Cubicle Confidential

“Oops you made a mistake, that’s all … and making mistakes is never fun” was a jingle from a decades-old cartoon series.  Truer words were never sung.  Blunder … error … gaffe … mis-step … oversight … blooper … many terms share that singular, sinking feeling when you realize you messed up in a big way. We help listeners own up and make amends when things go awry at the office.  Jack shares the story of an impromptu acoustic perform...

Leading a high-profile initiative can be daunting … even more so when you’re coordinating team members scattered around the globe. We help listeners tasked with getting the job done while navigating different languages, cultures and work styles. In honor of July 4th, the Cubicle Crew reminisces about the magic of fireworks.

Segments in this episode:

• We’re Not in Kansas Anymore - “Help! I’m about to lead a global initiative and th...

As the saying goes, “Life unfolds at the office.” Feeling sad or down is a normal reaction to disappointing or difficult times. But when a low mood stretches from days to weeks it can be difficult to sleep, think or work. If you feel depressed, take the first step by talking to a mental health professional, your doctor, a friend or loved one. This week we hear from a listener reluctant to disclosure his struggles even as they impac...

A new title, more responsibility, better pay and perhaps a little prestige … what could be bad about getting promoted?  This week we help listeners grappling with the complexities and consequences of “moving on up” the corporate ladder.  Chris probes Tim about his quasi-agrarian roots.

Segments in this episode:

• Down About Moving Up In Bloomfield - “I got promoted and now my work friends are giving me a hard time”
• Up For Grabs In C...

Honesty is the best policy, but … the early bird gets the worm. Which idiom can save a listener from being an idiot? Next, an honest mistake does real harm … how to handle damage control when you unwittingly spill the tea about a job change. Is it just me, or has tipping gotten more complicated? Plus, a wild and wonderful tale from Wildwood.

Segments in this episode:

• A Wasted Opportunity in Omaha - “If the boss is drunk, thinks y...

This week we help listeners master the mid-day meal: one wants in on the action, while another wrestles with the cost of lavish lunching. Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive. Reflections on different types of lies. 

Segments in this episode:

• Not Clicking with the Clique in Chicago - “How do I crack the boy’s club at lunch?”
• Food for Thought in New York City - “Eating out with my boss is costing me a ...

What to do when work travel gets awkward? How to deflect when another couple wants to join your vacation. How to navigate a work trip when teammates become roommates. Chris reflects on his time as an instructor at a school for new consultants and the classical motif puer mingens makes a surprise appearance.

Segments in this episode

• Two’s Company, Four’s a Crowd in Cleveland - "I am taking my girlfriend to Europe and my work ...

Religion … money … politics … in the modern workplace almost no subject is off limits. This week we help a listener in Texas do the two-step when his new teammates talk politics. The Gaylord hotel, the Curse of Knowledge and the toppling trees of the biosphere are a few more ingredients in this week’s stew.

Segments in this episode:

• Damned if You Do, Damning if You Don’t in Lubbock - “My new coworkers talk politics all day … do I...

This week we help listeners shake up the status quo. What to do when your comp doesn’t match your contribution to the business?  Next, how to start a job change when you think you’ve found some greener grass. In honor of Mother’s Day:  Chris, Tim and Jack share memories of traditions both old and new. Science Corner: Butler’s Law of Conservation of Self-esteem.

Segments in this episode:

• Hacked or Hacked Off in New Jersey - “My bo...

Given the transient and mobile nature of the modern workforce, is poaching an ethical dilemma or a smart sourcing strategy? We help a restaurant owner contemplate countermeasures when an upscale rival raids his roster. Next, Chris and Tim help a consultant calm the waters when he is accused of aiding and abetting a defection. Also, a spirited point-counterpoint on the concept of “brunch” and a few confessions about runny eggs.

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Tim’s much-maligned reference shelf includes the American Heritage dictionary which defines a crush as:  “a usually temporary infatuation.” This week we help listeners work through the twists and turns of office obsessions. Chris waxes poetic about the rotary phone and the dating scene at Illinois Bell. Plus:  back by popular demand – the word of the day!

Segments in this episode

• 2Good 2Be 4Gotten in Tulsa- "My boss is hot. ...

Sometimes it’s hard to stand out from the crowd, sometimes it’s hard to hide.  We help listeners chart a course into -- and out of – the spotlight. Plus: an apology to Sean Evans, the “pretend agent” that launched a career, and the all-too-common confusion around Patrick Stewart and  Patrick Swayze.

Segments in this episode:

• TV NV in NYC - “I want an internship but I’m not in Kansas anymore”
• Kitemath is an award-winning design tea...

Recreational marijuana is all the buzz but what happens when Mary Jane dances a little too close to the office? We explore the complicated tapestry of state law, company policy and individual liberty. Is pot the new alcohol or is it a little more complicated?  On a completely unrelated topic … Chris, Tim and Jack talk about their favorite binge-worthy snacks. 

Segments in this episode

• Taking the High Road in Durham - “I saw my em...

When does a stretch goal become a fool’s errand? This week listeners share their challenges with unrealistic expectations both foreign (from a client) and domestic (from the boss). Chris shares one of his favorite tools for assessing personality types and channels his inner Ross Perot.

Segments in this episode

• Baffled in the Bay Area - “S.O.S., the boss is setting beyond-audacious growth targets!”
• Fishing for Sponsors: DiSC® is a ...

Intelligensia Artificialis is not a real phrase but it should be. We tackle two takes on the omnipresent A.I. system, Chat GPT. How can a freelance writer stay relevant? If you find time in your day, should you ask for more work (or just play)? We close with a quick tour of A.I. trends for 2024. Bonus quiz: what do acoustic guitar, snail mail and cloth diaper have in common?

Segments in this episode

• Man vs. Machine in Philly - &q...

What to do when a co-worker’s pride and joy becomes your noisy nemesis?  A cry for help as the office devolves into a petting zoo. In a first for the podcast, we help two listeners from the same company! Plus, an homage to a dark chocolate-enrobed peppermint confection.

Segments in this episode

• Hound from Hell in Accounting - “How do I handle this furry miscreant?”
• An interlude: waxing poetic about the York Peppermint Patty (and t...

Sharing the gym – and the locker room – with coworkers can lead to some uncomfortable encounters! Tune in to hear Chris and Tim help listeners avoid pulling a hamstring when access to amenities gets awkward.

Segments in this episode

• Exorcised in LA - “My boomer boss wants me to be his workout buddy”
• Fishing for Sponsors: The StopAlong serves impressive pizza, burgers and more! The Wicker Park and Logan Square locations are both wa...

Did you know the number one fear in America is glossophopia? Chris and Tim help a listener manage their high anxiety. Next, they discuss how to tap the brakes on an unreserved rookie without crushing his spirit.

Segments in this episode

• Naked Below the Waist in Boston - “I am so nervous about presenting to senior management”
• Fishing for Sponsors: A live, on-air taste test of banana candies from Serbia and Croatia, made possible by...