Women at Work
137 episodes - English - Latest episode: 24 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1.3K ratingsWomen face gender discrimination throughout our careers. It doesn't have to derail our ambitions — but how do we prepare to deal with it? There's no workplace orientation session about narrowing the wage gap, standing up to interrupting male colleagues, or taking on many other issues we encounter at work. So HBR staffers Amy Bernstein, Amy Gallo, and Emily Caulfield are untangling some of the knottiest problems. They interview experts on gender, tell stories about their own experiences, and give lots of practical advice to help you succeed in spite of the obstacles.
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Episodes
Take Control of Your Onboarding
November 15, 2021 20:34 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MBHow are women who started a job remotely during the pandemic faring? We hear from several new hires about the hurdles they encountered and how they overcame them with the support of their managers. Then, HR executive Amelia Ransom and management professor Beth Schinoff share advice for onboarding, whether you’re starting a new position yourself or supporting a new member of your team.
If We Want Equity, Work Needs to Be Less Greedy
November 08, 2021 20:39 - 41 minutes - 39.1 MBOne way to help close the gender earnings gap? Deliberate redundancy at work, according to economic historian Claudia Goldin. Claudia expands on this idea and shares other insights about the U.S. female labor force. Emily and the Amys reflect on the career-family decisions they’ve made (or plan to make) and imagine what it would be like to have a colleague who could fill in for them whenever they needed time off.
So You’re Thinking About Quitting Your Job…
November 01, 2021 19:24 - 29 minutes - 28.4 MBHow can you be confident that quitting your job is a good move for your career? And how do you handle the feelings — guilt, fear, anxiety — that come up? These are questions we’ll all face at some point, so we talk through which factors to consider before making the decision and best practices for giving your notice when it’s time.
Dealing with the Feels After an Employee Quits
October 25, 2021 22:01 - 27 minutes - 25.9 MBManagers are told that when an employee resigns, they should be professional, reassure their team, and wish the person well. But we also know that resignations bring up a lot of feelings: panic, loss, self-doubt. Five managers acknowledge those emotions and share how they’ve learned to cope.
Leaders to Learn From
October 18, 2021 19:38 - 44 minutes - 41.9 MBIn leading their teams and organizations through a crisis, women have repeatedly stepped up to the plate. We celebrate four of these women and highlight the ways they’ve been resetting priorities, demonstrating resilience and agility, and communicating effectively. Then, leadership coach Muriel Wilkins gives advice for taking care of yourself while taking care of the people you manage.
What It Takes to Make a Major Change
October 11, 2021 18:22 - 36 minutes - 34.9 MBIf you’re looking to upgrade your work life, know that it’s possible, manageable, and worth the effort. Two women reflect on the actions they took that ended up elevating not only their careers but also their all-around satisfaction.
Introducing Season 7
October 04, 2021 17:58 - 2 minutes - 2.6 MBStarting October 11, a new collection of perspectives to learn from, advice to act on, and takeaways that buoy you up.
The Essentials: Negotiating Strategically
May 24, 2021 20:00 - 40 minutes - 39 MBHow can we get better at negotiating? We hear from a butter maker and entrepreneur about a sensitive deal she recently navigated and then use that experience to draw out the principles and practices essential to any negotiation. Ashleigh Shelby Rosette, a professor who studies and teaches negotiations, gives advice on achieving our objectives in a deal, no matter the context.
The Essentials: Being Productive
May 17, 2021 17:15 - 26 minutes - 26 MBAlice Boyes, a writer and former clinical psychologist, shares the principles and practices that keep her creative and productive, but not busy. She gives Emily and a social worker guidance on where to focus their energy, as well as paring down their (and your) to-dos to what’s feasible? and actually worth doing.
The Essentials: Dealing with Stress
May 10, 2021 21:55 - 30 minutes - 29.7 MBA nurse practitioner joins Amy B and an expert on workplace well-being to discuss different aspects of stress, plus principles and practices for managing it.
The Essentials: Giving Feedback
May 03, 2021 18:25 - 31 minutes - 30.8 MBGiving feedback is critical to being a good manager, somebody people look up to and not just report to. But very few of us actually like to do it. So how can we get better at this essential skill? Amy G is joined by a school principal to interview a feedback expert.
Family Management: Looking to a Post-Pandemic Future
April 26, 2021 08:50 - 29 minutes - 28.8 MBAs more and more people get vaccinated against Covid-19, how do you lead your family through this safer but not coronavirus-free new world? Two parents in Israel — a child psychologist and an infectious disease doctor — describe the approach they’ve been taking with their three kids. Because when only one child is old enough to receive the vaccine, making your way out of lockdown is even more of a process.
Family Management: On the Cusp of Parenthood
April 19, 2021 18:38 - 22 minutes - 22 MBWe get inside the head of a woman whose due date is just days away. She shares with Erica her worries, hopes, and questions about how having a baby will change her career. Erica offers practical advice for managing a new identity and new work-family demands.
Family Management: Everyday Joys
April 12, 2021 17:57 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBEveryday joys can boost our energy and productivity, so long as we’re able to notice and appreciate them. Kevin reflects on the presence of joy in his life and what keeps him from feeling it. Then, leadership development coach Amy Jen Su gives advice for getting into a mindset that primes us to experience joy and function better all around.
Family Management: Meet the Parents
April 05, 2021 21:06 - 18 minutes - 17 MBErica and Kevin show snapshots of life for them these days — basically, frantically working when not giving their all to childcare. They discuss how they’re handling the latest challenges working parenthood has thrown at them, highlighting tools and tips that are helping them cope.
Introducing a Pick-Me-Up for Moms and Dads
March 31, 2021 20:37 - 5 minutes - 4.78 MBAmy Gallo introduces Erica Truxler and Kevin Evers, two HBR editors hosting a series in which they confront the challenges of managing everything and everyone.
May We Recommend…Coaching Real Leaders
February 01, 2021 14:40 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBLeadership coach Muriel Wilkins has shared her wisdom on our show multiple times. Now you can listen to and grow from it regularly through Muriel’s new podcast, Coaching Real Leaders. The show takes you inside real-life coaching sessions with executives who’ve hit a bump in the road. In this episode, Muriel speaks with a VP who’s been passed over for a promotion and needs help figuring out how to overcome the setback and get to where she wants to be.
We Answer Questions from Early Career Listeners
December 21, 2020 21:18 - 22 minutes - 22.3 MBWe talk through questions from listeners seeking advice on the challenges they’re facing early in their career — from being excluded from meetings to how to be more assertive.
Welcome Back to Remote Work, New Moms
December 14, 2020 21:59 - 41 minutes - 39.6 MBComing back to work after parental leave, after having a baby during a pandemic, when you and your colleagues are still working remotely — is complicated. Our colleague describes how she’s approaching remote reentry, and we turn to an expert on all things career and motherhood for guidance on handling childcare, boundaries, and professional relationships during this transition.
When You Need Time Off for Health Reasons
December 07, 2020 17:48 - 30 minutes - 29.9 MBAfter a team member of ours faced a serious medical problem, we recognized how little guidance there was for communicating a health crisis or chronic illness. We talk through common decisions, fears, and conversations.
Has Anything Changed for Black Women at Work?
November 30, 2020 19:12 - 54 minutes - 51.9 MBAs we wait for company leaders to make good on the anti-racism commitments they made earlier this year, we check in with four Black women about how their work lives have and haven’t changed. Then we talk with an expert who helps us understand how to keep pushing forward and supporting our Black colleagues while we wait for long-overdue change.
When You’re Ready for a Big Career Move
November 23, 2020 19:01 - 29 minutes - 28.9 MBSometimes you want to make a career change, like a big one. We hear from a woman who is in the process of navigating a bold transition. Then we talk with an expert about how to clarify your goals and ask for what you need to make your next move.
Let’s Take Our Side Gigs Off the Back-Burner
November 16, 2020 18:17 - 36 minutes - 35 MBWith the help of an expert in side gigs, Emily confronts the hobbies, projects, and pursuits that she’s neglected, in hopes of helping herself and others invest in interests outside of a full-time job.
Now Is a Good Time to Take Care of Ourselves
November 09, 2020 17:10 - 57 minutes - 54.4 MBWe’re wiped out and finding it tough to stay focused, present, and optimistic. So we decided to revisit conversations that explore how and why we get worn out and that have advice for building ourselves back up.
How Women Who’ve Lost Work Are Coping
November 02, 2020 16:25 - 25 minutes - 24.6 MBThree women who’ve lost work because of the pandemic open up about how they’re processing what's happened and finding a way forward
Going Back to the Office
October 26, 2020 19:05 - 31 minutes - 30.6 MBAs offices — including HBR’s — carefully reopen after being closed for months because of the pandemic, we describe what it’s like there and discuss the risks and rewards of being back in person.
Too Shy to Be a Leader?
October 19, 2020 18:00 - 39 minutes - 37.5 MBOne woman’s struggle with shyness prompts us to explore the seeming conflict between being shy and being a leader. We offer strategies for overcoming anxieties that may be keeping you from going after your career goals, as well as advice for supporting socially anxious colleagues. Guest: Alice Boyes.
How Mothers WFH Are Negotiating What’s Normal
October 12, 2020 18:02 - 51 minutes - 47 MBWe continue tracking the ways the pandemic is impacting women’s lives and careers, and discuss how to not only manage the challenges but also shape a more equitable future. Guests: Kathleen McGinn and Katherine Goldstein.
All the Help We Can Get
October 05, 2020 19:34 - 47 minutes - 44.8 MBWomen don’t always feel entitled to ask for help at work — even when we need it the most. But Heidi Grant says asking has psychological benefits for you and your colleagues. She explains how to approach your request strategically and why lending a hand to others can be good for you too.
Introducing Season 6
September 24, 2020 15:10 - 1 minute - 1.75 MBWomen at Work returns October 5 with candid conversations and practical advice that’ll help get you through the messiness of 2020. Plus, we have a new host!
Starting Your Career in a Pandemic
June 22, 2020 18:27 - 48 minutes - 46.2 MBYoung women who are wrestling with the impact of the coronavirus crisis on their early-stage careers share how they’re managing the unfamiliar and unexpected. Plus a career coach gives advice for young women striving to establish themselves at work in less than optimal circumstances. Guests: Rachel Bronstein, Nina Jones, Hana Ayoub, and Alex Hemmer. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
Unpause Yourself
June 15, 2020 18:20 - 42 minutes - 40.4 MBWe reflect on what moving ahead means now and give advice on when and how we should be pushing ourselves, as well as ways to protect a job you love. Guests: Kathleen McGinn and Daisy Wademan Dowling. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
Sisterhood Is Critical to Racial Justice
June 08, 2020 18:36 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBTo push for a racially just workplace, white women must put in the effort to understand black women’s experiences. We talk about what has historically driven women of different races apart at work and about how we can stick together and support one another. Guests: Ella Bell Smith, Stella Nkomo, Tina Opie, and Verónica Rabelo. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
Helping Men Help Us
June 01, 2020 19:24 - 46 minutes - 43.3 MBWe get an update on what men are doing or should be doing to support the women they work with. And we talk about our role in helping them help us. Guests: Brad Johnson, David Smith, and Lily Zheng. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
Working Through Menopause (at Work)
May 25, 2020 14:00 - 37 minutes - 36.2 MBWe talk about why menopause shouldn’t be a taboo topic at work, how managers can be supportive, and what to say when you’re having a hot flash in the middle of a meeting. Guests: Dr. Heather Hirsch, Jeneva Patterson, and Tina Opie. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
Advice for Less Than Optimal Circumstances
May 18, 2020 18:11 - 40 minutes - 38.5 MBWe talk through questions from listeners seeking advice on dealing with the challenges they’re facing right now—from how to handle pandemic-related burnout to how to increase their company’s diversity in hiring. Guest: Alison Beard. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
When Your Career Is Suddenly on Hold
May 11, 2020 18:48 - 50 minutes - 47.8 MBWe talk about the different professional setbacks women are facing because of the coronavirus crisis and offer advice for dealing with a promotion, project, career move, or entrepreneurial endeavor on hold or lost forever. Guests: Alexandra Kalev and Daisy Auger-Domínguez.
A Time for Women Leaders to Shine
May 04, 2020 18:26 - 32 minutes - 30.4 MBA nurse who’s risen to CEO talks about the leadership skills she’s learned through her experience managing global health crises and how she’s applying those skills to the Covid-19 crisis. Guest: Sheila Davis. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
So Many Feelings
April 27, 2020 22:15 - 49 minutes - 47.3 MBThere’s often pressure to keep it together at work. But is that even possible right now when we’re all feeling so many intense feelings? Understanding when and how to express fear, anger, sorrow, and stress isn’t easy, but it’s crucial. Guests: Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
Making the Most of This Mess
April 20, 2020 19:02 - 30 minutes - 28.9 MBA behavioral scientist gives advice on how to better muddle through working from home during the crisis. She also points out the long-lasting positive changes in women’s personal and professional lives that may come from having to reset expectations and boundaries right now. Guest: Ashley Whillans. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
We’re Beyond Stretched
April 13, 2020 20:36 - 38 minutes - 35.8 MBWomen from around the world tell us how the coronavirus crisis is impacting them both professionally and personally. We share how we've been coping and give advice for handling all of this extra stress. Guests: Aliya Hamid Rao and Ruchika Tulshyan. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
Season 5 Is on the Way
March 31, 2020 18:58 - 3 minutes - 3.46 MBWomen at Work is back April 13 with stories, conversations, and practical advice about being a woman in the workplace. Expect to hear from us every Monday through the spring.
Seeing Ourselves as Leaders
December 16, 2019 19:34 - 57 minutes - 54.9 MBStepping into a leadership role doesn’t always require permission — but it can require some soul-searching. We speak with leadership development experts on how to be seen as a leader by others and feel like one yourself. Guests: Muriel Wilkins and Amy Su. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
When You Work in a Male-Dominated Industry
December 09, 2019 21:00 - 56 minutes - 53.2 MBFor women in male-dominated fields like engineering, there are lots of stressors, both subtle and overt. As a result, many end up leaving the field altogether. But the ones who stay develop strategies to survive and to even challenge the status quo. Guests: Jessica Townsend, Ana, Elena, and Teresa Cardador. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
Aging Up, Not Out
December 02, 2019 18:58 - 53 minutes - 50.8 MBAs we grow older, we have to deal with not only sexism at work but ageism too. Still, age has its advantages. We talk with an expert on aging, and then we share personal experiences and answer questions from listeners. Guests: Nancy Morrow-Howell and Maureen Hoch. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
Navigating Conflict
November 25, 2019 22:33 - 30 minutes - 29.4 MBConflict at work is inevitable, and resolving conflicts can lead to higher job satisfaction, stronger relationships with colleagues, and innovation. But dealing with conflict becomes especially difficult when we feel pressure to be likeable or accommodate others. In this live show we talk through a general plan, as well as common situations. Guest: Linda Hill. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
How to Make Part Time Work for You
November 18, 2019 18:53 - 50 minutes - 48.4 MBGoing from full time to part time is a complicated career move. First we talk with a woman who’s made part time work well for her about how she set expectations and boundaries. Then we get advice from an expert on work-life balance on how to manage the risks of being part time. Guests: Kristin McElderry and Linda Duxbury. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
How We Take Care of Ourselves
November 11, 2019 18:55 - 36 minutes - 34.5 MBAt work, self-care might mean asking for a deadline extension, going to the gym in the middle of the day, or blocking off a few hours to prioritize tasks for the week. But that’s all easier said than done. We speak with a happiness researcher about how to find the time we need to take care of ourselves (and then actually do it). Guest: Ashley Whillans. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.
May We Recommend…The Anxious Achiever
November 07, 2019 14:15 - 9 minutes - 8.84 MBAnxiety comes up in our conversations on the show from time to time, and we think it’s important to think about and talk about mental health. That’s why we’re recommending you listen to The Anxious Achiever, a new podcast by HBR Presents that’s all about dealing with anxiety at work.