Season 3 – Episode 36: The Myth, the Madness, and the Middle Manager’s Dilemma Work-life balance? Jimmy and James are here to dismantle the corporate fairy tale that you can magically split your life into two neat, equal halves. The hosts, both veterans of demanding jobs, long hours, and the occasional existential crisis, argue that the very term “balance” is a setup. Balance implies precision, equality, and a static state, but life (and work) is anything but. It ebbs, it flows, and sometimes it dumps a truckload of stress on your doorstep. So, what’s the alternative? Optimisation. Figure out what makes you happy: status, money, family time, or becoming an earth mother, and chase … [Read more...]
Why You’re Doing Everyone Else’s Job (And How It Creeps Up on You)
Season 3 – Episode 29 Ever noticed how the most capable managers end up drowning in work that isn’t theirs? This episode of A Job Done Well dives into the maddening cycle of overworked employees who absorb tasks like a sponge—only to realise they’ve become the bottleneck, the scapegoat, and the office’s unofficial problem-solver. Jimmy Barber and James Lawther dissect why good managers fall into this trap: the ego boost of being the "heavy lifter," the fear of short-term chaos, and the delusion that this time the extra effort will be appreciated. From budgeting processes that mysteriously become your job forever to stepping in for incompetent bosses, they expose the absurdity of corporate … [Read more...]
The Surprisingly Simple Way to Find Cost Savings
Season 1 – Episode 21: James's Magic Formula This week, we unlock the mystery of cost savings with James's formula for making savings thoughtfully without damaging service—doubters, listen on! We argue that this is something we will all face at some point in our careers, so it's best to get on the front foot and do it the right way. James has spent decades (he is that old!) working out the most effective way of approaching cost saving, and here he shares his approach so you can avoid some of the mistakes we've made in the past. If you need help becoming more efficient and effective and reducing costs, contact jimmy@ajobdonewell.com or james@ajobdonewell.com. … [Read more...]