went around the whole school. Miss Smith said "You'd be surprised how little that happens." Why recognition matters more than we think.Annette's Laura Takeaways:- The Four Horsemen of Success (money, title, power, prestige) and why we chase them- The Forces (Calling, Connection, Contribution, Control)- "Refuse not to be happy now"- Balance = being yourself everywhere- Do Laura's quizListener Question: New Leader, Difficult Team MemberEmer started a new leadership role. Most of her team is on board. But one woman has "taken a total dislike" to her. The woman ignores everything Emer says.Annette's advice:1. Work as team to agree on values/behaviors (clear is kind)2. Get to know this person - seek to understand3. Might be anxiety, trauma, nothing to do with you4. Build connection and safetyCathal's advice:1. Start with YOU - is this about YOUR need for validation?2. Imposter syndrome from previous org?3. Ask open questions: "How are you finding it?" "Any concerns?"4. Discuss ways of working5. Reality check: She might just be difficult/jealous/wanted the job6. If intractable after doing the work, she might need to goKey Insights:"You'd be surprised how little that happens." - Teacher receiving thank you"Refuse not to be happy now. Balance is being yourself in work and life." - Annette"Let's be real. She might be a piece of work. But we try to be fair." - CathalResources:Laura Gassner-Otting's quizSubmit your career dilemma: betteratwork.netBetter at Work - Making work better, one conversation at a time.New episodes every Thursday.Hosted by Cathal Quinlan & Annette Sloan

Laura Gassner-Otting (Wall Street Journal bestselling author) joins Cathal in the London studio to challenge everything we think we know about success.This is Laura's UK/Ireland podcast debut, recorded at Christmas after a mulled wine with incredible energy.IN THIS EPISODE:The Four Horsemen of Success (and why they drive Laura batty):1. "I'll be happy when..." - Life is short. Refuse to not be happy NOW.2. Purpose - Your job doesn't need a white hat to have purpose.3. Follow your passion - The "live, laugh, love" tattoo of career advice.4. Balance - We need alignment, not balance. Code-switching is exhausting.Need to Make vs Want to Make Numbers:We all have two numbers. Need to make: bills, food, school. Want to make: Claridge's vs Holiday Inn, Rolls Royce vs Hyundai. In between are the sacrifices you'll make.Caroline's Story:Laura wanted to promote her to VP. Caroline said no thank you. She'd just had a baby and wanted to be present. Three years later, she got promoted. Still with the firm 10 years after Laura sold it.Eleanor Roosevelt: "We would worry much less about what other people thought about us if we realised how seldom they did."Whose Goal Is This?We define success at 17-18 before our frontal lobe is fully formed. Laura dropped out of law school - it was her fourth grade teacher's goal, not hers. Give yourself grace to change.Work-Life Alignment > Balance:You're friends with coworkers on social media. It's already integrated. Stop separating work and life. Find alignment instead. Code-switching is exhausting.Feeling Seen vs Feeling Loved:Laura's therapy revelation: She felt loved transactionally (got grades = we love you). But did she feel seen? Could she have said "I don't want law school, I want to be an artist"?Key Insights:"I refuse to not be happy NOW. They retire and have heart attacks.""Follow your passion is the live, laugh, love tattoo of career advice.""I think we're not too busy. We're too busy doing things that don't matter to us.""When you find alignment, you just move from one to the other pretty seamlessly."ABOUT LAURA GASSNER-OTTING:Author of "Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve Your Own Path" and "Wonderhell: Why Success Doesn't Feel Like It Should."20 years as executive recruiter, sold her firm, now speaker/consultant. Regularly on Good Morning America.Website: lauragassnerotting.comSubmit your career dilemma: betteratwork.netBetter at Work - Making work better, one conversation at a time.New episodes every Thursday.Hosted by Cathal Quinlan

Q&A episode with Annette's top takeaways from Russell Beck + critical advice for dealing with burnout at work.IN THIS EPISODE:Annette's 3 Takeaways from Russell Beck:1. The Rise of Artist Engineers (STEM → STEAM)Why creativity and art matter more than ever in the future of work. Drawing as a tool for thinking.2. One Size Fits OneManagers need to understand how each person works best while balancing the team's needs.3. Work as a Friend FactoryWhy having friends at work isn't just nice—it's critical for engagement, retention, and culture.Listener Question: Burnout at a Major OrganisationEllie asked: How do I get out of a toxic workplace without destroying my career?Cathal's advice:- You need at least 2 months off to recover- Consider consulting/contract work instead of another corporate role- Get back to the work you love (not just management drama)Annette's practical daily tactics:- 10-minute morning meditation (Calm app)- Mammalian dive reflex for grounding (2-min exercise)- Schedule 20-min coffee with work friends- Weekend self-care: massage, sauna, nature walks- Career counseling or coaching- Bill Cowan's career transition processKey Insights:"Work can be a friend factory." - Aisha Bousaid"Employees with a best friend at work are 7x more likely to be fully engaged." - Gallup"We take jobs for the salary. We quit because of culture." - Bruce Daisley"Burnout is really real. The longer it goes on, the harder it is to pull back out." - Annette SloanResources:Books: "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards, "Building a Winning Career" by Bill CowanApps: Calm (meditation)Better at Work: Better Careers modules at betteratwork.netSubmit your career dilemma: betteratwork.netNext Episode: Laura Gassner-Otting on "Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody and Carve Your Own Path"Better at Work - Making work better, one conversation at a time.New episodes every Thursday.Hosted by Cathal Quinlan & Annette Sloan