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Work Unscripted

Marlo Lyons

Work Unscripted with Marlo Lyons offers a candid exploration into the realities of career advancement and leadership. Hosted by Marlo Lyons, executive career coach and former HR exec, this podcast brings unfiltered insights on work, leadership, and finding your path. Episodes feature in-depth discussions with industry leaders who share real stories and practical tools, and honest insights from Marlo. Work Unscripted is your guide to thriving in the professional world.

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21 episodes
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Avg 23 min
English

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S1 · E65
Wednesday · 6 min
Why the Wrong Promotion Can Cost You More Than You Think
What if the role you worked your whole career toward is actually the wrong destination? In this solo episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons shares a personal story about turning down a role that looked like the next obvious career move, and why saying no became one of the most important decisions of her career. This episode is about career alignment, values, leadership fit, and why the most strategic thing you can do sometimes is walk away from the thing everyone expects you to say yes to. You’ll learn: Why the “next level” is not always the right direction How to tell the difference between upward mobility and upward alignment Why leadership fit matters more than a title on paper How values show up as data in career decisions Why FOMO is a terrible career strategy The three questions to ask before accepting a promotion Why a strategic no can protect your career and your life If you’re considering a promotion, career move, leadership opportunity, or role that looks good on LinkedIn but feels wrong in your gut, this episode is the pause you need before you say yes. Think of your career less like a ladder and more like a compass. The goal is not always up. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E64
September 9 · 43 min
Why Executive Presence Breaks Down Under Pressure with Kathryn Janicek
Some leaders communicate beautifully when the environment is controlled. But then the stakes shift and suddenly, the clarity, authority, and confidence they had in rehearsal starts to collapse. In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with executive presence coach Kathryn Janicek to talk about why executive presence breaks down in high-pressure moments, and how leaders can rebuild it in real time. As former TV news reporters, Marlo and Kathryn both understand what it means to think on your feet, stay present under pressure, and recover when something does not go perfectly. You’ll learn: Why strong leaders lose clarity when the environment becomes unpredictable The hidden gap between prepared communication and real-time executive performance How mindset affects body language, tone, and credibility Why nonverbal signals can reinforce or erode trust in seconds How to recover when you stumble, freeze, or get triggered Why sleep, stress, burnout, and self-care show up in your leadership presence How leaders can prepare for investor conversations, board scrutiny, unscripted Q&A, and high-stakes meetings If you are a leader, executive, founder, or high-performing professional who needs to communicate clearly when the pressure is on, this episode will help you understand what your presence is really saying. Because executive presence is not just how you perform when everything goes according to plan. It is how you lead when it doesn’t. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E63
September 2 · 6 min
Stop Waiting For Permission To Grow
There are people waiting for their boss to care about their career more than they do. Pause on that. In this Cracking the Code episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons calls out the permission trap: the career pattern where people wait to be noticed, developed, promoted, sponsored, or picked before they take ownership of their own growth. Your manager may care about you. But your manager is not your career coach. They are managing a team, hitting goals, sitting in meetings, and putting out fires you may never see. Your growth is your job. You’ll learn: Why waiting to be picked keeps you passive in your career Why your manager is not responsible for unlocking your full potential How exhaustion can quietly stall your professional growth Why investing in yourself can actually create energy How AI and automation are changing the skills professionals need Why vague growth goals lead to vague results How small, consistent learning compounds over time Why you need a direction, not a perfect five-year plan If you’ve been waiting for your company, boss, or someone else to tell you it’s time to grow, this episode is your reminder: You already have permission. Now act like it. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E62
August 26 · 41 min
The Hidden Loneliness of Successful Women Leaders with Siri Swahari
Senior women in leadership are often surrounded by people and still completely alone. It is one of the least talked about realities of making it to the top. And Sirisha “Siri” Swahari decided to stop waiting for someone to fix it. In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons talks with Sirisha “Siri” Swahari, executive leader and founder of Women Executives Circle, about leadership loneliness, peer community and what it actually looks like to build a space where senior women can stop performing and start being real. In just one year, Women Executives Circle has grown to nearly 300 members across 22 locations, completely free to join. Siri built it because she needed it herself. She was overseeing a $55 million budget and 200 employees and still had nowhere to go for honest conversation. Unlike transactional networking spaces, WeC is built around real conversation, vulnerability, active listening, and peer-level support. In this conversation you will hear: Why senior women leaders often feel isolated even when they are surrounded by teams, meetings and full calendars What Women Executives Circle is, how it works, and why it has grown so fast How real peer connection is built on vulnerability and active listening, not resumes and referrals How the WEC framework creates space for wins, challenges, and the conversations women rarely get to have at work Why women face specific barriers to be seen, heard, and represented in leadership rooms Why vulnerability and active listening are executive leadership skills How one personal pain point became the foundation of a fast-growing movement If you are a senior woman leader, a woman executive, or high-achieving professional who has quietly wondered why success still feels this isolating, this episode is for you. The top can be a very lonely place. But it doesn’t have to be. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E61
August 19 · 8 min
Why Perfectionism Is Keeping You Stuck
Stop calling yourself a perfectionist like it’s a compliment. Perfectionism is not a personality trait, or a strength in disguise. It is fear with a really good publicist. In this solo episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons, executive coach and workplace strategist, calls out the version of perfectionism so many high achievers wear like a badge. It’s the kind that keeps the draft unfinished, the idea unshared, the business unstarted, the post unpublished, and the conversation delayed. Because most of the time, “it’s not ready yet” does not mean it needs more polishing. It means you’re scared to be seen. And that fear, whether it’s fear of failure, fear of judgment, or fear of success, is what perfectionism is actually protecting. You’ll learn: Why perfectionism is often fear disguised as professionalism How perfectionism fuels procrastination and delays your life, your work, and your momentum Why imperfect things that exist are more powerful than perfect things that don’t and “why done is better than perfect” is more than a cliché. How fear of failure, fear of judgment, and fear of success keep high achievers stuck Why “done” is the only thing that can ever become great What to ask instead of “Is this perfect?” to break through perfectionism and take imperfect action How to take one real step toward done today If you’ve been circling the same idea, draft, project, post, or decision for weeks, months, or years, this episode is your push. Whether perfectionism shows up as procrastination, creative block, or endless over-editing, this episode will help you make a move. Because the world does not need your perfect version. It needs your real one. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E60
August 12 · 44 min
How Women Can Build Confidence and Career Agency with Kirsteen Williamson-Guinn
Confidence matters. But does confidence alone move your career forward? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with Kirsteen Williamson-Guinn, founder of Elevate Women, to talk about what it really takes for women to grow, lead, and future-proof their career advancement in high-pressure, political workplaces. After 32 years in banking, including senior leadership in a male-dominated environment, Kirsteen knows what it feels like to perform, push, navigate politics, and slowly lose connection with yourself in the process. Now, through Elevate Women, she helps women build confidence, strategic leadership, self-trust, and real career agency. Marlo and Kirsteen talk about imposter syndrome, vague feedback like “you need more executive presence,” and what it really means for women in leadership, the shift from high performer to strategic leader, and why women have to stop taking on work that keeps them busy but does not move them forward. You’ll learn: Why confidence alone is not a career strategy for women in leadership How women can move from performing to leading strategically and advancing their careers with intention What “executive presence” feedback for women may actually be pointing to Why imposter syndrome show up even at senior levels and what to do about it How to build strategic relationships and visibility at work before you need them Why non-promotable tasks can quietly stall women’s career advancement How to own your brand, your value, and your next move What future-ready women’s leadership looks like in a rapidly changing workplace If you are a woman in leadership, a mid-career professional, or someone trying to build more confidence, visibility, and agency at work, this episode will help you stop waiting to be chosen and start leading your career with more intention. Whether you work in a male-dominiated industry, have been told you need more executive presence, or are navigating imposter syndrome at the senior level, thai conversation is for you. Because the goal is not just to look confident. It is to trust yourself enough to act. Learn more: elevate-women.co.uk/ Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E59
August 5 · 10 min
What HR Really Does When You File a Complaint
HR works for the company, not for you. Have you ever walked into HR thinking, “Finally. Someone is going to listen. Someone is going to help.” And then nothing changed, or things got worse. In this solo episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks the code on what HR is really designed to do, and why employees need to stop confusing HR with personal advocacy. HR may listen, investigate, and say they are taking things seriously, but at the end of the day, HR works for the company. And if you are dealing with a serious workplace complaint or conflict, you need to understand the system before you walk into the room. You’ll learn: Why “we’re here to listen” does not always mean HR is there to advocate for you Why HR conversations are not truly confidential and what HR confidentiality really means for you What “we take this seriously” really means and why it’s about company risk, not your wellbeing Why the HR investigation prpocess may focus on both the workplace complaint and the person making it What can happen after a workplace complaint is closed and employees are expected to “move on,” including the risk of workplace retaliation. Why companies should invest in real repair after workplace conflict How to document workplace issues before going to HR, including dates, messages, and your employee rights If you’ve ever felt confused, dismissed, or blindsided after bringing a workplace complaint to HR, this episode gives language to what may actually be happening behind the scenes. Whether you’re navigating a hostile work environment, considering filing a workplace complaint, or want to understand your employee rights before taking action, this episode is your guide. Because HR may care about people. But HR was hired to protect the company. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E58
July 29 · 46 min
The AI Shift at Work: What Executives and Mid-Career Professionals Need to Do Now with Tatsiana Maskalevich
Using AI once in a while is not the same as changing how you work. In this episode of Work Unscripted, executive coach Marlo Lyons talks with AI product leader Tatsiana Maskalevich about how to move beyond one-off chatbot prompts and start thinking in terms of compounding AI workflows. AI is changing how work gets done, how leaders make decisions, and how professionals stay valuable in a rapidly shifting workplace. Marlo and Tatsiana talk about the fear of AI taking jobs and why collaboration matters more as AI becomes part of everyday work. You’ll learn: Why one-off AI prompts barely scratch the surface How compounding AI workflows can create long-term value Why feedback is essential if you want better AI outputs Why human judgment and critical thinking matter more, not less, as AI scales How AI will change jobs instead of simply replacing them What executives and mid-career professionals should do right now If you’re a leader, executive, mid-career professional, or employee wondering how to stay relevant as AI changes work, this episode gives you a practical place to start. Because the future of work will not belong to the people who ignore AI. It will belong to the people who learn how to think with it, without letting it think for them and future-proof their careers in the process. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E57
July 22 · 6 min
What Leaders Carry: The Emotional Labor of Leadership No One Talks About
Your boss may know things about the future of your job long before you do. A reorganization. A budget cut. A project ending. Even layoffs. And still, they have to walk into meetings, look everyone in the eye, and act completely normal. In this Cracking the Code episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons explores the emotional labor and the hidden cost of leadership: the invisible work leaders do to manage pressure, protect their teams, navigate competing priorities, and carry information they cannot always share. Leadership is often framed as strategy, authority, and decision-making. But behind the scenes, leaders are also translating pressure from above, advocating for their teams, managing stakeholders, absorbing chaos, and making hard calls that employees may never see. You’ll learn: What emotional labor in leadership really looks like Why managers often know about reorgs, budget cuts, or layoffs before their teams do How leaders balance pressure from above with the needs of their team Why good leaders protect their teams in ways employees may never notice How to give leaders more grace without excusing poor leadership Why understanding emotional labor makes you a better employee, manager and advocate If you’re a leader, aspiring leader, or employee trying to understand what may be happening behind the curtain at work, this episode offers a more honest look at the hidden weight of leadership. Because leadership is not just about having more control. It is about carrying more responsibility. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
July 15 · 40 min
Executive Search Secrets: How Boards, Recruiters, and Decision-Makers Choose Leaders with Neill Marshall and Kurt Mosley
In executive search, by the time a senior leadership role is posted, the conversation may already be well underway. Search firms are building lists. Boards are asking who they trust. Decision-makers are comparing reputations. And leaders are being discussed in rooms they may not even know they’re in. In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with executive search leaders with Neill Marshall and Kurt Mosley HealthSearch Partners, who executive search leaders with more than thirty years experience, to talk about how senior leaders really get hired, and what it takes to become the candidate people actively champion. We go behind the scenes on executive search, board trust, reputation, visibility, cultural fit, and the first 90 days in a new leadership role. You’ll learn: Why executive search starts long before a role is posted What makes a candidate “championed,” not just considered Why boards care about trust, culture, and reputation as much as qualifications How senior leaders can build visibility before they need a new role What behaviors quietly disqualify executive candidates Why the first 90 days matter so much for board trust and long-term credibility How to think about your career as a reputation built over decades If you’re a senior leader, aspiring executive, or ambitious professional thinking about what’s next, this episode gives you the behind-the-scenes guidance most candidates never hear directly from executive recruiters. Because at the executive level, your résumé matters. But your reputation gets there first. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E55
July 8 · 4 min
Cracking the Code: Try This Leadership Experiment: Only Ask Questions for 30 Days
Most leaders are trained to have answers. But the best leaders know when to ask questions instead. What would happen if, for the next 30 days, you stopped giving answers and only asked questions? In this Cracking the Code episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons challenges leaders to try a simple but uncomfortable leadership experiment: stop fixing, stop directing, stop jumping in with the answer, and start leading with questions. Most leaders think their job is to solve problems quickly. But when leaders constantly provide the answers, teams can become dependent, creativity shuts down, and people stop owning their decisions. Strong leadership is about asking the questions that unlock better thinking from everyone else. You’ll learn: Why “Why?” questions can make people defensive and what to ask instead How jumping in with answers can become lazy leadership Why silence can be a powerful leadership tool How questions help teams think for themselves and own solutions The to tell the difference between interrogation and genuine curiosity Practical coaching questions to use in your next meeting If you want to build a more independent team, improve decision-making, and shift from a problem-solver to a people developer, this 30-day leadership challenge is a powerful place to start. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
July 1 · 35 min
How Introverts Can Network Without Feeling Fake, Forced, or Drained with Stephanie Thoma
Networking can feel awkward, transactional, and exhausting, especially if you’re an introvert. So how do introverts network without feeling fake, forced or drained? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons talks with speaker, coach, and author Stephanie Thoma about how introverts can build real professional relationships, speak up with more confidence, and create career visibility without losing themselves in the process. Author of The Confident Introvert, Stephanie shares practical strategies for redefining networking as relationship-building, managing your energy before and after events, calming internal self-talk, starting better conversations, and following up in a way that feels natural instead of cringe. This conversation is for anyone who wants to grow their career, build a stronger network, contribute more in meetings, or become a more confident public speaker, without pretending to be someone they’re not. You’ll learn: Why networking is relationship-building, not self-promotion, and why that distinction changes everything for introverts How introverts can manage energy before and after events Why aiming to make one new connection can be more powerful than working the whole room How to interrupt negative self-talk when you feel awkward or self-conscious Better conversation openers that go beyond “What do you do?” How to follow up without feeling pushy or performative Why public speaking is a skill introverts can build with practice How to speak up more clearly and confidently in meetings If you’ve ever felt overlooked, drained by networking, or unsure how to make your voice heard at work, this episode will help you approach connection and visibility in a more authentic, sustainable way. Because confidence means learning how to show up as yourself, with intention. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E53
June 24 · 6 min
Cracking the Code: Boss Doesn’t Have Your Back - How to Protect Your Career
What do you do when your boss clearly doesn’t have your back? Maybe they talk badly about you to others. Maybe they develop your peers but not you. Maybe decisions are being made about your career in rooms you’re not invited to. Or maybe it’s not subtle at all and you know exactly where you stand. In this Cracking the Code episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down what to do when your boss doesn’t support you, advocate for you, or give you the constructive feedback you need to grow and how to protect your career before it costs you. This kind of workplace dynamic can crush your confidence if you let it. But it can also be the moment you realize something powerful: you cannot rely on one person to manage your career. You’ll learn: How to ask your boss directly for feedback without sounding defensive or confrontational Why building visibility beyond your manager is the most important career protection move you can make How to document your wins and strengthen your professional brand when no one is doing it for you Why workplace anxiety and rejection sensitivity can make a difficult boss feel even more destabilizing. How to decide whether the situation is fixable, or whether it’s time to move on If you’re dealing with a difficult manager, feeling undermined at work, or wondering how to protect your career when your boss doesn’t see your value, this episode gives you practical next steps and an honest reality check. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E52
June 17 · 39 min
How to Reinvent Yourself After a Crisis: Resilience, Fear, and Starting Over with Tammy Levent
What do you do when everything falls apart? Your marriage, your finances, your business, your sense of self? In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with travel entrepreneur Tammy Levent for one of the most honest, raw, and inspiring conversations about resilience, reinvention, and starting over without letting fear lead. Tammy has built a $100M travel empire, pioneered destination weddings as a business model, and survived an armed robbery, major debt, life-threatening cancer, a violent divorce, near homelessness and a devastating car accident involving her children. During COVID, she pivoted into an unexpected Greek donut business, and ultimately relocated to Crete, where she now runs a luxury travel agency and a global training program for travel advisors. This is not abstract motivation This is a real-world blueprint for rebuilding when the old version of your life no longer works. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to start over after divorce, job loss, financial collapse, or professional burnout Why fear can become a decision-maker and Tammy’s practical FEAR framework to stop letting it lead How to reassess your skills, spending, location, and identity when life demands reinvention Why success shifts from money and status to peace, purpose, and calm How gratitude, journaling, and intentional daily focus can help you rebuild momentum after loss Why it’s not too late to reinvent even with debt, dependents and fear. This episode is for you if you’re navigating a career transition, recovering from burnout, rebuilding after divorce, financial loss, questioning whether a fresh start is possible, or wondering if your best chapter is still ahead. Because sometimes starting over isn't failure. It’s finally choosing life. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E51
June 10 · 7 min
Cracking the Code: How Perfectionism Kills Innovation (And What Kids Can Teach Leaders About It)
Kids in the summer understand something most adults at work have forgotten: curiosity creates momentum. They try things. Change the rules. Build, fail, pivot, and try again. Meanwhile, adults overthink, over-polish, and wait until everything is “perfect” before speaking up or taking action. And that perfectionism? It may look professional, but it often kills innovation. In this Cracking the Code episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down why curiosity beats perfectionism at work, what a growth mindset actually looks like in practice, and what leaders can learn from the fearless, experimental energy of kids. You’ll learn: Why perfectionism at work is often fear disguised as professionalism How a growth mindset fuels innovation, adaptability, and team performance Why "draft thinking" is one of the most underrated tools for psychological safety How leaders can normalize experimentation and calculated risk-taking without lowering standards Simple questions that unlock creativity and curiosity in meetings Why the most successful organizations are the most adaptable and how to build that culture. This episode is for leaders, managers, and high performers who want to build more innovative teams, create psychological safety at work, and stop letting perfectionism stall progress. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E50
June 3 · 40 min
Stop Networking. Start Connecting: How to Build Real Relationships at Work with Cassandra Thompson
Work moves fast. We optimize for speed, efficiency, tools, and output, but somehow, a lot of people feel more disconnected than ever. In this episode of Work Unscripted, host Marlo Lyons sits down with workplace connection expert Cassandra Thompson to talk about why genuine relationships are the key to employee engagement, trust and career growth. This conversation goes way beyond surface-level networking and awkward LinkedIn messages. Marlo and Cassandra break down how real connection builds trust, improves engagement, reduces workplace loneliness, and makes professional life feel more human. Especially in a world of remote work, burnout, job transitions, and constant change. You’ll learn: Why having a friend at work can improve employee engagement, retention, and well-being How “friction maxing” and small everyday interactions rebuild connection Why micro-conversations and small-talk matter more than you think How to build relationships without feeling fake, forced, or performative A simple relationship-building approach: 10% ask, 20% care, 70% keep in touch Why authentic connection matters more than proving your value How to rebuild your social muscles if connection feels awkward, lonely, or exhausting If work has started to feel isolating, transactional, or harder than it should, this episode is a reminder that connection is not optional. It is one of the most practical career and leadership skills you can build, because work just moves and feels better when people actually know each other. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E49
May 27 · 8 min
Cracking the Code: Can Work Friends Sabotage Your Career?
Can a work friendship quietly become a career liability? When workplace friendships collide with power, what once felt like casual conversation can quickly become complicated…and costly In this Cracking the Code episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down the hidden career risks of workplace friendships, especially when one person gets promoted and suddenly becomes the boss. In this episode, you'll learn: Why workplace friendships shift after a promotion, even when your intentions don't change How power dynamics create professional liability in relationships that once felt harmless What leaders must do to reset boundaries before a personal relationship becomes an HR risk How to navigate the messy reality of managing someone you once considered a friend Why the cost of staying too close is almost always higher than the cost of creating distance This episode is for anyone navigating leadership transitions, management boundaries, workplace friendships, or the complicated reality of becoming the boss of someone you used to vent to. When power changes, friendship boundaries have to change too. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
May 20 · 39 min
How to Stop Chasing External Validation and Start Choosing Fulfillment with Trixi Tschiedel Menhardt
What if the next promotion, the bigger paycheck, or the better title still doesn’t make you happy? If success feels empty, you may be caught in achievement addiction – the cycle of chasing external milestones, titles, and validation that never actually delivers lasting fulfillment. In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with executive and life coach Trixi Tschiedel Menhardt to unpack why so many high achievers feel restless, depleted and disconnected, enen when they look super successful on paper. In this episode you’ll learn: What achievement addiction is and why high performers are most vulnerable to it Why external validation leaves professionals feeling empty, overwhelmed, or stuck How burnout rewires your brain and why peace can feel unfamiliar after years of stress How to use self-regulation and the Positive Intelligence framework to break the cycle How to stop chasing external validation and start choosing fulfillment on your own terms This conversation is especially relevant for leaders, executives, and professionals who are tired of feeling like the next milestone will finally be “enough” to feel fulfilled. Are you ready to reclam choice, peace and a sense of purpose that doesn’t depend on a title? Because fulfillment isn’t something you achieve. It’s something you choose. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E47
May 13 · 4 min
Cracking the Code: Stop Saying “Why” and “Should” for Better Workplace Communication
Two small words you use every day may be quietly damaging your workplace relationships: why and should. In leadership conversations, feedback moments, and everyday team communication, these common words often land differently than intended, triggering defensiveness, shame and disconnection instead of clarity and collaboration. "Why did you do that?" can sound like an interrogation. "You should have handled it differently" can sound like judgment. And when people feel accused or shamed, they stop collaborating and start defending. In this Cracking the Code mini episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons breaks down the psychology behind why these words – why and should – undermine psychological safety at work and what to say instead. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why "why" triggers a defensive response and the curiosity-based alternative that opens dialogue How "should" creates shame and shuts down collaboration and the forward-focused replacement that builds trust Simple language swaps any leader or professional can use immediately How to communicate with greater emotional intelligence, clarity, and psychological safety How to keep difficult conversations productive without triggering defensiveness Whether you're a leader giving feedback, navigating team conflict, or simply trying to communicate more effectively at work, the words you choose matter more than you think. Small language shifts. Significant leadership impact. Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.
S1 · E46
May 6 · 42 min
Trust in the Workplace: How It Breaks, Why It Fails, and How to Rebuild It with Drs. Dennis & Michelle Reina
Most workplace conflict isn’t about strategy, performance, or communication. It’s about broken trust. In this episode of Work Unscripted, Marlo Lyons sits down with researchers and authors Michelle and Dennis Reina who have spent 30+ years studying how trust is built, broken, and rebuilt in organizations. Michelle and Dennis break down the three essential dimensions of trust: character, communication, and capability. And more importantly, what happens when each one beaks down. In this conversation, you’ll learn: The most common ways trust is broken at work (and why it’s usually unintentionally) Why small trust breaches compound into major breakdowns How to rebuild trust after betrayal without forcing it Why self-trust is the foundation of effective leadership How to build trust intentionally in remote and hybrid teams This episode is for leaders, managers, and professionals navigating team dynamics, cross-functional work, and high-stakes conversations.. Because trust is the foundation of everything. Learn more with the Reina Trust Building® assessment tool: reinatrustbuilding.com/ITS-book Connect with Marlo Website | LinkedIn | Instagram ----------- Work Unscripted is produced by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

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