It’s Q4, and Steph and Kathryn are getting into everything that comes with the end of the year: performance reviews, raise conversations, budgets, and the always-eventful office holiday party. They answer listener questions about preparing for a year-end talk with your boss, including what to do if this just wasn’t your year. Then they wrap up with a rapid-fire round of “this or that” questions about reviews and holiday parties.

The lightning round shows where they stand. Both would take a raise over an extra week of PTO and a bigger paycheck over a bigger title. They prefer reviews in person, a humble self-review over a brag sheet, and a brutally honest boss over one who’s nice but vague. “Public compliment or private bonus” was the hardest one, and it led to a good point for managers: know your people. Some employees want public recognition, and others would rather skip the praise and get the bonus. For the holiday party, they’re all in on cocktail dresses, open bars, white elephant gift swaps and evening parties. They picked bringing a plus one over flying solo, though only after joking about it in case their spouses are listening.

We get into:

• How to prepare for your year-end review, even after a tough year
• Raise vs. PTO, title vs. paycheck, and bonus now vs. raise next year
• Why managers should learn how each person on their team likes to be recognized
• Holiday party do’s and don’ts, rapid-fire style
• Listener prompt: tell us how your raise conversation goes and how you’re preparing for next year

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Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/

In this episode of The (Un)Buttoned Up Podcast, Steph and Kathryn sit down with Joe Monastiero, CEO of HiQo, to talk about the fascinating world of robotics, artificial intelligence, and the technology that's changing how we live and work.

We get a behind-the-scenes look at the innovative technology being developed at HiQo, how robotics is evolving, and what all of this means for businesses, employees, and the next generation.

From the possibilities of automation to the human side of technological innovation, we explore what's exciting, what's a little intimidating, and why the future might be closer than we think.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The world of robotics and the technology behind HiQo
• How AI and automation are transforming industries
• The real-world applications of robotics
• What these advancements could mean for the future of work
• Why human creativity and innovation still matter in an increasingly automated world

Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just wondering how long it'll be before a robot does your laundry, this conversation will have you thinking about what's next.

Tune in for an unbuttoned conversation about robots, innovation, and the future of technology!

Follow us on Instagram at @the_unbuttoned_up_podcast

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Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/

Remember when work was… a little less buttoned up?

In this episode, Steph and Kathryn take a trip back to the early days of their careers and talk about the things that were completely normal at work back then—but would probably land you in an HR meeting (or worse) today.

We look back at how much workplace culture has changed - from work place attire to work place culture. Some of it changed for the better. Some of it might have swung a little too far. And some of it makes us wonder: How did we not get fired?

What We Talk About

• Things we personally did at work that would NEVER fly today
• The things people used to say at work without thinking twice
• Email, texting and social media before everyone realized there was a permanent digital trail
• What “professionalism” looked like 15–20+ years ago versus today
• What younger employees would think if they could see our workplaces back then
• The stories we can tell…and probably a few we can't

Underneath the funny stories is an interesting question: Has the workplace changed, or have our expectations of the workplace changed?

But there's also something to be said for the relationships, friendships, spontaneity and fun that came from a workplace that wasn't quite so guarded.

Maybe it's figuring out how to keep the fun, connection and authenticity without bringing back the things that deserved to disappear.

Question for Listeners

What's something you did—or saw happen—early in your career that would absolutely get someone called into HR today?

Follow us on Instagram at @the_unbuttoned_up_podcast

Email us at theunbuttoneduppodcast@gmail.com

Check out our Youtube www.youtube.com/@TheUnButtonedUpPodcast

Website: https://nextpath.com/podcast/