Standard Office Procedures
At Blue Summit Supplies, we take career development seriously. Not just for ourselves; for any professional who wants to learn and grow.
That’s why we invest so much into creating free, high-quality resources to help everyone in the workplace – and we mean everyone.
We know so many professionals are leading incredibly busy lives, and oftentimes professional development has to happen on the go.
This is why we created the Standard Office Procedures podcast, the professional development podcast that helps professionals live and grow through culture, communication, and candor.
Our show is sponsored entirely by Blue Summit Supplies and hosted by our Head of Culture, Grace, and co-hosted by our Director of Marketing, Shannon. Every Tuesday, Grace and Shannon tackle big topics like Preventing Burnout in the Workplace, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, and Handling Impatience at Work.
Plus, we regularly have experts in topics like mental health, physical health, and professional development join us as guests to offer their insight and advice on how we can all be happier and healthier in this busy, modern workforce.
We did it, listeners - one whole year of Standard Office Procedures! Our final episode before our indefinite hiatus is dedicated to you, whoever you are, wherever you are. Thank you for finding us and supporting us with your time and attention and for allowing us the opportunity to learn, grow, and laugh alongside you. Thank you to every guest who came on our show and helped expand our views and better ourselves. Thank you to everyone who emailed in, left comments, or engaged with us over the last year. Special thanks to Blue Summit Supplies, Owen, and Larry, who...
Published on: 2022-06-28
Do you feel misunderstood at work? Disconnected from your coworkers? Not part of a cohesive, engaged team? If so, then you might need an infusion of empathy. Feeling understood — the main byproduct of empathy — is incredibly important to one’s well being. In fact, some believe feeling understood is even more important than feeling loved. Showing empathy can bridge this gap between feeling alone and misunderstood to feeling seen, heard, and part of a supportive team. So, how do you begin to foster this kind of behavior in a work environment? It's not as complicated as you might think....
Published on: 2022-06-21
We all have different personality traits and tendencies. Introverted, extroverted. Gregarious, reserved. Nomad, homebody. But if you stop and think about it, it’s our core values that truly define who we are. Our values help us choose between right and wrong, guide us on which paths we take in life, determine where we focus our energy, and how we find our purpose. This week on the podcast, Grace and Shannon talk us through why determining our core values is so important to our career and our personal life, how they can change over time, and how to check in with...
Published on: 2022-06-14
When you’re negotiating a contract for a new job, salary is a main conversation point, but there are many things to negotiate besides salary. Sure, you want more money, but let’s dream bigger. What would make the job more worthwhile? What tools could help you do better work? What might mean more to you than a pay raise? Look beyond your paycheck, think outside the box, and ask for what you really want. Maybe it’s extra paid time off, better health benefits, relocation costs, flexible hours, or the ability to work remotely. This week on the podcast, Grace and Shannon...
Published on: 2022-06-07
How many times have you been on the receiving end of a microaggression? Or perhaps, you're the one that said something, even unintentionally, and regretted it immediately. Oftentimes, the perpetrator of a microaggression has no idea they are being offensive, which makes issues involving microaggressions difficult to bring up or resolve. Because of this, it’s easy for the majority to dismiss a microaggression as a simple slip of the tongue. Half-hearted apologies like “You know I didn’t mean it like that,” or, “it was just a joke,” are quite common for those who feel marginalized at work to hear. But...
Published on: 2022-05-31
Got a micromanager in your office? Or, maybe, are you the micromanager? If so, we've got tools for you. Micromanaging has a reputation for being akin to a four-letter word, but why does micromanaging have such a negative connotation? This week on the podcast, Grace and Shannon talk about what micromanaging is, when it is and isn't effective, and how to handle a micromanaging boss (or learn to micromanage less yourself). Eileen Linnabery, an executive coach with experience working with large corporations, small start-ups, and everything in between, joins us as special guest to share advice and knowledge on a realistic...
Published on: 2022-05-24
Do you want to foster a healthy work environment fueled by teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect? Start by cultivating strong leaders. Without steadfast and healthy leadership, teams can crumble—collaboration slows, trust dwindles, decision making is hindered, and there’s a general lack of enthusiasm and drive. Strong leaders inspire and motivate those around them. Having strong leaders in your workplace improves productivity, engagement, and the overall wellbeing of your team. This week on the podcast, Grace and Shannon talk about what strong leadership looks like, and how team-building within your leadership team can help cultivate those strong leaders that a company...
Published on: 2022-05-17
In this fast-paced, task-driven world, where we're all hustling and running from one thing to the next, it can be difficult to slow down, and take a moment to survey ourselves and our surroundings. When we learn how be in the present moment, how to integrate mindfulness activities into our work day, it can lead to reduced stress, increased productivity, and an improved mood. This week on the podcast, (while Shannon is on vacation with her family in the magical land of the Great Mouse), Grace and Melvin (our Production Associate) talk about what mindfulness means to them, what it...
Published on: 2022-05-10
Instead of completing an important project, you procrastinate. Instead of making a career switch, you continue at a job you despise. Instead of accepting help, you push people away. Does this sound like you or someone you know? If so, these may be symptoms of self-sabotage. The reasons for self-sabotage vary, and it could look different for every person — but at its core, self-sabotage comes from feelings of low self-esteem and lack of self-worth. These feelings can become so internalized that when you’re on the cusp of succeeding at something, you veer in the other direction, derailing any positive...
Published on: 2022-05-03
Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone – at some point – has turned an ordinary moment into an awkward moment. These awkward situations, whether we’ve created them, or stumbled into them, are inherently uncomfortable and usually throw us for a loop. Sometimes, there’s no getting around it. Sometimes, you just have to lean into the awkward situation and have a laugh. Other times, there can be a more strategic way to exit the socially awkward tunnel and into the beckoning light of relief. This week on the podcast, Grace and Shannon talk about their own personal, awkward experiences and why it's...
Published on: 2022-04-26
Do you know what’s expected of you at work? Or are you left thinking, “I really don't know what I’m supposed to do…” Or maybe you're asking yourself, “Does my work even make an impact?” If you lack role clarity in your current position, then you probably haven’t any clue how your contributions benefit your company as a whole. It’s certainly not motivating to feel like what you do every day doesn’t even matter. On this week's episode, Grace and Shannon talk about role clarity, why it's obviously so important, and if you don't have it —...
Published on: 2022-04-19
Having a bad day at work happens to all of us. The car won’t start. You spill your coffee all over your shirt. Things just aren’t going your way. But it’s important to remember – a bad day is just a day. Bad days have a knack for putting you in a royally bad mood – making you feel frustrated, powerless, and hopeless. But the important thing to remember is that you’re in the driver’s seat. While things can feel hopeless, they very rarely are. On this week's episode, Grace and Shannon tell us about a few bad days of...
Published on: 2022-04-12
Whether you're trying to grow your business, build partnerships, or advance your career, making connections and knowing the right people can help. And that’s where networking comes in. This week on the podcast, Grace and Shannon talk about exactly how (and where) to start networking, and how to put your best foot forward and do it successfully. It's not all stuffy cocktails receptions and blazers. Networking can simply be about making organic connections with people who are passionate about the same things you are passionate about. Joining us as a special guest, to give his wisdom and insight into the...
Published on: 2022-04-05
This special episode might be our best one yet. After recording Episode 38, we realized there was much more to dig into in regards to this engaging and relevant topic, and so we sat down to do just that. We spent a lot of time and effort putting this together in the hopes that it might resonate deeply with you, our audience, and your personal career journeys. We hope you enjoy listening to Part 2 of Embracing Change in the Workplace, just as much as we enjoyed making it. Happy listening! And, oh yeah — Happy Aprils Fool's 😉 ...
Published on: 2022-04-01
For some people, chatting with a coworker is as effortless as breathing. For others – making small talk can cause full-on panic. What if I say something stupid? What if I offend someone? Does anybody care what I have to say anyway? But whether or not you hate small talk, being good at it can be a game changer. On this week's episode, Grace and Shannon -- along with special guest, Brad Drogos -- walk you through what it means to be more approachable and how to be better at it, how to ace that potentially awkward water cooler talk, and...
Published on: 2022-03-29