Modern Mentor
Episodes
New solutions to old problems
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are some really common challenges in the workplace. But in many cases we’ve been trying the same solutions for years. And often without result...
Getting creative about learning
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all know the importance of continuous learning. But classes and certifications aren’t the only way. There are plenty of ways we can – and shoul...
4 things givers do that pay off
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Being a giver at work can actually help you get ahead. When we give meaningfully and intentionally rather than indiscriminately and at our own expense...
I can’t keep up with the changing priorities
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Employees at every level are feeling exhausted – not from too much work, but from too much changing of direction. If it feels like every day there’...
5 questions to help us keep burnout at bay
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So many of us are still struggling with burnout. And while we can’t always conquer it in a single effort, sometimes just finding small ways to ease ...
Leading with vulnerability with Jacob Morgan
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Vulnerability has become a buzzy word in the workplace. But author and speaker Jacob Morgan is here to say vulnerability can be a superpower when done...
How to deal With a disappointing workplace
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
People are feeling really disappointed by and at work these days. Leaders are making (or not making) choices we don’t love. So how can we constructi...
How to solve an organizational problem that won’t go away
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Organizations lose tremendous productivity - and employee engagement - when breakdowns in the system go unnamed and unsolved. But there are some simpl...
How to lead up when the moment commands It
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a lot of information out there about leadership. Which we often assume to mean leading those reporting to us. But an ability to lead up – ...
Think Faster, Talk Smarter with Matt Abrahams
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’re all striving to be better communicators – in both formal and informal situations. Stanford Graduate School of Business Lecturer, Matt Abraha...
What’s my job in leading change?
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Change is just everywhere. And anyone in a leadership role – at any level – has a responsibility to lead themselves – and their teams – throug...
How to be impactful in meetings
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you feel like you’re sitting in too many meetings, the problem may be too many meetings. Or, the problem might be you’re not maximizing the imp...
How to roll out your idea without leadership support
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We tend to overinvest in executive buy-in. We stand still until we have full support of an idea. But what if there were a way to execute without the w...
Communication misses we need to start hitting
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Communication is a key capability in absolutely every industry. Many of us do it well. But even the best of us are missing some opportunities to maxim...
Managing difficult stakeholders at work
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Rachel Cooke compares traffic jams to workplace issues, working through four key areas: unrealistic expectations, unclear directives,...
Will it make the boat go faster?
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As so many of us are chasing speed, efficiency and a bit of lightness at work, asking the important question, “Will it make the boat go faster?” c...
How to go from Great Gloom to Glow Up
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve finally moved beyond the Great Resignation and Reconsideration, but we’re now stuck in the Great Gloom. We’re languishing, feeling low and...
How to be invaluable at work with Lauren McGoodwin
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
An interview with Lauren McGoodwin, founder of Career Contessa, who makes the case for why invaluable beats indispensable…and shares some actions we...
How to implement that leadership development
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership Development not working? Well…maybe it’s time to take a fresh approach to taking action. Learn 5 strategies for bringing your leadershi...
Solving workplace conflict
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In every workplace in every industry, there is a natural tension that occurs between teams. But rather than continuing to simmer and stew, it’s time...
6 ways to make the most of your in-office days
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a hybrid world of work we need to be thoughtful about how we spend our time in an office. No one wants to commute just to sit in a bunch of Zoom me...
Resolution-free ways to kick off an amazing year
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rather than setting (and not keeping – as the stats tell us) another New Years Resolution, let’s talk about how to create a plan that’s meaningf...
How to Focus When the World Feels on Fire
26 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With scary headlines hitting us from all directions, it can be really challenging to stay focused on and productive at work. But there are strategies ...
Build your year-end highlight reel
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Spending a few minutes at year-end curating a highlight reel of our own personal celebrations is an excellent way to boost our self-esteem, our person...
Design Your Own Employee Experience for 2024
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our Employee Experience - our ability to Deliver, Develop, Connect, and Thrive - has a huge influence on how we engage with our work. If you’re feel...
Peer Learning and Development – Your Rocket Fuel for 2024
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We focus so much on learning from external experts and those senior to us – but there is so much untapped wisdom and insight hiding right in our pee...
Why Meetings Are Still Awful and How to Fix Them
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Modern Mentor, Rachel Cooke tackles the eternal woe of unproductive meetings and offers a refreshing take on reclaiming your time. ...
How to Communicate in a Hybrid World: Interview with Laura Fravel
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Communication expert Laura Fravel joins Modern Mentor for a conversation on how to do it well in a hybrid world.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cook...
How to juggle when I have no choice
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are you spinning all the plates and have too many things going at once? You may wish you weren't, but if juggling truly is your only option, let’s t...
How to navigate a season of layoffs
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There’s so much uncertainty in the market these days. But whether the prospect of a layoff threatens you with a bruised ego, true financial insecuri...
Communicate to activate your team
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Communication is one of the most critical leadership skills in the modern workplace. But its job is to do so much more than just transmit information....
Your team needs a year-end review
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Teams today are running at a million miles an hour just to keep the train on the tracks. So as we approach year-end, let’s talk about why – and ho...
How to Prioritize Using ICE
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When we’re swimming in great ideas—too many priorities and possibilities—we need a way to effectively prioritize. The ICE framework is a simple ...
Move Fast and Fix Things with Frances Frei
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation with Frances Frei, Professor of Technology and Operations Management at Harvard Business School, we ideas leaders can use to move...
Golden circle your way to a winning Q4
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If your team needs to stick a big landing in the final quarter of 2023, then use the Golden Circle to get everyone aligned, focused, and connected to ...
How to have meetings that shouldn’t have been emails
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If your team is struggling to get things done because no one is willing to lead the hard conversations, then you might just need a stinky fish. Learn ...
How stinky fish drive great team conversations at work
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If your team is struggling to get things done because no one is willing to lead the hard conversations, then you might just need a stinky fish. Learn ...
6 ways to influence without authority
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes the success of your work depends on someone else’s contribution. If you’re the boss, it’s easy to ask for what you need. But when you’...
How to keep up when everything is changing
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Change, as they say, has become the new normal. But old ways of working—setting goals, building skills—are hard to maintain in the face of so many...
How—and why—to be a great facilitator at work
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Facilitation is a specialty and a profession. But it can also be a basic skillset we all own and leverage. It’s more critical today than ever. Learn...
How to build better relationships at work
22 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Organizations are struggling to build “Capital C” Connection in a world of hybrid teams. I’ve been challenging them, instead, to focus on helpin...
How to stop secretly procrastinating
15 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
So many of us are busy at work and the days keep flying by without us ticking projects off the to-do list. Have you wondered where all the time is goi...
How to stay positive-ish in tough times
08 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s talk today about some of the gifts you might offer your brain which, in turn, may help lift your spirit if you’re in a tough season.Modern M...
How to rally support for your big idea
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s a conundrum: one of the best ways for an organization to get ahead is innovation, but there’s often nothing harder than getting institution...
Is your team future-fit?
25 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
No one can predict the future. But by checking to see if you’re future-fit, your team can be ready for anything.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Co...
How to climb out of overwhelm at work
18 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do we maintain healthy workloads while meeting customer demands and while resources are constrained? In this episode, Rachel explores 4 ways to ...
It’s time to expand how we’re thinking of connection
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Connection at work continues to be an area of deep disengagement. Yet companies trying to solve this through forced proximity aren’t winning. We mig...
How to have a great 1-1 conversation at work
04 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
1-1 conversations are a staple of the boss-employee relationship. But so many of us just check the box when we could be having much richer, more produ...
Do your goals need a mid-year refresh?
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you’re a leader of a team – or just of yourself – let's talk about how it might be worth your while to check in on your goals and determ...
Taylor Swift's lessons for workplace success
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes the best advice on how to succeed in the workplace comes from the inspiration we get from not working. Like seeing Taylor Swift perform live...
What we’ve learned about hybrid work… so far
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
So many organizations are doing hybrid work these days. But not all are doing it well. The target is still a moving one, but there’s a lot we’ve l...
Squelching the advice monster: an interview with Michael Bungay Stanier
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Great organizations are defined by great leadership. And great leaders are great listeners and coaches. This interview with leadership and coaching ex...
How to break the spin cycle at work
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes bad things happen. But when the same bad things happen time and again, it’s time to break the cycle and start fresh.Modern Mentor is hos...
Time to squelch invisible labor!
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Too much invisible labor is being done in the workplace. And it’s high time our unsung heroes get the recognition they deserve. Here are the types o...
From self-care to team care
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And in as we consider strategies for managing our own individual wellness, why not create a culture of team care...
Can we talk about boreout?
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Burnout doesn’t just come from overwork and overwhelm. Sometimes the very opposite can be the cause of disengagement at work. Let’s talk about bor...
Should you go for that job?
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Deciding to apply for a new job—in or outside your current company—can be a big and consequential choice. But there are some simple questions you ...
Who's in charge of workplace wellness?
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Workplace wellness is a trending topic. We all know it’s important. But do we know whose job it is to bring it to life? Turns out, it’s everyone’...
5 strategies for managing your manager
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our bosses disappoint us. Sometimes often. But before we label them as bad or ill-intentioned, let’s recognize our bosses are human. And usually whe...
4 questions to ask yourself when someone has disappointed you
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Disappointment is a part of life. True. But sometimes there’s real intelligence in disappointment. When we feel disappointed by others, our instinct...
4 more “Refine” strategies for staying on purpose
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Saying no isn’t always an option, even when we’re feeling overwhelmed or overworked. So here are four more strategies for staying on purpose at wo...
How to use "Refine" strategies to stay on purpose
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Staying on “purpose” at work—keeping focused on the things that deliver the greatest impact—means sometimes saying yes and sometimes saying no...
3 ways to fill your Thrive bucket at work
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Leaders are finally recognizing the need to refuel and recharge their teams. Here are 3 ways to help your team thrive.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rache...
How to finally have that dreaded conversation
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There are so many conversations we know we should be having—the hard, the awkward, the uncomfortable. But we put them off for fear of making things ...
How to clarify roles and responsibilities
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Some of the most frustrating experiences we have at work—of someone else dropping the ball or stepping on our toes or creating the need for rework—...
How to lead above your noise
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Achieving more—more success, more results, more impact—isn’t about doing more. It’s about having absolute clarity on where to focus and invest...
How to care for your employee experience in a recession
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Layoffs are swirling in the ether these days and teams are feeling anxious. That anxiety is holding back their work and employee experience. Here’s ...
Bringing self-care to work with Rachel Kanarowski
14 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation with self-care expert Rachel Kanarowski, Rachel explores the variety of stressors that have found their way into our professional...
How to manage through a season of layoffs
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Layoffs are swirling in the ether these days and teams are feeling anxious. That anxiety is holding back their work and employee experience. Here’s ...
How to maximize your own learning and development
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Even the best in their industry never stop learning. Here are 6 ways to maximize your development this year.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A...
4 principles for keeping talent engaged at work this year
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Keeping talent engaged has become something of a guessing game. But these 4 simple strategies are proving to be pretty fail-proof.Modern Mentor is hos...
Four work lessons I’ve learned from my clients
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In any situation—even when your role is that of “expert”—there are always opportunities to learn something new. Here are five lessons learned ...
The power of self-awareness at work
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Self-awareness is more than just knowing who you are. It’s having the insight to fully leverage your strengths and to flex your style in any moment ...
How asking “who” and “what” can help you find your “why”
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“Purpose” continues to get a lot of airtime in the world of work. But what, practically, is purpose and how do we find and align to ours? Here’s...
Is there any escape from the 40-hour workweek?
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are you "over" the 40-hour workweek, but aren't sure how to make it better or escape it without going broke? Modern Mentor offers some new insights gr...
How to be more strategic at work
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Being strategic at work is about focusing less on quantity—how much you can get done—and leaning instead on doing the right stuff in the wisest an...
How to use LinkedIn like a pro
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Think LinkedIn is just for job seekers and salespeople? Think again. LinkedIn expert and ghostwriter Emily Crookston is here to help you understand wh...
Communication missteps to avoid in 2023
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With all the wisdom about communication out there, somehow we’re still missing so many opportunities to get it right. Today Modern Mentor shares 5 k...
What to do when virtues go wrong
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There are certain behaviors—like collaboration, debate, and empowerment—that are known to be virtuous at work. And done well, they are. But unchec...
Turn Your Critics Into Fuel for Success
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Nobody loves a critic. But the right insights from the right people can turn feedback into rocket fuel to propel your big ideas in the right direction...
The SIMPLE answers to common leadership questions
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes it feels like we have so overcomplicated what it means to be a leader. With so many frameworks, tools, and trainings out there, many leaders...
How to dial up connection with Ryan Jenkins
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation with Ryan Jenkins, co-founder of Less Lonely, we discuss why connection is so critical—for productivity and human health—and ...
It’s time to rethink your “productivity”
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Productivity” is the thing we’ve been chasing for years—more, better, faster. But is it really serving us? Or is it time for us to rethink ho...
Why “lifelong learning” is more than a buzzword
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Lifelong Learning" has become one of those buzz phrases we hear so much it’s starting to become white noise. But understanding what it means and ho...
How to hustle your way with Cin Fabré
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation with Cin Fabré, Rachel explores Cin’s journey from the South Bronx to success on Wall Street. Frequently the only Black woman ...
Get the recognition you deserve at year-end
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to year-end performance reviews, we all want to be recognized and celebrated for our achievements. But we don’t want to have to brag a...
How to take “employee experience” into your own hands
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Employee Experience” is a phrase we hear thrown around a lot in the workplace. And we all know we want a good one… we just don’t quite know w...
Wisdom for job seekers with Job Coach Amy
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation with Job Coach Amy, learn strategies for identifying your dream job, leveraging your network, and taking actionable steps to land...
How to create more trust in the new world of work
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With “work” no longer being confined to a time or place, it’s getting harder to “track” who is working where, when and how hard. We need to ...
What to do about quiet quitting—if it’s even real
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The debate over “quiet quitting” in the workplace is raging. Is it real or made up? Good or bad? New or old? With so many questions swirling aroun...
How to stay cool through back to school
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Back-to-school season brings chaos upon everyone—parents or not. That’s because the back-to-school season is really about the end of summer—a se...
The Future of Work with Naomi Titleman Colla
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation with future-of-work enthusiast Naomi Titleman Colla, Rachel explores how the past few years have forever changed the nature of wo...
How to be a great (new!) leader
23 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Stepping—or preparing to step—into a new leadership role can be intimidating! We want to win—big and fast. But there are right ways and there ar...
How to focus when the world feels on fire
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With scary headlines hitting us from all directions, it can be really challenging to stay focused on and productive at work. But there are strategies ...
What can I do if layoffs are coming?
09 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After hearing about the Great Resignation for months, we’re starting to see signs of a possible recession… which may be causing you to wonder whet...
Why the buddy system works... at work
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In school, the buddy system kept us from getting lost, getting hurt, and eating things off the floor. As working adults, we could all sometimes use a ...
Why vulnerability is a misunderstood superpower
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
No matter how much you may want to, you can't be amazing at everything. Enter the most misunderstood workplace superpower around—vulnerability. Here...
How to have a hard conversation
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When you know you need to have a hard conversation with someone—but your stomach is tense and your hands are sweating and you want to put it off for...
How to overcome common workplace fears
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes fear holds us back from doing the right thing—making the right call. And it’s time to look that fear in the eye, call it out, and step o...
How to create your own luck
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Luck is not a passive thing that happens to us. It’s something we have the power to influence, to bring to life. There are certain habits that “lu...