Career Conversations with Ola

CareerZone by Ola

Welcome to Career Conversations with Ola, the official podcast of CareerZone by Ola. Join Ola, an experienced HR professional and career coach, as she hosts candid interviews with industry leaders, rising stars, and inspiring professionals from diverse fields, shaping the future of work! Each conversation uncovers stories, strategies, and actionable tips to help you thrive in your career. Whether you're just starting, navigating challenges, or aiming for your next big move, this podcast is your guide to career empowerment. Stay tuned, stay inspired, and take charge of your career journey!

  1. Sep 26

    The Future of Employability | Why Your Old Career Playbook Won’t Work Anymore

    What does it take to stay employable when the rules of work keep changing? The future of work is already reshaping careers. AI is changing how work gets done, employers are rethinking the skills they value, and the traditional formula of getting a degree, gaining experience, working hard, and climbing the ladder may no longer offer the career security it once promised. So, what’s the new playbook? In this episode of Career Conversations with Ola, I sit down with Julie Gartell to explore the future of employability and what professionals need to do now to stay relevant, adaptable, and ready for what comes next. We unpack what it means to actively manage your employability throughout your career, including: • Why the traditional career playbook is becoming outdated• How AI and the future of work are changing careers• Why skills based hiring is gaining importance• The role of continuous learning and career adaptability• Why working hard isn’t always enough to move your career forward• How to communicate your value and advocate for yourself• Why networking matters before you need your next opportunity• How personal branding and professional visibility influence career growth• What career security looks like in a changing job market• How to build a career that can evolve alongside the future of work And we tackle a question every professional should consider: If your role disappeared tomorrow, how ready would you be for what comes next? Whether you’re navigating a career transition, thinking about job security, exploring professional development, or simply wondering how to future proof your career, this conversation offers a practical look at the skills, mindset, and relationships that can help you remain employable in a changing world of work. Because having a job and being employable are not necessarily the same thing. 🎧 Listen now and discover what belongs in your new career playbook. Career Conversations with Ola | Season 3: The Future of Work #FutureOfWork #Employability #CareerGrowth #CareerDevelopment #CareerAdvice #FutureOfCareers #JulieGartell

    The Future of Employability | Why Your Old Career Playbook Won’t Work Anymore
  2. Sep 19

    Will AI Replace Your Job? What Will Make YOU Valuable in the Future of Work | Erika Parker Price | S3 EP1

    Will AI replace your job, or is the real question what will make you valuable when technology can do more of your work? Artificial intelligence is changing the future of work, reshaping careers, and challenging everything we thought we knew about job security, career growth, and professional success. But as AI becomes more capable, what will continue to make humans valuable? Welcome to Season 3 of Career Conversations with Ola, where we're going beyond the headlines to explore the future of work and what it actually means for your career. In this season premiere, Ola sits down with Erika Parker Price, a former Microsoft professional and career coach who returned to the workforce after a 13 year career break, for a thought provoking conversation about AI, human skills, and the future of human value. Together, they explore some of the biggest questions facing professionals today: • Will AI replace our jobs, or are we asking the wrong question entirely? • What happens to career growth when experience and technical expertise are no longer enough? • Are we entering a future where human judgment matters more than what we know? • How will AI reshape entry level jobs, career development, and the next generation of professionals? • And what should YOU be doing today to prepare for a world of work that may look completely different in the next decade? From the future of job security to the changing meaning of career success, Erika challenges some of our long held assumptions about work, professional growth, and what it really means to stay relevant. Whether you're building your career, navigating a career transition, exploring career reinvention, developing your leadership skills, or wondering how AI will affect your professional future, this is a conversation you don't want to miss. 🎧 Press play and join us as we explore one of the biggest questions shaping the future of work: What will make YOU valuable? ABOUT CAREER CONVERSATIONS WITH OLA Career Conversations with Ola is a career development and leadership podcast exploring career growth, professional development, career transitions, career reinvention, leadership, and the future of work. Through insightful conversations with industry experts, thought leaders, and professionals, we explore the ideas, skills, and strategies shaping the next generation of careers. Season 3: The Future of Work | Beyond the Headlines This season, we're looking beyond the headlines to explore how artificial intelligence, evolving workplace expectations, leadership, and emerging career trends are changing the way we work and build our careers. Because the future of work isn't just about what's changing. It's about what those changes mean for YOU. CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST | ERIKA PARKER PRICE 🌐 Website: https://erikaparkerprice.com 💼 LinkedIn: Search Erika Parker Price CONNECT WITH OLA 🎙️ Want more conversations about career growth, leadership, career reinvention, and the future of work? 🌐 Website: https://www.careerzonebyola.com 🎥 YouTube: CareerZone by Ola | @careerzone_ola 🎙️ Podcast: Career Conversations with Ola, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube. Follow Career Conversations with Ola on your favourite podcast platform so you don't miss the conversations shaping the future of careers, leadership, and work. If this episode gave you a new perspective, share it with someone who is thinking about their next career move or wondering how to stay relevant in an AI powered world. Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep building your career intentionally. 🚀 #FutureOfWork #ArtificialIntelligence #CareerDevelopment #CareerGrowth #CareerReinvention #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerConversationsWithOla

    Will AI Replace Your Job? What Will Make YOU Valuable in the Future of Work | Erika Parker Price | S3 EP1
  3. Aug 7

    The Competency Trap: Why Smart Professionals Stop Growing | Ana Smith | S2E14

    What if the very thing that made you successful is now the reason you're feeling stuck? In this episode of Career Conversations with Ola, I sit down with executive coach, leadership strategist, and author Anna Smith to unpack The Competency Trap. It's the hidden career challenge where becoming exceptionally good at your job can quietly prevent you from reaching your next level of growth. Many professionals spend years building expertise, becoming the go to person, and earning a reputation for reliability. But what happens when your greatest strength becomes your greatest limitation? Together, we explore why talented professionals stop growing, how organizations can unintentionally reinforce the competency trap, and what it takes to continue evolving in today's fast changing workplace. In this episode, we discuss: • What the Competency Trap really is • Why high performers often struggle to reinvent themselves • The difference between being indispensable and being truly irreplaceable • Why career growth requires discomfort • Practical questions to help you identify whether you've outgrown your current role • How to align your career with your strengths and values • The importance of mentors, coaches, and your own personal "Board of Directors" • Why self awareness is one of the most valuable career skills you can develop Whether you're early in your career, leading a team, navigating a promotion, considering a career change, or simply wondering what's next, this conversation will challenge the way you think about success and long term career growth. Guest: Anna Smith Executive Coach | Leadership Strategist | Author of Mindset Intelligence | Co-founder of Bright Flare Performance Solutions If you enjoyed this episode, please follow Career Conversations with Ola, leave a rating or review on your favourite podcast platform, and share this episode with someone who's ready for their next chapter. Keywords: Competency Trap, Career Growth, Career Development, Professional Development, Leadership, Leadership Development, Career Advice, High Performers, Mindset, Growth Mindset, Executive Coaching, Career Coaching, Personal Development, Workplace Success, Future of Work, Professional Growth. #CareerConversationsWithOla #CompetencyTrap #CareerGrowth #Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment

    The Competency Trap: Why Smart Professionals Stop Growing | Ana Smith | S2E14
  4. Jun 26

    What AI Can't Replace: Your Greatest Career Advantage | Carrie Christiano | S2E13

    Artificial Intelligence can write your resume, draft your emails, prepare you for interviews, and answer almost any question in seconds.But it can't replace your judgment.It can't replace your curiosity.And it can't decide what kind of career you want to build.In this episode of 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗹𝗮, I sit down with career strategist, recruiter, speaker, and author 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗼 to explore one of the biggest questions facing professionals today:𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗜❓This conversation goes beyond prompts and productivity. We discuss why the professionals who succeed won't simply be the ones who use AI the fastest, but those who think more strategically, ask better questions, and make better decisions.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why most professionals are using AI the wrong way• How to use AI as a strategic thinking partner instead of just a writing tool• Why better questions lead to better career decisions• Practical ways to use AI for career research and planning• The difference between career thinking and career reacting• Why judgment, curiosity, and critical thinking remain your greatest competitive advantageWhether you're exploring your next career move, actively job searching, or preparing for the future of work, this episode will change the way you think about both AI and your career.Connect with Carrie ChristianoWebsite:https://empowercareerstudio.com](https://empowercareerstudio.comLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriechristiano/If you enjoyed this conversation, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone navigating their career in today's AI driven world.𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂:𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲❓Share your thoughts in the comments.#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #CareerGrowth #CareerAdvice #FutureOfWork #CareerDevelopment #ChatGPT #CriticalThinking #Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerConversationsWithOla

    What AI Can't Replace: Your Greatest Career Advantage | Carrie Christiano | S2E13
  5. Jun 12

    OFFICE POLITICS: Do You Really Have to Play the Game to Get Ahead? | Susan Collins | S2E12

    𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿❓Most people would rather avoid the topic altogether.In this episode of Career Conversations with Ola, I sit down with executive coach and career strategist Susan Collins to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in the workplace: office politics.Drawing on more than two decades of experience in leadership, talent strategy, succession planning, and executive coaching, Susan shares a perspective that may challenge how you think about career growth, influence, reputation, visibility, and professional success.🎯 In this conversation:• Do you really need office politics to succeed?• What leaders discuss behind closed doors• Why some people seem to get opportunities others don't• The mistakes people make when trying to stay out of workplace politics ...and lots moreRegardless of the phase of career you are in, this conversation will give you a different lens on how careers really work inside organizations.👤 Connect with Susan Collins🌐 https://thenetworkconcierge.com💼 LinkedIn: Susan Collins👍 If you enjoyed this episode:Like the videoSubscribe to the channelShare it with someone navigating workplace politicsLeave a comment with your biggest takeaway#OfficePolitics #CareerGrowth #WorkplacePolitics #Leadership #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerAdvice #CareerSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment #GettingPromoted #WorkplaceInfluence #CareerConversationsWithOla

    OFFICE POLITICS: Do You Really Have to Play the Game to Get Ahead? | Susan Collins | S2E12
  6. May 29

    Power Literacy: The Workplace Rules Nobody Taught You | Nicole Johnston | S2E11

    Most professionals are taught how to work hard. Very few are taught how power actually works in the workplace. In this episode of Career Conversations with Ola, I sit down with leadership coach, author, and former global executive Nicole Johnston to unpack one of the most overlooked career skills: Power Literacy. We explore why some talented professionals advance faster than others, the difference between performance and influence, and how visibility, communication, relationships, and perception shape career growth inside organizations. In this conversation, we discuss: • What power literacy really means at work• Why hard work alone is often not enough for career advancement• The hidden power structures that exist inside organizations• How to identify key influencers and decision makers• Building executive presence and credibility• The role of sponsorship in career growth• Why communication is one of the most important career skills• Common mistakes professionals make when navigating workplace dynamics• Practical ways to build influence authentically Whether you're an individual contributor, manager, emerging leader, or executive, this episode will help you better understand how organizations operate and how to position yourself for greater impact, influence, and career success. If you've ever wondered why some people seem to accelerate their careers while others remain stuck despite working hard, this conversation is for you. Connect with Nicole Johnston:www.innate-power.com Subscribe to Career Conversations with Ola for more conversations on career growth, leadership, workplace success, communication, influence, and professional development.

    Power Literacy: The Workplace Rules Nobody Taught You | Nicole Johnston | S2E11
  7. May 16

    Why Smart Employees Stop Caring at Work | The Hidden Leadership Problem | Shaun Mader | S2E10

    Why do smart employees stop caring at work? Why do talented people slowly disengage, stop speaking up, and lose motivation in workplaces that claim to value ownership and critical thinking? In this episode of Career Conversations with Ola, leadership strategist Shaun Mader joins Ola for a deep conversation on workplace culture, leadership, employee engagement, ownership, and the hidden leadership habits that quietly shut teams down. This episode explores: • Why employees stop taking ownership at work • The real reason smart employees disengage • How workplace culture affects motivation and performance • Why employees stop speaking up in meetings • The leadership behaviors that create dependent teams • How high performing teams build trust and accountability • The difference between compliance and true ownership • How leaders can create cultures where people think independently If you are a leader, manager, HR professional, entrepreneur, or career professional trying to build better teams or grow in your career, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership and work culture. Connect with Shaun Mader: LinkedIn: Shaun Mader Website: FrictionToFlowConsulting.com TeamWare Guide: getteamware.com Email: [Shaun@getteamware.com](mailto:Shaun@getteamware.com) 🎙️ Career Conversations with Ola is a podcast about leadership, career growth, workplace culture, reinvention, and the human side of work. Topics covered: leadership, workplace culture, employee engagement, ownership at work, management, career growth, toxic workplace culture, team performance, communication, accountability, leadership development, employee motivation, organizational culture, workplace psychology, trust, burnout, and professional growth. Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube for more conversations that help professionals grow with intention.

    Why Smart Employees Stop Caring at Work | The Hidden Leadership Problem | Shaun Mader | S2E10

Trailers

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Career Conversations with Ola, the official podcast of CareerZone by Ola. Join Ola, an experienced HR professional and career coach, as she hosts candid interviews with industry leaders, rising stars, and inspiring professionals from diverse fields, shaping the future of work! Each conversation uncovers stories, strategies, and actionable tips to help you thrive in your career. Whether you're just starting, navigating challenges, or aiming for your next big move, this podcast is your guide to career empowerment. Stay tuned, stay inspired, and take charge of your career journey!