Katherine Crowley and Kathi Elster are co-authors of the best selling business book, Working
With You Is Killing Me – Freeing Yourself Emotional Traps at Work. Out since March, 2006,
Working With You Is Killing Me is a national bestseller that’s hit both the New York Times and
Business Week’s and The Wall Street Journals bestsellers lists. In September 2009, their next
book Working For You Isn’t Working For Me – The Ultimate Guide To Managing Your Boss, will
be released.
Crowley and Elster have created a process that allows employees at all levels to achieve their
business goals while managing difficult personalities and emotionally charged situations.
Crowley and Elster are also co-owners of K Squared Enterprises, a management-
consulting firm based in New York City.
Together, this dynamic team has charmed audiences and led workshops at leading
companies such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Time Life, Martha Stewart Omni Media, and America
Express.
Kathi's Profile
A Harvard-trained psychotherapist who specializes in helping people navigate the
psychological and interpersonal challenges of the workplace, Crowley has provided counseling
and consulting to thousands of individuals in hundred’s of companies.
Published author, college educator, public speaker and veteran consultant, Crowley is a
seasoned guide in the area of professional fulfillment through self-awareness and self-
management.
She has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN News, ABC News and numerous
nationally syndicated radio shows.
As a management consultant, Elster specializes in staff training and development. She has
helped retool hundreds of companies by training thousands of individuals in the art of
achieving business goals while managing difficult personalities and emotionally charged
situations.
She has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN and numerous
nationally syndicated radio shows to talk about managing difficult workplace relationship.
Topic Categories
Team Work, Productivity
Conflict Resolution, Negotiation
Communication
Presentation Titles
Working with You Is Killing Me -
Freeing Yourself From Emotional Traps at Work
Based on the book of the same name, participants learn why they are plagued by certain
workplace “hooks”—people and situations that trigger strong negative internal reactions in
them. Introducing the four steps to “unhooking,” a proven method for managing any
workplace condition that frequently causes emotional discomfort.
Managing Up – Taking Control of Your Work Life
Many employees become enormously frustrated with the people who manage them. This
lecture introduces the single most important skill for anyone who wants to take charge of his or
her worklife – Managing Up. Find out the ten principles of Managing Up – practices that you
can immediately implement to improve your experience at work.
The Business of Boundaries – Protecting Yourself at Work
Interpersonal Boundaries define and protect the physical, emotional and psychological territory
between two people. When someone takes your equipment without permission, listens in on
your phone conversations, or fails to keep a promise, that person becomes a Boundary
Buster.
This lecture explores the importance of setting clear interpersonal boundaries with colleagues,
customers and vendors at work. We’ll outline the seven most common areas for boundary
busting, and offer three critical steps for setting and maintaining clear boundaries.
Managing Down – Business Parenting Techniques Every Manager Should Know
Like it or not, when you’re a manager, your employees look to you for many of the things that
children seek from parents. During this lecture, we introduce the four principles of business
parenting – a practical approach to bringing out the best in your staff. Understand what your
staff really need from you, and how to handle your most difficult “management headaches.”
Confining Roles People Play at Work
Have you ever played the part of hero, martyr, entertainer or rebel at work? Do you ever feel
unfairly branded as a certain kind of person by your colleagues? Find out how you may
unknowingly sabotage your own career by falling into a limiting role at work. Discover simple
steps that can help you break free from any confining role.
Haven’t We Met Before? - Fatal Attractions at Work
Some relationships at work are more challenging than others. This lecture focuses on the
most challenging kind – fatal attractions. These relationships begin with great promise only to
deteriorate into interpersonal nightmares. Learn the five most common types of fatal
attractions, and see how advanced unhooking skills can help you manage these difficult
relationships.
Difficult and Extreme Bosses – How to Keep Your Sanity
Certain authority figures are more challenging to work for than others. Difficult and extreme
bosses are those managers who are excessively controlling, avoidant, dishonest, manipulative,
critical, incompetent, or belligerent. Discover what kind of extreme or difficult boss you work
for and receive specific tips for maintaining your sanity around this person.
Audience Testimonials
“Your presentation was interesting and enlightening, the issues you raise have pertinence to
peoples everyday work life.”
- Christine Berro, Portage Library, Michigan
“You helped our employees identify workplace situations, which trigger strong, negative internal
reactions. But, more importantly, you taught them strategies that they can use to avoid these
traps. As dynamic speakers you are able to share this interesting difficult material in a totally
enjoyable way.”
- Teri Lukin, Time Inc, NYC
“Katherine and Kathi are straightforward, organized and interesting. They both offer useful
insight in a clear concise manner.”
- Maggie Mistal, Martha Stewart Omnimedia
“On behalf of the 1700 people who attended your lecture the feedback is enormously positive.
Our attendees learned valuable tools that will help them in the future, and your lively and
engaging presentation styles made the concepts come alive for us!”
-Donald Schumacher, PsyD, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
“Since I heard both of you speak at Barnes and Noble I have revisited how truly wonderful you
were several times in my imagination. It was among the top best presentations I’ve seen on
any topic anywhere. It was so joyful, entertaining and so full of really useful ideas and
practices. “
-Karen DeMuro, The Acting Center
In Her Own Words
Kathi Elster –“I am committed to helping people learn how to take personal responsibility for
their career path and their work life relationships.”
Katherine Crowley – “I'm committed to teaching concrete useable immediate solutions to
interpersonal challenges at work.”
Audio / Video Recordings
Video/Audio not currently available. Please inquire.
Video/Audio not currently available. Please inquire.