Candor & Courage At Work®

The workplace communication podcast that helps professionals navigate difficult conversations, speak up with confidence, and build stronger careers. HR experts Denise and Maggie share practical frameworks for giving honest feedback, addressing conflict, and leading with authenticity... without the career-limiting fear that keeps most people silent.

Learn how to say what needs to be said while building trust and advancing your professional goals.

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Episodes

Thursday May 15, 2025

Reentering the job market after a long absence can present several challenges, including outdated skills, changing job market conditions, self-doubt, and age discrimination. And, the process for seeking out and interviewing for jobs has changed dramatically. But, don’t be discouraged! Maggie was recently a guest on the Silver Divorce podcast, hosted by Lisa McCluskey. In the episode, Maggie and Lisa discuss:
The common barriers for people reentering the job market after a long absence.
The first steps to take to reenter the job market after a long absence.
How to approach a long absence from the job market in interviews.
How to leverage volunteer work and translate it to the work environment.
Resources to identify your strengths.
 
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Please follow or subscribe to this podcast; leave a rating and review and share with people you know experiencing the pain of divorce.
Produced by: Whitfield Media Group, Chattanooga, TN
Editing by: Tyler Owens
Email: ⁠silverdivorcepodcast@gmail.com⁠
Facebook & Instagram @silverdivorcepodcast
Title Sponsor: Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics ⁠www.sportmed.com⁠
Show Sponsor: Medicare Misty ⁠www.medicaremisty.com⁠
About your host: I’m Lisa McCluskey, MBA, a retired healthcare executive turned podcaster after being blindsided when my 34-year marriage ended. I interview experts on the Silver Divorce Podcast to help people through the traumatic divorce journey.
This podcast provides education and information and is not intended to replace the advice of a therapist or legal advice.

Thursday May 01, 2025

Having something important to say doesn't mean it's easy to say it.
In this episode we’re tackling listeners’ questions about navigating sensitive conversations without hurting feelings and building the confidence to voice your opinions despite fears of negative reactions.
After listening to this episode, you'll know how (and when) to speak up when it matters most, how to deliver difficult messages with empathy, and specific techniques to overcome the fear of potential backlash when sharing your perspective.
Learn more at candorandcourageatwork.com & connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hr-habitude

Taking Calculated Risks | Ep7

Tuesday Apr 01, 2025

Tuesday Apr 01, 2025

Workplace courage isn’t always about diving straight into the deep end. Sometimes you can wade in, one step at a time.
After listening to this episode, you will know the power of taking calculated risks at work, how they build your confidence, and three specific ways you can practice courage at work (today).
Plus, we answer a listener’s question about a team member who avoids conflict, and Maggie shares her story about confronting an employee she caught stealing… A true case study on practicing courage in the workplace!
Learn more at candorandcourageatwork.com & connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hr-habitude

Saturday Mar 01, 2025

Ever wonder why some leaders can deliver tough feedback that motivates people, while others leave their teams feeling deflated? 
In this episode, we share practical strategies for making feedback feel like a gift rather than a burden, including creating an 'emotional bank account' and planning your respectful candor for a time when it will be best received.
Key Takeaways:
Turn difficult conversations into opportunities for growth and connection
Lay the groundwork for open dialogue with new team members
A framework for planning your candid feedback 
Learn more at candorandcourageatwork.com & connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hr-habitude

Saturday Feb 01, 2025

Fear is ingrained in each of us from a young age. Every day as we left for school, our parents would say “Be careful!” Now, as adults and professionals, we must first recognize what our fears are, and then practice courage to overcome them.
In this episode, we discuss the three levels of fear and provide questions that you can ask yourself the next time you’re preparing to be courageous.
Resources Mentioned:
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers
Learn more at candorandcourageatwork.com & connect with us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hr-habitude

Wednesday Jan 01, 2025

When you think of courage, you probably imagine a firefighter running into a burning building. But there are actually *nine* types of courage, and we’re diving into them today.
We also address a listener’s question about their colleague’s Ruinous Empathy, why courage is big AND small, and a few ways you can start implementing courage at work.
Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more at candorandcourageatwork.com & connect with us on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/hr-habitude)

Sunday Dec 01, 2024

Obnoxious Aggression, Ruinous Empathy, Manipulative Insincerity, and Radical Candor. These are the four types of behaviors outlined in Kim Scott’s book, Radical Candor, and understanding these behaviors can be eye-opening for leaders who need to provide kind and clear criticism to their employees.
In this episode, we discuss those behaviors, why you should build trust *before* you need to be candid with someone, and the steps we must follow in order to embrace candor in the workplace.
Resources Mentioned:
Radical Candor by Kim Scott
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
Learn more at candorandcourageatwork.com & connect with us on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/hr-habitude)

Friday Nov 01, 2024

Now that we’ve introduced the principles of candor and courage, we can dive a bit deeper. In this episode, we share insights we’ve learned about candor. Denise shares the story of her first time providing brutally honest feedback and how it set her on the path to mastering candor. Plus, the top reasons why people avoid candor in the workplace and how giving honest (but kind) feedback can help employees go from good to better to best!
Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Learn more at candorandcourageatwork.com & connect with us on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/hr-habitude)

Tuesday Oct 01, 2024

In this introductory episode, we share our reasoning behind starting the podcast and introduce ourselves. We also explain why candor is important to Denise, and how Maggie defines courage. Most importantly, we share how candor and courage work hand-in-hand, and what you can expect from future episodes! 
 
Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!
 
Learn more at candorandcourageatwork.com

Trailer

Tuesday Sep 17, 2024

Tuesday Sep 17, 2024

Many people struggle with being candid and courageous at work. Two HR professionals, Denise and Maggie, want to share what they have learned about Candor & Courage At Work to help YOU use those traits in your daily work life, so you can be more successful!
Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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