67: Are You an A-H.O.L.E ?

Who isn't asking themselves a few questions these days? How am I showing up? What am I serving up to myself, my colleagues, my family and anyone else one might see me in 3-D these days? Erin Hatzikoastas and Nicole Licata Grant take it all in as they Zoom it up for another How Was Your Week Episode. And it's chock full of humor and honesty about the aches and pains in life, work and everything in between. Appreciating that folks are still cheering her on 60+ big episodes in and asking some redemption, Nicole ponders a big Question, and talks about utilizing Erin's advice at work as she prepares for both the arrival of a new CEO/boss in the U.S and a virtual visit from the Big Boss from the global group. And, cue up a classic b Cause WTF moment...ah, the good 'ole times! Sometimes you have to not only ask the questions, but also answer your own damn question... This turns out to be a perfect into for Erin's Authentic So Hard (ASH) du jour, the launching of "A-H.O.L.E.S : Authentic Humans Overhauling Lousy Energy". In true Erin fashion, she's already drafted the manifesto and building a whole movement around it. But it hasn't been easy, and in a self-coaching moment Erin shares recent self-questioning, including that maybe it's time to shift her approach to include things she may have avoided. Nicole gives her own idea for a supplementary framework based on a favorite four-letter word: Finally Upending Keynote Speeches. b Cause, of course... would anyone question buying into that service? But another question looms: Are corporate spaces ready for the type of work Erin is doing? It seems that individuals clearly are hungry, but traditions and rules in the workplace create a gap between what corporations think serve en masses and what individuals want, Erin and Nicole feel like the playbook is changing; notable that employees being "out there" as valuable ambassadors - and assets - and not only can be, but must be leveraged in new ways, even if it doesn't seem like corporations are fully "there" yet. With that, Nicole talks about her own ASH moment, feeling that the pace she's been moving is not sustainable. So, when a colleague asks for a task, Nicole explains - authentically - the situation, and surprise, surprise, she got a positive response. Whoa! It all leads to the next big question: in this new world that's opening back up, what will going back to regular work (or different) life be like? But not to worry, the podcast will still be going strong: Nicole has a whole list of new observations, discomforts, and unsanitized questions to talk about. If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Here are some options... Check out the b BRILLIANT career coaching program @ b Cause Podcast Facebook group @ We even sare more crazy stuff here (you probably thought that was impossible). Take our simple, fun and insightful "What Kind of Dog Are You At Work?" by going to We have so much fun stuff going on...we wouldn't want you to miss out - join the authenticity movement and our community by adding your email just about anywhere @ Check out our blog for more of our no-BS career advice @ We have fun and inspiring t-shirts @ DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments: "Am I only fun to be around when I'm drunk?" "Here I am, Identifying my problems but doing nothing to solve them." "Anyone who hasn't listened to an episode before, that was a summary of the last 60+ episodes of Nicole's career." "The antichrist of authenticity is this lousy, fake, go through the motions, bullshit energy that's in the corporate workplace." "If I'm going to go and talk to corporations, how are they going to feel when they see things sassy like 'A-HOLE Manifesto'?" "I've got one for you: F.U.C.K. - Finally Upending Crappy Keynotes." "It's not going to stop me, but it reminds me I'm really pushing at the forefront of something that's different." "It's the same playbook being set everywhere, and it has been for 30 years, and it's just not enough. The playbook is not working." "If you're looking to move the needle, and you're looking to shake it up, then probably I'm you're gal." "A lot of this shit sounds self-serving, and it's self-serving for the people at the top." "You're doing the simple things that aren't that costly but make the biggest difference." My LinkedIn has really blown up recently, maybe it's because I'm no longer behind a firewall." "Every day I have people say 'if you have a job, I don't care what level, I'm gonna come and work for you." "I'm feeling burned out, I'm not feeling productive, I'm feeling like I need to not sit in front of a computer for 18 hours a day." "I've got a whole list of new anxieties to explore in this new world." "We could be the best MC's any women's conference has ever seen." "I was forced to have calls, I was forced to have interactions with people - ther...