Episode 254: Why Smart People Struggle with Change at Work

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson uses her own office relocation as a case study for understanding why organizational change is so challenging. She explores the emotional impacts of not having control, the meaning of resistance as feedback, and how shifting situations can disrupt our professional identities. Drawing from both her recent experience and earlier career examples, Dr. Janel offers insight into why even smart, capable people struggle with change at work. Whether you’re leading change or living through it, this episode will help you find empathy and practical guidance for navigating transitions in any workplace environment.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/254

Episode 253: Hybrid Work Isn’t Broken. The Infrastructure Is.

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson examines the true barriers to successful remote and hybrid work. Drawing on an opinion piece by Justin Harlan of Tulsa Remote, she argues that productivity and career stagnation aren’t failures of remote work itself, but rather the result of not intentionally designing for human connection. Dr. Janel explains how programs like Tulsa Remote succeed by treating community as infrastructure, not a perk. She encourages listeners to identify and redesign structural gaps in their own organizations, inspiring a more deliberate approach to connection, collaboration, and career growth in the modern workplace.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/253

Episode 252: What a Coffee Spill Taught Me About Leadership

In this episode, Dr. Janel Anderson explores how everyday mistakes, like forgetting a coffee cup under the Keurig, reveal deeper leadership lessons. She explains the difference between slips and mistakes, and why it’s important to design systems that can anticipate our human errors. Using relatable stories, Dr. Janel makes the case for building “reservoirs” in organizational life, like buffers and recovery systems that prevent small human errors from turning into disasters. With practical examples and a human-centered lens, this episode empowers listeners to rethink accountability and design workplaces where being human and making mistakes are expected and gracefully managed for better outcomes.

Find show notes at https://janelanderson.com/252