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On this episode
Every workplace has a hierarchy. Whether you are a trainee, a colleague, or a boss (or all three!), the hierarchy can influence everything from everyday working practices to relational dynamics. However, sometimes, it can feel much harder communicating upwards than down. Factors like fear and under-confidence can lead you to speak up less and be more hesitant to discuss issues. But building trust, and putting your voice out there will benefit your team as well as you.
Today, we have two guests on You are Not a Frog: Dr Claire Edwin and Dr Keerthini Muthuswamy. They talk about their experiences working within a hierarchical system as junior doctors and share what they have found to be essential if you want to build trust and foster good relationships with your seniors, your juniors, and your peers.
If you want to know how you can build trust and influence your workplace, and manage upwards and sideways this episode is just for you!
Show links
Become a member of the Resilient Team Academy this June. Find a community of leaders and help your team thrive.
Check out the Shapes Toolkit for resources that can help you thrive in your workplace.
Learn more about Red Whale Lead, Manage, Thrive! Courses
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In __by Roger Fisher, William Ury, Bruce Patton
Influence Without Authority by Allan Cohen and David Bradford
Learn more about the Cohen and Bradford Influence Model
Keerthini Muthuswamy: Twitter | email | Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management
Claire Edwin: Twitter | email | LinkedIn | Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management
Enjoyed This…
Reasons to listen
- Find out why a hierarchy can be both a help and a hindrance.
- Overcome the barriers set down by hierarchies to influence your workplace for the better.
- Learn how to approach conversations and which questions you can ask to build trust and good relationships with your colleagues.
Episode highlights
The Impact of a Title
The Impact of a Hierarchy
The “I’m Just a Trainee” Mentality
Build Trust and Influence
The Real Problem
Asking and Conversing
What Creates Good Working Relationships
Relationships and Influence
Kit and Claire’s Top Three Tips for Managing Horizontally
Rachel’s Top Tips for Managing Upwards and Sideways
Episode transcript
I think you can think of influencing as a form of negotiation. And that can really help, especially when influencing upwards because actually, often it is that mental block of thinking about the person and what position they’re in. But actually, if you can think about the issue that you’re trying to influence on and why it’s important, then that’s more important than focusing on the person and worrying about what they might think of you. Rachel Morris: Do you have a boss, or a team of partners, or colleagues, who you’re definitely not the boss of? Does getting everyone…
