Season 3 – Episode 018 Work is noisy. Not just the hum of open-plan offices or the ping of endless emails, but the soul-sapping, productivity-killing corporate noise—the meetings that should have been emails, the politics that should have been resolved, and the reports that should have been binned. In this episode of A Job Done Well, Jimmy and James dissect the chaos of modern workplaces, where conflicting agendas, ego-driven leaders, and short-termism turn even the simplest tasks into a slog through quicksand. From the absurdity of "magnet ball" management (where everyone chases the same ball, achieving nothing) to the silent killer of organisational focus, they expose why noise … [Read more...]
Promotion Isn’t About Working Harder (Here’s What Actually Moves You Forward)
Season 3 – Episode 8: Don't Sell Your Soul Promotions don’t go to the hardest worker. They go to the person seen differently. This week, hosts James Lawther and Jimmy Barber explore the subject of getting promoted and suggest how you can go about it without compromising your values or playing games. They discuss how promotions work in organisations, the importance of thinking through why you want a promotion, how you position yourself and some things to be wary of. The mix of practical tips and anecdotes will engage and inform on a topic many are interested in but few openly discuss! They also talk weather and holiday strategies - but don't go on too much! Transcript Speaker … [Read more...]
You Can’t Avoid Them: How to Deal With Difficult People Without Losing It
Season 3 – Episode 2: Don't Be One of Them Difficult people aren’t just frustrating—they’re exhausting. And most advice on dealing with them doesn’t actually work in real life. In this week's episode, hosts James Lawther and Jimmy Barber discuss strategies for dealing with difficult people at work. We all know them – those you dread interacting with – maybe they don't listen, or they snipe from the sidelines. Perhaps they ignore you, or nothing ever sticks to them when things go wrong. Regardless of who they are, James and Jimmy discuss how to deal with them effectively – both in the moment and over the long term, if their behaviour is systemic. James and Jimmy also challenge … [Read more...]
How to Master the ‘Art’ of Managing Upwards and Still Sleep at Night.
Season 2 – Episode 5: Advice on the Dark Arts Do you resent those who can 'manage upwards’, or do you simply envy them or feel uncomfortable doing it yourself? In this episode, we discuss the power and value of sensibly managing senior members of your organisation. This skill can aid in career management, ensure tasks are completed well, and allow you to sleep peacefully at night without feeling like a sell-out or sycophant. We offer perspectives on its benefits and share various thoughts and methods for achieving the best possible outcomes for everyone involved. We also discuss the merits of O Beach in Ibiza, the NHS and the risks when forwarding emails... If you or … [Read more...]
Office Politics or Workplace Warfare?
Season 1 – Episode 6: A Study of the Dark Arts Jimmy and James talk about Workplace Politics - an often ignored subject that impacts most of us daily and often not positively! They explore - What is it? How can you minimise, understand, and manage it to become more effective and less frustrated with life at work? It doesn't need to be warfare once you've listened to this. Transcript James: 0:03 hello, I'm James. Jimmy: 0:04 Hi, I'm Jimmy. James: 0:05 Welcome to A Job Done Well, Jimmy: 0:08 the podcast about the world of work and how to improve the daily grind James: 0:14 Good morning. How's your week been? Good Jimmy: 0:17 Yeah, that's … [Read more...]