Episode Summary:

Conflict is inevitable in any workplace, but how we handle it can make all the difference in our growth, relationships, and reputation. In this episode of The Glass Sessions, Courtney and Lauren get candid about the moments when tensions rise on the job, and the strategies they’ve found most effective for navigating those situations with clarity, empathy, and professionalism.

Whether you’re dealing with a difficult teammate, navigating feedback, or trying to hold your boundaries at work, this conversation will give you tools to feel more confident and grounded when conflict arises.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why conflict isn’t always a bad thing, and how it can actually be a sign of engagement

• The difference between healthy disagreement and toxic behavior

• Scripts and mindset shifts to help you approach tough conversations

• Real-world examples from our own careers (yes, including mistakes!)

• When to escalate and when to let it go

  
  

Timestamps:

00:00 Side Chat and what we've learned recently

05:29 Building Sustainable Habits

11:08 Conflict In the Workplace discussion

22:06 Conflict between departments strategies

24:06 Navigating conflict with your manager

37:10 Effective Escalation Models

45:12 Direct Conversations in Conflict

48:31 Is This Okay? Handling Unusual Tasks

Quote we loved from this episode:
"The goal isn’t to win the conflict - it’s to move forward with more clarity and respect."

Links & Resources:

• • Detailed Show Notes
  • The Glass Advisory
• • Have a workplace situation you'd like us to talk through? Submit it here

• 
  If you’re interested in one-on-one career advising or want to partner with The Glass Advisory to support your growing business, visit us at theglassadvisory.com.

How do you feel about networking and the idea of building your professional relationships? Does it feel daunting? Anxiety-producing? Annoying? Tune into this episode of The Glass Sessions if you can relate. Courtney and Lauren have Joe Gilgoff of AG1 to discuss how he's built his professional career by investing in his network, and offers practical tips that make networking easy, fun and meaningful.

Detailed Show Notes: theglassadvisory.com/theglasssessionspodcast

Timestamps

00:00 Side Chat and what we've learned recently

10:36 Meet Joe, VP of Customer Happiness at AG1

19:56 Networking tips and success stories

29:17 The Art of Asking Great Questions

39:40 A little compliment can go a long way

49:53 Is This Okay?

Listener Q&A: Is this Okay?
"My company is hiring, and I was outreached on LinkedIn by an acquaintance that asked me to submit them for the role. Is it okay for me to submit them as a referral for the position even though I've never directly worked with them?" Listen in to hear how Joe, Lauren and Courtney recommend handling a referral request.

Links & Resources:
If you're interested in one-on-one career advising or want to partner with The Glass Advisory to support your growing business, visit us at: www.theglassadvisory.com
Join the Conversation:
Have a question you want us to answer in a future episode? Submit it through our website at www.theglassadvisory.com/contact

Show Summary
In this episode of The Glass Sessions, Courtney and Lauren dive into the real-life challenges of maintaining work-life balance, creating flexibility in your schedule and managing a packed calendar without losing your mind. From funny personal moments to serious conversations around setting boundaries, this episode offers honest insights and actionable advice for anyone trying to do it all without burning out.
They explore:
-How to identify your personal productivity rhythms
-The role of trust and transparency with your manager
-Tips for negotiating a more flexible or accommodating work schedule
-Why boundaries matter (and how to hold them)
-Navigating company culture when it comes to flexibility and PTO
Timestamps
00:00 - Side Chat and what we've learned recently
09:03 - Managing Work Schedules Conversation
12:59 - Office vs. Remote Work
16:30 - Building trust with your manager to promote schedule flexibility
19:01 - Personal Productivity Tips
25:55 - Meeting Strategies and Core Hours
31:35 - Setting Boundaries with Instant Messaging
34:20 - Creating an Inclusive Work Culture
45:06 - Managing a Busy Schedule
Listener Q&A: Is this Okay?
Should managers contact employees about non-urgent work while they’re on PTO? Lauren and Courtney weigh in with their honest takes.
Links & Resources:
If you're interested in one-on-one career advising or want to partner with The Glass Advisory to support your growing business, visit us at: www.theglassadvisory.com
Join the Conversation:
Have a question you want us to answer in a future episode? Submit it through our website at: www.theglassadvisory.com/contact

In this episode of The Glass Sessions, Courtney and Lauren explore the evolving job market and what it means for job seekers and hiring managers alike. With recent college graduates' unemployment at 5.8% and underemployment at 41.2%, they examine how shifting economic conditions and generational motivations are shaping today’s career landscape.

They share personal insights into professional development—especially around public speaking—and transition into a deep dive on the hiring process from a manager’s perspective. Learn what hiring managers really look for in interviews and applications, and how candidates can stand out by tailoring their resumes, telling compelling stories, and embracing authenticity.

The conversation continues with actionable advice on salary negotiations, understanding compensation philosophies, and maintaining professionalism during interviews. The hosts wrap up with quick tips for job seekers, addressing preparation, curiosity, and imposter syndrome.
Whether you’re actively job hunting, hiring, or planning your next career move, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical strategies.

00:00 – Side Chat and what we've learned recently
05:57 – Improving public speaking & reducing filler words
08:45 – Inside the mind of a hiring manager discussion
18:31 – “Eight Mileing”: acknowledging your limitations
26:54 – Customizing resumes & cover letters
33:43 – Navigating salary negotiations
42:00 – Quick-fire advice for job seekers
45:43 – Is This Okay? Listener Questions

If you’re interested in one-on-one career advising or want to partner with The Glass Advisory to support your growing business, visit us at theglassadvisory.com.

In this episode, we chat with Matt Croteau, a seasoned fractional CFO and founder of 3 Sheets Consulting, about his professional journey and the emerging trend of fractional leadership. From his early years in corporate finance at WebMD and Bloomberg to traveling the world while running his own business, Matt shares the benefits and challenges of fractional work. We discuss the balance between nomadic living and work, the importance of setting clear expectations for deliverables, and how fractional roles fit into the broader cultural shifts in the workplace. Matt also offers insights into managing time, networking, and the importance of strong communication when a company is introducing a fractional leader to an existing team.

• 00:00 Side Chat and what we've learned recently
• 10:43 What is a fractional leader?
• 12:31 Discussion with Matt Croteau about his fractional CFO business
• 37:21 Sales Strategies and Overcoming Rejection
• 45:02 Is This Okay? Listener Questions
• 48:51 Matt's nomadic lifestyle explained

For more information about Matt, visit his website www.3sheets.consulting

If you’re interested in one-on-one career advising or want to partner with The Glass Advisory to support your growing business, visit us at theglassadvisory.com.

On this week’s Glass Session, Courtney and Lauren dive into the complexities surrounding the act of venting in professional environments. They reflect on their own evolving perspectives about venting, moving from seeing it as inherently negative to understanding its potential benefits.
Through personal anecdotes, they discuss how venting can impact work culture, relationships, and a person's emotional state, touching on the fine line between venting and complaining. They highlight the importance of trust, timing, and method when it comes to venting, and provide practical advice on how to do it constructively. The episode wraps up with guidance on how to handle exit interviews, emphasizing a balanced approach to providing feedback.
00:00 Side Chat and what we've learned recently
07:42 Is Venting Harmful or Helpful discussion
12:20 Venting vs. Complaining
14:12 Productive Venting Strategies
22:04 Venting in the Workplace
39:25 Is This Okay? Listener Questions
If you’re interested in one-on-one career advising or want to partner with The Glass Advisory to support your growing business, visit us at theglassadvisory.com.

In this Glass Session, Courtney and Lauren delve into the intricacies of people management, reflecting on their own journeys to share valuable insights. They discuss their transitions into management, the essential daily activities of a manager, the importance of hiring and developing teams, and the challenges of balancing customer, business, and team priorities.

They also explore the pitfalls of ineffective management, emphasizing the significance of timely feedback and regular one-on-ones. Through personal anecdotes, they highlight the value of fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented culture. They’ll address common management missteps and offer practical advice for both aspiring and current managers looking to excel in their roles.

• 00:00 Side Chat and What we Learned Recently
• 05:42 Introduction to People Management
• 10:14 Daily Life of a Manager
• 22:15 Challenges and Missteps in Management
• 34:03 Considering a Career in Management
• 42:08 Is This Okay? Listener Questions

If you’re interested in one-on-one career advising or want to partner with The Glass Advisory to support your growing business, visit us at theglassadvisory.com.

• The Glass Sessions is a light-hearted business podcast hosted by two best friends, Courtney and Lauren, who met working their first adult jobs in customer service back in 2012 and have been navigating work and life side by side ever since. Over the years, they’ve climbed the corporate ladder, built and led high-performing teams, and tackled the challenges of leadership, burnout, and reinvention — all while sharing plenty of laughs along the way.

  
  

• Now, as co-founders of The Glass Advisory, they help businesses scale their operations and guide individuals in shaping meaningful, sustainable careers. Each Glass Session brings you behind the scenes with real stories, sharp insights, and honest takes on what it actually looks like to grow in today’s professional world — the good, the messy, and everything in between. From leadership lessons to career pivots, it’s the advice you didn’t know you needed, from the friends you wish you had at work.