Shows
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Business Basics Series (4/6) - Why Do So Many Startups Fail? (S3E29)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the common question of why so many startups fail. She explores the assumptions about founders, the importance of vision and mission, market fit, business management, and effective leadership in startup success. She discusses how founders are often driven by a deep belief in the vision for their business and mission of their product(s) rather than a tolerance for risk. Christa emphasizes that while startups face numerous challenges, many failures can be avoided with proper preparation, support, and workforce talent. Key Takeaways2025-07-2913 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Business Basics Series (3/6) - What's the Best Funding Model for Startups? (S3E28)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo discusses the various funding models available for startups, understanding which model aligns best with a founder's objectives and business goals. She reviews the misconceptions surrounding funding, the significance of ownership and leverage, and the complexity of products in determining funding needs. She also highlights the common misconception that venture capital is the only funding option and encourages entrepreneurs to explore a mix of funding sources tailored to their business and growth needs. Key Takeaways· The best funding model is one that e...2025-07-2518 min
Joey Pinz Discipline Conversations#686 Christa Dhimo: 🧠 From Breakdown to Breakthrough: How Companies Can Truly ChangeSend us a text🚀 Episode Description:In this high-impact episode, Joey Pinz dives deep with a powerhouse strategist who has revitalized everything from startups to Fortune 100s. With a background in social science and over 20 years in highly regulated industries, our guest breaks down what really causes companies to fail—and what helps them thrive.She explains why most boards unknowingly kill innovation, how poor organizational structure sabotages performance, and why courage—not just competence—is the most overlooked leadership trait.From decoding complex b...2025-07-231h 15
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Business Basics Series (2/6) - What's More Important, Funding or Product? (S3E27)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's dilemma about whether to prioritize product development or seek funding for a prototype. She emphasizes the importance of understanding market research, protecting intellectual property, and building value before approaching investors. That puts you in a position of strength. The conversation explores various funding strategies, including seed funding and the significance of prototypes in demonstrating product viability. She also provides perspective on how to keep the future potential of a product in perspective. Key Takeaways· A prototype can demons...2025-07-2216 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Business Basics Series (1/6) - How Do I Learn About Business Basics? (S3E26)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, host Christa Dhimo introduces a new series focused on business basics, addressing common questions about how to learn about business. The episode itself explores the fundamentals of learning about business. She emphasizes the importance of understanding personal learning objectives and how they shape the learning process. She emphasizes the importance of understanding personal learning objectives and suggests various resources and methods for acquiring business knowledge, including real-world examples of startups and turnaround efforts. Christa also highlights the significance of continuous learning in the business world and encourages listeners...2025-07-1713 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! How Can I Feel Less Intimidated by Business? (S3E25)SummaryIn the Season 3 opener of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the common intimidation felt by individuals entering the business world and engaging in business concepts, particularly those from non-business backgrounds. She emphasizes that business is fundamentally about understanding people and processes, and that anyone can learn the necessary skills to succeed while navigating the business world without formal training. Christa debunks myths surrounding business expertise, encouraging listeners to embrace their curiosity and recognize their inherent business acumen. The episode concludes with practical advice on how to integrate business principles into everyday life, ultimately breaking...2025-07-1511 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! When Should I Leave? (S2E24)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, host Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about the decision to leave a job to pursue career growth. She explores the dynamics of personal engagement and fulfillment in the workplace, the difference between jobs that are merely transactional and those that provide deeper meaning, and the importance of recognizing when to move on. Christa emphasizes the need for individuals to assess their career ambitions and the compatibility of their current workplace and how they view their job. This includes recognizing when it’s time to move on. She al...2025-07-1013 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! What Are the Top Skills of Effective Managers? (S2E23)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the essential skills of effective managers, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and the ability to apply learned skills in real-world scenarios. She discusses the challenges of management, particularly in matrix organizations, and highlights the need for personal growth and understanding individual team members. Christa also provides valuable resources for aspiring and current managers, while acknowledging that management may not be suitable for everyone.Key Takeaways· Management is about accountability for deliverables.· Self-awareness is crucial for effective management.· ...2025-07-0815 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! How Do I Do More with Less?? (S2E22)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the common workplace challenge of being asked to do more with less. She critiques the phrase 'doing more with less' as a misguided approach for austerity that often leads to employee burnout and a scarcity mindset. Christa discusses the historical context of austerity measures, their impact on innovation and organizational culture, and the importance of strategic investment in resources and technology. She offers practical strategies for managers facing these challenges and emphasizes the need for a shift towards Lean Principles that focus on efficiency and...2025-07-0317 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! How Can We Manage Time If We Have No Control of Time? (S2E21)SummaryIn this episode, Christa Dhimo explores the complexities of time management, emphasizing that time is a human construct and that managing time is not the same as controlling it. She discusses the importance of understanding personal perceptions of time without the pressure of control, encourages listeners to make friends with time, and offers practical tips for effective time management with a focus on what truly matters in their lives. As always, Christa also offers additional resources for the listeners to review at their leisure to go deeper into this topic.Key...2025-06-3012 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! What Does a Healthy Work Culture Look Like?? (S2E20)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the complexities of workplace culture, emphasizing the importance of employee engagement over mere satisfaction. She discusses how a healthy work culture is characterized by trust and respect, with a mindset that organizational performance is sustained by getting the best out of your employees each day, not the most out of your employees (which often leads to burn out and disengagement). She provides insights on how to identify organizations that foster such environments and offers additional resources for understanding the power of workplace culture.2025-06-2710 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Why Organizational Structure Matters!! (S2E19)SummaryIn this episode, Christa Dhimo discusses the strategic role of organizational structures in business success. She explores various organizational structures, explains how they directly impact employee and organizational performance, and how org structures impact decision-making and employee empowerment. The conversation highlights the importance of aligning organizational structures with business goals to enhance innovation and overall performance. Key Takeaways· Employees deserve an environment where they can thrive.· Organizational structures are essential for enabling effective work flow and outcomes.· Effective decision-making...2025-06-2415 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Does Management Training Matter? (S2E18)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo discusses the critical importance of management training in today's workplace. She emphasizes that effective management is essential for organizational performance, team success, and employee retention, especially in matrix organizational structures. Christa outlines necessary skills that managers need to develop, such as active listening, diplomacy, and emotional regulation, and the significant impact that well-trained managers have on their teams. Christa provides resources for further learning and highlights the need for continuous improvement in management practices, and concludes with a call to action for organizations to invest in...2025-06-1915 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! How Do I Stop Putting Up with Bad Behavior (Put-Downs) at Work? (S2E17)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's concern about dealing with a disrespectful coworker whose style is to put others down. She emphasizes the importance of respect and dignity, and the impact respect and dignity has on organizational performance. She discusses how to understand and utilize harassment policies, encourages listeners to seek support and resources to address their challenges, and provides actionable advice on communicating with management in this circumstances. Key Takeaways· Toxic work environments can deplete your energy and morale.· Respect and dignity...2025-06-1612 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Managing an Interrupting Boss (S2E16)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenge of being interrupted by a manager during your team meetings—in front of your team. She explores the concept of an interrupting culture, the reasons behind interruptions, including excitement, poor listening skills, and power dynamics. Christa provides practical strategies for managing such behavior, including setting ground rules for meetings and using a feedback model called BIC (Behavior, Impact, Change) to address the issue directly with the manager. Additionally, she shares resources for further learning on managing interruptions in both professional and personal contexts....2025-06-1312 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! How to Give Feedback to a Defensive Team Member?? (S2E15)SummaryIn this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenges of giving feedback to defensive coworkers. She explores the reasons behind defensive behavior (including low self-esteem and past criticism), the importance of understanding it, and offers strategies for effectively providing feedback. Christa emphasizes the need for self-care, resetting conversations, and seeking support when dealing with defensiveness in the workplace. She also provides resources for further understanding and managing defensive behavior in the workplace.Key Takeaways· Defensive behavior often stems from past criticism or low self-esteem.· It's essential to separate t...2025-06-1011 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! How to Introduce a New Idea within a RIGID TEAM? (S2E14)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's question about introducing new ideas in a resistant team environment. She explores the underlying reasons for resistance, particularly focusing on learned helplessness, and offers strategies for effectively pitching new ideas. Christa emphasizes the importance of learning about team members' past experiences, understanding team dynamics, and creating dedicated spaces for discussing new concepts. She also provides resources for further reading on overcoming rigid mindsets and fostering a culture of innovation.Key Takeaways· Resistance to new ideas often stems from...2025-06-0610 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Season 1 Reflections: What if You Consider Yourself First? (Negotiations, Conflict Management...) (S2E13)SummaryIn this episode, Christa Dhimo wraps up the first season of her podcast by emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in navigating business challenges and workplace issues. She discusses how understanding our own needs and concerns can enhance our ability to influence, negotiate effectively, and handle conflict management more productively. The conversation reviews the basics of negotiation and conflict management skills while reinforcing that it starts with each of us individually, tying back to the overall theme of the episode: how we consider ourselves. She reviews key points as a primary set up for Season t...2025-06-0209 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! What if Failure Didn't Exist in the Business World?? (S1E12)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the concept of failure in the workplace, emphasizing that it is crucial to focus on learning and achieving goals rather than being weighed down by the fear of failure, and the importance of reframing our understanding of failure and success. She discusses how perceptions of success and failure can impact performance, and how by changing our perspective on failure, we can foster a more positive workplace environment that encourages creativity and innovation. Christa also shares resources for further understanding and reframing.2025-05-3009 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Ugh, I Yelled at Work, and I'm Ashamed-- What Do I Do?? (S1E11)SummaryIn this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses a listener's concern about yelling at work due to stress. She discusses the impact of workplace stress on performance, behavior, and emotional responses, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing stress levels by diffusing stress to get back to a “Green” zone. She offers practical strategies for managing stress, including how the Stress Continuum model, which enables self-awareness through categorizations of stress, can lead to better ways to reduce stress in the moment. She also provides resources for further understanding stress and encourages listeners to seek support and commu...2025-05-2614 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Strategy Series (3/3): How Do I Create Goals If There's No Strategy?? (S1E10)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the common challenge of creating goals aligned with a company's strategy, particularly when that strategy is, or corporate goals are, unclear. She discusses the importance of understanding corporate goals, the process of crafting and drafting individual goals, and practical steps to align individual objectives with broader organizational aims.. Christa emphasizes the need for clarity in goal-setting and provides resources for effective goal setting and alignment with organizational strategy.Key Take Aways· It's common to struggle with goal align...2025-05-2214 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Strategy Series (2/3): HELP!! I Don't Know My Company's Strategy!!! (S1E9)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the common concern of employees feeling that there is no clear strategy within their organizations. She discusses the importance of understanding what constitutes a strategy, how to identify existing strategies, and the steps employees can take to engage with leadership about strategic goals. She also reviews the importance of understanding and communicating strategy, especially in smaller businesses, and provides insights on how to explore and clarify strategic goals. The episode emphasizes the need for a comprehensive strategy that encompasses all aspects of a business, not...2025-05-1913 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Strategy Series (1/3): What is STRATEGY?? (S1E8)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the concept of strategy in organizations, emphasizing its importance in achieving goals and navigating uncertainties. She discusses the common misconceptions of strategy as well as how many small and mid-sized companies lack clear strategies and the implications of this on their operations. Christa provides insights on how to think about strategy in a less complex way, focusing on the necessary alignment between strategy and execution. She also introduces a series on strategy, addressing common challenges faced by organizations regarding clarity and communication of their strategic...2025-05-1510 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! How Do I Raise My Freelance Rates (without chickening out!)? (S1E7)SummaryIn this conversation, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenges freelancers face when considering raising their rates. She emphasizes the importance of viewing oneself as a business, mindset, preparation, and effective communication strategies to navigate these discussions with clients. Christa provides practical advice on how to overcome fears and anxieties about “money talk,” options for approaching rate adjustments, the significance of knowing one's worth, and navigating client reactions. She also shares resources for further learning and encourages freelancers to view these conversations as business decisions rather than personal ones.Key Take Aways2025-05-1228 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Humility or Imposter Syndrome? (S1E6)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the complexities of imposter syndrome—which is actually and originally called imposter phenomenon—and humility. She distinguishes between the two concepts, explaining that imposter phenomenon is a feeling of self-doubt regarding one's achievements, often attributing success to external factors such as luck rather than personal capability. In contrast, humility involves graciously accepting recognition, and often includes acknowledging the contributions of others. Christa provides resources for further understanding of these topics, and encourages listeners to continue learning and developing as imposter phenomenon is an experience many have...2025-05-0904 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! How Do I Startup a Business? (S1E5)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo discusses the essential steps to starting a business, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's feelings about and commitment to the business idea, creating a strong foundation, and utilizing available resources. She highlights the various funding options and the significance of addressing unmet needs in the market. Christa also encourages self-awareness and community engagement as vital components of the entrepreneurial journey.Key Take Aways· Starting a business involves understanding your readiness regarding your idea.· Creating a strong foundation is crucial...2025-05-0510 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Adapting to Change as a SUPERPOWER!!! (S1E4)SummaryIn this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenges of managing necessary changes in the workplace. She emphasizes the discomfort that often accompanies change and offers strategies for reframing our approach to it. By focusing on adaptation rather than mere handling of change, individuals can find stability and growth opportunities. Christa also highlights the importance of maintaining perspective beyond one's job and provides resources for effective change management.Key Take Aways· Necessary changes can be uncomfortable and disruptive, but also lead to growth.· It's important to normalize feelings o...2025-05-0117 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Do All Startups Need Advisors? (S1E3)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo discusses the critical role of advisors for early-stage startups. She emphasizes that all businesses, even those just starting out, can benefit from having advisors who provide honest and supportive assessments. Effective advisors help founders navigate the complexities of transforming ideas into viable business models, focusing on strategy, market needs, and personal growth. Christa also highlights the importance of finding advisors who ask the right questions and facilitate deeper thinking rather than simply managing tasks. She concludes by recommending resources for startup founders and encourages ongoing community...2025-04-2809 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Fear of Making Mistakes as a Source of POWER! (S1E2)SummaryIn this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses the fear of making mistakes when stepping out of comfort zones, particularly in new job roles and promotions. She emphasizes the personal nature of fear and encourages listeners to value it as a perspective rather than a hindrance. Christa provides practical tips for reframing fear and mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning, highlighting the importance of influencing others' perceptions positively. She also shares resources for overcoming fear and building confidence in the workplace.Key Take Aways· Fear is a personal emotion root...2025-04-2406 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Forget About Inspiration-- Learn How to MOTIVATE!!! (S1E1)SummaryIn this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenge of inspiring a team when one lacks the energy to do so. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between inspiration and motivation, advocating for a shift in focus from being an inspirational leader to a motivating one. Christa discusses the significance of creating a motivating environment and the role of employee engagement in achieving organizational success. She also provides valuable resources for further exploration of workplace motivation and performance.Key Take Aways · We can't inspire people...2025-04-2008 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Season 1 Preview (April 20th Launch!!)Hi everyone, and welcome to the season one preview of Ask Christa! the place where you can ask questions about how to work through business challenges and workplace issues. I’m Christa Dhimo, and our first season hits on a few big themes, and managing and leading in an organization takes up a lot of space, which I love. I offer answers to questions like: how can I inspire my team when sometimes I don’t have the energy? And how can I manage my fear of failure in front of my team?I also answer block and...2025-04-0901 min
Ask Christa!Ask Christa! Trailer (coming in April 2025!)Hi everyone and welcome to Ask Christa! the place where you can ask questions about how to work through business challenges and workplace issues, like starting and scaling a business, developing your career at any stage and growing skills as a professional and as a person too. I'm Christa Dhimo and after decades of getting through a lot of different business and career scenarios, some easier than others, I grow a client and media base of professionals who come to me when they're feeling stuck.Perhaps their companies aren't growing as expected, or they realize t...2025-04-0301 min
The Stakeholders PodcastEp. 19: Christa DhimoIntro music | Fun Day by BensoundWant to get email notifications for new episodes? Click here._____Today we are joined by Christa Dhimo. She is the Biotechnology Advisor at Impono and the Professor of the Practice at Northeastern University's College of Science in Masters in Biotech. In this episode, we discuss COVID, the stakes of having ethics in biotech, our own biology, and more!Make sure to follow Impono on all social channels. LinkedIn2020-12-3034 min