
Your 9AM
By Adam Cockell
Your 9AM is a podcast about the real-world challenges that come up with the people we work with. We explore difficult situations from every angle to empower you with the perspective to handle them with grace.
Co-hosted by Adam and Anna Cockell.

Your 9AMFeb 06, 2020

When “culture” and performance aren’t aligned
In today’s story, a person of color accepts an opportunity to join a different team with a new manager, but is pushed out after failing to embrace the team’s culture. How important should “culture” be? And what is the relationship between culture and performance?
On the last episode of our first season, Anna and I talk about this experience with Teila Evans, a former ERG (Employee Resource Group) leader.
For the full story, check out the newsletter.

When raising awareness for an “important social issue”
In today’s story a company’s outreach team takes on gun violence in a neighboring poor, black community, ignoring warnings from an employee that the effort would be insensitive and careless. Was there a better way for the company to make an impact? And what would you have done if you were that employee?
Featuring Karen Fleshman, founder of Racy Conversations.
Check out the story in the newsletter here.

When it comes down to an ultimatum
In today’s story a boss decides to renew a particularly difficult temporary employee’s contract, despite receiving an ultimatum from one of his full-time direct reports, who he asked for an opinion on multiple occasions.
When would you make this type of demand? And what if this weren’t a temporary employee? Anna, Chris Doenlen, and I ask each other some thought-provoking questions in this podcast episode.
For a copy of the full story, check out the newsletter.

When they aren't a priority
In today's story, an attorney attempts to correct the boss's disregard for gender identity on multiple occasions, while representing clients for that exact problem.
How would you convince your manager to take pronouns more seriously? And how long would you try?
Featuring Rachel Ayers.
For a copy of the full story, check out the newsletter.

When a dream promotion turns into a nightmare
In today’s story a woman that was previously overlooked for a promotion in a male-dominated department is finally offered the job, only to be met with hostility from the rest of the team. Anna and I discuss this deceivingly simple story at length with Emily Grove, an employment attorney, on the podcast.
If you were that manager, would you seek help from senior management? And what would you do with your rebellious team?
For a copy of the full story, check out the newsletter.

When money is tight and there's no way around it
Today’s story is about a difficult financial situation at work. How do you keep employees engaged when money is tight? And what can you do when your company's decisions impact your own finances.
For a copy of the full story, and questions you should be asking yourself, check out the newsletter.

When you’re asked to help trim the fat
What do you do if your boss asks you to rate your peers for layoffs? And what would a better boss do?
Check out the story in our newsletter.

When your future is tied to a revolving door
What do you do if you’ve gone above and beyond your job responsibilities but your boss jumps ship and leaves your career in someone else’s hands? Over and over. Check out the story in our newsletter.
Featuring Caitlin Hutcherson, Technical Program Manager at Optimizely.

When you’re not ready to talk
In this week’s two-minute newsletter, we talk about how the "inclusive" practice of asking everyone to speak up in meetings can have unforeseen consequences. Featuring Caitlin Hutcherson.
Check out the story in our newsletter.

The old boys club might be right under your nose.
You might think the "old boys' club" is a thing of the past, but it hasn’t gone anywhere. Featuring Teila Evans and Anna Cockell.
Check out the story in our newsletter.

Focused on all the wrong things (part 1)
Here’s what's on the agenda today: a technical customer support engineer is held to a double standard by customers and her boss. Featuring Susan Haynes and Anna Cockell.
Check out the story in our newsletter.

Our first appointment
Anna Cockell and Sara Cate Jones join me to discuss the first Your 9AM newsletter story about an engineering leader who walks by a meeting and notices an uncomfortable interaction involving two female team members and other leaders at the company.

Travis Bryant on Building Sales at Optimizely

Russ Thau on Optimizing the Customer Journey at Envoy

Adam Zimman on Starting Product and Partnerships at LaunchDarkly
Adam Zimman, VP of Product and Platform at Launchdarkly, discusses his thoughts on partnerships, diversity, and leadership at a company that now serves over 200 billion feature flags daily.

Bobby Pinero on Scaling Finance at Intercom
Bobby Pinero, Senior Director of Finance and Analytics at Intercom, discusses the lessons he learned as he helped intercom scale from 20 to 600+ employees.