How Work Really Works with Steve Mon, 12 Oct 2026 02:00:02 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2652275 en-us © 2026 How Work Really Works with Steve yes 2b22eddd-0c38-579a-80f3-bbe3be5bfe5f Steven episodic false Doing good work is important, but it is rarely enough to build the career you want.

How Work Really Works is a weekly management and career coaching podcast for professionals preparing to lead and new managers learning how to succeed. Drawing on his experience as a senior executive, adviser, and mentor, Steve explores the workplace challenges that often determine whether people move forward or get stuck.

Each episode tackles one practical issue, from communicating with senior leaders and handling difficult conversations to building credibility, influencing decisions, leading teams, and taking control of your career. Expect candid advice, real experiences, and specific actions you can put to work immediately.

Because career success is not just about working harder. It is about understanding how work really works.

I like this name because it feels approachable and creates curiosity. It also gives you room to discuss communication, leadership, workplace dynamics, organizational politics, goals, and career advancement without boxing the show into one narrow category.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Steven https://storage.buzzsprout.com/eirzgqdgdnrec3nrk7eech3yc6x3?.jpg How Work Really Works with Steve https://www.buzzsprout.com/2652275 The Career Skills Nobody Teaches You The Career Skills Nobody Teaches You Technical knowledge may get you hired, but it is rarely the only thing that determines how far your career progresses.

In this episode, Steve explores the important career skills that organisations depend on but seldom teach. You’ll learn why judgment, prioritisation, clear communication, reliability, business awareness and influence often matter as much as technical expertise.

We also look at how to make stronger recommendations, focus on what genuinely matters, reduce unpleasant surprises and become someone people trust with important work.

Practical career advice for anyone who wants to grow, take on greater responsibility and become more valuable without simply becoming busier.

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]]> Technical knowledge may get you hired, but it is rarely the only thing that determines how far your career progresses.

In this episode, Steve explores the important career skills that organisations depend on but seldom teach. You’ll learn why judgment, prioritisation, clear communication, reliability, business awareness and influence often matter as much as technical expertise.

We also look at how to make stronger recommendations, focus on what genuinely matters, reduce unpleasant surprises and become someone people trust with important work.

Practical career advice for anyone who wants to grow, take on greater responsibility and become more valuable without simply becoming busier.

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Steve Buzzsprout-19912647 Mon, 12 Oct 2026 02:00:00 -0400 752 1 6 full false How to Survive Office Politics Without Becoming Political How to Survive Office Politics Without Becoming Political Office politics exists whether you choose to participate or not. The good news is that you can navigate it without becoming manipulative, fake or the person mysteriously copied on every email.

In this episode, Steve explains how workplace influence really works, why strong performance alone is not always enough and how to build credibility without playing games. You’ll learn how to read the room, develop useful relationships, avoid gossip, handle difficult personalities and make sure your work is visible for the right reasons.

Practical advice for surviving office politics while keeping your integrity, your reputation and, ideally, your sanity.

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]]> Office politics exists whether you choose to participate or not. The good news is that you can navigate it without becoming manipulative, fake or the person mysteriously copied on every email.

In this episode, Steve explains how workplace influence really works, why strong performance alone is not always enough and how to build credibility without playing games. You’ll learn how to read the room, develop useful relationships, avoid gossip, handle difficult personalities and make sure your work is visible for the right reasons.

Practical advice for surviving office politics while keeping your integrity, your reputation and, ideally, your sanity.

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Steve Buzzsprout-19909054 Thu, 08 Oct 2026 01:00:00 -0400 761 1 5 full false Manager Minute: Stop Avoiding the Awkward Conversation Manager Minute: Stop Avoiding the Awkward Conversation Avoiding a difficult conversation rarely makes the problem disappear. It usually gives it time to become a much bigger problem.

In this Manager Minute, Steve explains how managers can address performance and behavior concerns early, keep the discussion focused on facts, and create a clear path forward without turning it into a confrontation.

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]]> Avoiding a difficult conversation rarely makes the problem disappear. It usually gives it time to become a much bigger problem.

In this Manager Minute, Steve explains how managers can address performance and behavior concerns early, keep the discussion focused on facts, and create a clear path forward without turning it into a confrontation.

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]]> Steven Buzzsprout-19908684 Wed, 07 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400 55 full false Managing Up Without Sucking Up Managing Up Without Sucking Up Managing up is not about flattery, agreeing with everything your boss says or suddenly developing an enthusiastic interest in their weekend golf stories.

In this episode, Steve explains what managing up actually means and how to build a productive relationship with your manager without becoming a professional suck up. You’ll learn how to understand your manager’s priorities, adapt to their communication style, raise concerns constructively and disagree without damaging trust.

We also look at what to do when your manager is difficult, unpredictable or simply not very good at managing.

Practical, honest advice for anyone who wants to communicate better, reduce workplace frustration and take greater control of their career.

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]]> Managing up is not about flattery, agreeing with everything your boss says or suddenly developing an enthusiastic interest in their weekend golf stories.

In this episode, Steve explains what managing up actually means and how to build a productive relationship with your manager without becoming a professional suck up. You’ll learn how to understand your manager’s priorities, adapt to their communication style, raise concerns constructively and disagree without damaging trust.

We also look at what to do when your manager is difficult, unpredictable or simply not very good at managing.

Practical, honest advice for anyone who wants to communicate better, reduce workplace frustration and take greater control of their career.

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Steve Buzzsprout-19908955 Mon, 05 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400 919 1 4 full false Your First 100 Days Your First 100 Days Starting a new role can feel like being handed a map after the journey has already begun. Everyone else seems to know how things work, while you are still trying to find the right meeting room.

In this episode of How Work Really Works with Steve, we explore how to make your first 100 days count. You will learn how to understand the organization, build trust, identify the people who really influence decisions, choose sensible priorities and deliver early results without attempting to reorganize the company in your second week.

Steve also shares practical advice for new managers, including how to understand your team, set expectations, give useful feedback and establish a leadership style people can rely on.

Whether you are starting a new job, joining a different team or stepping into management, this episode provides a practical plan for establishing yourself with confidence.

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Starting a new role can feel like being handed a map after the journey has already begun. Everyone else seems to know how things work, while you are still trying to find the right meeting room.

In this episode of How Work Really Works with Steve, we explore how to make your first 100 days count. You will learn how to understand the organization, build trust, identify the people who really influence decisions, choose sensible priorities and deliver early results without attempting to reorganize the company in your second week.

Steve also shares practical advice for new managers, including how to understand your team, set expectations, give useful feedback and establish a leadership style people can rely on.

Whether you are starting a new job, joining a different team or stepping into management, this episode provides a practical plan for establishing yourself with confidence.

Send us Fan Mail

]]> How Work Really Works with Steve Buzzsprout-19870520 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400 880 1 3 full false Manager Minute: How to Handle Unrealistic Career Expectations Manager Minute: How to Handle Unrealistic Career Expectations What do you say when an employee expects a promotion they are not ready for? Steve explains how managers can support ambition while being honest about readiness, identify development gaps and create a practical path towards career advancement without making promises they cannot keep.

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]]> What do you say when an employee expects a promotion they are not ready for? Steve explains how managers can support ambition while being honest about readiness, identify development gaps and create a practical path towards career advancement without making promises they cannot keep.

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Steve Buzzsprout-19853534 Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:00:00 -0400 79 full false Why Nobody Says What They Really Mean at Work Why Nobody Says What They Really Mean at Work Why do people at work say “Let’s circle back” when they really mean no?

In this episode, Steve explores why workplace communication becomes vague, indirect, and confusing, and how to say what you mean without sounding rude or reckless. Learn how to read between the lines, ask better questions, give clearer feedback, and replace corporate fog with useful conversations.

Whether you are a manager, an employee, or working toward your next career move, this episode offers practical ways to communicate clearly, avoid misunderstandings, and get better results at work.

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]]> Why do people at work say “Let’s circle back” when they really mean no?

In this episode, Steve explores why workplace communication becomes vague, indirect, and confusing, and how to say what you mean without sounding rude or reckless. Learn how to read between the lines, ask better questions, give clearer feedback, and replace corporate fog with useful conversations.

Whether you are a manager, an employee, or working toward your next career move, this episode offers practical ways to communicate clearly, avoid misunderstandings, and get better results at work.

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Steve Buzzsprout-19854153 Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:00:00 -0400 706 1 2 full false Manager Minute: How to Manage a Difficult Employee Manager Minute: How to Manage a Difficult Employee What should you do when an employee becomes difficult to manage? In this Manager Minute, Steve explains how to address problematic behavior, have a direct conversation, set clear expectations and give someone a fair opportunity to improve without allowing the problem to continue indefinitely.

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]]> What should you do when an employee becomes difficult to manage? In this Manager Minute, Steve explains how to address problematic behavior, have a direct conversation, set clear expectations and give someone a fair opportunity to improve without allowing the problem to continue indefinitely.

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Steve Buzzsprout-19853278 Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 -0400 93 full false Doing Good Work Is Not Enough Doing Good Work Is Not Enough Doing great work does not always lead to recognition or promotion. Steve explains how career advancement really works, why workplace visibility and professional relationships matter, and how to communicate your value without sounding like you are boasting. Learn practical ways to build credibility, demonstrate leadership and ensure your contribution is understood.

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]]> Doing great work does not always lead to recognition or promotion. Steve explains how career advancement really works, why workplace visibility and professional relationships matter, and how to communicate your value without sounding like you are boasting. Learn practical ways to build credibility, demonstrate leadership and ensure your contribution is understood.

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Steve Buzzsprout-19849105 Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:00:00 -0400 1026 1 1 full false Start Here: Welcome to How Work Really Works Start Here: Welcome to How Work Really Works How Work Really Works with Steve is a weekly podcast offering practical career advice, management coaching and leadership lessons. Learn how to communicate better, handle difficult workplace situations, lead with confidence and advance your career through useful guidance, real executive experience and a little dry humor.

Send us Fan Mail

]]> How Work Really Works with Steve is a weekly podcast offering practical career advice, management coaching and leadership lessons. Learn how to communicate better, handle difficult workplace situations, lead with confidence and advance your career through useful guidance, real executive experience and a little dry humor.

Send us Fan Mail

]]> Steve Buzzsprout-19848866 Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:00:00 -0400 122 full false