VIDEOS
Going along to get along at work is draining-- especially with bad behavior at work #business
Check out Episode 17 that answers the question, "How Do I Stop Putting Up with Bad Behavior?" (this one is about someone who puts others down and thinks it's "funny")
Sometimes it's easier to just go along to get along, but that can be really draining also, especially if you feel you're compromising your values while at work.
Check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer addition…
Defensive behavior at work can get to abusive levels... #business #leadership
In Episode 13, I answer a listener question asking how to give feedback to a defensive teammate. We've all been there. Aside from addressing the actual feedback you need to give, you also have to address the defensive behavior that occurs any time you are providing feedback. Defensive behavior can range from off-putting physical cues to outwardly abusive behavior—verbal insults, put-downs, yelling, withholding of information… silent treatment. None of that is appropriate in the workplac…
Interested in a management role? Here are the basics... #management #business #leadership
Episode 18 is LIVE and it answers the question, "Does Management Training Matter?"
Oh boy, yes it does-- we've all had nightmare managers, and ANY improvement would be a BIG improvement.
Here are some basics, and check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real…
Ask Christa! Does Management Training Matter? S2E18
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo discusses the critical importance of management training in today's workplace. She emphasizes that effective management is essential for organizational performance, team success, and employee retention, especially in matrix organizational structures. Christa outlines necessary skills that managers need to develop, such as active listening, diplomacy, and emotional regulation, and the significant impact that well-trained managers …
It's annoying to be interrupted, but there ARE times when an interruption is appropriate #business
Check out Episode 16 that answers the question, "How do I get my boss to stop interrupting me in MY MEETINGS???"
Not all interruptions are equal! There are times when it's appropriate-- even really HELPFUL-- when we are interrupted... but not when it's a power play from someone at work, especially if it's our boss...
Check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (alway…
We all AVOID giving defensive co-workers feedback, but there ARE WAYS to do it!! #business
Check out Episode 15 for a 10 minute crash course on how to give defensive co-workers feedback. As always, the segment includes a read-out of the listener question, my quick tips, then additional resources you can learn more from...
There ARE ways to give defensive employees feedback...
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impact
© 2025 Christa Dhimo in partnership with Impono LLC and 21st Century Strategies. Ask Chris…
Don't knock the power of your coworker feelings-- your influence and impact depends on it #business
Check out Episode 17 that answers the question, "How Do I Stop Putting Up with Bad Behavior?" (this one is about someone who puts others down and thinks it's "funny")
We've all seen their handy work at work, and some of us have had the great misfortune of having to deal with someone who puts others down at work.
And if you think it's dumb to think about your co-workers' feelings, think again. Your ability to influence and impact their w…
Ask Christa! How Do I Stop Putting Up with Bad Behavior at Work?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's concern about dealing with a disrespectful coworker whose style is to put others down. She emphasizes the importance of respect and dignity, and the impact respect and dignity has on organizational performance. She discusses how to understand and utilize harassment policies, encourages listeners to seek support and resources to address their challenges, and provides actionable advice on communicating with …
"Learned Helplessness" in #business business when employees give up because of #leadership
Episode 14 is out and it answers the question, "How can I introduce a new idea to a rigid team?" We've all been there: the super resistant team members, but an entire team? That's probably “Learned Helplessness," which is when employees LEARN that their efforts are of no use, that they have no control, and that even when it's in the organization's best interest: they will probably hear NO a lot from leadership.
When you have cultural issues, look a…
When dealing with a defensive co-worker, you don't always have to tip-toe around them... #business
When dealing with a defensive co-worker or employee, it's not JUST about how to frame an issue so they don't become defensive. It’s also about how to prepare yourself so you don’t have to work so hard to avoid someone’s defensiveness. It’s how to change your perspective in a way that works for you so you can speak your truth WHETHER the person becomes defensive or not.
Aim for lasting change and stronger boundaries-- you don't always have to tolerate highly defensive …
Do you have a coworker who is hyper defensive? Step 1: Don't React. The aim is to shut you down...
Season 2's Episode 15 is out-- in the 10 minute segment, I answer a question about how to give feedback to a defensive co-worker, and for starters: don't react. It’s easy to feel defensive after experiencing defensive behavior because that’s the point, and the first time you receive a defensive response, the aim from the other person is to shut what you said down, and shut you down so you won’t do that again. That neutralizes whatever threat the other person may feel.
And …
Got a boss that interrupts you in your meetings??? Here are some tips... #business #smallbusiness
Check out Episode 16 that answers the question, "How do I get my boss to stop interrupting me in MY MEETINGS???"
There are different ways you can address interruptions in the moment-- here's one of them, and check out my show Ask Christa! where I review the listener question, answer using practical tips, then offer additional resources (always in the show notes)!
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impact
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Ask Christa! How to I Stop My Boss from Interrupting Me in My Meetings???
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenge of being interrupted by a manager during your team meetings—in front of your team. She explores the concept of an interrupting culture, the reasons behind interruptions, including excitement, poor listening skills, and power dynamics. Christa provides practical strategies for managing such behavior, including setting ground rules for meetings and using a feedback model called BIC (Behavior, Impact, Change) to ad…
Tips to Manage Defensive Co-Workers (fear of giving feedback?) #business #coworking #leadership
We've all experienced the nightmare of working with a defensive teammate who can't handle ANY feedback-- or even help-- because they are so hyper sensitive. Here are some quick tips to manage defensive co-workers...
Check out the full 10-minute episode (S2E15) and additional resources available-- just released!
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impact
© 2025 Christa Dhimo in partnership with Impono LLC and…
The "Why Bother?" Culture creeps up on all of us (even the person who asked the question) #business
Episode 14 focuses on how to introduce a new idea to a team that resists new things or change. We see a lot of this in a “why bother?” culture...
In fact, the person who submitted this question is probably one or two years away from their own learned helpless—their own, “why bother” moment.
Of course, in the workplace, very few will actually say, “why bother”—instead, they’ll say things like, “Yeah, we tried that years ago and it didn’t work,” or “give it a few years, you’ll …
Tips to Manage Defensive Co-Workers (fear of giving feedback?) #business #coworking #leadership
We've all experienced the nightmare of working with a defensive teammate who can't handle ANY feedback-- or even help-- because they are so hyper sensitive. Here are some quick tips to manage defensive co-workers...
Check out the full 10-minute episode (S2E15) and additional resources available-- just released!
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impact
© 2025 Christa Dhimo in partnership with Impono LLC and…
There are key #negotiation skills we should all learn about in #business ...
Age-old negotiation skills include understanding the difference between the surface-level needs, or the asks in front of you, versus the underlying concerns—the REAL wants behind the negotiation.
The quicker you understand the underlying concerns, the smoother the negotiations tend to be (and the more brass-tacks, time-useful the process will be)
But you know what makes it much, much better? Easier?
Making sure we consider ourselves, too. What are OUR underlying con…
Ask Christa! How Do I Give Feedback to a Defensive Team Mate???
Summary
In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenges of giving feedback to defensive coworkers. She explores the reasons behind defensive behavior (including low self-esteem and past criticism), the importance of understanding it, and offers strategies for effectively providing feedback. Christa emphasizes the need for self-care, resetting conversations, and seeking support when dealing with defensiveness in the workplace. She also provides resources for further understanding a…
The "Nope!" Culture is a DRAG (and is often what's behind "old thinking") #business #innovation
Episode 14 is out and focuses on how to introduce a new idea to a rigid team, a "that's not how we do things around here" team. Often, that's not because of a new idea, but because they, too, once had new ideas and slowly learned—perhaps even subconsciously—that leadership isn’t the type to easily warm up to new ideas. (culture culture culture)
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impact
© 2025 Christa Dhim…
Considering others is useful at work, but what if we consider ourselves first? #business #work
When dealing with workplace issues, a lot of people start by considering others: how they'll respond, how they'll react, whether they can hear or listen to feedback. This is a useful tactic, and one that enables people to connect effectively and influence more broadly.
But a better tactic is how you prepare, and that MUST include how you consider yourself BEFORE you approach someone...
Season 2's preview is live-- check out Episode 13!
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Rigid Team? What do to be heard when your team is afraid of new ideas? #business #innovation
Episode 14's question is, "My team is so rigid-- they don't listen to anything new or different. What do I need to do to pitch a new idea?"
Depending on your trust and relationship with the team, you might be able to ask directly, “What do I need to do to have a new idea listened to before you all dismiss it? I’ve pitched four new ideas in the last six months—some of them I offered because I thought it would make work easier. Should I not say anything at all?”
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Ask Christa! How Do I Introduce a New Idea to a RIGID TEAM???
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about introducing new ideas in a resistant team environment. She explores the underlying reasons for resistance, particularly focusing on learned helplessness, and offers strategies for effectively pitching new ideas. Christa emphasizes the importance of learning about team members' past experiences, understanding team dynamics, and creating dedicated spaces for discussing new concepts. She al…
Ignore those who say HOW you #work doesn't matter-- learn from a #fail to #improveskills!!
If someone says HOW you do something doesn’t matter as much as WHAT you do, or did… don’t believe them. That's old thinking, and it's not true.
They may not want the encyclopedic version of how you did your job and achieved the goal, but HOW you work is really important, and successes and failures—often especially the failures—inform whether HOW we’re working should remain the same, or… change.
Check out Episode 12!!!
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Ask Chris…
Stress isn't always bad, but when it's bad it's BAD... #stressrelief #business #leadership
Stress isn’t always BAD. It can be one of the biggest and most uplifting motivators we know—inspiring us, generating happiness, giving us things to look forward to; it’s not always bad.
But bad stress… stress at work… when the world often feels stressful… too much of that is… bad.
Check out Episode 11 "Ugh! I Yelled At Work!!!"
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impact
© 2025 Christa Dhimo in partne…