The Workplace Chameleon with Dr. Celina
This podcast is about the changing organization and our relationship to it -- how we enter, thrive and exit. Each episode is meant to be thoughtful, funny, and applicable. Stories, insight, and "words to say" come from Dr. Celina's experience with over two and a half decades of listening, learning from and leading conversations in hundreds of companies. Each episode will explore a new theme about life arriving in, interacting with and leaving the workplace.
Episodes
Priorities only matter if people can see and understand them. In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman explores how priorities that feel crystal clear to a leader can remain completely invisible to everyone else — and why that invisibility comes at such a high cost. She explains the common ways priorities fade into the background, from assumptions that “everyone already knows” to noise from urgen...
Flow is one of the best feelings at work — that magic zone where you’re so focused and immersed that time disappears, distractions fade, and the work feels almost effortless. But too often, we treat flow like a lucky accident instead of something we can actually design. In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman explores how leaders and teams can set up the conditions to enter flow more often, on d...
Drift doesn’t happen all at once — it sneaks in quietly, a degree at a time, until suddenly you’re far off course. In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman explores how leaders can spot and call out drift before it becomes a costly detour. She defines drift as the gradual, often unnoticed shift away from original goals, values, or priorities and shows how it creeps into projects, culture, and tea...
Saying yes feels generous, positive, and full of possibility — but every yes comes with a price tag. In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman explores the hidden costs of commitment and why intentional leaders pause to check the tag before swiping yes. She unpacks the three main currencies you spend with every agreement — time, energy, and focus — along with the fine print most people forget: opp...
Your brain is prime property, but too often we let distractions, interruptions, and clutter take over the space meant for our best ideas. In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman explores how to protect your “mental real estate”, your attention, focus, and cognitive energy, from being drained by constant pings, messy workspaces, endless interruptions, and even your own internal noise. She shares ...
“Yes” feels positive, open, and full of possibility. But every time you say it, you’ve swiped a card—whether you realize it or not. The bill shows up later in the form of stress, late nights, or missed opportunities.
In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman explores why every yes costs you something—and how to make sure the trade is worth it. From hidden opportunity costs to the “ten-minute trap” ...
“Yes” feels positive, open, and full of possibility. But every time you say it, you’ve swiped a card—whether you realize it or not. The bill shows up later in the form of stress, late nights, or missed opportunities.
In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman explores why every yes costs you something—and how to make sure the trade is worth it. From hidden opportunity costs to the “ten-minute trap” ...
If multitasking really worked, we’d be caught up on email, folding laundry, and finishing a podcast all at the same time. But in reality, multitasking isn’t doing two things at once—it’s rapid task-switching. And every switch comes with a cost.
In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman unpacks why the myth of multitasking persists and what it’s really costing leaders, teams, and organizations. From...
Workarounds can keep things moving—but stack enough of them, and you’re not solving problems, you’re covering them up. In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman digs into the hidden cost of “bandages on bandages” at work: the quick fixes we layer on top of each other instead of addressing the real issue.
From adding staff to a broken process, to offering bonuses for turnover, or handing out coupons...
In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman tackles the hidden toll of decision fatigue—and what it’s really costing leaders.
From the “chicken pill” codeword that saved dinner debates to the daily drag of micro-decisions, this episode explores how mental overload, misalignment, and too many unclear expectations quietly wear us down. You’ll learn how decision fatigue shows up, why it’s not just about...
In the rush of meetings, pings, deadlines, and distractions, how do leaders hold their ground on what truly matters?
In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman explores what it really means to hold the line—to protect priorities, maintain focus, and lead with clarity when everything feels urgent. You’ll learn why it’s so hard to stay aligned (especially when you're trying to be helpful), how do...
In the rush of meetings, pings, deadlines, and distractions, how do leaders find what truly matters?
In this episode of The Workplace Chameleon, Dr. Celina Peerman explores the difference between noise—the things that keep us busy—and signal—the clarity that guides us.
You’ll learn how to filter out what’s urgent but unimportant, tune in to what matters most, and use powerful team practices to realign your leadership an...
As leaders, we have a responsibility to communicate with our team about why and how priorities are changing. However, it's crucial to strike a balance between sharing too much and not enough information. Dr. Celina provides useful tips for leaders to determine when to share updates and when to wait.
Imagine a console with several levers, each having a handle that can be moved to achieve a specific goal. The question is, which lever should you move, and how much should you move it? Tune in to Dr. Celina's discussion on decision-making in situations where priorities need to be shifted. Learn how to move the levers with certainty and determination.
Have you had a moment when you know something, but you just can’t seem to pull it out of your memory? In this episode, we’ll look at the connection between change, recall, and focus. How does focus improve our recall? This episode explores these ideas and ways to improve focus and recall during rapid change on the job.
Do any of our listeners enjoy making lists? How many of you write something on your list just to cross it off? Tune in to this episode to learn more about why it feels good to check something off your list. Dr. Celina reminds us that what we focus on matters, and that check mark means more than we may think.
What frustrates you? Dr. Celina explores the topic of frustration during times of change and how it can lead to a loss of focus. She discusses ways to prevent frustration or recover from it, so it doesn't negatively impact progress. By listening in, you can discover new ways to apply your efforts effectively to the right tasks during times of change and beyond.
In times of change, certain actions should be avoided. Dr. Celina discusses both individual and team behaviors that can help direct the necessary resources and attention toward the change by refraining from other activities that hinder progress. Please prepare a notepad or keyboard to jot down the list of "not now" items.
During times of change, it can be challenging to know which areas require your attention the most. To ensure that you and your team are focused on the most important aspects, Dr. Celina has provided a review of key areas and reflection questions that you can use. It is crucial to remember that not all tasks are equally important, and it is essential to prioritize your time and focus accordingly.
Small wins give us a boost for what comes next. What can you celebrate in the midst of change? Even small improvements can be a win, especially if you are further than where you started. Dr. Celina will give you five key tips for making celebrations count when navigating the sea of change.
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