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Business Skills Episodes

Feb. 13, 2026

My Boss is a Good Person but Bad Manager. How do I Deal? (Ask Christa…

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about managing a likable but ineffective boss. This episode is focused on ways to enable a manager to support growth and development for the team’s career paths. Christa emphasizes the importance of effective fee…

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Feb. 6, 2026

My Manager is Terrible at Feedback-- How Can I Coach Him? (Ask Christ…

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's concern about their manager's poor feedback skills. She emphasizes the importance of effective feedback in management and discusses the challenges of coaching a manager. Christa outlines the art and science of feedback, pr…

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Jan. 26, 2026

My Boss Never Meets with Me-- Should I Care? (Ask Christa S6E64)

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, host Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's concern about their boss's lack of meetings and the implications of this dynamic on workplace engagement. She emphasizes the importance of purposeful meetings, the need for connection between employees and managers, …

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Jan. 19, 2026

My Boss Belittles My Co-Worker, What Should I Do? (Ask Christa! S6E63)

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, host Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about dealing with a difficult boss who belittles a new team member. She emphasizes the importance of documenting such behavior, understanding workplace policies, and knowing employee rights. Christa provide…

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Jan. 12, 2026

How Can I Stop Doing My Boss's Work? (Ask Christa! S6E62)

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, host Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's concern about her boss assigning her work that belongs to him, highlighting the importance of setting boundaries and recognizing one's value in the workplace. Christa provides actionable steps to shift the mindset, h…

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Jan. 5, 2026

I Don't Like My Boss, What Should I Do? (Ask Christa! S6E61)

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, a listener explains that they do not like their boss and asks how to handle it. Christa discusses the challenges of managing relationships with people you may not like and offers practical advice for those facing these situations. Additionally, she shares va…

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Dec. 16, 2025

Ask Christa! My Job Bores Me-- How Do I Stay On Track? (S5E60)

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, host Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's concern about job boredom and the challenges of waiting for a promotion. She emphasizes the importance of open communication with managers and offers strategies to stay engaged at work while waiting for new opportuni…

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Nov. 25, 2025

Ask Christa! How Can I Convince My Manager I'm Ready for a Promotion?…

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, host Dr. Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about feeling ready for a promotion and needing to convince their manager they deserve the promotion. Christa discusses the importance of understanding the promotion process, the role of readiness, and t…

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Oct. 9, 2025

Ask Christa! How Do I Stay Engaged When I'm So Underutilized at Work?…

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the effects of employees being underutilized in the workplace, exploring how it can lead to feelings of disengagement and burnout. She discusses the importance of strategic talent management as a competitive differentiator, and how or…

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Oct. 6, 2025

Ask Christa! How Do I Get Over My Fear of Speaking Up? (S4E47)

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, host Christa Dhimo addresses the common challenge of speaking up in workplace meetings. She explores the psychological barriers that prevent individuals from voicing their thoughts and ideas, particularly in team settings. Through the listener's question, Ch…

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Oct. 2, 2025

Ask Christa! How Can I Ask My Work Friend to Meet Deadlines? (S4E46)

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo discusses the significance of workplace friendships and how they impact employee engagement and performance. She addresses a listener's dilemma about managing a close friend's performance issues at work, emphasizing the importance of open, dire…

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Sept. 22, 2025

Ask Christa! How Can I Ask a Co-Worker to Tone it Down? (S4E44)

Summary In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about managing team dynamics, particularly focusing on the listener’s co-worker, whose exuberance and enthusiasm are overwhelming for others. Christa emphasizes the importance of understanding self-awareness, and the need for ad…

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Sept. 18, 2025

Ask Christa! I Hate Office Politics - Help! (S4E43)

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's concerns about office politics, emphasizing the importance of understanding influence in the workplace. Christa defines office politics, differentiating between toxic and constructive politics, and provides actionable stra…

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Sept. 15, 2025

Ask Christa! How Can I Diplomatically Decline Wasteful Meetings? (S4E…

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the common workplace issue of excessive meetings and how to navigate them effectively. She consolidates listener questions about declining unnecessary meetings while maintaining professionalism. She also reviews the cultural dynamics …

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Sept. 11, 2025

Ask Christa! What are some best practices when working with partners?…

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo tackles a listener’s question about alliance management, exploring the challenges, best practices, and evolving role of managing partnerships in business. She emphasizes the importance of understanding alliance objectives, building trust, and f…

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Sept. 8, 2025

Ask Christa! What Are Some Tips to be More Focused at Work? (S4E40)

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo answers the listener question about tips to stay more focused at work. Christa explores what “focus” really means, then emphasizes the importance of making it personal, understanding how our own definition of focus can transform the way we appr…

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Sept. 4, 2025

Ask Christa! Why do I hate deadlines so much? (S4E39)

Summary In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses the listener question asking, “why do I hate deadlines so much?” She explores the psychological and environmental factors that contribute to stress and aversion to deadlines, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual perceptions and real…

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Aug. 28, 2025

Ask Christa! How Can I Improve Collaboration in My Team? (S4E37)

Summary In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about improving team collaboration amidst growing organizational challenges. She distinguishes between collaboration and cooperation, emphasizing the importance of shared goals and effective communication. Christa provides insig…

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Aug. 25, 2025

Ask Christa! How Can I Improve My Presentation Skills? (S3E36)

Summary In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about improving presentation skills as a way to advance their career. Christa emphasizes the importance of connection with the audience, every-day practice, rigorous preparation, and finding one’s unique style. She discusses the…

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Aug. 21, 2025

Ask Christa! How can I run meetings better? (S3E35)

Summary In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses the common challenges of effective meeting management, emphasizing the importance of preparation, understanding the purpose of meetings, and fostering a culture of respect—especially a respect for time. She provides practical tips for structuring eff…

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Aug. 18, 2025

Ask Christa! What Do Executives Do? (S3E34)

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about the role of executives in any size organization. She explores the fundamental responsibilities of executives, emphasizing the importance of accountability, communication, decision-making, performance, and ef…

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Aug. 14, 2025

Ask Christa! How Much Finance Should I Learn? (S3E33)

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa, host Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about how much finance knowledge and learning a founder needs as they get a business started. She emphasizes that while finance is crucial, it is not the sole focus of a business. Christa discusses the variou…

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Aug. 4, 2025

Ask Christa! Business Basics Series (6/6) - What Areas of a Business …

Summary In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses the listener question asking what aspects of a business are commonly overlooked by founders. She emphasizes the critical importance of having an executable plan, understanding ...

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July 28, 2025

Ask Christa! Business Basics Series (4/6) - Why Do So Many Startups F…

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the common question of why so many startups fail. She explores the assumptions about founders, the importance of vision and mission, market fit, business management, and effective leadership in startup success. She discusses how found…

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