Episodes

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the concept of failure in the workplace, emphasizing that it is crucial to focus on learning and achieving goals rather than being weighed down by the fear of failure, and the importance of reframing our understanding of failure and success. She discusses how perceptions of success and failure can impact performance, and how by changing our perspective on failure, we can foster a more positive workplace environment that encourage...

Summary In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's concern about yelling at work due to stress. She discusses the impact of workplace stress on performance, behavior, and emotional responses, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing stress levels by diffusing stress to get back to a “Green” zone. She offers practical strategies for managing stress, including how the Stress Continuum model, which enables self-awareness through categorizations of stress, can lead to b...

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the common challenge of creating goals aligned with a company's strategy, particularly when that strategy is, or corporate goals are, unclear. She discusses the importance of understanding corporate goals, the process of crafting and drafting individual goals, and practical steps to align individual objectives with broader organizational aims.. Christa emphasizes the need for clarity in goal-setting and provides resources for ef...

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the common concern of employees feeling that there is no clear strategy within their organizations. She discusses the importance of understanding what constitutes a strategy, how to identify existing strategies, and the steps employees can take to engage with leadership about strategic goals. She also reviews the importance of understanding and communicating strategy, especially in smaller businesses, and provides insights on ho...

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the concept of strategy in organizations, emphasizing its importance in achieving goals and navigating uncertainties. She discusses the common misconceptions of strategy as well as how many small and mid-sized companies lack clear strategies and the implications of this on their operations. Christa provides insights on how to think about strategy in a less complex way, focusing on the necessary alignment between strategy and exec...

Summary In this conversation, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenges freelancers face when considering raising their rates. She emphasizes the importance of viewing oneself as a business, mindset, preparation, and effective communication strategies to navigate these discussions with clients. Christa provides practical advice on how to overcome fears and anxieties about “money talk,” options for approaching rate adjustments, the significance of knowing one's worth, and navigating client reacti...

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the complexities of imposter syndrome—which is actually and originally called imposter phenomenon—and humility. She distinguishes between the two concepts, explaining that imposter phenomenon is a feeling of self-doubt regarding one's achievements, often attributing success to external factors such as luck rather than personal capability. In contrast, humility involves graciously accepting recognition, and often includes acknowle...

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo discusses the essential steps to starting a business, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's feelings about and commitment to the business idea, creating a strong foundation, and utilizing available resources. She highlights the various funding options and the significance of addressing unmet needs in the market. Christa also encourages self-awareness and community engagement as vital components of the entrepreneurial journey. ...

Summary In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenges of managing necessary changes in the workplace. She emphasizes the discomfort that often accompanies change and offers strategies for reframing our approach to it. By focusing on adaptation rather than mere handling of change, individuals can find stability and growth opportunities. Christa also highlights the importance of maintaining perspective beyond one's job and provides resources for effective change management. Key Take A...

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo discusses the critical role of advisors for early-stage startups. She emphasizes that all businesses, even those just starting out, can benefit from having advisors who provide honest and supportive assessments. Effective advisors help founders navigate the complexities of transforming ideas into viable business models, focusing on strategy, market needs, and personal growth. Christa also highlights the importance of finding advisors who ...

Summary In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses the fear of making mistakes when stepping out of comfort zones, particularly in new job roles and promotions. She emphasizes the personal nature of fear and encourages listeners to value it as a perspective rather than a hindrance. Christa provides practical tips for reframing fear and mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning, highlighting the importance of influencing others' perceptions positively. She also shares resources for overc...

Summary In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenge of inspiring a team when one lacks the energy to do so. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between inspiration and motivation, advocating for a shift in focus from being an inspirational leader to a motivating one. Christa discusses the significance of creating a motivating environment and the role of employee engagement in achieving organizational success. She also provides valuable reso...

Hi everyone, and welcome to the season one preview of Ask Christa! the place where you can ask questions about how to work through business challenges and workplace issues. I’m Christa Dhimo, and our first season hits on a few big themes, and managing and leading in an organization takes up a lot of space, which I love. I offer answers to questions like: how can I inspire my team when sometimes I don’t have the energy? And how can I manage my fear of failure in front of my team? I also answer bl...

Hi everyone and welcome to Ask Christa! the place where you can ask questions about how to work through business challenges and workplace issues, like starting and scaling a business, developing your career at any stage and growing skills as a professional and as a person too. I'm Christa Dhimo and after decades of getting through a lot of different business and career scenarios, some easier than others, I grow a client and media base of professionals who come to me when they're feeling stuck. P...