During this podcast, I speak with Karl Feilder, Chairman and CEO of Neutral Fuels the largest producer of biofuel in the Gulf, about how to identify toxicity at work. Karl, having successful started, run, and sold various companies in his lifetime, shares various personal experiences which help identity the traits of toxic bosses and characteristics of unhealthy work environments. We also decipher what people's behaviors say about themselves and how as a manager being too controlling or too observant could actually mean there are ulterior motives at play. We dive deep into the psychology of unhealthy behaviors (talking about narcissism, psychopathology, belittling, shouting, and discriminiation) at work and identify how to counter them if you decide to stay. All in all, a great discussion you won't want to miss!

During this very engaging and personal episode, I speak with serial entrepreneur and investor LouLou Khazen about the red flags and green flags in Startups. The startup world is a very dynamic environment which is very different than most corporate work environments, and which comes with unique challenges. To be successful in a startup you need to be of a different breed. It requires a lot of mental toughness, determination, and to some degree even stubbornness and a tat of delusion. Neurodiversity is a common theme also in the startup world, with many highly successful entrepreneurs being neurodiverse themselves (e.g. ADHD, Autism).

Founder dynamics have a huge impact how the company is run and how it grows which can impact how employees experience work in both good and bad ways. High dynamics is a feeding ground for drama so it is important to learn how to deal with these dynamics effectively. LouLou shares some of her personal stories as an entrepreneur and explains what she learned from her experiences and how important grit and perseverance is to be successful. Understanding the red and green flags in startups can not only help you navigate the dynamic work environment more effectively, but also can help you succeed as an entrepreneur!

In season 2 episode 2, I interview legal counsellor Candida Pinto about her personal experiences with bad management. Candida provides a phenomenological perspective of bad management in the workplace and the impact it can have on you emotionally and mentally. Through her stories we explore the characteristics of good and bad management and reflect on the impact bad management can have on employee performance and mental health. We also talk about the role of (organizational) culture and how it can facilitate bad management practices. During this interview we not only speak about red and green flags in management, but also discuss strategies how to deal with bad/toxic managers in the workplace. A story many of us can relate to.