Modern Mentor
Rachel Cooke guides listeners on leadership and communication, offering tips to balance work and personal life, invest time effectively, and manage energy mindfully. The podcast helps navigate the path to success in the workplace.
Episodes
How to get your team working together again
917. Lots of teams have quietly stopped being teams. They're capable people sprinting in their own directions, connected by a reporting line and little else. Rachel Cooke explains why that fragmentation is lonely for people and expensive for the organization, and offers four ways to put the team back together: a shared winning aspiration, forums for deciding together, smarter use of one-on-one
Four questions to help your team get better at AI
916. Getting better at AI isn't a technology problem. It's a work design problem. Drawing on a corporate "digital transformation" that never quite landed, Rachel Cooke explains why skill without structure has nothing to hold onto. She then walks through four questions that build that structure: what you're trying to win, whether your tools and guardrails match your expectatio
5 questions to ask before asking more of your team
915. Your team missed the deadline, and the reasons are starting to sound like excuses. The instinct is to push harder: tighter check-ins, a firmer performance conversation, more pressure applied in the same direction. But the fastest move and the most useful move are rarely the same one. In this episode, Rachel Cooke walks through five self-directed questions she uses with coaching clients whose
Five moves to tell a better story in your year-end review
914. How do you get ready for your year-end review? And should you be starting now? Most of us reduce our professional story to the obvious stuff – titles, job descriptions, the big projects – and lose the truest evidence of how we actually work. Borrowing a page from college-admissions expert Sara Harberson, Rachel walks through five moves to uncover your fuller professional story, with enough ti
The unsexy fix for meetings, deadlines, and cross-team conflict
913. When something's broken at work, we reach for the big fix — the reorg, the new tool, the strategy overhaul. But ask people to describe their perfect coffee and they'll say rich, dark, bold. Put a cup in front of them and they reach for weak and milky. Rachel Cooke applies that same gap to work, where what's holding you back usually isn't strategy. It's the thousand small snags you've stopped
How to handle uncertainty at work when your boss doesn't have the answers
912. Your boss used to have answers. Now they've got questions. It feels destabilizing - but Rachel makes the case that this is the opening of a lifetime. When certainty disappears, the old rules about who has the answers go with it. Four bold moves for a moment that's wide open.Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Rachel Cooke!Find more from Rachel at LeadAboveNoise.co
How to build workplace community in a remote AI-driven world
911. You can spend an entire day on video calls and still not have one real conversation. The connection that used to come free with the office doesn't come free anymore. After a trip to California wine country, Rachel Cooke found herself fixated less on the wine than on the village each winery had built around itself, and on what that says about connection in a remote, global, AI-driven workplace
Billy Eichner on why success comes from love not trauma
910. What do you do when there's no template for the career you want, no obvious next step, and no one waiting to hand you the opportunity? Comedian, actor, and writer Billy Eichner built his entire career by refusing to wait to be chosen. In this conversation, he and Rachel Cooke get into how you bet on yourself when the path doesn't exist yet, how to keep going through constant rejection without
Why your hard work isn't paying off and what's really slowing progress
909. Your strategy is sound. Your people are talented. Everyone's working harder than ever. So why aren't the results showing up? Rachel makes the case that when work breaks down, we inspect the people when we should be inspecting the work - and shares four questions that reveal the hidden friction quietly taxing your team.Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Rachel Cooke!Fin
A fresh approach to managing burnout
On a road trip, tackling a summer cleanup, or just catching up on podcasts? QDT has you covered with Summer Saturday encores from your favorite shows. See the full Summer Saturday lineup on Spotify and enjoy this episode, which first aired in September 2020.Episode 616 - Burnout is more than just a feeling—untamed, it can pose a real medical risk. Dr. Greg Hammer, an intensive care physician, Stan
When it comes to managing, do I do it fast or right? (Reissue)
697. We get a lot of mixed messaging when it comes to managing the tension between speed and efficiency. We need to be sure—to have the data, to have done the research and the analysis before deciding or implementing. But also, we need to be agile, move quickly, test-and-learn, and not fall into analysis-paralysis. How do we find the middle ground?Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, h
The awesome power of "No"
On a road trip, tackling a summer cleanup, or just catching up on podcasts? QDT has you covered with Summer Saturday encores from your favorite shows. See the full Summer Saturday lineup on Spotify and enjoy this episode, which first aired in February 2020.Episode 582: Saying "no" is actually makes you more successful at work. These essential strategies will help you set workplace boundaries with
How TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie recovered from depression
909. Blake Mycoskie built TOMS into a $600 million brand and gave away more than 100 million pairs of shoes — then fell into a seven-year battle with clinical depression after selling the company. He talks with Rachel Cooke about why outward success never made him feel like enough, the limiting belief that drove him for decades, and the small, everyday practices — not the dramatic interventions —
How to think positive to be more productive
On a road trip, tackling a summer cleanup, or just catching up on podcasts? QDT has you covered with Summer Saturday encores from your favorite shows. See the full Summer Saturday lineup on Spotify and enjoy this episode, which first aired in April 2020.Episode 594: In times of crisis, negative thoughts lurk around every corner. Use these techniques to rediscover your optimism and bump up your pro
Be a goldfish...but only sometimes: when your team should reflect vs. move on
907. When should your team reflect on what went wrong, and when should you just move on? Rachel Cooke uses Ted Lasso's "be a goldfish" mantra to unpack the balance between looking back and looking ahead, then shares five questions—three that mine the past, two that aim at the future—to help your team do both intentionally. Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Rachel Cook
How to make your life effortless
On a road trip, tackling a summer cleanup, or just catching up on podcasts? QDT has you covered with Summer Saturday encores from your favorite shows. See the full Summer Saturday lineup on Spotify and enjoy this episode, which first aired in Jne 2021.Episode 654: Greg McKeown, bestselling author of Essentialism and Effortless, joins the Modern Mentor podcast to share his wisdom on making things s
Why your team is exhausted and still missing targets
906. Leaders are frustrated that teams aren't delivering. Teams are exhausted and hitting walls. And the instinct is to pull harder. But the real work is finding the knots leadership has inadvertently tied, and undoing them one at a time. In this episode, Rachel talks about the unsexy work that actually unlocks speed.Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Rachel Cooke!Find more
How to increase your productivity by managing your energy
Summer Saturdays: Best of QDT Encore Episode: This episode originally aired January 2020.581. Running all-out all the time is the sure path to burnout. Productivity happens when you know how to use your energy wisely.Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Rachel Cooke!Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email: modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com Discover more from Modern Men
Are you successmaxxing?
905. Everyone's maxxing something now. Their sleep, their skin, their fiber, even their jawline. But underneath the ring lights, each of these trends is quietly teaching a real principle about getting better at something. This week, Rachel Cooke builds the trend nobody's named yet, successmaxxing, by stealing the smartest lesson from five maxxing trends and pointing it straight at your career.Mode
Maximize your productivity in uncertain times
904. Most of us define productivity as doing more, faster — but when budgets shrink and the path forward gets murky, speed turns into a liability. Rachel shares five ways to boost your productivity during uncertain times, including how to make faster decisions, avoid duplicating work your team's already doing, and judge your choices by your process instead of the outcome — a trap that poker pro an
Your team needs recovery time — introducing the Breathing Room
903. Most teams have mastered pushing hard. Some are even getting better at rest. But there's a third thing — the active recovery phase — that almost no one is protecting time for, and it's the one that turns raw effort into real capability. Rachel introduces the Breathing Room: a standing block on the calendar built not for output, but for reflection, after-action reviews, and solving hard proble
Never waste a good workplace crisis
902. We already know what's slowing us down at work — too many priorities, meetings that go nowhere, no space to experiment, and processes that create drag on everything. So why aren't we fixing any of it? Rachel breaks down why we stay frozen on problems we could actually solve, and how to find the one move between all and nothing that finally gets things moving. Modern Mentor is a Quick and
Productive, happy, focused—How small habits bring big success
Can small habit changes really lead to a more productive, focused, and happy life? They can! Author and podcaster Jeff Sanders's shares his secrets to forming habits that lead to success.Encore Episode: Episode 598 originally aired May 2020Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Rachel Cooke!Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email: modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com Discov
The 3 conversations every team needs right now
901. Three challenges showing up in organizations everywhere right now. Rachel shares what she's hearing, what she's designing, and what's actually helping teams move.Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Rachel Cooke!Find more from Rachel at LeadAboveNoise.com.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email: modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com Discover more from Modern Mentor!Fa
How to love your job even when it isn't perfect
Not every job is a perfect fit, but that doesn't mean you can't love the one you're with. Your job can be a whole lot more than just a means to a paycheck.Encore Episode: This episode originally aired in February of 2020.Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows: www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcastsJOIN THE CONVERSATION:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-mentor-podcast/Newsletter:
Career advice for new grads (that I wish I had)
900. Graduating into uncertainty isn't new. Every generation has done it. Rachel shares five pieces of career advice she wishes someone had handed her on the way out the door.Expert advice for navigating life after graduation — for new grads and the people cheering them on. From finances and freelancing to nutrition and knowing when to ask for help, find it all in our "Life After Graduation" playl
How to make the most of an interim leadership role
899. Two listeners wrote in this month asking how to make sense of a temporary leadership stint. Rachel shares five practices for turning a short employment stretch into a meaningful career chapter, both for the team you're leading and the version of you who walks out the other side.Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Rachel Cooke!Find more from Rachel at LeadAboveNoise.com.
The hidden beliefs holding you back, with bestselling author and behavioral design expert, Nir Eyal
898. We're drowning in information, advice, and self-help — so why do we still feel stuck? Returning guest Nir Eyal, author of the new bestseller "Beyond Belief," explains the motivation triangle most people are missing and why your brain is actively working against change. In a rare unscripted moment, Nir walks Rachel through an inquiry-based coaching exercise that surfaces a limiting belief she'
5 things AI can't replace, and why that’s your advantage
897. AI is changing work fast — but some capabilities remain deeply human. This week, Rachel Cooke breaks down five things AI still can't do well, from reading a room to knowing your stakeholders, and explains how to turn those into your professional edge. If you've been anxious about AI replacing your job, this episode reframes what to actually focus on.Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips Pod
A tough love letter to leaders
896. Leaders right now are working hard, caring deeply and still coming up short. And some of what they're doing is quietly working against them. In this episode, Rachel delivers a tough love letter to the leaders she’s coaching, calling out four patterns that are quietly undermining performance, energy and trust. If something at work isn’t working, this one’s for you.Modern Mentor is a Quick and
How to motivate a struggling team (without the gaslighting)
895. Is your team "going through the motions"? Before you reach for another inspirational speech, Rachel Cooke has a reality check: Inspiration is not the antidote to a motivation crisis.In this episode, Rachel introduces the concept of "Motivational Gaslighting"—the trap leaders fall into when they use empty enthusiasm to mask systemic exhaustion. If engagement is tanking, it’s not an attitude pr
How to change someone's mind: Persuasion for human-centric leaders
894. Trying to convince a senior leader or stakeholder to see things your way can be frustrating, especially when your data and logic don't land. In 2026, human-centered leadership means moving past traditional arguments and leaning into emotional intelligence and sensemaking to find common ground.In this episode, Rachel shares five proven strategies for strategic prioritization and effective pers
Stop fighting fires: 5 ways to spot problems before they become crises
893. Most workplace crises didn't have to be crises—they started small, stayed hidden, and grew. In this episode, Rachel Cooke explains why "firefighting" has become the corporate norm and how leaders can break the cycle. Learn how to build a monthly "slightly-off" conversation into your team's rhythm and why the "don’t bring me a problem without a solution" rule is actually sabotaging your result
Build a culture of accountability with Work Design
892. Is your team missing targets, dropping the ball, or responding to missed deadlines with a shrug?Many leaders believe accountability is a personality trait—you either have it or you don’t. But in reality, accountability is a design problem. When ownership is lacking, it’s usually because the "work design" itself is getting in the way.In this episode, Rachel shares a case study of a pharmaceuti
Workplace cheat codes: 5 ways to up your odds of success
891. At work we're constantly placing bets on uncertain outcomes, which projects to prioritize and which risks to take. But most of us never think about how to improve our odds. Today Rachel shares five “cheat codes,” simple, high-impact practices that give you a massive advantage before things go sideways. From running a "premortem" to flush out hidden risks to using a "stinky fish" exercise to s
Why team silos cause failure (and how to fix your work design)
890. Are your teams clashing instead of collaborating? When balls are dropped and fingers are pointed, the problem usually isn’t your people—it’s your work design. If your team is "crushing it" but still missing goals, your productivity is being throttled by a lack of alignment.In this episode, Rachel explains why "cascading" directives without cross-functional alignment creates organizational cha
How to navigate organizational dysfunction (and still make progress)
889. Every organization has dysfunction. And while we should always be working to make things better, we also have to keep moving in the meantime. Rachel shares four practical ways to make real progress, even when the system isn't cooperating.Modern Mentor is a Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast, hosted by Rachel Cooke!Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email: modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com Dis
Are these antipatterns stopping you from being productive?
888. We think we're being productive. But some of our most intentional habits are quietly costing us. Rachel explores four antipatterns that could be robbing you of your best work. Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, o
The Creative Pulse: Why humanity is the lynchpin of business, with Andy Pizza
In this episode, Rachel sits down with author and illustrator Andy Pizza to explore why a "creative pulse" is the essential, make-or-break component of any successful career. Andy argues that while business often relies on data and logic, the true differentiator is the ability to show up with a unique, human point of view.The conversation covers: Strategic vs. exploratory creativity: How to use cr
The expertise trap | Why your best people might be blocking innovation
886. Is your team's deep knowledge actually preventing them from seeing the next big breakthrough? In this episode, Rachel explores the "expertise trap"—the moment when having all the answers stops us from seeing new possibilities. She explains why traditional brainstorming often fails and how a "catalog of failures" can cage an expert's thinking.Rachel introduces a practical tool, the Curiosity H
How to stop talking about change and actually start doing it
885. In a world of constant meetings and shifting priorities, why does it feel like we’re repeating the same "to-do" list every six months?This week, Rachel gets into the "bad patterns" that keep teams stuck in a loop of false comfort. We often mistake saying we need to change for actual progress, while our health and productivity suffer the consequences.In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Maste
The neuroscience of persuasion: How to engineer unforgettable communication, with Carmine Gallo
884. In this episode, Rachel Cooke and author Carmine Gallo explore the biological reality that the human brain is hardwired to ignore anything it deems "boring". If you want your message to land, you have to work with the brain’s chemistry, not against it.Engineering Memory: Learn how to use "Emotionally Competent Stimuli" (ECS) to act as a mental Post-it note for your audience.The 10% Strategy:
What actually drives productivity in 2026?
883. Rachel shares how the productivity conversation has evolved - and what actually drives getting things done today.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get more tips to fuel your pro
Motion versus meaning: Build operating rhythms that work
882. Rachel shares how to design operating rhythms that create space for meaningful work instead of just adding more meetings to your calendar.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to get m
Why is your team moving fast but staying stuck?
881. We’re all under pressure to move faster, ship earlier, and do more. But as Rachel Cooke explains this week, "speed" often looks a lot more like chaos when the foundation isn't there. If your team is missing deadlines or burning out, the issue probably isn't a lack of effort—it's a lack of the "unsexy" structure that makes agility possible.Rachel looks at how to spot the difference between tru
Leading through uncertainty: Why you need an expedition mindset
880. Rachel shares why workplaces need expedition leadership - navigating uncertainty together - instead of tour-guide leadership that performs certainty when there is none.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscr
What Snoop Dogg can teach you about workplace collaboration
879. Rachel shares what the workplace can learn from how celebrities choose collaboration partners - and how to make collaboration work even when it's not your choice. Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe t
Purpose is a verb: How to practice intentional leadership, with Ira Bedzow
878. We often talk about "finding" our purpose as if it’s a destination on a map. But what if purpose isn’t a noun, but a verb? This week, Rachel talks with Ira Bedzow, Executive Director of the Emory Purpose Project. They discuss why purpose belongs in every industry—from real estate to healthcare—and how leaders can move away from "shoulds" to focus on what they actually want to cultivate. Learn
How to be more strategic at work (Reissue)
724. Being strategic at work is about focusing less on quantity—how much you can get done—and leaning instead on doing the right stuff in the wisest and most impactful ways. Here are three strategies to unlock that superpower.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern
Top five work lessons from 2025 to carry into the new year
877. As we close the books on a heavy year, Rachel shares her top five work lessons from 2025 to carry into the new year. She looks at why uncertainty is here to stay, how to make AI amplify your humanity, and why the changing nature of workplace loyalty means you need to protect your own career. Start 2026 with a plan to move from worrying to preparing.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A t
5 moves to beat uncertainty and build a better 2026
876. It's been a hard year. As we head into 2026, Rachel shares five practices to help you focus on what you can control and make your work better.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter to g
The power of watching
875. As we close out the year, Rachel explores why observation - not action - might be the key to unlocking what's already working. Learn how to find your bright spots and carry them into the new year.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twit
The 3 fundamental human needs that aren't changing about work, with JP Elliot
874. In a world defined by change, what are the human elements of work that remain constant? We look at this question with JP Elliot, founder of Future of HR Consulting. He identifies the three fundamental needs employees will always demand from their work experience: to get along, get ahead, and find meaning. Learn why anchoring your leadership strategy on these principles is the key to creating
It’s time to rethink your “productivity” (Reissue)
718. “Productivity” is the thing we’ve been chasing for years—more, better, faster. But is it really serving us? Or is it time for us to rethink how we measure what the increments of our success?Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, a
Why leaders should stop solving and start inviting change
873. Employees are waiting for leaders to fix work. Leaders are drowning trying to fix everything. Rachel explains why both sides are stuck in an outdated model - and how to break free.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedI
The 4 ways to rebuild your "second place" for belonging
872. Work used to be a place where connection happened naturally. Now it's not - and the impacts run deeper than we realize. Rachel explores why we've lost the "Second Place" and offers five practical strategies to rebuild belonging and connection at work.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@qui
How to make hard choices as a leader
871. When there's no clear right answer, how do you move forward? Rachel shares insights from philosopher Ruth Chang and her own experience to help leaders break through analysis paralysis and make hard choices with confidence. Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Mode
Why you need to choose confidence (even when you're afraid), with Juan Bendaña
870. Confidence isn't a character trait you're born with; it's a muscle you develop. In this episode, author and speaker Juan Bendaña shares his personal journey and introduces his Confidence Cycle framework. We look at the three small decisions that help you generate the necessary energy and courage to take action, ultimately building proof of your own competence at work. Learn how to transform s
Make meetings matter: Intentional gatherings for impact
869. We gather constantly but feel more disconnected than ever. Rachel uses insights from Priya Parker's "The Art of Gathering" to show how intentional gathering can rebuild the connection we're all craving.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook
How I'm actually using AI at work
868. AI is everywhere. There’s not currently a right or wrong way to be using it. Many of us aren’t - largely because we’re not sure where to start. In this episode, let’s talk about some possible starting places for someone who just needs to boost.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickandd
How to define your professional identity beyond your title, with Dr. Sarabeth Bickerton
867. Are you struggling to articulate your value because you feel like a "jack of all trades"? This episode features Dr. Sarabeth Bickerton, who defines professional identity as the unique combination of your ethics, values, and skills that make you who you are in your work. We look at how clarifying your identity is the key to both feeling more empowered and communicating your value more effectiv
Fixing morale in tough business seasons
866. When sales dip, profits stall, or the world throws curveballs, morale tends to suffer. But you do not need to wait for business to be perfect before tending to the human side. In this episode we explore moves that help morale and business at once.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickan
The invisible ways we’re eroding trust at work
865. We all know trust matters at work—but too often, we’re unintentionally chipping away at it without even realizing. In this episode, we’ll explore some of the most common but overlooked ways we undermine trust, and what you can do to course-correct.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quicka
The business case for employee well-being
864. Companies these days, amidst uncertain times, are shrinking their investments in wellness and engagement programs. But when well understood, wellbeing at work isn’t about perks or extras. It’s actually about building ways of working that strengthen results while enhancing the human experience. Today I share four strategies currently working well.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A tran
Make your time at work work for you
Jobs aren’t forever. But instead of disengaging when loyalty feels uncertain, we can use the work in front of us to grow stronger, smarter, and more ready for what’s next. In this episode, I share four strategies to make the way you work today an investment in your tomorrow.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us
Your team doesn’t have to hate the workout
Are you and your team running on a treadmill that's going nowhere? Modern Mentor Rachel Cooke shares four real-world experiments that helped leaders in her lab ditch the burnout and get stronger results. Learn how small, unconventional shifts—like silent brainstorms and customer-led learning—can deliver better outcomes and a more engaged team.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript i
How to learn at work when there’s no time for learning
Learning and development at work are essential - for expanding our skills, for being more innovative, and for keeping us engaged. But also, there’s so much work on our plates it can feel impossible to find the time for learning. So let’s talk about some ways to bake it right on into the work itself.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for
Four steps to fix team conflict at work
We’re not all friends at work. And we don’t have to be. But what you do do have to do is work well - effectively - together. In this week’s episode we’ll discuss a simple framework you can use with your team to define ways of working that suit all of your colleagues while driving your results. Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Mode
How work design can reignite tremendous results
Too many teams are stuck in a swirl. Unclear on priorities, disconnection from purpose, and lost momentum. But we don’t need org-wide overhauls to fix it. In this episode, I’m sharing four practical shifts leaders are making right now to redesign how work gets done - from the inside out.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Ment
Is "quiet cracking" happening to your team?
Quiet cracking isn’t burnout, and it’s not disengagement. It’s the early warning signal that something in the work is out of alignment. In this episode, we unpack what quiet cracking looks and feels like, why it matters more than we think, and what anyone, regardless of role, can do to stop it before it spreads.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a
Stop fixing wellness symptoms, fix the work
Our approach to wellness at work is wrong and it needs to be fixed. Currently we’re pushing ourselves to the edge and using wellness programs to help us recover. But what if instead of building better wellness programs, we rewired the work to just need them less?Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmen
Work moves faster with clarity and collaborative context
Clarity doesn’t come from top-down communication. It comes from shared context, built through curiosity, trust, and connection. Here’s how to create it.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the newsletter
How the Ladder of Impact helps us achieve success
Change and success live on a dial, not a switch. And when we’re only looking for complete overhauls, we miss the signals we’re achieving something new. Missing those signals can cause us to miss out on progress. That’s where the Ladder of Impact comes in. Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@qui
How to build a healthier workday, minute by minute, with Dr. Rich Safeer
Workplace well-being isn't just a buzzword; it's a critical component of a thriving team. This episode looks at the current state of employee health and well-being with Dr. Rich Safeer, Chief Medical Director of Employee Health and Well-being at Johns Hopkins Medicine. We discuss the often-overlooked signs of workplace stress, why integrating well-being practices into your day is essential, and ho
How to lead through a difficult change
Companies are making tough decisions these days that leaders need to help their teams through. Here are some ways to get through even the toughest of changes.Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytips.com.Find Modern Mentor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the news
Workplace wild west: AI, return-to-office, and DEI shifts with Jaime Klein
In the final installment of our series of shorter form interviews, Rachel speaks with Jaime Klein, founder and CEO of Inspire HR. They dive into the transformative impact of AI on HR practices, drawing parallels to the early adoption phase of the internet. Jaime shares insights into how companies are integrating AI at various levels, from applicant screening to employee engagement. They also discu
Implementing a pilot approach to drive organizational change with Brett Underhill
In the third installment of our series of shorter form interviews, Rachel sits down with Brett Underhill, who heads up talent acquisition and learning and development at Taboola. They discuss the benefits of using a pilot approach to implement changes and initiatives within an organization. Brett shares insights into setting up a pilot, including clear timelines, project objectives, and engaging k
The feedback fix: Grow your team, grow your career with Mike Jacobson
In the second of a series of shorter form interviews, Rachel sits down with Mike Jacobson, VP of People Operations at Steno. They discuss why traditional feedback methods often fall short and how to create a more effective system for career growth. Mike shares insights on building customized learning environments that incentivize genuine engagement, as well as the hidden value of lateral career mo
Trust and engagement: Alex Salas's HR insights on employee sucess
In the first of a series of shorter form interviews we're releasing in June, Rachel sits down with Alex Salas, Assistant Chief People Officer at the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and head of the NYC SHRM chapter. They discuss key strategies for improving employee experience, the competitive talent landscape, the importance of trust, leadership challenges, and practical advice for achi
Sustaining momentum in the battle against burnout
Burnout doesn’t end with one big fix. Here’s how to build real, lasting relief by trading perfection for momentum—one reset, one decision, one human moment at a time.Check out all four episodes in this special series on this Spotify playlist. Modern Mentor is hosted by Rachel Cooke. A transcript is available at Simplecast.Have a question for Modern Mentor? Email us at modernmentor@quickanddirtytip
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