Don’t Let the Room Run You

The People Are NOT Okay

Welcome to another episode of with Karen and Anee. Today we’re talking about something that feels obvious but often goes unspoken: people are not okay. Across the workplace, in our communities, and in the world more broadly, people are carrying more than we can see. You may have noticed it. It shows up as more fatigue, more reactivity, more disengagement, or just a general sense that something feels… off. This isn’t just anecdotal. The data shows rising stress, declining workplace engagement, and ongoing disruption shaping how people experience work. In this episode, we discuss: * What’s driving the current state of stress, burnout, and disengagement at work * Why this moment is part of a broader, ongoing shift—not a one-time event * The gap between what work demands and what people can sustainably give * How different communities experience this “load” differently—and why that matters Some key takeaways are: * “People are not okay” is not about individual fragility—it’s a signal about the systems we’re operating in * Performance and well-being are deeply connected, not competing priorities * Leaders build trust when they acknowledge reality and respond thoughtfully—not when they ignore it * It’s possible to hold high expectations while also leading with care and awareness Resources (links): * Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report (2026) [https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx] * HBR, The Future of Mental Health at Work Is Safety, Community, and a Healthy Organizational Culture” by Bernie Wong and Kelly Greenwood (2023) [https://hbr.org/2023/10/the-future-of-mental-health-at-work-is-safety-community-and-a-healthy-organizational-culture] * University College London / Klotz interviews and commentary on post-resignation workforce trends (2026) [https://www.mgmt.ucl.ac.uk/news/anthony-klotz-launches-new-book-science-behind-quitting-jolted] If you enjoyed this conversation, we’d love to hear from you! 📩 Email us: thedontdothatpod@gmail.com [thedontdothatpod@gmail.com] ❤️ Follow: Connect with us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/dont-do-that-podcast/]. 🎙 Subscribe: Follow Don’t Do That! on your favorite podcast platform. ⭐ Leave a Review: Your feedback helps boost the show and lets others know what to expect. 📢 Share: If you found today’s discussion insightful, pass it along to colleagues and friends!

Don’t Let the Room Run You

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with Karen and Anee. Today we’re talking about facilitation. Facilitation is probably not a part of most professional’s vocabulary. But you’ve likely encountered this skill set in meetings, at retreats, or training - when the person leading has control of the room, makes everyone feel engaged, and creates great conversation. That’s facilitation! In this episode, we discuss: * What facilitation is and what is it NOT * The role of a facilitator as a guide, focused on the process of moving a group from point A to point B Some key takeaways are: * Facilitation can unlock leadership potential because it leads to better team work and collaboration. It can also improve a leader’s ability to influence others and add value to interactions.  * Leaders with facilitation skills provide a way for teams to get to solutions without telling them what to do Resources (links): * Cindy Hugget: The Facilitator’s Guide to Immersive, Blended, and Hybrid Learning [https://www.cindyhuggett.com/facilitatorsguide/] * How Facilitation Skills Can Help You Unlock Your Leadership Potential [https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2024/08/01/how-facilitation-skills-can-help-you-unlock-your-leadership-potential/] * How Great Facilitation Happens: Preparation, Flow And Follow-Through [https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2025/09/23/how-great-facilitation-happens-preparation-flow-and-follow-through/] If you enjoyed this conversation, we’d love to hear from you! 📩 Email us: thedontdothatpod@gmail.com [thedontdothatpod@gmail.com] ❤️ Follow: Connect with us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/dont-do-that-podcast/]. 🎙 Subscribe: Follow Don’t Do That! on your favorite podcast platform. ⭐ Leave a Review: Your feedback helps boost the show and lets others know what to expect. 📢 Share: If you found today’s discussion insightful, pass it along to colleagues and friends!

So now we’re paying for advice? The truth about Executive Coaching

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! Today we’re talking about executive coaching. Is it a powerful leadership tool—or just expensive advice? Executive coaching used to be something mostly reserved for CEOs and senior executives, but now you see everyone from new managers to seasoned leaders working with coaches to think through career decisions, leadership challenges, and big transitions. Some people swear by it. Others think it’s a professional development grift. In this episode, we unpack what coaching actually is, when it can be helpful, and when it might not be worth the investment. In this episode, we discuss: * What executive coaching actually looks like in practice * Why coaching has become more common in complex and virtual workplaces * How to tell if coaching is helping—or just validating bad ideas * Red flags that someone hired the wrong coach Some key takeaways are: * Coaching works best when leaders are open to reflection and change—not just validation. * In fast-moving and distributed workplaces, coaching can create rare space for clear thinking and perspective. * Working with a culturally competent coach can broaden your aperture, helping you consider how identity, power, and context shape leadership decisions. * Coaching can support leadership growth, but it cannot fix structural problems inside organizations. Resources: * 2025 ICF Global Coaching Study https://coachingfederation.org/resource/2025-icf-global-coaching-study-executive-summary/ [https://coachingfederation.org/resource/2025-icf-global-coaching-study-executive-summary/] * 2024 HBR Global Leadership Study https://www.harvardbusiness.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CRE5057_CL_TT24_Research-Findings_June24.pdf [https://www.harvardbusiness.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CRE5057_CL_TT24_Research-Findings_June24.pdf] * HBR “What Can Coaches Do for You?” https://hbr.org/2009/01/what-can-coaches-do-for-you [https://hbr.org/2009/01/what-can-coaches-do-for-you] If you enjoyed this conversation, we’d love to hear from you! 📩 Email us: thedontdothatpod@gmail.com [thedontdothatpod@gmail.com] ❤️ Follow: Connect with us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/dont-do-that-podcast/]. 🎙 Subscribe: Follow Don’t Do That! on your favorite podcast platform. ⭐ Leave a Review: Your feedback helps boost the show and lets others know what to expect. 📢 Share: If you found today’s discussion insightful, pass it along to colleagues and friends!

How Banter Builds Culture

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! We're talking about banter - you know, shooting the breeze with your coworkers. Those “water cooler” moments build company culture and boost productivity. Yet, the expectations around social interactions can make some professionals feel left out or excluded. In this episode, we discuss: * The benefits of social interaction and banter * How employees from diverse backgrounds have various degrees of connections with their coworkers Some key takeaways are: * There are watchout for “water cooler” chats and how professionals are expected to engage. If your lived experience is not normalized, it can be difficult to engage and find connections with coworkers.  Resources (links): * The Surprising Benefits of Water Cooler Talks [https://www.orginc.com/blog/the-surprising-benefits-of-water-cooler-talks#:~:text=RESEARCH%20PROVES%20IT,these%20areas%20can%20enhance%20productivity] * Gen Z workers feel isolated by tech and crave more in-person interaction [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/05/gen-z-workers-are-craving-more-in-person-interaction-survey-.html] If you enjoyed this conversation, we’d love to hear from you! 📩 Email us: thedontdothatpod@gmail.com [thedontdothatpod@gmail.com] ❤️ Follow: Connect with us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/dont-do-that-podcast/]. 🎙 Subscribe: Follow Don’t Do That! on your favorite podcast platform. ⭐ Leave a Review: Your feedback helps boost the show and lets others know what to expect. 📢 Share: If you found today’s discussion insightful, pass it along to colleagues and friends!

Is that Racist or Nah?

Welcome to another episode of Don’t Do That! with your hosts Karen and Anee! Today, we’re diving into racism at work, specifically for Black professionals. Many Black professionals have had interactions at work that hurt or just feel icky. After the experience, we are left asking ourselves “Was that racist or nah?” In this episode, we discuss: * The subtle ways racism and anti-Blackness shows up at work * The interactions that feels racists at work * The ways Black employees can respond to racists or uncomfortable interactions at work Some key takeaways are: * Dr. Jean’s SNAPS (strategically navigating anti-black in professional spaces) decision-making model provides practical skills for navigating and responding to anti-Blackness. * Black employees should always prioritize self in responding to racist interactions at work. Resources (links): * Dr. Pearis Jean website and resources [https://www.drpearisjean.com/] * Coqual Being Black in Corporate America [https://coqual.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CoqualBeingBlackinCorporateAmerica090720-1.pdf] If you enjoyed this conversation, we’d love to hear from you! 📩 Email us: thedontdothatpod@gmail.com [thedontdothatpod@gmail.com] ❤️ Follow: Connect with us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/dont-do-that-podcast/]. 🎙 Subscribe: Follow Don’t Do That! on your favorite podcast platform. ⭐ Leave a Review: Your feedback helps boost the show and lets others know what to expect. 📢 Share: If you found today’s discussion insightful, pass it along to colleagues and friends!