this is work
Join leadership coach Shelley Johnson as she talks with you about all things work! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
832 the bs antenna, your leadership voice & being unapologetically you
In this episode Shelley is joined by good friend and return guest, Grace Murray Vazquez, Executive Vice President of Strategy at Fohr, a creative marketing agency in New York for this chat about:
Connect with Grace: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracemurray/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-murray-vazquez-11920946
👉🏼 why our collective ability to spot inauthenticity is becoming sharper + why it matters
👉🏽 how to keep meetings moving and making space for quieter voices
👉🏾 how to find your unique tone of voice as a leader and help others find theirs
👉🏿 a...
831 old school career advice & leadership non-negotiables
In today's episode Shell shares 6 pieces of advice that will never go out of a style and the 3 fundamentals of being a good leader.
Be Useful: Seven tools for life by Arnold Schwarzenegger: https://link.amazon/B03gJXQCJ
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If you lead teams, check out Shelley’s business, Boldside: https://www.boldside.com.au/
Shell & Glen’s book 'Sort Your Career Out & Make More Money' is available here: https://amzn.to/4k3YSrr
Hosted on Acast. See...
830 mid-year halftime reset, the workaholic's guide to breaks & don't outsource your brain
Boldside's People & Culture Unconference is back on 15 and 16 September at The Calile Hotel in Brisbane, and it's the opposite of a stuffy convention centre day. Think workshops instead of keynotes, real conversations, and a room full of HR leaders who actually get it.
🎟️🎟️🎟️Only 100 spots, so don't sleep on it: https://bit.ly/4fHwqMV
CODE: POD for 10% off!
Shell is back from two weeks off with 3 big ideas on her mind! In this episode she talks about:
👉🏼 some reflection questions to do the second half of the year well
👉🏽 Shell's guide...
829 best self vs stressed self, ditching the manager hat & the verdict working mums need
Boldside's People & Culture Unconference is back on 15 and 16 September at The Calile Hotel in Brisbane, and it's the opposite of a stuffy convention centre day. Think workshops instead of keynotes, real conversations, and a room full of HR leaders who actually get it.
🎟️🎟️🎟️Only 100 spots, so don't sleep on it: https://bit.ly/4fHwqMV
CODE: POD for 10% off!
In this episode, Shell talks about some things on her mind lately:
👉🏼 how are you under pressure and what do you need to show up at your best?
👉🏽 your emotional state is contagio...
828 practical ways to rebuild your energy with Dr Amantha Imber
In this episode Shell is joined again by organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber to talk through practical strategies from her book, The Energy Game, to recharge and rebuild energy. They touch on:
Boost strategies:
👉🏼 the glucose stroll
👉🏽 the thank you letter
👉🏾 the acupressure strategy
Rest strategies:
👉🏿 the silent walk
👉🏻 the tapping reset
Protect strategies:
👉 the yes triage
👉🏼 the never again list
Mentioned in the chat:
The Energy Game: https://link.amazon/B00gb0zqX
Digital Minimalism by C...
827 burnout, the energy crisis & your energy type with Dr Amantha Imber
In this episode Shell is joined by organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber, who shares about how she hit rock bottom in 2024 in the depths of burnout. Her new book, The Energy Game provides anyone experiencing burnout with a practical science-backed guide for regaining energy bit by bit without needing to completely press pause on life. They chat about:
👉🏼 the "getting hit by a bus" fantasy
👉🏽 Amantha's burnout and the warning signs she missed
👉🏾 the "push through" paradox many face when they're exhausted
👉🏿 what's causing an energy crisis in our society?
👉🏻 the 4 energy typ...
826 from the vault: 5 steps to move through a career crisis or crossroad with Glen James
Are you feeling a bit stuck or lost in your career? Shell and Glen talk about when they've felt this way and share 5 steps for navigating a career crisis.
Shell & Glen’s book 'Sort Your Career Out & Make More Money' is available here: https://amzn.to/4k3YSrr
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If you lead teams, check out Shelley’s business, Boldside: https://www.boldside.com.au/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
825 reinventing yourself, avoiding career entropy & the conflict skill you need
In this episode Shell unpacks 3 big ideas that have been on her mind lately. She talks about:
👉🏼 who do you need to become in the ever-changing world of work?
👉🏽 what physics has to do with your career
👉🏾 how to deal with conflict effectively & the art of repair
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If you lead teams, check out Shelley’s business, Boldside: https://www.boldside.com.au/
Shell & Glen’s book 'Sort Your Career Out & Make More Money' is available here: htt...
824 from the vault: 5 traits of a high performer
In this episode from the vault Shell explores what sets high achievers apart in the workplace and unpacks five key traits that are commonly found in individuals who consistently excel and achieve outstanding results. These are the essential qualities to cultivate if you're looking to take your career to the next level.
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If you lead teams, check out Shelley’s business, Boldside: https://www.boldside.com.au/
Shell & Glen’s book 'Sort Your Career Out & Make More Money' is available here...
823 from the vault: productivity hacks to get more stuff done
Sometimes making just one small change to how you work can significantly boost your productivity, and today's episode from the vault is loaded with practical ideas! Annabelle Bishop from Boldside joins Shell on the show to share what she does to optimise her time and energy at work, touching on:
👉🏾 managing your inbox
👉🏿 carving out time for deep work
👉🏻 finding your flow state
👉 establishing helpful habits
👉🏼 having a power list
👉🏽 doing the hard thing first
👉🏾 giving yourself rewards and motivators
👉🏿 setting up your environment
👉🏻 how to prioritise y...
822 spot the difference: confidence vs arrogance, empathy vs enabling + more
Is your workplace toxic, or does it just have high expectations? A work dynamic could appear as one thing until you look a little closer. In this episode, Shell unpacks the subtle but crucial distinctions between:
👉 a toxic workplace vs a a demanding workplace
👉🏽 confidence vs arrogance
👉🏾 hard work vs hustle
👉🏿 empathy vs enabling bad behaviour
👉🏻 clear leadership vs controlling leadership
Radical Candor by Kim Scott: https://amzn.to/3PEpqWZ
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If you lead teams, check...
821 from the vault: the #1 skill you need at work (and it's not what you think!)
In this vault episode from season 6, Shell unpacks the #1 skill you need in your career!
Resources mentioned 👇
📒 Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb: https://amzn.to/3UoiWLI
📒 Emotional Agility by Susan David: https://amzn.to/47Wz9Lm
📒 The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday: https://amzn.to/3vYhFAV
🎧 The Confidence Chronicles podcast episode by Erika Cramer:
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If you lead teams, check ou...
820 how to communicate with influence (a 3-step framework)
Shell's biggest communication fail happened in front of 100 people at age 25 and the lesson she took from it changed how she thinks about every message she's ever delivered since. In this episode she shares those lessons and breaks down a three-step practical framework for communicating with influence. She touches on:
👉🏼 the career fail
👉🏽 thinking about your audience rather yourself
👉🏾 preparing without over-preparing
👉🏿 why your message has to actually sound like you
👉🏻 how to build connection with your audience
👉 how to bring clarity
👉🏼how to delivery clear steps through a call to...
819 from the vault: leadership lessons every manager needs
Management can be a hard gig! In this throwback episode from the vault, Shell and Shane Hatton unpack your questions about leadership, touching on:
👉🏼 what's the first thing a new leader needs to learn?
👉🏽 asking for better feedback from your team
👉🏾 micro-managing
👉🏿 you don't have to have all the answers
👉🏻 support systems
👉 learning and contributing
👉🏼 hiring people better than you
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
Connect with Shane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanemhatton/
If you lead...
818 hard truths, tough love: 8 things you need to hear for your career
In this episode of this is work, Shell's channelling some tough love that we all need to hear at least once.
Drawing from real conversations and moments from Shells career, she shares eight hard truths for your career and leadership - from why embarrassment is actually a sign you're growing, to why discipline will always beat desire and why choosing comfort now almost always leads to pain later.
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If you lead teams, check out Shelley’s business, Boldside: https://www.boldside.co...
817 from the vault: how to stop people pleasing in leadership
Let's chat about one of the biggest killers for your career - people pleasing. In this throwback episode from the vault Shell is joined by Grace Murray, Vice President of Strategy at Fohr who shares how she's learned to overcome people pleasing as a leader.
📒 Radical Candor by Kim Scott: https://amzn.to/3SP8wDE
Listen to Grace's career story 👇
Listen on Apple
Listen on Spotify
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If you lead teams, check out Shelle...
816 telling someone they lack self-awareness, dealing with defensiveness and what new leaders get wrong (ep816)
On this weeks episode of this is work, we cover some listener questions — and this week, they're spicy.
Shell tackles some of the hardest conversations in leadership — with practical tools you can use straight away.
In this episode we cover:
How to tell someone they lack self-awarenessThe five types of defensiveness and how to handle each oneLeading people who are older or more experienced than youWorking for a boss you don't respectThe biggest mistake new leaders makeConnect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If...
815 from the vault: how to perform under pressure
In this episode of 'this is work' from the vault, Shell breaks down the seven strategies used by high performers to stay sharp when the stakes are high. Whether you're dealing with conflict avoidance, a fear of feedback or just feeling the weight of your own expectations, this episode's for you. Shell covers:
👉 finding your edge - what elite performers do that most people avoid
👉🏼 self-reflect to course correct - Ray Dalio's one-big-thing framework
👉🏿 control the controllables - Stephen Covey's circles of control, influence & concern
👉🏻practice under pressure - why relaxed practice does...
814 how to build your personal brand without selling your soul
What do you think of when you hear "personal brand"? If you get the ick from those two words alone, then this episode is for you. Shell delivers a one-on-one workshop on building your personal brand, including a clear five-step framework for defining your brand on a page.
Grab your notes app. This one's a working session.
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If you lead teams, check out Shelley’s business, Boldside: https://www.boldside.com.au/
Shell & Glen’s book 'Sort Your...
813 from the vault: tackling common challenges in leadership
Leadership is not easy! In this episode from season 7, Shell unpacks some of the most common challenges that leaders face and how to navigate them. She touches on:
👉 leading well even when you're exhausted
👉🏼 building a sustainable high-performance culture
👉🏿 making the jump from team member to team leader
👉🏻 the difference between information sharing and true communication
👉🏽 creating psychological safety for courageous conversations
👉🏽 and why being “nice” isn’t always helpful in leadership
Related episodes: 🎧 strategies for building wellbeing at work with Phil Wolffe - Listen on Apple | Spotify
Conn...
812 imposter syndrome as a strength, navigating unspoken conflict & leading well when you're new
Ever felt like a fraud at work? Good. In this episode of this is work, Shelley and Emily cover three big leadership topics — reframing imposter syndrome, dealing with unspoken conflict on your team, and how to nail your first 90 days as a new leader.
In this episode:
Why imposter syndrome is a green flag, not a red oneThe ODD framework for surfacing unspoken team conflictHow to use silence strategically in tough conversationsYour month by month 90 day leadership planConnect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If...
811 weaponised incompetence: what to watch for, how to address it & when your competence gets used against you
In this week's episode of this is work, Shelley and Emily dive into weaponised incompetence in the workplace — everything from how to spot it and the exact words to use when addressing it, right through to what happens when it flips and your own competence gets used against you.
In this episode we cover:
What is weaponised incompetencePlaying to your strengths vs weaponising a weaknessScripts and one liners to address it with a colleagueThe flip side: when your competence gets weaponisedSigns your manager is using your competence against youCheck out Sh...
810 burnout and mental fitness: how to stay well, when things are not well
The world feels pretty chaotic right now — and if you're someone who prides yourself on high performance, that chaos can quietly push you toward burnout before you even see it coming.
In this episode, Shelley sits down with mental fitness and leadership specialist, Joel Pilgrim to talk about what it actually means to stay well when everything around you feels uncertain.
In this episode we cover:
Why mental fitness is just like physical fitness — and what your daily practice should look likeThe 5-step model for performing under pressure without burning outWhat recovery actu...809 dysfunctional workplaces, career move to a start-up & can leaders really work fewer hours?
In this episode of this is work, Shelley Johnson and Emily Bowen answer real listener questions about:
• Supporting someone stuck with a toxic boss
• What to do when a team is dysfunctional in every way
• Switching from a poorly paid corporate job to a start-up
• Whether leadership roles and fewer hours can realistically coexist
If you're navigating workplace dysfunction, considering a bold career move or stepping into leadership, this one’s for you.
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If yo...
808 how to lead hard conversations, support your team and go from doer to leader
In this episode of this is work, Shelley answer your questions about some of the hardest parts of leadership and career growth.
In this episode she unpacks:
• How to give feedback to someone who takes things personally
• When and how to schedule tricky conversations
• How to support a team member whose personal life is chaotic (without overstepping)
• The mindset shift from being the go-to doer to becoming a developer of others
• The biggest barrier to learning and growth at work
If you lead a team, as...
807 how to find a mentor, build future-proof skills & selling your ideas at work
Want a mentor but don’t know where to start? Struggling to sell your ideas to senior leaders? Wondering what skills actually matter in a world of AI and constant change?
In this episode of this is work, Shelley is joined by her guest, Adrian Smith to answer your career questions, they unpack:
👉🏼 How to find a mentor (without making it awkward or overly formal)
👉🏾 Why you don’t need “one” mentor — but mentoring moments
👉🏽The 3 skills that will future-proof your career
👉🏿 How to sell your ideas inside a business
👉🏽 How to...
806 when to change jobs, taking career risks & is my new job a bad fit?
Thinking about a big career move but terrified it might blow up your life? Or wondering if you’ve stayed in your job too long? This episode is for you.
Shell answers real listener questions about:
👉🏼 How to manage fear when you’re considering a major career change
👉🏾 The difference between reversible vs irreversible decisions
👉🏽 Whether you’re stagnating or still growing
👉🏿 How to tell if a new job is a bad fit… or just uncomfortable because it’s new
👉🏽 How to weigh up a $10K pay rise vs long-term values
👉🏿...
805 from the vault: 8 ways to become an opportunity magnet
Want to attract cool career opportunities? Get this episode in your ears! Here's how to level up.
Learn more about the CliftonStrengths assessment
Listen: Simon Sinek's podcast, A Bit of Optimism
Shell & Glen’s book 'Sort Your Career Out & Make More Money' is available here: https://amzn.to/4k3YSrr
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If you lead teams, check out Shelley’s business, Boldside: https://www.boldside.com.au/
Shell & Glen’s book 'Sort Your Career O...
804 from the vault: 4 ways to make more money in your career
No new episode this week as Shell's lost her voice but we've got a goodie for you from when the show was called my millennial career! Glen joins Shell to explain 4 key ways increase your income and uncap your earning potential.
The Advanced Income Quadrant: https://www.sortyourcareerout.com/blog/4-ways-to-increase-your-income
Shell and Glen's book, Sort Your Career Out & Make More Money: https://www.sortyourcareerout.com/
The pay rise episodes mentioned in the episode:
602 pay rises part 1: the secrets your boss doesn't want you to know
602...
803 how to up your public speaking game
Want to level up your public speaking game this year? Today's episode will equip you with practical strategies to open, close and keep your audience engaged and invested whether you're presenting in a boardroom or on a public stage. Joining Shell is return guest Ashley Fell who is a TEDx speaker, author and social researcher who delivers 50+ keynotes a year and has spent the past decade turning complex data into engaging, actionable stories. She shares:
👉🏼 why people are so afraid of public speaking
👉🏽 what makes someone a great public speaker
👉🏾 how to connect with the a...
802 generational drama at work: how gen z, millennials & gen x really think
In this episode Shell is joined by social researcher Ashley Fell to unpack the generational dynamics playing out in today’s workplaces. They discuss:
👉🏼 the big generational shifts happening in workplaces now
👉🏽 tension points and opportunities
👉🏾 what actually motivates each generation
👉🏿 the differences in communication styles
👉🏻 what the era of personalisation means for leaders
👉 rage bait as Oxford's 2025 Word of the Year
👉🏼 trust as the ultimate leadership advantage
Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyfell1
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https...
801 burnout at work: why 100% effort is killing your performance
In today's episode Shell and workplace wellbeing specialist at Kinex Health Phil Wolffe explore how to avoid burnout in 2026 and what's actually helpful if you're going through it right now. They talk about why managing energy matters more than managing time, how burnout develops and what sustainable performance actually looks like at work for employees and leaders alike.
👉🏾 energy management vs time management
👉🏿 Phil's personal experience with burnout
👉🏻 why burnout and the ways to prevent it can look different for everyone
👉 losing your sense of purpose at work
👉🏼 things that helped Phil rec...
best of 2025: the 5 questions that will transform your career
Feeling stuck in your career or not sure of your next step? Grab your notes app or a journal cause in this popular ep from 2025, Shell shares five game-changing questions that can unlock clarity and guide you toward epic career moves. Get ready to reflect, confront your fears and dream big as you explore:
👉🏾 what you really want
👉🏿 what’s stopping you from taking action
👉🏻 the cost of staying in your comfort zone
👉 what could go right if you take the leap
👉🏼 and the one step you need to take next
Check...
best of 2025: managing a toxic boss, getting promoted & feeling stuck at work
Got a tough boss? Struggling to get promoted? Feeling stuck in your job? Shell tackles your work dilemmas in this popular episode from 2025.
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If you lead teams, check out Shelley’s business, Boldside: https://www.boldside.com.au/
Shell & Glen’s book 'Sort Your Career Out & Make More Money' is available here: https://amzn.to/4k3YSrr
We hate email spam so we don’t create it! Sign up to our newsletter to get only the valuable money...
750 how to talk about pay, benefits & your value at work (with Matt McFarlane)
Talking about pay can feel awkward, emotional and high-stakes but avoiding it can quietly stall your career. In this episode, Shell is joined by compensation expert Matt McFarlane to unpack what’s really happening in the job market, how to talk about money earlier (not when resentment hits), and the non-salary levers that matter just as much as dollars.
👉🏾 why the pay market feels “beige” right now
👉🏿 earning vs learning, why changing jobs boosts pay and the cost to employers
👉🏻 how to raise pay conversations with your employer
👉 why are there a lot of people job h...
749 the 25 work & life lessons we learned in 2025 (with Dr Amantha Imber)
As 2025 comes to an end, Shell and Dr Amantha Imber reflect on the big (and little) learnings, mindset shifts and practical stuff that they'll be taking into the new year! They touch on:
👉🏼 energy, focus & what really drives performance
👉🏾 boundaries, rest & staying out of burnout
👉 confidence, self-belief & playing bigger
👉🏿 navigating discomfort, embarrassment & growth
👉🏼 connection, influence & communicating well
👉🏽 psychological safety & healthier team dynamics
👉🏿 creativity, margin & making space to think
👉 AI workflows & working smarter
👉🏾 culture, trust & team transformation
👉🏽 small habits that compound over time
Here are the tools A...
748 the 15 things you need to hear in your career at least once
In today's episode Shell shares 15 thoughts, musings and career advice that she needs you to hear loud and clear which touch on:
👉🏼 mindset shifts
👉🏾 navigating fear, discomfort & embarrassment
👉🏽 what actually holds people back in their careers
👉 confidence & self-belief
👉🏿 leadership realities most people don’t talk about
👉🏽 practical ways to show up better in your role
👉 getting out of your own way
👉🏿 and small habits that make a big impact over time
Connect with Shell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-johnson/
If you lead te...
747 bringing personality to work, quitting without a plan, making mistakes & managing up
In today's Q&A Shell discusses your work questions with return guest, Steph Clarke. They chat about:
👉🏻 how do you show up with personality and still be seen as professional?
👉 is it okay to quit a job without a plan?
👉🏾 how to rebuild credibility and trust after making a mistake at work
👉🏿 how do you manage up when your boss isn’t great at communication?
Connect with Steph on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-clarke/
If you lead teams, check out Shelley’s business, Boldside: htt...
746 big conversations every leader needs to have (awkward chats, talented jerks + why 1:1s matter)
Shell and Rohan Dredge riff on the big topics leaders tend to avoid:
👉🏾 communicating with clarity
👉🏿 managing distractions for you and your team
👉🏻 why discipline beats desire
👉 the power of 1:1s
👉🏼 managing talented jerks, energy vampires & personality hires
👉🏽 the power of awkward honesty
👉🏾 what does vulnerability mean
Connect with Rohan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohandredge/
If you lead teams, check out Shelley’s business, Boldside: https://www.boldside.com.au/
Shell & Glen’s book 'Sort Your Career Out & Make More Mo...
745 how to prepare for the future of work with futurist Steph Clarke
Today Shell sits down with futurist Steph Clarke to unpack how to think about the future of work without spiralling. They chat about uncertainty, AI, imagining different possible futures, and how to stay flexible instead of trying to ‘future-proof’ your career.
👉🏾 why future-proofing your career is a myth + what to do instead
👉🏿 spotting signals of change
👉🏻 the high-impact / high-uncertainty quadrant
👉 how to prepare for uncertainty
👉🏼 what Steph means by "trying a different future on"
👉🏽 fear setting & preparing for what could go wrong
👉🏾 navigating anxiety about the unknown
👉🏿 a simple practic...
