Hot Mess Hotline

Podcast conversations and straight-forward advice for
ambitious mid-level leaders who think like entrepreneurs

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How to Deal with Multiple Bosses

Chances are if you work in an organization larger than a few people, you’re going to run into a situation where you have multiple bosses. This means you’re going to run into a situation where you...

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When NOT To Have A Meeting

Today I’m talking about knowing when NOT to call a meeting. Let’s talk about why gathering the whole group together may NOT be the best idea, especially when it leads to passive-aggressive behaviors...

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Let’s Go Back to School!

It’s Back To School Time! Remember going back to school as a kid? If you’re anything like me, shopping for school supplies kicked off that feeling of EXCITEMENT about preparing for the year ahead!...

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How to Deal with Difficult People

We call them difficult people for a reason, and it’s because their attitudes and lack of engagement in the workplace make our work more difficult. When you’ve got an employee or coworker who makes...

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Do What You Say You’ll Do

Friends, every day we have the chance to build a better workplace with a single, easy strategy. Do what you say you’ll do. Just that. If you want to be a Pro Troublemaker, it’s time to build trust...

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Be An Innovator Today

These days, everyone talks about being an innovator. Be innovative! Bring innovation into the workplace! It’s a great business buzzword…but do you know what it really means to be an innovator? Pro...

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Unify Your People

When’s the last time one of your coworkers just couldn’t stop praising another co-worker? Or went out of their way to bring others into a conversation, meeting or decision? Or thanked someone for...

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How Your Tribe Can Drive Change

Did you know that anyone can be a Pro Troublemaker? We love these geniuses! But being one yourself is even better. This week, we’re looking at Step 2 of 10 for becoming a Pro Troublemaker. (Use...

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Step One for Becoming a Pro Troublemaker

You know my kind of people have the #protroublemaker mindset, right? But what does that REALLY mean? It’s about teamwork, curiosity, and growth. And it starts with taking a goo-oo-oo-d look at...

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Before You Quit, Get Yourself a Game Plan

Thinking of making a career change? You’ve got to get a game plan. After the past five years of getting to live out my dream, I’m ready to share my top advice of what I’ve learned while building my...

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The World Deserves Your High-Quality Work

No more answering emails at 11pm! Our 24/7 contact culture is putting a real drain on our mental and emotional wellbeing. To give the world your best, you’ve got to give a little to yourself first....

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Your Boss is Human, Too!

Sure, you might not be best buddies with your boss, but you’ve got to remember that they’re a human being—same as you! That’s why every workplace should recognize National Boss’s Day. I’ve come up...

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Do You Have a “Hell Yes!” Job?

Today we’re talking about leaving your job. That’s right—whether you’re thrilled with your work or you’ve been miserable for months, you’ve got to consider every scenario. So, how do you know when...

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No One Listening? Advocate for Yourself!

It’s easy to feel defeated when your ideas are getting overlooked at work. And it’s even worse if your contributions get passed off as someone else’s! When you feel like you’re hitting a wall during...

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Why Accountability Makes Us Uncomfortable

Nothing strikes terror in most people's eyes than the word, "accountability." My hunch is that we when we hear it, we think that all of our work habits, schedule, thoughts, assumptions, etc. are...

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What to do with your great idea

Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. Lewis Carroll via the Queen of Hearts I love this quote from Alice in Wonderland because I'm an idea woman. There are...

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You are awesome just the way you are.

You are awesome. Just the way you are. Today. I recently watched Trolls the movie and, sweet Jesus, did I love it. There's glitter, rainbows, singing, dancing, hugs, glitter. Did you know Trolls hug...

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Manage the outcome, not just the task

People are remarkably bad at remembering long lists of goals. I learned this at a professional level when trying to get my high-performance coaching clients to stay on track; the longer their lists...

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Why I Stopped Working with Toxic People

At one point in my personal development I found myself reading a lot about how to fix/work with/not poke in the eye toxic people. We all have those co-workers we just can't stand and have a variety...

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Innovation is easier than you think.

Michelangelo said it best: Criticize by creating. I'm always fascinated by the amount of complaining that goes on in our world. No, really, I find it so intriguing! People can and will find anything...

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It’s time to work harder.

On this blog I've been trying to say, "Work smarter," for the past 2 years. I've been saying, "Don't give your employer your whole life. Stop saying Yes so often. Find focus. Be productive." I heard...

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How to Get More “Best Days Ever”

Have you ever thought about how your life could be different if you could live the best day ever almost every single day? It's possible, but it takes work on your part to make it happen. I wanted to...

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Division vs. Integrity

This election season has been truly heartbreaking to witness. Today I saw a Facebook post where a man was wearing a t-shirt that said, "Journalist. Tree. Rope. Some assembly required." When did it...

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Your Life’s Work is to Feel Alive

Our clients, colleagues, and organizations are best served by competent, passionate people who are self aware and doing impactful work. If you’re like so many, your career has taken many unexpected...

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Do You Celebrate Others’ Superpowers?

One of my most treasured pieces of feedback was when a colleague said, "Wow, Stefanie, you're a really good problem solver." We were working at her desk troubleshooting a weird technology problem...

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Do you struggle to be yourself?

I have a happy dance. It was invented in an IU dorm room with  my friend, Sally, when  I was 19. I use it to celebrate occasions of all kinds: great news, good news, not-so-bad news, when my client...

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Another F-Word to Use Instead of Feedback

Receiving feedback usually gets me a little nervous. I find myself uneasy, embarrassed, and sometimes even feeling ashamed of my work. I'm not alone. I've heard from many others that feedback often...

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How to Unplug and Find Focus

Have you ever thought about your process for intentionally disconnecting from work? I remember when I used to commute thirty minutes each way. My thoughts on the drive to work were about work. And...

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What Commitment Looks Like

A few years ago a recovering addict told me that she felt she had lost integrity with herself. She considered herself a liar because she wasn't following through on the promises she made: the...

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Every Hour with a Friend Makes You Well

Psychological studies show that loneliness and isolation are more detrimental to our health than almost any physical deprivation. Babies who aren't held and talked to enough simply fail to live. For...

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How a Great Career Can Lead to Wellness

So much of our identity — and our health — is wrapped up in our careers. It's one of the first things we ask others about when we meet them and it is often how we describe ourselves to others. When...

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5 Areas of Health and Wealth

Up until just a few weeks ago, whenever I thought of wellness programs, I immediately thought of walking  challenges, fitness goals, and less donuts in my life. I recently saw a speaker who really...

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Get Past Your Frustrations

My husband and I are becoming foster parents soon. It's been an interesting adventure in bureaucracy and self awareness. We're both super excited, but in my not-so-strong moments the self doubt...

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Everyone Has These 6 Needs

I love to use assessments for my own personal development and that of my clients. Especially when you're busy (helping others, building a creative business that pursues profit and purpose, etc.)...

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