Women at Work

It’s a question that so many of us are grappling with. Should I quit the corporate life that may not feel quite right for me, and pursue my passion project?

You may have worries about the financial risks, stability, and what your future looks like with less of a roadmap. Today we’ll help you think through the possibilities and trade-offs, as we learn from one woman’s experiences leaving corporate life to build her own business.

This episode is from New Here, a new podcast for young professionals from Harvard Business Review. Each week, host Elainy Mata shares stories, tips, and advice from trusted experts and the people who help her figure out career challenges—like her therapist and mentors. Season One focuses on those “big firsts” that happen in any new job—like your first big mistake or how to ask for a raise.

In this episode, we follow Jemma Sbeg as she leaves her successful consulting career to pursue her passion project—her now-hit podcast, The Psychology of your 20s. First we hear from Jemma on her first day of working for herself—to learn how she made the decision to leave her full-time job and what her hopes and fears are for her new work life. Then Jemma returns for a second conversation, after she’s been working on her own for five months.

You’ll learn which of Jemma’s fears were warranted, how she battled loneliness, managed her money, and whether or not she is actually happier working for herself.

You can listen to all of season one of New Here at https://hbr.org/podcasts/new-here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Being on a board is a chance to grow—your mind, your skills, your network, your impact. It’s also another time commitment to fit in, and, for some women, another environment where they have to fight to be heard. So, is the payoff worth the effort?

Yes, according to the eight women who volunteered to speak about their experience serving on boards of companies, nonprofits, and schools. They share how they landed a seat, gained confidence in the role, and found unexpected personal and professional benefits in the work. We hope that their perspectives and advice will inspire you to consider trying it yourself some day.
Ellen Zane, who runs a Harvard workshop for women interested in board work, provides further insight based on her years of experience as a director for nonprofits and private and public companies.

Guest expert:

Ellen Zane directs the Women on Boards: Getting on and Adding Value annual program through Harvard’s School of Public Health (here’s the application for the next one, April 18–19, 2024). She’s the former CEO of Tufts Medical Center, and she’s on the board of directors for several nonprofits and private and public companies.

Resources:

• “Research: Board Experience Is Helping More Women Get CEO Jobs,” by Catherine H. Tinsley and Kate Purmal
• “How Women on Boards Navigate the ‘Warmth-Competence’ Line,” by Tiffany Trzebiatowski et al.
• “Research: How Women Improve Decision-Making on Boards,” by Margarethe Wiersema and Marie Louise Mors
• “Are You Ready to Serve on a Board?” by Anthony Hesketh et al.
• “10 Proactive Questions Every Board Member Should Be Asking,” by Andrew White et al.

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What if one of your first assignments at a new job was to fire people? What should you do if the person leading a project you’re on isn’t giving clear direction, demands that you work nights and weekends, bristles at your feedback—and leadership tells you to fall in line? These are two of the five situations that Amy B and Amy G talk through in this episode. They offer advice to the women who wrote in with their questions, with the hope that it will help them and anyone who’s been in a similar situation, or might be one unfortunate day. 

Resources:

• When You Work in a Male-Dominated Industry, from Women at Work
• “Begin with Trust,” by Frances X. Frei and Anne Morriss
• “When You Have to Carry Out a Decision You Disagree With,” by Art Markman
• “A Tool to Help You Reach Your Goals in 4 Steps,” by Heidi Grant
• “Getting Along: My Coworker Is Sabotaging Me — and My Boss Won’t Help,” by Amy Gallo
• “How to Recover from a Toxic Job,” by Melody Wilding

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Holding in anxiety, anger, or despair for the sake of appearing professional can feel impossible. When the emotions are just too much—your boss’s dismissive tone infuriates you, a direct report unloads, you can’t hold back tears in a meeting, a tragedy happens and you’re leading an all-staff tomorrow morning—what do you do?

Liz Fosslien believes “the future of work is emotional.” The Amys revisit our 2020 conversation with her and fellow organizational consultant Mollie West Duffy about the good that can come from being vulnerable with colleagues, then Fosslien returns to help us reassess where the line between vulnerability and oversharing is today.

Resources:

• No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work, by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy
• Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay, by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy
• “Handling Negative Emotions in a Way that’s Good for Your Team,” by Emma Seppälä and Christina Bradley
• “How to Control Your Emotions During a Difficult Conversation,” by Amy Gallo
• “New Managers Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Express Their Emotions,” by Kristi Hedges

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If you’re engaged, this question is probably going to come up. Have you ever thought about what you would do (if you have plans to marry), or reflected on the decision you made (if you’re already married)? To what extent did your professional accomplishments and aspirations factor into your decision to keep or change your last name?

Our associate producer, Hannah Bates, is engaged, and she talks out the rationale behind her decision to keep her name with three recently married women (one who kept her name and two who changed theirs), and they share what the decision-making process was like for them. Hannah and the Amys then join former co-host Nicole Torres, who first raised this question on our show and encouraged us to do this episode in the first place.

Resources:  

• “How to Change Your Name and Keep Your Professional Identity,” by Dorie Clark
• “8 in 10 Women Married to Men Still Take Husband’s Last Name, Survey Finds,” from Pew Research Center
• “The Japanese Public Broadly Supports Legalizing Dual-Surname Option for Married Couples,” from the Stanford’s Asia-Pacific Research Center

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ADHD can mess with a person’s ability to remember responsibilities and deadlines, start and stop projects, and show up as the on-top-of-everything employee that a boss expects. For women, these symptoms are also in direct contrast to what society expects us to be: attentive, organized, self-controlled. If you have ADHD, getting practical support from colleagues and emotional support from others in the same boat is essential to reaching your potential at work.

Two women who have ADHD—one’s a psychologist and the other a life coach—explain the many different ways that this chronic, brain-based disorder manifests, and how hormonal fluctuations factor in. They point out coping mechanisms that might actually be making your life harder, and give advice for creating the structure and accountability you need in your job.

Guests:

Kathleen Nadeau is a psychologist, the clinical director of The Chesapeake Center, and author of many books about ADHD, including her latest, Still Distracted After All These Years.

Kristen Carder hosts the podcast I Have ADHD and runs a group coaching program called Focused.

Resources:

• “ADHD, Neurodiversity, and Bias,” from The Anxious Achiever
• “5 Ways to Focus at Work, from an Executive Who’s Struggled with ADHD,” by Jack Kosakowski
• “Feeling Disengaged at Work? Find Someone to Hold You Accountable,” by Deborah Grayson Riegel
• “Is Your Company Inclusive of Neurodivergent Employees?” by Michael Bernick
• “How Women with ADHD Can Transform the Challenges of a Late Diagnosis,” from ADDitude

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About one in 10 working women have a disability, whether it’s apparent or not. And how those women navigate the workplace is different from how the average neurotypical, fully able-bodied woman does, largely because of pervasive ableism. To learn more about that experience, we’re talking with Meredith Koch and Nicole Bettè. They’re engineers who both use wheelchairs and advocate for employees with disabilities.

In this episode, they reflect on their careers and times when they’ve felt supported—and when they haven’t, all with the hope that you’ll be able to better advocate for yourself and your colleagues. In their stories are also lessons for managers about how best to respond to team members’ requests for accommodations, and how to help accommodate employees who might not know what’s available or even what they need.

Resources:

• “People with Disabilities Are an Untapped Talent Pool,” from HBR IdeaCast
• “Make It Safe for Employees to Disclose Their Disabilities,” by Laurie Henneborn
• “Do Your D&I Efforts Include People with Disabilities?” by Caroline Casey
• “The Case for Improving Work for People with Disabilities Goes Way Beyond Compliance,” by Laura Sherbin and Julia Taylor Kennedy
• “Disability as a Source of Competitive Advantage,” by Luisa Alemany and Freek Vermeulen

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Have you had something go wrong at work? Like really wrong? How much of it do you feel was your fault? And are you still trying to move past it?

The Amys and their former co-host Sarah Green Carmichael revisit times they majorly messed up, in hopes that you’ll feel better about your experiences with failure. We’re not talking about honest mistakes with simple solutions; we’re talking about larger problems that were difficult and costly to correct. They share what happened, how they recovered, and what they learned.

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How do you recover from a failure? What’s it really like—and what does it take—to serve on a board? Do our career aspirations influence our decision, if and when we marry somebody, to keep or change our last name? How does going through a divorce affect us at work, and for how long? If we have a disability, how can we get the understanding and assistive technology we need to do our job?

These questions are at the heart of some of the conversations the Amys are having this season with women who’ve been there. As always, we’ll be bringing you expertise, stories, and advice.

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When you see potential for your company to improve in some way—whether it’s to overhaul an outdated policy, round out benefits, or to make jobs more workable, how can you instigate change? Three women who Amy B interviewed during Women at Work’s April 27 live virtual event saw that potential and carried it through, to programs and policies that are making a difference:

Myra Orndoff, a senior manager at Capital One, campaigned for the company to create more part-time tech jobs after she went part time herself as a way to stay in the workforce while raising four kids.

Stephanie LeBlanc, who leads Google’s global programming for women of color, launched and continues to refine an annual summit that’s become a focal point of the multinational’s DEI strategy because of the positive effects it’s had on retention and advancement.

Becky Guenther persuaded Rehmann, the financial services firm where she leads HR, to give its employees free maternity, eldercare, and mental health counseling.

What can we learn from their advocacy and persuasion skills? How are they tracking their programs’ impact on women’s health, representation, and job satisfaction—and what are the results so far? How can you follow their lead? They fill us in.

Resources:

• “How to Push for Policy Changes at Your Company,” by Women at Work
• “Rekindling a Sense of Community at Work,” by Christine Porath and Carla Piñeyro Sublett
• “To Implement Change, You Don’t Need to Convince Everyone at Once,” Greg Satell
• “7 Metrics to Measure Your Organization’s DEI Progress,” by Lee Jourdan

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Communicating clearly and persuasively sets you up to have the impact and influence you’re after. But what if you’re running on empty? Expressing your ideas and giving direction when you’re sleep-deprived, burned out, grieving, or in perimenopausal brain fog…can feel nearly impossible. So, what then?

Leadership development coach Muriel Wilkins talks us through communication techniques that meet you where you’re at mentally and emotionally so that you can rise to the moment (even when you’re worried you can’t).

Guest expert:

Muriel Wilkins is the co-founder of the executive coaching and leadership development firm Paravis Partners. She hosts the HBR podcast Coaching Real Leaders.

• Resources:
• “How to Communicate a Tough Decision to Your Team,” by Joseph Grenny
• “When You Have to Carry Out a Decision You Disagree With,” by Art Markman
• “How to Look and Sound Confident During a Presentation,” by Carmine Gallo
• “How to Give and Receive Compliments at Work,” by Christopher Littlefield
• “How to Be a Compassionate Manager in a Heartless Organization,” by Liz Kislik

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Assuming responsibility for someone else’s professional development and happiness changes you. But is it for the worse or for the better? The feelings can be mixed until you’re able to build your identity and confidence back up. Somehow this self-discovery has to happen while you’re meeting deadlines and feeling pressure to commit to more. How will you ever fit time in for your own professional development? Should career growth really feel this overwhelming?

Jen Dary regularly coaches first-time managers on questions like, “Who are you now?” “Who do you want to be?” and “How can you stretch without taking on too much?” She shares advice for finding yourself again, dealing with disillusionment, and setting priorities and boundaries. Then, a former guest who’s one year into leading a major project tells us about her aha moments. Finally, Kelsey answers the question of whether or not she’s ready to try management again.

Guest expert: 

Jen Dary trains and develops managers through her coaching business, Plucky. She hosts the Be Plucky Podcast.

Resources:

• “When Changing Jobs Changes Your Identity,” by Sarah Wittman
• “Becoming the Boss,” by Linda Hill
• “How to Focus on What’s Important, Not Just What’s Urgent,” by Alice Boyes
• You, the Leader (HBR Women at Work Series), by Harvard Business Review
• “Perfect Is the Enemy,” by Women at Work

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When you manage people, they ask you for things: to extend a deadline, to make an exception, to give them a raise or more resources. Maybe they don’t even have to ask; you notice the need and start thinking about how to meet it. As successful as women tend to be at advocating on behalf of others, knowing which approaches research shows are most effective will only strengthen your case.

Negotiations professor Martha Jeong explains the mindset, framing, timing, and tone that enable us to attain the money, help, and opportunities that keep our direct reports happy and in top form. She also explains how to set expectations with them to prevent you from feeling too much pressure to attain exactly what they asked for, and too guilty when you can’t.

Guest expert:

Martha Jeong is a management professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Resources:

• “Emotion and the Art of Negotiation,” by Alison Wood Brooks
• “The Essentials: Negotiating Strategically,” by Women at Work
• Next-Level Negotiating (HBR Women at Work Series), by Harvard Business Review
• “Negotiating Gender Roles,” by Emily Amanatullah and Michael Morris
• “Constraints and Triggers,” by Hannah Riley Bowles et al.
• “Communicating with Warmth in Distributive Negotiations Is Surprisingly Counterproductive,” by Martha Jeong et al.
• “A Meta-Analysis on Gender Differences in Negotiation Outcomes and Their Moderators,” by Jens Mazei et al.

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People management consists of a fair amount of mediation and diplomacy, and you can’t expect to get the hang of it right away. You’re in the middle of a lot now. Initiating difficult conversations, and then getting all the way through them, takes planning and practice (and sometimes even a breather). Holding tension takes restraint.

Amy B and Kelsey interview Amy G about the types of conflict that new managers should expect to handle, as well as options for responding. They talk through real experiences and common scenarios. Like that time Kelsey needed to tell a direct report they were falling short of her expectations (but didn’t end up saying anything). Or that time Amy G started reporting to a friend. They also give guidance for intervening or not when team members are arguing and for discreetly clueing your group in about the office politics going on.

Resources:

• HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, by Amy Gallo
• Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People), by Amy Gallo
• “4 Triggers Cause the Majority of Team Conflicts,” by Benjamin Laker and Vijay Pereira
• “You’re a Leader Now. Not Everyone is Going to Like You.” by Martin G. Moore
• “Navigating Conflict,” by Women at Work

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Becoming a boss is a step up and should feel like one, but for so many women it doesn’t, at least initially. Too often, the people we’re newly responsible for ignore our direction and question our judgment. We end up deflated and puzzled. Why won’t anyone follow my lead? Am I not cut out for this? Did my boss make a mistake in promoting me?

There are still a lot of biases in society against women’s leadership abilities, and it’s maddening how they can cause us to question ourselves. As difficult as defiance is to face—especially when you’re settling in yourself—we have ideas for making it clear that you’re in charge. McKinsey’s Lareina Yee recounts the actions that senior leaders took that affirmed her position. Kelsey reflects on the disrespect she felt as a first-time manager, as well as her discomfort with power, and Amy B helps her make sense of those experiences and feelings. If you manage a woman who’s a new manager, this episode is for you too!

Guest expert:

Lareina Yee is a senior partner at McKinsey and the co-founder of the Women in the Workplace report.

Resources:

• “‘Lean In’ Messages and the Illusion of Control,” by Grainne Fitzsimons et al.
• “How Women Manage the Gendered Norms of Leadership,” by Wei Zheng et al.
• “Ask an Expert: How Do I Deal with Upward Bullying as a New Manager?” by LeRon L. Barton
• “When People Assume You’re Not In Charge Because You’re a Woman,” by Amy Diehl and Leanne M. Dzubinski
• HBR’s 10 Must Reads for New Managers, by Michael D. Watkins

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Are you new to leading a team? You may have some—er, a lot—of questions. How do you gain your employees’ trust and respect? How should you handle the inevitable conflicts that come up? And how much power do you actually have, and how do you use it for good?

In this special series, we’ll be answering these questions and many more—including questions from listeners. When you assume responsibility for someone else’s assignments and professional development and happiness, feeling uncomfortable and unsure is totally normal. We’ll help you make sense of those feelings and not let them deter you from pressing ahead. Women make highly competent leaders when given the opportunity, so let’s make the best of this first foray into leadership.

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We’ve planned a half-day of learning, guidance, and inspiration—all virtual.

First, leadership development coach Muriel Wilkins will talk us through how to communicate effectively when you’re running on empty. Amy Bernstein will then ask business leaders about how they pushed forward policies and programs that made their companies better for women. Next, Amy Gallo will interview several researchers about the practical takeaways from their latest findings. We’ll end with an advice hour, where both Amys will answer your questions. Do you need guidance on leading a team, dealing with conflict, negotiating, or something else? Email your question ahead of time to [email protected], and they’ll try to help.

Tickets are $60 for Harvard Business Review subscribers and $75 for everyone else. A ticket will also give you access to a replay of the event recording. Register here.

Interested in buying a bunch of tickets for your team, department, or entire company? Email [email protected] to learn about group discounts.

See you there!

Do you find it tough to make decisions? Do you get stuck coming up with options (or overwhelmed by too many of them)? Or maybe you worry about how people will take your decision and if they’ll disagree with it? Do you often grapple with guilt or regret after making a final call?

A dentist who directs a public health clinic wants to gain confidence in her ability to make sound decisions. Behavioral scientist Leslie John shares methods for not overthinking, preempting pushback, and making peace with a tough call.

Guest expert:

Leslie John is a behavioral scientist and professor at Harvard Business School.

Resources:

• “Making Great Decisions,” by Women at Work
• HBR Guide to Making Better Decisions, by Harvard Business Review
• “How to Make a High-Stakes Decision,” by Amy Gallo
• “How to Deliver Bad News to Your Employees,” by Amy Gallo
• “How to Make Great Decisions, Quickly,” by Martin G. Moore

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What do you do when no one will give you actionable and useful feedback? That’s the situation our guest, an aerospace engineer, has been in for years. And while she’s managed to move up within her company, she feels like she’s missing out on information that would clarify her standing there and secure her future success.

Ella Bell, an expert on interpersonal communication and organizational behavior, shares creative ways to draw out people’s perceptions of your performance and potential. She also offers advice on how to make sense of the feedback you do receive. It can be especially tricky if you don’t agree with what someone says or if their comments don’t align with your priorities. We talk through both scenarios and give suggestions for how to respond.

Guest expert: 

Ella Bell is a professor at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth

Resources:

• “We Deserve Better Than ‘Attagirl,’” from Women at Work
• “Why Asking for Advice Is More Effective Than Asking for Feedback,” by Jaewon Yoon et al.
• “The Right Way to Respond to Negative Feedback,” by Tasha Eurich
• “The Right Way to Process Feedback,” by Cameron Conaway
• “You Need Tough Feedback—Here’s How to Get It – HBR Video,” from Christine vs. Work

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We’re in a project economy, where so much of our work is developing something new — a product, a service, an event. That means that many of us manage projects, even if “project manager” isn’t in our official job title. And we’re typically doing this work alongside others, on a deadline, often with multiple stakeholders involved, while objectives and circumstances continuously change. It’s not easy, and it’s no wonder that people get certified in project management: it’s a discipline that’s surprisingly deep, from planning to close-out.

A former clinical social worker who recently pivoted to project management has already experienced several of the most common challenges, including uncertainty, interpersonal conflict, and lack of responsiveness from the team. She and Amy B talk with an experienced project manager who shares tips for motivating and influencing others, communicating effectively, and solving problems.

Guest expert:

Tamara McLemore is a project manager who is certified by the Project Management Institute to train others in the discipline, and the founder of the Project Business Academy, through which she coaches people on what it takes to pass the Project Management Professional exam.

Resources:

• HBR Guide to Project Management, by Harvard Business Review
• Managing Projects, by Harvard Business Review
• “The Four Phases of Project Management,” by HBR Editors
• “Five Critical Roles in Project Management,” by HBR Editors
• “The Project Economy Has Arrived,” by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
• “Does Your Project Have a Purpose?” by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez
• “Is Project Management the Right Career for You?” by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez and Yasmina Khelifi

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Everyone at work has their own priorities, concerns, and agendas, and knowing what those are allows us to navigate projects and meetings more deliberately and successfully. But how do you get the intel you need to achieve the results you want, especially if you’re the odd woman out in a male-dominated company and industry? What exactly does “political capital” mean? And how does one begin to change exclusionary and toxic politics so that they’re inclusive and healthy?

Organizational psychologist Madeleine Wyatt answers those questions and offers advice on how to become more politically savvy, in conversation with a transportation planner who’s determined to find a less tiring, more authentic approach to winning over clients and influencing others.

Guest expert:

Madeleine Wyatt is a professor at King’s Business School. Her research examines diversity at work and the role informal and political processes play in people’s rise into leadership.

Resources:

• “Office Politics Don’t Have to Be Toxic,” by Madeleine Wyatt and Elena Doldor
• “3 Simple Ways for Women to Rethink Office Politics and Wield More Influence at Work,” by Kathryn Heath
• “Navigating Office Politics When There Is No Office,” by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic and Dorie Clark
• HBR Guide to Office Politics, by Karen Dillon
• “Networking Doesn’t Have to Be a Drag,” by Women at Work

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Former co-hosts Sarah, Nicole, and Emily reunite with the Amys to discuss the insights and advice that most resonated with them from this season, from how they gained their team’s trust as a first-time manager to how they’re now thinking about retirement. They also talk about their related personal and professional experiences, and share how they’ve been doing since they left the show and HBR.

If you haven’t listened to Season 8 in full, this episode also serves as an overview so you can pick and choose what you want to go back and listen to. The episode ends with each of the hosts sharing what they want to see us covering in future seasons. If you have any ideas, please email us. We’d love to hear from you.

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When you have an idea for a change that would make your workplace better for women, where do you begin? How can you push for a childcare stipend, a company-wide pay audit, a more comprehensive health care plan, or an ombuds office? If you instigate the change, do you have to be the face of it? What are the other roles you can play?

Two experts in systemic, organizational change explain the behind-the-scenes strategizing, relationship building, and risk management that should happen before approaching the people in charge, who will then need to support, fund, and build out the proposal. And because sustaining a grassroots initiative requires motivating a bunch of volunteers, they also share tried-and-true ways to keep everyone invested in the cause, aligned, and on track.

Guests:  

Lily Zheng is a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategist and executive coach. Their latest book is DEI Deconstructed: Your No-Nonsense Guide to Doing the Work and Doing It Right.

Ashley Lewis is the assistant director of the UAW’s women’s department and a national vice president for the Coalition of Labor Union Women.

Resources:

• “To Avoid DEI Backlash, Focus on Changing Systems — Not People,” by Lily Zheng
• “Dig, Bridge, Collectively Act,” by Tina Opie and Beth A. Livingston
• “How Leaders Get in the Way of Organizational Change,” by Ron Carucci
• “Cultivating Everyday Courage,” by James R. Detert
• “How to Figure Out How Much Influence You Have at Work,” by Maxim Sytch

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When your child is struggling—whether it’s with anxiety, anger management, or depression—focusing on anything other than how they’re doing can be difficult to nearly impossible. Yet so many parents are straining day after day to support their children while trying to keep up at work. And so many lack enough flexibility, understanding, and paid time off from their employer to take care of everything they need to do, from finding their children a therapist to taking them to appointments.

What can mothers, managers, and leaders do to make work more manageable? The executive director of the children’s mental health advocacy group On Our Sleeves shares ideas and advice.

Guest:

Marti Bledsoe Post is the executive director of the children’s mental health advocacy group On Our Sleeves and the author of Retrofit: The Playbook for Modern Moms.

Resources:

• “Ripple Effect: The Influence of Children’s Mental Health on The Great Resignation,” by On Our Sleeves
• “The Great Collide: How Supported Children Enable Successful Companies,” by On Our Sleeves
• Bloom: Child Mental Health and the Workplace, from On Our Sleeves
• Understanding Depression in Kids, from On Our Sleeves
• Anxiety in Kids, from On Our Sleeves
• “When Your Employee Discloses a Mental Health Condition,” by Amy Gallo
• “The Maternal Wall,” by Joan C. Williams

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Before you got engaged, or had a child, or moved across the country for your partner’s job, did you sit down and ask each other questions like, What makes for a good life? and How much work is too much? Yeah, neither did we. These are the sorts of conversations that researcher Jennifer Petriglieri says lay the foundation for couples, especially working parents, to have a mutually supportive relationship and satisfying, if demanding, careers.

A woman named Rebecca remembers talking with her husband in depth about their values and goals early on in their relationship. It was a conversation that felt abstract at the time…and never happened again. They now have two young kids, and Rebecca is stepping into a new leadership role. She feels like she’s not getting enough practical and emotional support from her spouse, and isn’t sure how to attain it. So, we asked Jennifer to share her expertise and advice.

We give Rebecca (and anyone in a similar situation) a framework for processing the career-family tension she’s feeling, as well as ideas for resolving it.

Guest:

Jennifer Petriglieri is an associate professor of organizational behavior at INSEAD and the author of Couples That Work: How Dual-Career Couples Can Thrive in Love and Work.

Resources:

• “How Dual-Career Couples Make It Work,” by Jennifer Petriglieri
• “Why Working Couples Need to Talk More About Power,” by Jennifer Petriglieri
• “Couples That Work,” by Women at Work
• “When We Make All (or Most of) the Money,” by Women at Work
• “How to Have a Relationship and a Career,” by HBR IdeaCast

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Have you ever hesitated to take on a particular role or get up in front of other people because you felt self-conscious about your weight? Or worried that others would see you as unprofessional or “not equipped” for leadership positions? Perhaps you’ve made offhand comments about a colleague’s eating habits?

Weight bias is everywhere, including at work, and yet it’s rarely discussed openly or made part of efforts to create equitable and inclusive workplaces. It should be, especially given what we know about the economic and emotional costs to women who are on the receiving end of this stigma.

Two women who have studied weight bias at work—and the misconceptions that underpin it—help us understand our role in creating a positive body culture.

Guests:  

Dr. Habibah Williams is a nurse practitioner at the University of Virginia.

Grace Lemmon is a management professor at DePaul University.

Resources:

• “A primer with purpose: Research implications of the objectification of weight in the workplace,” by Grace Lemmon et al.
• “Sizably Aware: Teaching Healthcare Staff to Lose Their Weight Bias,” a write-up of Dr. Habibah Williams’ work, by Christine Phelan Kueter
• “Unconscious Bias Training That Works,” by Francesca Gino and Katherine Coffman
• “How One Company Worked to Root Out Bias from Performance Reviews,” by Joan C. Williams et al.

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Retirement is a major decision that takes planning and reflection. Ideally, you want to make the transition in a way that leaves you feeling happy and engaged, not lonely, lost, or bored. So, let’s talk about the seeds that should be sown before your last day in the workforce.

Two women who very recently retired recount their decision-making process, describe how the transition has been so far, and share lessons from their personal experiences. We then hear from Ann Bundy, who’s an expert on retirement, having written a practical guide on the topic and having recently retired herself. She gives practical advice on how to think about and prepare for this transition no matter where you are in your career.

Guest:

Ann Bundy is the coauthor of Encore: Living Your Life’s Legacy, a recent retiree, and a former executive coach.

Resources:

• “What Happens When Your Career Becomes Your Whole Identity,” by Janna Koretz
• “Design a Retirement That Excites You,” by Jeff Giesea
• “When He Retires and She Still Works, What Happens?” by Karen Firestone
• “Does Having Grandchildren Persuade Women to Retire Early?” by Karen Firestone
• “How to Become a Coach or Consultant After You Retire,” by Dorie Clark
• “What Job Crafting Looks Like,” by Jane E. Dutton and Amy Wrzesniewski

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Learning to lead other people is a stressful stretch assignment. Much of that stress stems from the misconceptions many people bring into the job. They think they know what the role will entail, and then they start doing the work and realize they don’t know what they’ve gotten themselves into. Gender bias often makes the transition more painful for women since a lot of people, unfortunately, still don’t see us as cut out for leadership, even if they’d never say so to our face.

Three women who’ve recently moved into management speak candidly about being newly in charge of other people: the surprises, the rewards, and recent challenges. If you’re a new manager yourself, we hope you’ll find comfort in knowing that you’re not alone in any struggles you might be facing— and that you’ll get some ideas for how to deal. And if you’re just curious about becoming a boss, we hope that you’ll come away more prepared for the job and confident that you can do it too.

Resources:

• “Becoming the Boss,” by Linda A. Hill
• “Research: Becoming a Manager Doesn’t Always Feel Like a Step Up,” by Nishani Bourmault and Michel Anteby
• “Research: Becoming a Manager Increases Men’s Job Satisfaction, But Not Women’s,” by Daniela Lup
• “Women Rising: The Unseen Barriers,” by Herminia Ibarra et al.
• Harvard Business Review Manager’s Handbook: The 17 Skills Leaders Need to Stand Out

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To cap off our Getting Along series (see the last four episodes in our feed if you missed them), Amy Gallo offers advice, in front of a live audience, on how to deal with “difficult” colleagues. She talks with Amy Bernstein about the different types of difficult coworkers (from the tormentor to the know-it-all) and then answers questions from several members of the audience about the specific situations they’re facing. If you’re navigating a tough work relationship right now and don’t know how to turn things around, this episode is for you.

Resources:

• Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People), by Amy Gallo
• “What to Do if You Think Your Boss Is Shutting You Out,” by Liz Kislik
• “How to Deal with a Passive-Aggressive Colleague,” by Amy Gallo
• “How the Best Bosses Interrupt Bias on Their Teams,” by Joan C. Williams and Sky Mihaylo
• “How to Deal with the Know-It-All in Your Office,” by Priscilla Claman

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Kim’s boss hired her to run operations and human resources at the company he founded, where he is one of four partners. Six months in, she’s baffled by his mix of behaviors, all of which have made her job much harder than it should be. He attacks nearly every modification or upgrade to a process, policy, or program she suggests. He refuses to listen to feedback. The other partners don’t dare to intervene. If it’s his (outdated) way or the highway, why did they bring her in?

She needs his support in order to make any sort of progress. What should she do? What should you do if you find yourself in a similar situation?

In this episode, Amy G talks with Kim about her situation and recommends tactics for her to try. By the end, Kim has a plan to temper his pessimism and gain his trust.

Resources:

• Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People), by Amy Gallo
• “How to Handle the Pessimist on Your Team,” by Amy Gallo
• “How to Respond to Negativity,” by Peter Bregman
• “How to Deal with the Know-It-All in Your Office,” by Priscilla Claman
• “What to Do If Your Boss Doesn’t Like You,” by Liane Davey
• “Research: Insecure Managers Don’t Want Your Suggestions,” by Nathanael J. Fast et al.

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One of the managers Sherri reports to has a history of acting as if widespread bias in the healthcare industry doesn’t exist. In addition to those subtle acts of exclusion, there are the more overt, personal slights. The manager recently led Sherri to believe she was going to secure a new leadership opportunity only to withdraw it the same week, without ever acknowledging the about-face. Then, a tirade over email in response to what Sherri thought was a straightforward request.

Sherri otherwise loves her job and doesn’t want to quit before exhausting all options for making the relationship work. What should she do? What should you do if you find yourself in a similar situation?

In this episode, Amy Gallo talks with Sherri about her situation and recommends tactics for her to try. By the end, Sherri knows what she needs to do to disarm the manager while protecting herself from their aggressions.

Resources:

• Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People), by Amy Gallo
• “Women Experience More Incivility at Work — Especially from Other Women,” by Allison S. Gabriel et al.
• “Your Boss Made a Biased Remark. Should You Confront Them?” by Aneeta Rattan
• “Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions at Work,” by Ella F. Washington
• “Research: Shifting the Power Balance with an Abusive Boss,” by Hui Liao et al.
• “What to Do When Your Boss Betrays You,” by Ron Carucci

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Part of Olivia’s job is to facilitate communication and cooperation between her former boss and senior management. Since Olivia transitioned from being a direct report to a liason, her former boss has been shutting her out of precisely the conversations she’s supposed to be supporting. In addition to excluding her, her former boss often demeans her and dodges her attempts to reset the relationship and connect like they used to.

Olivia’s concerned that this politicking is undermining her reputation and will jeopardize her chances of being promoted. What should she do? What should you do if you find yourself in a similar situation?

In this episode, Amy G talks with Olivia about her situation and recommends tactics for her to try. By the end, Olivia knows what she needs to do to get her former boss to see her as a partner, regain a seat at the table — and politik in a way that benefits the entire team..

Resources:

• Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) by Amy Gallo
• “Playing Office Politics Without Selling Your Soul,” by Robert Kaiser et al.
• “Office Politics Don’t Have to Be Toxic,” by Madeleine Wyatt and Elena Doldor
• “Navigating Office Politics When There Is No Office,” by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic and Dorie Clark

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Lynne has a colleague in a different department whose work is interdependent with hers, and he’s been surreptitiously encroaching on the scope of her role. He’s also been criticizing her behind her back. During their regular one-on-one meetings, he says everything’s fine, and he never mentions the work he’s doing that falls outside of his responsibilities.

When she raised these issues to him, he changed the subject. Lynne worries that the ongoing bad-mouthing and overstepping are damaging her reputation. What should she do? What should you do if you find yourself in a similar situation?

In this episode, Amy G talks with Lynne and recommends tactics for her to try. By the end of the episode, Lynne has a clear way forward and knows what she needs to do to improve her working relationship and protect her career.

Resources:

• Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) by Amy Gallo
• “How to Handle Office Gossip … When It’s About You,” by Joseph Grenny
• “How to Deal with a Passive-Aggressive Colleague,” by Amy Gallo
• “How to Navigate a Turf War at Work,” by Amy Gallo

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Ever worked with somebody who can’t make a decision? Or who complains about anything and everything? Is there a person on your team who explains things that others already clearly understand? Does your boss put down your accomplishments?

No one should have to put up with rude, unprofessional, or hostile behavior from a colleague. You can counteract and even preempt it by using certain tactics and phrases. Amy Gallo will teach you which ones, plus how and when to deploy them, through coaching sessions with real women dealing with different types of difficult people.

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Our free-spirited, entrepreneurial co-host is applying advice from all our episodes on side gigs, freelancing, starting a small business — and quitting — to her own life. Emily reflects on her decision to leave her design job at HBR to fully focus on a long-time creative passion, as well as how she’s thinking about her career going forward.

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• “Let’s Take Our Side Gigs Off the Back-Burner,” from Women at Work
• “Stacey Abrams and Lara Hodgson on Starting and Scaling a Small Business,” from Women at Work
• “Keep the Challenges of Freelancing in Check,” from Women at Work
• “So You’re Thinking About Quitting Your Job…” from Women at Work

Say someone on your team who had previously been friendly turns on you and is now making your life miserable and collaboration nearly impossible. Maybe they won’t respond to your emails or even look you in the eye?

This is the distressing situation that “Cindy,” a listener of Conferences for Women’s Women Amplified podcast, found herself in. Host Celeste Headlee, invited Amy Gallo on to help give Cindy advice as part of the show’s series “That’s a Good Question.” Cindy talks to Celeste and Amy about how she doesn’t even know what’s causing the tension. She can’t get answers from her colleague and doesn’t know how to continue working with someone who’s being so difficult.

The approaches that come out of the conversation are ones that anyone facing tension in a work relationship can use to find a way forward.

Resources:

• Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People), by Amy Gallo
• HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, by Amy Gallo
• “Navigating Conflict,” by Women at Work
• “How to Mend a Work Relationship,” by Brianna Barker Caza et al.
• “How to Deal with a Mean Colleague,” by Amy Gallo
• “How to Collaborate with People You Don’t Like,” by Mark Nevins

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Delegating is a leadership skill that benefits you and your team. But determining when and how to delegate which tasks to whom can be overwhelming. And the discomfort many of us feel around assigning responsibilities to others or making requests of our colleagues can lead us to falsely believe it’s easier to just continue doing everything ourselves.

To learn how to delegate in a way that delivers the results you’re hoping for, we’re bringing in an aerospace engineer who wants to overcome the awkward, difficult parts of delegating so that she can do more strategic work. She and Amy G talk to a leadership coach who shares practices that will ensure the work gets done and will leave you and the person you delegated to feeling good about the experience.

Guests: 

Deborah Grayson Riegel is a communication and presentation skills coach. She is the coauthor of Overcoming Overthinking and Go To Help.

Jasmine LeFlore is an aerospace engineer at Raytheon Technologies and runs Greater Than Tech, a nonprofit that teaches girls about engineering and business.

Resources:

• “8 Ways Leaders Delegate Successfully,” by Deborah Grayson Riegel

• “Managers: Compassion and Accountability Aren’t Mutually Exclusive,” by Amy Gallo

• “How to Decide Which Tasks to Delegate,” by Jenny Blake

• “You’re Delegating. It’s Not Working. Here’s Why.” by Sabina Nawaz

• “How to Tell If You’re Delegating Too Much — and What to Do About It,” by Anne Sugar

• “How to Stop Delegating and Start Teaching,” by Art Markman

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Having a healthy, mutually beneficial relationship with your boss doesn’t require accommodating their every quirk, demand, and weakness. There are respectful, constructive ways to meet in the middle, set boundaries, and help them achieve their goals while making your competence known.

Amy G sits down with a woman who recently left retail for her first office job and a fintech executive with a marketing background to discuss managing-up practices that have helped them maintain positive, productive relationships with different bosses across their careers.

Guests:

Valerie is an operations manager at a law firm. She used to work in retail.

Mita Mallick is the head of inclusion, equity, and impact at Carta, a fintech company. She used to work in marketing. She co-hosts the podcast Brown Table Talk.

Resources:

• HBR Guide to Managing Up and Across, by Harvard Business Review

• “Setting the Record Straight on Managing Your Boss,” by Amy Gallo

• “How to Give Your Boss Feedback,” by Amy Gallo

• “Dealing with Your Incompetent Boss,” by Amy Gallo

• “When Being Indispensable Backfires,” by Mita Mallick

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We all need to be persuasive. Maybe you’re trying to get clients to buy into your idea, trust your expertise, or sign on with your company. Or perhaps you want to convince colleagues to start a new initiative, or kill one you think is doomed to fail. Which persuasion tactics are most effective? How do you know if someone is starting to be swayed by your reasoning and what else might you try to win their full support? If you’ve failed to persuade but still believe in the cause, what’s the strategic way to try again?

An expert on influence at work answers these questions and more. We’re joined by a woman working in construction who shares her successful and unsuccessful attempts to persuade others and we highlight key principles and techniques that we can all use.

Guests:

Raven Hoffman is a senior estimator for a tile and stone contractor.

Vanessa Bohns is a professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University and the author of the book You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters.

Resources:

• “You’re Already More Persuasive Than You Think,” by Vanessa Bohns
• “A Checklist for More Persuasive Presentations,” by Dorie Clark
• “To Get People to Change, Make Change Easy,” by Tania Luna and Jordan Cohen
• “How to Persuade People to Change Their Behavior,” by Jonah Berger
• “The Art of Persuasion Hasn’t Changed in 2,000 Years,” by Carmine Gallo

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Every manager worries at some point that their best employees are eyeing the door. What can you do to convince your team members to stay? How do you assess whether they’re engaged? What actions can you take and conversations can you have to head off thoughts of leaving? And when a valuable employee says they have another job offer, will countering really keep them around?

Two managers share their approaches to retention and some lessons they’ve learned. One leads a team dedicated to retaining employees thinking about quitting, and the other has pushed herself to understand what motivates her direct reports. We discuss tactics you can use to help the people you manage feel valued and like they have a future at your organization.

Guests:

Rachel Spivey leads Google’s Stay & Thrive team.

Kate Tyler is a manager at Shell.

Resources:

• “How to Keep Your Top Talent,” by Jean Martin and Conrad Schmidt
• “5 Questions Every Manager Needs to Ask Their Direct Reports,” by Susan Peppercorn
• “To Retain Employees, Support Their Passions Outside Work,” by Lauren C. Howe et al.
• “What to Do If Your Employees Keep Getting Poached,” by Art Markman
• “How Teams Are Retaining Employees Right Now,” by Cannon Thomas and Laura Delizonna

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Thinking about starting a small business? Or looking to expand a business you’ve already launched? Entrepreneurs Stacey Abrams and Lara Hodgson were blindsided by the cash-flow problems and other systemic issues they ran into when trying to scale a new but popular product. They don’t want you to be.

Stacey and Lara share hard-won lessons from starting and running three companies together: first a consultancy, then a manufacturer, and finally a fintech. They reflect on what made their long-term partnership work well and how they manage self-doubt and guilt. They also share tips for networking, hiring and retaining employees, learning the ins and outs of finance, and developing an exit strategy.

Guest experts:

Stacey Abrams is an entrepreneur, politician, and author. She co-wrote Level Up: Rise Above the Hidden Forces Holding Your Business Back.

Lara Hodgson is the co-founder, president, and CEO of Now, as well as the co-author of Level Up: Rise Above the Hidden Forces Holding Your Business Back.

Resources:

• “The Trillion-Dollar Opportunity in Supporting Female Entrepreneurs,” by Shalini Unnikrishnan and Roy Hanna
• “Black Women Are More Likely to Start a Business than White Men,” by Donna Kelley et al.
• “How to Make Venture Capital Accessible for Black Founders: An Entrepreneur’s Dilemma,” from Cold Call
• “Case Study: A Founder Steps Back from Her Start-Up,” by David R. Dixon
• “The Different Reasons Men and Women Leave Their Successful Startups,” by Rachida Justo

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Just like 2020, this past year didn’t turn out like we expected. And, yet, we got through it. In this episode, we reconnect with three women who were on our show during the height of the pandemic to find out what they’ve been up to and how they’re making sense of the big shifts in society, our workplaces, and our lives. The questions they’re asking themselves are important ones: Is the path I’m on the right one? What does a “healthy and happy me at work” look like?

We discuss the value of self-reflection, why we’ve generally been putting it off, and the introspection that the death of a family member brings about. The Amys reflect on two recent losses, how they managed grief and work, and the lessons they took away from those experiences.

Resources:

• “How to Cope with Anticipatory Grief at Work,” by Sabina Nawaz
• “Make Space for Grief After a Year of Loss,” by Gianpiero Petriglieri
• “How Women Who’ve Lost Work Are Coping,” by Women at Work
• “Starting Your Career in a Pandemic,” by Women at Work
• “Has Anything Changed for Black Women at Work?” by Women at Work

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Why do some freelancers feel depleted and discouraged at the end of their workdays while others feel happy and hopeful? Having a successful career in the gig economy, no matter your profession, requires a certain set of psychological and social skills.

Two researchers break down six common existential and interpersonal challenges that freelancers confront in their day-to-day work lives. They share routines and practices that help independent workers keep themselves motivated, productive, and developing professionally.

Guest experts:

Brianna Caza is a management professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. 

Erin Reid is a management professor at McMaster University.

Resources:

• “Are You Ready to Go Freelance?” by Brianna Barker Caza et al.
• “What Successful Freelancers Do Differently,” by Ben Laker et al.
• “Freelancing, Self-Employment, and Mental Health” by The Anxious Achiever
• “Thriving in the Gig Economy,” by Gianpiero Petriglieri et al.
• The Gig Work Life

Participate in Erin and Brianna’s research study.

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Which feelings (and shoes) are work-appropriate these days? What happens now with the transparency and informality that, for many professionals working from home, became more normal and acceptable? How do return-to-office mandates compromise the authenticity of employees who prefer to stay remote?

Tina Opie, an expert on authenticity, joins us to share impressions of how notions of professional behavior and dress have changed. She also gives advice for expressing yourself as expectations of professionalism shift.

Guest expert:  

Tina Opie is a DEI consultant, visiting scholar at Harvard Business School, and management professor at Babson College.

Resources:

• “Lead with Authenticity,” by Women at Work
• “How Much of Your “Authentic Self” Should You Really Bring to Work?” by Susan McPherson
• “Working from Home While Black,” by Laura Morgan Roberts and Courtney L. McCluney
• “How Organizations Are Failing Black Workers — and How to Do Better,” by Adia Harvey Wingfield

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Once you’ve committed to a leadership role — formally and officially or simply in your mind and heart — getting everyone else at work to buy in requires relationship management. How do you successfully shift the role you’re playing on your team? What sorts of conversations help clear the way? Which steps shouldn’t you skip? Is this transformation harder to make over Zoom?

To address these questions, we revisit a 2019 interview with two leadership development experts — essential listening for any woman who’s ready to step up — and share an update on how their advice applies in the context of remote and hybrid work.

Guest experts:

Amy Jen Su and Muriel Maignan Wilkins are the founders of the executive coaching and leadership development firm Paravis Partners. They co-wrote the book Own the Room, and Amy is the author of The Leader You Want to Be. Muriel hosts the HBR Presents podcast Coaching Real Leaders.

Resources:

• “Seeing Ourselves as Leaders,” from Women at Work
• “Anyone Can Learn to Be a Better Leader,” by Monique Valcour
• “How to Develop Your Leadership Style,” by Suzanne J. Peterson, Robin Abramson, and R.K. Stutman
• “Begin with Trust,” by Frances X. Frei and Anne Morriss

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How are women who started a job remotely during the pandemic faring? Have they been receiving the support and making the connections necessary to succeed in their role? What lessons can they pass on to other women who are about to join an entirely remote or hybrid organization?

We highlight findings from our survey of new hires. Then, Emily speaks with management professor Beth Schinoff and HR executive Amelia Ransom about their own experiences starting new jobs — the challenges they faced and how they worked to overcome them. They also share advice on how to approach onboarding, whether you’re starting a new position yourself or supporting a new member of your team.

Guest experts:

Beth Schinoff is a management professor at Boston College.
Amelia Ransom is the vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the software company Smartsheet.

Resources:

• “How Remote Workers Make Work Friends,” by Beth Schinoff et al.
• “Starting a New Job? Take Control of Your Onboarding,” by Susan Peppercorn
• “How to Set Up a Remote Employee for Success on Day One,” by Darleen DeRosa
• “How to Re-Onboard Employees Who Started Remotely,” by Rebecca Zucker
• “How to Succeed Quickly in a New Role,” by Rob Cross et al.

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One 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.

We all go through periods at work when we think, I am done with this job and ready to move on. But are you really ready to leave your team and your company? You owe it to your career and your future self to make that decision carefully.

Amy G talks through essential questions to consider. And if you decide that bowing out is indeed the right move, she gives advice for doing that conscientiously, including how much notice to give.

Then we hear from a listener in New Zealand who recently gave her notice at her public sector job about how she handled her guilt and fear over leaving.

Resources:

• “How to Quit Your Job: An HBR Guide,” by Amy Gallo
• “5 Reasons Not to Quit Your Job (Yet),” by Amii Barnard-Bahn
• “Christine vs. Work: How to Quit Your Job with No Regrets,” by Christine Liu
• “How Much Time Can I Take Off Between Jobs?” By Rebecca Zucker

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If you’ve invested in someone you manage, it’s natural to feel hurt when that person tells you they’re leaving. Yet the classic management advice is: Don’t take it personally. Be professional. Acknowledging your feelings and working through them — for yourself and with your team — is actually part of being an emotionally intelligent, compassionate leader.

Five managers, including Amy B, share their experiences of losing team members and how they’ve learned to cope with the shock, sadness, and stress.

Guests: 

Nicole Smith is HBR’s editorial audience director.

Maureen Hoch is the editor of HBR.org and the supervising editor of Women at Work.

Resources:

• “Your Star Employee Just Quit. Will Others Follow?” by Art Markman
• “Never Say Goodbye to a Great Employee,” by Tammy Erickson
• “How to Lose Your Best Employees,” by Whitney Johnson
• “When an Employee Quits and You Didn’t See It Coming,” by Rebecca Knight
• “With So Many People Quitting, Don’t Overlook Those Who Stay,” by Debbie Cohen and Kate Roeske-Zummer

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In leading their teams and organizations through a crisis, women have repeatedly stepped up to the plate. How have they done it? By flexing the leadership capabilities that set them apart, such as taking initiative and communicating powerfully.

We asked our listeners to tell us about bosses whose management approach they admire and whose values and skills have had a positive impact on them personally. Here we’re celebrating and learning from four of these women: the managing partner at a law firm, the chief technology officer at a community college, the head of HR at an employee recognition company, and the CEO of a bank. Then, leadership coach Muriel Wilkins shares advice on how to take care of yourself while taking care of the people you manage.

Guest expert:

Muriel Wilkins is the co-founder of the executive coaching and leadership development firm Paravis Partners. She hosts the HBR Presents podcast Coaching Real Leaders. 

Resources:

• “Research: Women Score Higher Than Men in Most Leadership Skills,” by Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman
• “Research: Women Are Better Leaders During a Crisis,” by Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman
• “Research: Women Took on Even More Invisible Work During the Pandemic,” by Marianne Cooper

It’s one thing to know you want to upgrade your work life. It’s another to take the steps necessary to establish a new routine and career outlook. There are three phases to any major life change, according to management research findings: separation, experimentation, and reintegration.

Making a change is possible, manageable, and worth the effort. As proof, two women who are well into the process reflect on the steps they took to come as far as they have, as well as the payoff they’ve seen in their lives.

Guests: 

Shilpa Bhandarkar is the CEO of the tech venture arm of a law firm.

Bridget O’Brien is a marketing director within a large health system.

Resources:

• “The 3 Phases of Making a Major Life Change,” by Herminia Ibarra
• “How Dual-Career Couples Can Work Through the Coronavirus Crisis,” by Jennifer Petriglieri
• “How Dual-Career Couples Make It Work,” by Jennifer Petriglieri

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So many of us are either at a turning point professionally or managing life on the threshold. We’re weighing whether or not it’s time to change jobs. Grappling with team members resigning one after another. Trying to settle in and succeed as a new hire. Finding our way as a freelancer.

This next season is about making the most of these transitional and initial stages, leading positive change, and forging ahead in our careers.

Email the show team: [email protected]

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How 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.

Why is it that we often wake up with big plans — and seemingly enough energy to complete the tasks on our to-do list — and go to bed lamenting all the unfinished work?

A social worker joins Emily to pose questions about productivity to Alice Boyes, a former clinical psychologist. Alice shares the planning, creativity, and decision making that her success and satisfaction hinges on — and how she manages to ignore everything else. She highlights mental mistakes that prevent people from accomplishing their most meaningful work, and she gives guidance for overcoming them.

Guests:

Alice Boyes, a former clinical psychologist, is the author of two books on mental health, The Anxiety Toolkit and The Healthy Mind Toolkit. She’s writing her third book about productivity.

Kate Troutman is a social worker.

Resources:

• “5 Mental Mistakes That Kill Your Productivity,” by Alice Boyes
• “Don’t Let Perfection Be the Enemy of Productivity,” by Alice Boyes
• Getting Work Done, by Harvard Business Review
• HBR Guide to Being More Productive, by Harvard Business Review
• HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done, by Harvard Business Review
• Getting It All Done, by Harvard Business Review

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Stress affects everyone, but we all express and experience it differently. Hearing how a nurse practitioner responds to the various stressors of her job reveals how stress works at a fundamental level. Workplace well-being researcher Mandy O’Neill says that we’re more likely to feel stressed when there is an imbalance between the threat we’re facing and the resources we have to prevent damage or danger. When the current threat feels greater than our available resources, we become — understandably — mentally and emotionally strained.

The two of them join Amy B to discuss the constant challenge of managing stress, as well as actions that help control tension and anxiety — or, even better, the stressors themselves.

Guests:

Sarah Rose Lamport is a nurse practitioner.

Olivia (Mandy) O’Neill is an associate professor of management in the George Mason University School of Business and a senior scientist at the university’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being.

Resources:

• HBR Guide to Managing Stress at Work, by Harvard Business Review
• “To Lead Better Under Stress, Understand Your Three Selves,” by Tony Schwartz et al.
• “5 Mistakes We Make When We’re Overwhelmed,” by Alice Boyes
• “Research: Why Breathing Is So Effective at Reducing Stress,” by Emma Seppälä et al.
• “Managing Burnout,” by Women at Work

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This is the first episode in a new series called The Essentials, where we invite women from essential sectors (think health care and education) to join us in interviewing experts on essential career topics (think negotiating and managing stress).
In this episode, we tackle giving feedback — something we know is important 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 critical skill? How can we deliver feedback in a way that motivates a team member rather than demoralizes them? Which pieces of feedback do we prioritize? And how do you make room in your already busy schedule to have these difficult conversations?

Amy G is joined by a school principal from Southern California to interview Therese Huston, a social scientist and feedback expert. They talk about three different types of feedback conversations, how to make time to share feedback with team members, and tips for giving feedback remotely.

Guests:

Jessica Gomez is an elementary school principal in Southern California.

Therese Huston is the author of Let’s Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower and the founding director of Seattle University’s Center for Faculty Development.

Resources:

• “We Deserve Better Than ‘Attagirl’” by Women at Work
• “Research: Men Get More Actionable Feedback Than Women,” by Elena Doldor, et al
• “Giving Critical Feedback Is Even Harder Remotely,” by Therese Huston
• “Everything You Need to Know About Giving Negative Feedback,” by Sarah Green Carmichael
• HBR Guide to Delivering Effective Feedback, by Harvard Business Review

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As 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.

Guests:

Orit Yafeh is a clinical child psychologist.

Ran Nir-Paz is an infectious disease physician.

Resources:

• “What Will Work-Life Balance Look Like After the Pandemic?” by Bobbi Thomason and Heather Williams
• “A Way Forward for Working Parents,” by Daisy Dowling
• “Leading into the Post-Covid Recovery,” by Merete Wedell-Wedellsborg
• “How to Prepare Yourself for a Return to the Office,” by Ron Carucci
• “Resilience Is About How You Recharge, Not How You Endure,” by Shawn Achor and Michelle Gielan

Give feedback on the series: hbr.org/podcastsurvey

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We 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.

Guest:

Elainy Mata is a multimedia producer at HBR.

Resources:

• “A Working Parent’s Survival Guide,” by Daisy Dowling
• “New Mothers, Let’s Talk About Your Professional Identity Crisis,” by Janna Koretz
• “How to Return to Work After Taking Parental Leave,” by Rebecca Knight
• “Managing Parental Leave (Yours or Someone Else’s),” by Women at Work
• “The Upside of Working Motherhood,” by Women at Work
• “What Managers Should Know About Postpartum Depression,” by Julia Beck

Before Kevin had kids, he believed they’d bring him pure joy. So after the birth of his first child, he was blindsided by how little joy he actually felt. The big emotions, which people had gushed to him about, never arrived. Instead, he felt exhausted, overwhelmed, and confused. But, over time, he’s learned that joy — at work and at home — is bite-sized and to be savored.

 

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 how to get into a state of mind where appreciating the everyday joys of working parenthood comes more easily.

Guest:

Amy Jen Su is the co-founder of the executive coaching and leadership development firm Paravis Partners and the author of The Leader You Want to Be.

Resources:

• The Leader You Want to Be: Five Essential Principles for Bringing Out Your Best Self — Every Day, by Amy Jen Su
• “Making Joy a Priority at Work,” by Alex Liu
• “A Simple Way to Increase Your Joy,” by Tony Schwartz
• “How to Refuel When You’re Feeling Emotionally Drained,” by Monique Valcour

Erica 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.

Resources:

• “A Way Forward for Working Parents,” by Daisy Dowling
• “How to Talk to Your Kids About Work During the Pandemic,” by Jacqueline Zeller
• “Navigating Pandemic Fatigue as a Working Parent,” by Stewart D. Friedman and Alyssa F. Westring
• The HBR Working Parents Series Collection, by Harvard Business Review
• Workparent: The Complete Guide to Succeeding on the Job, Staying True to Yourself, and Raising Happy Kids, by Daisy Dowling

By this point in the pandemic, parents are running on fumes. Amy Gallo introduces two HBR editors who want to help lift spirits and keep careers advancing through a four-episode series we’re presenting called Family Management.

Erica Truxler and Kevin Evers will talk openly about moving in with their parents to get help with childcare, hiding from their toddlers during Zoom calls, and feeling like bad parents when they’re overwhelmed with work and their kids are crying for attention. They’ll also interview other parents, parents-to-be, and management experts. In every conversation, they’ll share tips and lessons for strengthening self-compassion and resilience.

Email the series team: [email protected]

Email the Women at Work team: [email protected]

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When we’re trying to make a career move or overcome a professional challenge, certain habits and behaviors of ours can prevent us from growing and succeeding. In Coaching Real Leaders, longtime leadership coach Muriel Wilkins takes you inside real-life coaching sessions with executives who’ve hit a bump in the road on the way to reaching their goals. Listen in, and leave with insights and guidance that’ll help you grow and succeed too.

In this episode, Muriel speaks with Grace, a VP who’s just been passed over for a promotion that would have put her on track to the C-suite. Grace’s out-of-the-box approach to solving business problems has made her successful in her current role. But now, in order to make it to the top, she’ll have to reposition herself.

Coaching Real Leaders is part of HBR Presents, a network of podcasts curated by HBR editors, bringing you the best business ideas from the leading minds in management.

For Harvard Business Review’s full lineup of shows, visit hbr.org/podcasts.

What should I do if I’m left out of important meetings? How do I balance assertiveness and persuasion? Should I talk to my boss about infertility? How do I set myself up now if I want to be CEO someday? We respond to questions from listeners early in their careers who are looking for advice on their workplace quandaries.

Our colleague Paige Cohen joins Amy Bernstein to share her experience and talk through answers to these questions. Paige is a senior editor at Ascend, a new vertical at HBR that helps young professionals find their place in the working world and realize their personal and career goals.

Guests:

Paige Cohen is a senior editor at Ascend, a sub-brand of Harvard Business Review.

Resources:

• “How Women Manage the Gendered Norms of Leadership,” by Wei Zheng, Ronit Kark, and Alyson Meister
• “Too Shy to Be a Leader?” from Women at Work
• “How to Respond When You’re Left Out of Important Meetings,” by Melissa Raffoni
• “Employers, It’s Time to Talk About Infertility,” by Serena G. Sohrab and Nada Basir
• “When You Need Time Off for Health Reasons,” from Women at Work
• “Act Like a Leader Before You Are One,” by Amy Gallo
• “Convincing Your Boss to Make You a Manager,” by Anna Ranieri
• Paige’s “My First Day as CEO” TikTok video

We’re delighted to have our colleague Erica back at work. She had her second kid in June and was on parental leave until December. She and her husband recently relocated to her parents’ house to get help caring for their 5-month-old and 3-year-old until a new nanny starts. Erica’s grateful for the support — and acutely aware that this transition is still going to test her stamina.

On Erica’s first day back, she talked to Amy Gallo about how she’d been preparing to return to work and what she hadn’t sorted out yet. Danna Greenberg, who co-wrote the book Maternal Optimism, joined the conversation, helping connect the dots between Erica’s experiences and the impossible situations forcing women out of the workforce during this crisis.

Guests:

Erica Truxler is a senior editor at Harvard Business Review.

Danna Greenberg is a professor of organizational behavior at Babson College and the co-author of the book Maternal Optimism: Forging Positive Paths through Work and Motherhood.

Resources:

• HBR’s Big Idea series “Work, Parenting, and the Pandemic”
• “Anxiety, Depression, and Working Moms in a Pandemic,” by The Anxious Achiever
• “How to Return to Work After Taking Parental Leave,” by Rebecca Knight
• “Ramp Up Your Career After Parental Leave,” by Lisa Quest
• “New Mothers, Let’s Talk About Your Professional Identity Crisis,” by Janna Koretz
• “The Upside of Working Motherhood,” from Women at Work

When an acute or chronic health issue disrupts our work life, how do we let our bosses and coworkers know? How vulnerable should we be? And, as managers, how do we best support an employee who discloses a diagnosis? We talk with two women who’ve had to consider these questions while navigating illnesses, and they share advice on disclosing and discussing health issues with colleagues.

Guests: 

Maureen Hoch is the editor of HBR.org and the supervising editor of Women at Work.

Laurie Edwards is a writer, a writing instructor at Northeastern University, and an advocate for people with chronic illnesses. Her books are Life Disrupted and In the Kingdom of the Sick.

Resources:

• “What to Do When Your Employee Is Diagnosed with Cancer,” by Anne Sugar
• “How to Welcome an Employee Back from Medical Leave,” by Anne Sugar
• “Medical Leaves,” from Dear HBR:
• “8 Ways Managers Can Support Employees’ Mental Health,” by Kelly Greenwood and Natasha Krol
• “Your Employee Tested Positive for Covid-19. What Do You Do?” by Alisa Cohn

This year many companies made public commitments to fight racism in their workplaces. But what progress have these organizations made in the six months since the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless other Black people furthered efforts toward racial justice? And how are these high-level promises and internal actions affecting individual women’s lives and careers?

We hear from four Black women about their goals, their work experiences over the last several months, and their concerns and hopes for the future. Then, we talk with an expert in diversity, inclusion, and belonging about the progress companies are (or aren’t) making, the type of support we can give women of color, and how they’re managing the exhaustion that comes with waiting and advocating for long-overdue change.

Guest:

Stephanie Creary is an identity and diversity scholar at Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Resources:

• “How to Be a Better Ally to Your Black Colleagues,” by Stephanie Creary
• “Is Your Company Actually Fighting Racism, or Just Talking About It?” by Kira Hudson Banks and Richard Harvey
• Race at Work, from HBR Presents
• “Even at ‘Inclusive’ Companies, Women of Color Don’t Feel Supported,” by Beth A. Livingston and Tina R. Opie
• “Women of Color Get Less Support at Work. Here’s How Managers Can Change That.” by Zuhairah Washington and Laura Morgan Roberts
• “Do Your Diversity Efforts Reflect the Experiences of Women of Color?” by Ruchika Tulshyan

Sometimes you want to make a career change. Not the next logical step on your current career path, like a more senior title or taking on more responsibility, but a leap to a new path altogether. Research shows that women are less likely to put themselves out there for opportunities unless they feel completely qualified. We want to tick all the boxes before we raise our hand for that exciting new job or a stretch role in our current company. But why should we limit ourselves?

One woman’s decision to make a bold career move prompts us to explore what it takes to transition into a role that’s really different from what you’re doing now. Then, we talk with an expert about how we can clarify our goals, prepare to make a leap, and articulate our proposal to a boss. She also explains how to respond when we don’t get an immediately enthusiastic response.

Guest:

Hana Ayoub is an executive and career coach.

Resources:

• “Why Women Don’t Apply for Jobs Unless They’re 100% Qualified,” by Tara Sophia Mohr
• “Unpause Yourself,” from Women at Work
• “5 Strategies for Reinventing Your Career in Uncertain Times,” by David Lancefield and Dorie Clark
• “How to Ask for a Promotion,” by Rebecca Knight

Investing time and energy in a hobby, project, or side gig — what a healthy idea! We know that pursuing interests outside of work can help stave off burnout, prompt us to pursue career goals, and guard against the belief that our value lies solely in our full-time jobs. In practice though, these projects often leave us feeling guilty instead of fulfilled, especially when they gather dust.

In this episode, Emily faces up to her neglected personal projects and makes progress, with the help of Brianna Caza, a professor who studies people who pursue work outside of their full-time jobs. She provides useful advice on finding enough time, energy, and support to spend your life the way you want to.

Guest:

Brianna Caza is a management professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Resources:

• “How to Make Room in Your Work Life for the Rest of Your Self,” by Brianna Barker Caza et al.
• “The Strategic Side Gig,” by Ken Banta and Orlan Boston
• “Make Your Side Hustle Work,” by Jennifer Nahrgang et al.
• “How to Figure Out What Your Side Hustle Should Be,” by Dorie Clark

Are you exhausted? We are. Between the long hours working from home during a pandemic, the mental load of worrying about the outcome of the election, and the lack of sleep that all of this has brought on, it’s no wonder that we’re tired and stressed.

Emotional exhaustion, as workplace well-being expert Mandy O’Neil explains, is one sign of burnout. She shares antidotes and ways to protect ourselves from experiencing it in the first place. Not having enough time for the people and things you care about can cause burnout. Happiness researcher Ashley Whillans gives us advice on how to find and protect that time.

Resources:

• “Managing Burnout,” from Women at Work
• “5 Steps for Women to Combat Burnout,” by Ellen Keithline Byrne
• “How We Take Care of Ourselves,” from Women at Work
• “How to Help Your Team with Burnout When You’re Burned Out Yourself,” by Rebecca Knight
• “Time for Happiness,” by Ashley Whillans

The pandemic has taken jobs, gigs, customers, and contracts from countless women. And many still aren’t sure when their industries will reopen or when clients will be ready to hire them again.

Three women — a massage therapist, an opera singer, and a small business owner — who lost work in March open up about how they’ve been coping with the changes to their employment and finding a way forward.

Resources:

 

• “When Losing Your Job Feels Like Losing Your Self,” by Aliya Hamid Rao
• “How Unemployment Affects Twentysomethings’ Self-Worth,” by Jeylan Mortimer et al.
• “Making Sense of the Future After Losing a Job You Love,” by Sally Maitlis

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If working from home intensified the invisible labor women do and put even more pressure on us professionally and personally, what should we expect from life split between home and office? And without much of the interaction and amenities that being in an office used to offer us, is going in worth the trouble of wearing a mask all day, navigating the new rules, and taking the potential health risk? And what about those of us who can’t go back?

Women who’ve returned to their workplaces describe what it’s like to be back. Emily and Amy B report from their first day at the HBR office in Boston. Then Amy G talks with a colleague about why they’ll continue to work remotely and how people on their hybrid teams can include them even though they’re not physically present.

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Resources:

• “Help Your Employees Manage Their Reentry Anxiety,” by Sarah Clayton and Anthea Hoyle
• “Feeling Uncomfortable with Reentry? You’re on the Right Track.” by Dr. Julia DiGangi
• “How to Manage a Hybrid Team,” by Rebecca Knight

We all have preconceived notions about which personality types are fit to be in positions of power. And as a result, a lot of incompetent men become leaders because of the confidence they give off. But being self-assured doesn’t make you good at the job. Imagine if there were more reserved but truly competent women in leadership? So what if your boss blushes easily, as long as she’s emotionally intelligent and inspires her team?

One woman’s struggle with shyness prompts us to explore the seeming conflict between being shy and being a leader. With the help of an expert, we examine the professional advantages of certain personality traits related to shyness — like sensitivity and thoughtfulness — and discuss strategies to overcome the aspects of them that may hold you back at work.

Guest:

Alice Boyes is a former clinical psychologist turned writer and is author of The Healthy Mind Toolkit and The Anxiety Toolkit.

Resources:

• “How to Overcome Your Fear of Making Mistakes,” by Alice Boyes
• “How to Support a Colleague Dealing with Social Anxiety,” by Janhavi Devdutt and Dr. Seema Mehrotra
• “How to Support an Employee with Social Anxiety,” by Ellen Hendriksen
• “Social Anxiety and Success,” from The Anxious Achiever podcast

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Many months into the pandemic, we examine the effects working from home is having on the ways housework and childcare get done there. Forced togetherness and relentless negotiations for space and time are creating a more even division of labor within some families, which may lead to career gains for mothers.

Harvard Business School professor Kathleen McGinn highlights findings from her ongoing research on how working parents are reconsidering and shifting their roles and responsibilities. Then, we discuss how women are navigating those negotiations and pushing for a more equitable future with two working mothers with young children at home: HBR.org editor Maureen Hoch and Katherine Goldstein, host of the podcast The Double Shift.

Our HBR reading list:

• “Why WFH Isn’t Necessarily Good for Women,” by Herminia Ibarra et al.
• “Don’t Let the Pandemic Set Back Gender Equality,” by Deepa Mahajan et al.
• “Gender Equity Starts in the Home,” by David G. Smith and W. Brad Johnson
• “How to Let Go of Working-Mom Guilt,” by Sheryl G. Ziegler

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We’re going to need all the help we can get to make it through this pandemic. But asking for help isn’t easy, especially when everyone around you is also maxed out. We assume that our request will be an imposition, or we worry that it’ll make us look like we can’t handle our jobs. Fortunately, the research shows that these fears are largely unfounded.

Social psychologist Heidi Grant says asking for the help you need can convey confidence and strengthen your relationships with colleagues. She explains how to ask in a way that will improve your chances of getting a “yes,” and why lending a hand to others is good for you too.

Our HBR reading list:

• “Drowning in Work? Here’s How to Ask a Colleague for Help.” by Heidi Grant
• “How to Get the Help You Need,” by Heidi Grant
• “The Best Leaders Aren’t Afraid to Ask for Help,” by Peter Bregman
• “5 Ways to Get Better at Asking for Help,” by Wayne Baker

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Women 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!

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Starting out your career is a formative, fragile time — in the best of circumstances. It’s even more challenging during the intersecting crises we’re living through. Many young women are navigating work relationships and cultures without strong networks, sponsors, and other kinds of support that take time to build. So we’ve pulled together perspectives and practical advice for women who are new to the workforce or entering it now.

First, two women early in their careers tell us how they’re learning to rely on their peers for professional development while working from home. Then Hana Ayoub, a career coach, suggests practices for orienting yourself in an unfamiliar workplace and making the most of less than optimal circumstances. And finally the Amys chat with a graduate student doing an internship at HBR about what’s helped her feel heard at work and optimistic about the future.

More support, from our archive:

• “Networking Doesn’t Have to Be a Drag”
• “Sponsorship: Defining the Relationship”
• “We Deserve Better Than ‘Attagirl’”
• “Let’s Do Less Dead-End Work”

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

The pandemic and its economic fallout have caused many of us to feel like we’ve lost control over our professional lives. But there are steps you can take to get where you want to be, whether that’s restarting a career move, protecting a job you love, or finding a new one.

Kathleen McGinn, a professor whose specialty is career mobility, reflects on what moving ahead means these days and gives advice on when and how we should be pushing ourselves to advance. Then Daisy Wademan Dowling, an organizational consultant and executive coach, shares tips for protecting your job in a recession.

Our HBR reading list:

• “How to Sell Yourself When Your Job’s at Risk,” by Daisy Wademan Dowling
• “Managers, Encourage Your Team to Take Time Off,” by Sabina Nawaz
• “Coronavirus Career Limbo,” from Dear HBR:
• “Reinventing Your Career in the Time of Coronavirus,” by Herminia Ibarra
• “How Will You Measure Your Life?” by Clayton M. Christensen

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Work is among the many places where white people have long been indifferent to the hardships black colleagues face. One way white women can advance racial justice is by building trusting relationships with black women. This week, we’re revisiting two episodes from Season 2 that explore women’s solidarity at work: “Sisterhood Is Scarce” and “Sisterhood Is Power.”

We talk with professors Ella Bell Smith and Stella Nkomo about how race, gender, and class play into the different professional experiences and relationships white women and black women have. They explain how those differences can drive women apart, drawing from the research and stories in their book, Our Separate Ways.

Then we talk with professors Tina Opie and Verónica Rabelo about the power of workplace sisterhood. We discuss steps, as well as common snags, to forming deep and lasting connections with our female colleagues.

Our HBR reading list:

• Our Separate Ways: Black and White Women and the Struggle for Professional Identity, by Ella L.J.E. Bell and Stella M. Nkomo
• “Even at ‘Inclusive’ Companies, Women of Color Don’t Feel Supported,” by Beth A. Livingston and Tina R. Opie
• “Getting Over Your Fear of Talking About Diversity,” by Daisy Auger-Dominguez
• “How Black Women Describe Navigating Race and Gender in the Workplace,” by Maura Cheeks
• “Toward a Racially Just Workplace,” by Laura Morgan Roberts and Anthony J. Mayo
• “S. Businesses Must Take Meaningful Action Against Racism,” by Laura Morgan Roberts and Ella F. Washington

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Gender equity at work won’t happen without men. But what exactly should men be doing? How should they support the women they work with? And in what ways can women shape those efforts so that they actually help us?

We speak with three experts on diversity and inclusion about how men can become effective allies. Brad Johnson and David Smith share best practices for men trying to build stronger relationships with women, and Lily Zheng joins us to talk about allyship on a systemic level.

Our HBR reading list:

• “How Men Can Become Better Allies to Women,” by W. Brad Johnson and David G. Smith
• “Social Distancing Doesn’t Have to Disrupt Mentorship,” by W. Brad Johnson and David G. Smith
• “Adapt Your D&I Efforts to the Reality of the Crisis,” by Lily Zheng
• “How to Show White Men That Diversity and Inclusion Efforts Need Them,” by Lily Zheng
• “Why Sexual Harassment Programs Backfire,” by Frank Dobbin and Alexandra Kalev

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

In most workplaces, menopause is a taboo topic. Every woman’s transition is different, but it’s a shared experience worth talking about. But how do you tell your boss that your mood swings and brain fog are related to perimenopause? What do you say to colleagues when you break into a sweat—or tears—during a meeting? These and other menopause symptoms can cause many women to feel less confident and competent, but being able to talk about your symptoms with colleagues and asking for the support you need can ease that anxiety.

Dr. Heather Hirsch describes common concerns she hears from women she treats at the menopause clinic she leads. Then Jeneva Patterson makes the case for discussing menopause more openly among colleagues. Finally, Tina Opie joins the Amys to share their experiences with managing symptoms at work.

Our HBR reading list:

• “It’s Time to Start Talking About Menopause at Work,” by Jeneva Patterson
• “Is Menopause a Taboo in Your Organization?” by Megan Reitz et al.
• “Aging Up, Not Out,” by Women at Work

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

With half my department furloughed, how can I keep from burning out and losing ground in my career? How can I best lead a large team that’s half remote? We respond to these questions and others from listeners looking for advice on their common workplace quandaries. These are problems and solutions we can all learn from.

Our HBR reading list:

• “How Working Parents Can Support One Another,” by Stewart D. Friedman and Alyssa F. Westring
• “Global Teams That Work,” by Tsedal Neeley
• “If There’s Only One Woman in Your Candidate Pool, There’s Statistically No Chance She’ll Be Hired,” by Stefanie K. Johnson et al.
• “Women and Minorities Are Penalized for Promoting Diversity,” by Stefanie K. Johnson and David R. Hekman
• “Ideal Worker or Perfect Mom?” by Alison Beard
• “The Pandemic Has Exposed the Fallacy of the ‘Ideal Worker,’” by Joan C. Williams

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

The coronavirus crisis immediately disrupted day-to-day work. And it’s increasingly disrupting women’s careers, with layoffs, hiring freezes, and promotions on hold, as well as entrepreneurial endeavors possibly lost forever. These setbacks raise a lot of questions: Why was I in the first round of layoffs? How realistic are my aspirations now? What conversations should I be having to help myself recover and set myself up for the future? 

We hear from two women whose professional advancement has been interrupted by the crisis. Then sociologist Alexandra Kalev explains why organizations tend to lay off more women than men and what managers can do to avoid disproportionately damaging women’s careers. Finally, Daisy Auger-Domínguez, an HR executive and expert on inclusive leadership, gives advice on confronting and recovering from a setback.

Our HBR reading list:

• “Research: U.S. Unemployment Rising Faster for Women and People of Color,” by Alexandra Kalev
• “Why the Crisis Is Putting Companies at Risk of Losing Female Talent,” by Colleen Ammerman and Boris Groysberg
• “When Losing Your Job Feels Like Losing Your Self,” by Aliya Hamid Rao

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Healthcare workers are overwhelmingly women, but few are in positions of leadership. We hear from Sheila Davis, who became a nurse in the 1980s and is now CEO of Partners In Health.

She talks about decision making and leading a team through the coronavirus crisis, as well as what she and her organization are doing to help fix the gender imbalance in healthcare leadership.

Our HBR reading list:

• “How Women Manage the Gendered Norms of Leadership,” by Wei Zheng et al.
• “Fixing the Gender Imbalance in Health Care Leadership,” by Lisa S. Rotenstein, MD
• “7 Leadership Lessons Men Can Learn from Women,” by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic and Cindy Gallop
• “How to Talk to Your Team When the Future Is Uncertain,” by Rebecca Knight

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Many women feel pressure to hide their feelings in order to be seen as professional. But now, in the midst of this crisis, it may not be feasible — or even preferable — to force ourselves to keep it together or to expect other people to do so. What’s the right level of emotional disclosure these days, and what’s the next best step to take when emotions spill over?

We speak with organizational consultants Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy about the good that can come from being vulnerable with colleagues. Then Maureen Hoch, the editor of HBR.org, joins us to talk about the emotional labor it takes to control our feelings and how that comes with the territory of being the boss.

Our HBR reading list:

• “How Leaders Can Open Up to Their Teams Without Oversharing,” by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy
• “Anxiety Is Contagious. Here’s How to Contain It.” by Judson Brewer
• “Handling Negative Emotions in a Way That’s Good for Your Team,” by Emma Seppälä and Christina Bradley
• “How to Control Your Emotions During a Difficult Conversation,” by Amy Gallo
• “New Managers Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Express Their Emotions,” by Kristi Hedges

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

A lot has changed in the past few weeks. The coronavirus crisis has affected everything from our well-being to our ability to do our jobs. But are there things about how we are working and living now — in the midst of a pandemic — that will benefit women in the future? Are there opportunities to redefine how women navigate their work and home lives and rewrite what it means to be a woman in the workplace? Is it possible that the recent shift toward more authenticity in professional settings will decrease the pressure we feel to be perfect?

Behavioral scientist Ashley Whillans tells us about the initial findings from her interviews with women about how they’re getting by. She shares strategies for setting healthy boundaries around work and suggests conversations women can have about resetting expectations and boundaries that will help them not just in this moment but also months and years down the road.

Our HBR reading list:

• “Give Yourself a Break: The Power of Self-Compassion,” by Serena Chen
• “Is It Even Possible to Focus on Anything Right Now?,” by Maura Thomas
• “How We Take Care of Ourselves,” from Season 4 of Women at Work

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

This pandemic is affecting men and women differently. Women are bearing an even greater burden at home, in their communities, and at work—and many aren’t sure how to cope with the increased emotional and logistical load.

We hear from women around the world about how the coronavirus crisis has intensified the invisible labor they do and put even more pressure on them professionally and personally. Aliya Hamid Rao then shares her macro-level insights based on her research about economic crises and the impact on women’s careers. Finally, Ruchika Tulshyan joins us to discuss how we’ve been coping and to give advice for handling all of this extra stress.

Our HBR reading list:

• “How to Be an Inclusive Leader Through a Crisis,” by Ruchika Tulshyan
• “How Dual-Career Couples Can Work Through the Coronavirus Crisis,” by Jennifer Petriglieri
• “3 Tips to Avoid WFH Burnout,” by Laura M. Giurge and Vanessa K. Bohns
• “The Contagion We Can Control,” by Sigal Barsade
• “15 Questions About Remote Work, Answered,” by Tsedal Neeley

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Women 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.

Our dear co-host is leaving the show.

The shift from being part of a team to leading one isn’t like flipping a switch; it’s a process, and often an awkward one. Not only do you have to convince other people that you can and should lead, but sometimes you have to convince yourself. That’s not always easy for women, given that leadership has long been defined by how men act. Finding a style that’s authentic and resonates with others requires reflection and patience.

We talk to two leadership coaches about what distinguishes a leader, how to know if you’re ready to be one, and how to best make the transition. Then our hosts discuss their own leadership journeys, and the Amys share tips with Nicole that they’ve learned along the way.

Our HBR reading list:

• “Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?” by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic
• “How Women Manage the Gendered Norms of Leadership,” by Wei Zheng et al.
• “To Be Authentic, Look Beyond Yourself,” by Amy Jen Su and Muriel Maignan Wilkins
• “Ego Is the Enemy of Good Leadership,” by Rasmus Hougaard and Jacqueline Carter
• “Improve Your Leadership Presence,” HBR Video with Muriel Maignan Wilkins

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Being treated like an outsider. Feeling like you have to prove yourself. Struggling to make your voice heard. Whether it’s overt discrimination or more subtle forms of bias, male-dominated industries like engineering can pose challenges for women. Research shows that even well-meaning mentors direct female engineers into less technical, less valued roles. It’s no wonder so many women end up leaving the industry.

We talk to a professor and two students at Olin College of Engineering about their experiences working among mostly men, what it means to “play nice,” and how male colleagues can help (listen!). Then we talk to an expert about how to evaluate a company’s gender culture before you accept a job and how to stay true to your career goals when other people think they know what’s best for you.

Our HBR reading list:

• “The Subtle Stressors Making Women Want to Leave Engineering,” by M. Teresa Cardador and Brianna Barker Caza
• “The Problem of Visibility for Women in Engineering, and How They Manage It,” by Dulini Fernando et al.
• “How the Imagined ‘Rationality’ of Engineering Is Hurting Diversity — and Engineering,” by Joan C. Williams and Marina Multhaup
• “Why Do So Many Women Who Study Engineering Leave the Field?” by Susan S. Silbey
• “What Managers Can Do to Keep Women in Engineering,” by Dulini Fernando et al.

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Starting sometime around our mid-50s, work presents us with a new set of biases. Coworkers assume that older people are tired and uninterested in professional development. Eventually they start asking when you’re going to retire. But experience and maturity can give women an advantage in the workplace.

Amy B. and Amy G. interview aging expert Nancy Morrow-Howell about putting in the effort to stay current, how to assert yourself when you feel overlooked, and what to say when people ask that annoying retirement question. Then, HBR.org editor Maureen Hoch joins the Amys to talk about what growing older has been like for them. They also give advice on leaving a secure job for new opportunities and managing the combined stress of parenting, a demanding career, and menopause.

Our HBR reading list:

• “When No One Retires,” by Paul Irving
• “The Case for Hiring Older Workers,” by Josh Bersin and Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic
• “Four Ways to Adapt to an Aging Workforce,” by Michael North and Hal Hershfield
• “Generational Differences At Work Are Small. Thinking They’re Big Affects Our Behavior,” by Eden King et al.

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

We all face conflict at work. Maybe it’s a boss who took all the credit for your project or a colleague who keeps going over your head to get more resources. In these situations, some of us shy away from having a disagreement, and some of us dig right into the difficult conversation. Whatever your natural tendency is, dealing with conflict is a crucial skill to succeed at work. It can lead to higher job satisfaction, stronger relationships with colleagues, and innovation.

In this live show we explore how conflict shows up at work and what to do when it does: how to assess the situation, prepare for and have a productive conversation, and get to a resolution. Our guest, an expert on leadership and innovation, shares insights from her experiences; and we take audience questions about when it’s OK to agree to disagree, how to handle conflict when you or your colleague work remotely, and other scenarios.

Our HBR reading list:

• The HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, by Amy Gallo
• “Calming Your Brain During Conflict,” by Diane Musho Hamilton
• “Why We Should Be Disagreeing More at Work,” by Amy Gallo
• “Get Over Your Fear of Conflict,” by Amy Jen Su
• “Resolve a Fight with a Remote Colleague,” by Amy Gallo

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

There are a lot of reasons working part time might make sense: among them, you have more hours in the week to take care of kids or parents, take on freelance work, go back to school. But working part time can stall career advancement, and oftentimes women end up doing a full-time job for half the pay while taking on more responsibilities at home.

We speak with Linda Duxbury about the problems she’s seen some professional women run into when they work part time. She suggests factors to consider before reducing your hours and conversations that can smooth the transition. We also talk to an incredibly organized consultant and mother of three whose part-time schedule hasn’t kept her from getting promoted.

Our HBR reading list:

• “Five Strategies of Successful Part-Time Work,” by Vivien Corwin, Thomas B. Lawrence, and Peter J. Frost
• “The Problem with Part-Time Work Is That It’s Rarely Part-Time,” by Laura Vanderkam
• “The Case of the Part-Time Partner,” by Gary W. Loveman
• “What Happens When All Employees Work When They Feel Like It,” by Freek Vermeulen

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Despite what we see on Instagram, self-care isn’t just about face masks and massages (although those are nice). It’s about spending your time, including your workday, in ways that prioritize the things and people you care about. Studies show that this kind of self-care makes us happier and more focused in our jobs.

But it can be a challenge to take care of ourselves when we’re on deadline, traveling too much, or reporting to a boss who emails at all hours. We speak with researcher Ashley Whillans about how managers can model healthy habits and how employees can make time to practice them. Ashley shares a personal experience about what happens when we don’t prioritize self-care, while Amy G. gets a firsthand lesson in an airport.

Our HBR reading list:

• “Time for Happiness,” by Ashley Whillans
• “6 Ways to Weave Self-Care into Your Workday,” by Amy Jen Su
• “Use Your Money to Buy Happier Time,” HBR IdeaCast interview with Ashley Whillans
• “What One Company Learned from Forcing Employees to Use Their Vacation Time,” by Neil Pasricha and Shashank Nigam
• “How Self-Care Became So Much Work,” by Charlotte Lieberman

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., where the culture tells people who suffer from anxiety and depression that they can’t succeed. But Morra Aarons-Mele, host of The Anxious Achiever podcast, is trying to reframe the way people think about and deal with mental health at work. She’s doing that through candid and oftentimes emotional interviews with leaders and experts.

In this preview of an upcoming episode, Morra gets advice from former clinical psychologist Alice Boyes about how to handle unexpected feedback at work.

The Anxious Achiever is part of HBR Presents, a new network of business podcasts curated by HBR editors. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Say you get along especially well with a colleague. You find yourself hanging out at each other’s desks, texting instead of emailing, meeting up for lunch over the weekend—you’re friends. That’s all well and good…until work puts your friendship to the test. Maybe you disagree over how to approach a project (and hesitate to tell her), or you want to offer her an assignment (but worry how that would come off to others), or she scores a promotion (that you wanted).

We talk through some of the conflicts that frequently come up between friends at work with two researchers who’ve studied these relationships. They give advice on how to respectfully set boundaries and face stressful moments. We also hear from two women who became friends at work and have stayed friends long after they stopped being coworkers.

Our HBR reading list:

• • “What to Do When a Work Friendship Becomes Emotionally Draining,” by Amy Gallo
  • “Why Work Friendships Go Awry, and How to Prevent It,” by Art Markman
  • “Having Work Friends Can Be Tricky, but It’s Worth It,” by Emma Seppälä and Marissa King
  • “Work Friends Make Us More Productive (Except When They Stress Us Out),” by David Burkus

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  Join us for a live episode taping in Boston on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The event is free, but you need to register to get in.

  Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Having a sponsor — someone who can use their influence to push your career forward — is invaluable. But how exactly they do this, and what your role is in making it happen, isn’t always clear-cut. Who should we be seeking to sponsor us? Should sponsors be candid with their proteges about what they’re doing on their behalf?

We pose these questions and others to Rosalind Chow, a researcher who studies sponsorship. She clarifies some of the ambiguity and talks about what should be transparent and what should stay unspoken. Then we hear how one of these relationships works between two lawyers, as well as between Nicole and Amy B.

Our HBR reading list:

• “Sponsors Need to Stop Acting Like Mentors,” by Julia Taylor Kennedy and Pooja Jain-Link
• “A Lack of Sponsorship Is Keeping Women from Advancing into Leadership,” by Herminia Ibarra
• “What Men Can Do to Be Better Mentors and Sponsors to Women,” by Rania H. Anderson and David G. Smith
• “Want to Be a Better Manager? Get a Protégé,” by Sylvia Ann Hewlett

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Join us for a live episode taping in Boston on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The event is free, but you need to register to get in.

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

If you hate networking events, it may be comforting to hear that experts don’t think they’re a great way to build strong relationships anyway. There are more natural, less transactional ways to connect with people, especially inside your company. Getting to know colleagues in different units and at different levels gives us perspective on our work and helps us get more done across the organization.

We talk with Inga Carboni about the characteristics of a strong network, common challenges for women building theirs, and how the senior-level women she studied managed those challenges. Next, we tell you how we cope when we find ourselves at a networking event and suggest some ways to start a conversation — or get out of one.

Our HBR reading list:

• “Learn to Love Networking,” by Tiziana Casciaro et al.
• “5 Misconceptions About Networking,” by Herminia Ibarra
• “When You Agree to a Networking Meeting But Don’t Know What You’re Going to Talk About,” by Dorie Clark
• “How to Get the Most Out of a Conference,” by Rebecca Knight

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Join us for a live episode in Boston on Tuesday, Nov. 12. The event is free, but you need to register to get in.

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

One of the primary reasons we work is to earn money, but many of us feel uncomfortable telling others how much we make. This fear may be working against women, because research has shown that salary transparency can help narrow the gender pay gap.

With the help of experts, we explore the complexities of talking about our salaries. First, an economist walks through the pros and cons of disclosing your pay. Then, the host of a personal finance podcast explains why she encourages people to speak openly about salaries. Finally, an HR executive gives advice on how to deal with the gut punch of learning that a peer makes more than you do.

Our HBR reading list:

• “The Motivating (and Demotivating) Effects of Learning Others’ Salaries,” by Zoë B. Cullen and Ricardo Perez-Truglia
• “Research: Gender Pay Gaps Shrink When Companies Are Required to Disclose Them,” by Morten Bennedsen et al.
• “Your Coworkers Should Know Your Salary,” HBR IdeaCast interview with David Burkus
• “Why Companies’ Attempts to Close the Gender Pay Gap Often Fail,” by David Anderson et al.
• “Closing the Gender Wealth Gap,” by Nicole Torres

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Women at Work is back Oct. 14 with stories, conversations, and practical advice about being a woman in the workplace. Expect to hear from us every Monday for the next couple of months.

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Emotional vulnerability makes high-quality relationships at work possible. When we’ve built trust and understanding with colleagues, we’re more likely to be productive and engaged. But research suggests not all women feel that they can be vulnerable enough to develop these relationships.

This episode continues our exploration of how women approach sisterhood at the office (see “Sisterhood Is Scarce” and “Sisterhood Is Power” from season two for previous discussions). We talk with Beth Livingston and Tina Opie about takeaways from their recent study of workplace relationships.

Our HBR reading list:

• “Survey: Tell Us About Your Workplace Relationships,” by Tina R. Opie and Beth A. Livingston
• “Our Biases Undermine Our Colleagues’ Attempts to Be Authentic,” by Tina R. Opie and R. Edward Freeman
• “Don’t Underestimate the Power of Women Supporting Each Other at Work,” by Anne Welsh McNulty

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Since #MeToo became a household term, a lot of people have been trying to make work a safer place for everyone. But organizational change is slow, and it’s not always easy for individual employees to respond to and prevent sexual harassment.

Marianne Cooper shares some findings from LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company’s “Women in the Workplace 2018” report. Then, we talk with Sarah Beaulieu about how to deal with inappropriate behavior in the office.

Our HBR reading list:

• “It’s Not Always Clear What Constitutes Sexual Harassment. Use This Tool to Navigate the Gray Areas,” by Kathleen Kelley Reardon
• “Study: When Leaders Take Sexual Harassment Seriously, So Do Employees,” by Chloe Hart, Alison Dahl Crossley, and Shelley Correll
• “Why Sexual Harassment Persists and What Organizations Can Do to Stop It,” by Colleen Ammerman and Boris Groysberg
• “How to Talk About Sexual Harassment with Your Coworkers,” by Amy Gallo

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network

Caring for sick or elderly family members is still mostly women’s work, according to research. The emotional labor and unpredictability of this work takes a heavy toll on caregivers; it impacts our wellbeing, finances, and careers. And while companies have gotten better about acknowledging and accommodating childcare, many could offer more support and flexibility to their employees taking care of adults.

We talk with Anne Bardoel about what the research says about women and eldercare. She’s been through it herself, and she offers strategies to cope with the negative effects like exhaustion, isolation, and depression. She also gives advice to employees and managers on how to start conversations about caregiving commitments. Then, we hear from a woman who was thrust into caring for her parents and in-laws a lot sooner than she expected.

Our HBR reading list:

“No One Should Have to Choose Between Caregiving and Work,” by Jody Gastfriend

“Caring for Your Company’s Caregivers,” by Sarita Gupta and Ai-jen Poo

“Making Caregiving Compatible with Work,” by Nanette Fondas

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Research shows that people who don’t conform to the gender binary are often mistreated by their colleagues, their managers, or HR. Some get fired, demoted, or shut out of the labor market altogether. If fewer people thought gender was restricted to “man” and “woman,” there’d be less discrimination, and we could all express ourselves however we want to.

Lily Zheng talks about what she’s learned from studying the workplace experiences of people who identify as trans, nonbinary, genderfluid, butch, or gender-diverse in some other way. She also points out how the gender binary can restrict cis people. Then she gives advice to managers and peers on how to be respectful and supportive of gender-diverse colleagues.

Our HBR reading list:

• Gender Ambiguity in the Workplace: Transgender and Gender-Diverse Discrimination, by Alison Ash Fogarty and Lily Zheng
• “Managing Your Professional Identity During a Gender Change,” by Dorie Clark
• “Research: Why Employer Support Is So Important for Transgender Employees,” by Christian Thoroughgood and Katina Sawyer
• “What to Do When Your Colleague Comes Out as Transgender,” by Dorie Clark
• “How Men Get Penalized for Straying from Masculine Norms,” by David M. Mayer

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Why is it that competing with a man to get a promotion, lead a project, or influence a decision can feel so satisfying, while competing with a woman can feel so uncomfortable? And why is normal, healthy conflict between women often seen as a catfight?

First up, a listener revisits an experience from early in her career when she felt pitted against the only other woman on her team, who she had hoped would be a mentor, not a rival. Then, Leah Sheppard draws on her research to explain how stereotyping and gender inequity can shape the way women think about and approach competition at work.

Our HBR reading list:

HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, by Amy Gallo

“Women Experience More Incivility at Work — Especially from Other Women,” by Allison S. Gabriel, Marcus M. Butts, and Michael T. Sliter

“The Pros and Cons of Competition Among Employees,” by Anna Steinhage, Dan Cable, and Duncan Wardley

“How Masculinity Contests Undermine Organizations, and What to Do About It,” by Jennifer L. Berdahl, Peter Glick, and Marianne Cooper

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Lots of us have heard the advice that we should stop apologizing so much, especially at work. But do women really say “sorry” too often? And will it actually help our careers if we stop? We turn to two experts for insight.

Karina Schumann, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, summarizes the findings from her study “Why Women Apologize More Than Men.” Then we talk with Sally Helgesen, an executive coach and a coauthor of the book How Women Rise. She explains that saying “sorry” is only one form of the minimizing language women use at the office and shares advice on how to break the habit.

Our HBR reading list:

“Why Women Apologize More Than Men: Gender Differences in Thresholds for Perceiving Offensive Behavior,” by Karina Schumann and Michael Rosee

“The Power of Talk: Who Gets Heard and Why,” by Deborah Tannen

How Women Rise: Break the 12 Habits Holding You Back from Your Next Raise, Promotion, or Job, by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

If you aren’t married and don’t have kids, people at work might assume a lot of things: that you can stay late at the office, that you can’t possibly understand their stories about parenthood, that you just haven’t found the right partner (ugh). But those assumptions are often false. Single childless women have busy lives, close relationships with children like nieces or nephews — and many don’t want coupledom or motherhood.

We talk to two women who’ve been researching and writing about being a single childless professional. The writer Shani Silver shares her experience with the career pros and cons, and then Tracy Dumas, a professor at Ohio State University, gives research-backed advice for responding to bias and unrealistic expectations.

Our HBR reading list:

• “The Average Mid-Forties Male College Graduate Earns 55% More Than His Female Counterparts,” by Erling Barth, Claudia Goldin, Sari Pekkala Kerr, and Claudia Olivetti
• “How Managers Can Be Fair About Flexibility for Parents and Non-Parents Alike,” by Joan C. Williams and Marina Multhaup
• “The Ambition-Marriage Trade-Off Too Many Single Women Face,” by Leonardo Bursztyn, Thomas Fujiwara, and Amanda Pallais

You’ve heard the story: Motherhood and work are at odds, and women who pursue both have to make endless trade-offs and compromises. And yet, lots of women go for it, with great results for themselves, their families, and their careers. In fact, research suggests that parenting can enrich our careers, and vice versa.

Professors Danna Greenberg and Jamie Ladge talk about the benefits of being a working mom. They share advice around setting expectations, finding child care, asking for help, and advocating for ourselves as kids get older. Then, our fellow HBR editor Erica Truxler checks in with a listener about returning to work after parental leave.

Our HBR reading list:

• Maternal Optimism: Forging Positive Paths through Work and Motherhood, by Jamie Ladge and Danna Greenberg
• “How Working Parents Can Manage the Demands of School-Age Kids,” by Daisy Wademan Dowling
• “How to Launch a Working Parents’ Support Group in Your Organization,” by Daisy Wademan Dowling
• “4 Conversations Every Overwhelmed Working Parent Should Have,” by Joseph Grenny and Brittney Maxfield

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

There are lots of ways to get visibility at work: give a presentation, speak up in a meeting, have lunch with a senior leader. When done well, in front of people with influence, these actions can lead to a promotion, a raise, or more resources for your team. But research shows there are sound reasons women sometimes decide to not be more visible and instead quietly push forward projects or stay behind the scenes.

In this live episode, recorded at Sixth & I in Washington, DC, we get advice from Muriel Maignan Wilkins on navigating the spotlight, offer managers tips on making visibility easier for women, and take questions from the audience.

Our HBR reading list:

• Own the Room: Discover Your Signature Voice to Master Your Leadership Presence, by Amy Jen Su and Muriel Maignan Wilkins
• “Why Women Stay Out of the Spotlight at Work,” by Priya Fielding-Singh, Devon Magliozzi, and Swethaa Ballakrishnen
• “To Succeed in Tech, Women Need More Visibility,” by Shelley Correll and Lori Mackenzie
• “The Problem of Visibility for Women in Engineering, and How They Manage It,” by Dulini Fernando, Laurie Cohen, and Joanne Duberley

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Working long hours won’t necessarily burn us out, but getting too little sleep or feeling unappreciated might. Women commonly face extra stressors, like office chores or doing a “second shift” at home, that can leave us exhausted. And once we’re burned out, it usually takes more than a few yoga classes or going on vacation to feel like ourselves again.

Mandy O’Neill, an expert on workplace well-being, explains the causes, symptoms, and repercussions of burnout. She suggests several antidotes (including laughing with your colleagues) and ways to protect ourselves from experiencing it in the first place.

Our HBR reading list:

• “Beating Burnout,” by Monique Valcour
• “How to Help Your Team with Burnout When You’re Burned Out Yourself,” by Rebecca Knight
• “Employees Who Feel Love Perform Better,” by Sigal Barsade and Olivia A. O’Neill
• “Turn the Job You Have into the Job You Want,” by Amy Wrzesniewski, Justin M. Berg, and Jane E. Dutton
• “Women Need Mindfulness Even More than Men Do,” by Beth Cabrera

Women at Work is back April 15 with stories, conversations, and practical advice about being a woman in the workplace. Expect to hear from us every Monday for the next couple of months.

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Amy Gallo is a contributing editor for HBR, an expert on conflict and difficult conversations, a prolific giver of advice — and now she takes up the baton of co-hosting the show from Sarah Green Carmichael.

Sign up for the Women at Work newsletter: hbr.org/email-newsletters

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

In this special live episode, we share stories, research, and practical advice for strategic self-disclosure, and then take questions from the audience. Guest: Katherine Phillips. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

It takes time and care to develop trusting relationships with the women we work with, particularly women who are different from us in some way. But the effort of understanding each other’s experiences is worth it, personally and professionally: We’ll feel less alone in our individual struggles and better able to push for equity.

We talk with professors Tina Opie and Verónica Rabelo about the power of workplace sisterhood. We discuss steps, as well as common snags, to forming deep and lasting connections with our female colleagues.

Our HBR reading list:

“Survey: Tell Us About Your Workplace Relationships,” by Tina R. Opie and Beth A. Livingston

“Women: Let’s Stop Allowing Race and Age to Divide Us,” by Ancella Livers and Trudy Bourgeois

“How Managers Can Promote Healthy Discussions About Race,” by Kira Hudson Banks

“How Managers Can Make Casual Networking Events More Inclusive,” by Ruchika Tulshyan

Get the discussion guide for this episode on our website: hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work

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Fill out our survey about workplace experiences.

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

We bring you three stories about parental leave, from listeners whose experiences with it changed them, for better or for worse. They talk about having to fight for more time off, go back to work before they were ready, care for sick babies, and try to hide their exhaustion and stress. Ultimately, they’re stories about how inadequate leave policies hurt families and companies.

The glass ceiling is the classic symbol of the barrier women bump into as we go through our careers. But for women of color, that barrier is more like a concrete wall. If we’re going to reduce workplace sexism and racism, women of all ethnicities need to work together. And it will be tough to do that unless we feel more connected to each other.

We talk with professors Ella Bell Smith and Stella Nkomo about how race, gender, and class play into the different experiences and relationships white women and women of color have at work. They explain how those differences can drive women apart, drawing from stories and research insights in their book, Our Separate Ways.

Our HBR reading list:

Our Separate Ways: Black and White Women and the Struggle for Professional Identity, by Ella L.J. Bell Smith and Stella M. Nkomo

“How Black Women Describe Navigating Race and Gender in the Workplace,” by Maura Cheeks

“Why Aren’t There More Asian Americans in Leadership Positions?” by Stefanie K. Johnson and Thomas Sy

“Asian Americans Are the Least Likely Group in the U.S. to Be Promoted to Management,” by Buck Gee and Denise Peck

Get the discussion guide for this episode on our website: hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work

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Fill out our survey about workplace experiences.

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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Women are increasingly supporting our families financially. It can feel empowering to be the sole or primary earner, but many of us feel pressure to be both an ideal worker and an ideal mother. We hear from a woman who supports a stay-at-home husband and three sons.

Then, Alyson Byrne, an expert on status and gender, fills us in about the research on women as financial providers — for example, the more we financially contribute, the better our psychological well-being. (Yay.) She has tips on managing the professional side and the personal side of being the chief breadwinner. And Maureen Hoch, Women at Work’s supervising editor, shares her experience of being her family’s primary earner.

Our HBR reading list:

“Does a Woman’s High-Status Career Hurt Her Marriage? Not If Her Husband Does the Laundry,” by Alyson Byrne and Julian Barling

“Whether a Husband Identifies as a Breadwinner Depends on Whether He Respects His Wife’s Career — Not on How Much She Earns,” by Erin Reid

Get the discussion guide for this episode on our website: hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work

Fill out our survey about workplace experiences.

Email us: [email protected]

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Have you ever offered up an idea in a meeting and been ignored — but then, 10 minutes later, a man repeated the idea and everyone called it brilliant? Or have you ever worked hard on a team project and been left off the thank-you email?

If we aren’t thoughtful about how we present our ideas at work, we risk not being heard or, worse, missing out on the credit we’re due. Research shows that women get less credit when we work in groups with men. So, it’s important for us to be strategic with our suggestions and insights.

We talk with two experts on workplace dynamics and difficult conversations. First, Amy Jen Su covers how to artfully share your contributions. Next, Amy Gallo tells us how to call out credit stealers.

Our HBR reading list:

“Research: Men Get Credit for Voicing Ideas, but Not Problems. Women Don’t Get Credit for Either,” by Sean Martin

“Proof That Women Get Less Credit for Teamwork,” by Nicole Torres

“Research: Junior Female Scientists Aren’t Getting the Credit They Deserve,” by Marc J. Lerchenmueller and Olav Sorenson

“How to Respond When Someone Takes Credit for Your Work,” by Amy Gallo

Get the discussion guide for this episode on our website: hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work

Fill out our survey about workplace experiences.

Email us: [email protected]

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

If you’ve worked your way up in a competitive field — or are anxious by nature — you may have perfectionist tendencies. Maybe you’re a hard-driving, obsessive worker who thinks a task is never quite done. Or maybe you’re avoidant, struggling to start a project because you want it to be done just right.

We all know society holds women to a higher standard than men and rewards us for not making mistakes. But internalizing other people’s expectations — or what we think they expect — will only burn us out. To keep rising in our careers, we need to get in tune with our own standards for what’s a good, or good enough, job.

It is possible to keep our perfectionist tendencies under control. We talk through tactics with Alice Boyes, a former clinical psychologist turned writer and author.

Our HBR reading list:

“How Perfectionists Can Get Out of Their Own Way,” by Alice Boyes

“How to Focus on What’s Important, Not Just What’s Urgent,” by Alice Boyes

“How to Collaborate with a Perfectionist,” by Alice Boyes

“Perfectionism Is Increasing, and That’s Not Good News,” by Thomas Curran and Andrew P. Hill

Get the discussion guide for this episode on our website: hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work

Fill out our survey about workplace experiences.

Email us: [email protected]

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Hearing your manager say you’re doing a great job is, of course, lovely. But without examples of your greatness in action, or suggestions for how to be even better, you don’t have the information you need to keep improving. Studies have found that women tend to get feedback that’s vague or tied to their personalities, which doesn’t boost our performance ratings. Meanwhile, men get feedback that’s specific and tied to business outcomes, which sets them up to develop and be promoted.

First, we talk with Harvard Business School professor Robin Ely about the research on women and feedback. Next, we talk with Tuck School of Business professor Ella Bell Smith about how to draw out actionable, useful feedback from our managers, and how to respond when we’re not getting what we need to succeed.

Our HBR reading list:

“What Most People Get Wrong About Men and Women,” by Catherine H. Tinsley and Robin J. Ely

“The Gender Gap in Feedback and Self-Perception,” by Margarita Mayo

“How Gender Bias Corrupts Performance Reviews, and What to Do About It,” by Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio

“Research: Vague Feedback Is Holding Women Back,” by Shelley Correll and Caroline Simard

Get the discussion guide for this episode on our website: hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work

Email us: [email protected]

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

There’s a lot that goes into making a good decision at work: figuring out priorities, coming up with options, analyzing those — and several steps later, planning for what to do if you’re wrong. If you’re a woman, you are also factoring in how your colleagues expect you to ask for their opinions so you can create consensus. And if you do, they’re still likely to see you as indecisive and lacking vision.

We talk with Therese Huston, author of the book How Women Decide, about our strengths as decision makers and how to work around double standards when we’re making decisions and communicating them to our team.

Our HBR reading list:

“Research: We Are Way Harder on Female Leaders Who Make Bad Calls,” by Therese Huston

“Women and the Vision Thing,” by Herminia Ibarra and Otilia Obodaru

“Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?” by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic

“Get Excited: Reappraising Pre-Performance Anxiety as Excitement,” by Alison Wood Brooks

Get the discussion guide for this episode on our website: hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work

Email us: [email protected]

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Having a baby is exciting — and exhausting. Figuring out how to take parental leave, or manage someone who’s doing it, can add an extra wrinkle.

No matter how long you’ll be away from work, there’s preparation to be done: talking to your boss, making sure colleagues can cover your projects, handling unexpected needs and feelings.

With the help of our guest expert, Daisy Wademan Dowling, we talk about how to effectively plan for your parental leave or the leave of someone you manage. And through the story of a lucky woman whose organization offers 12 months of paid leave, we explore what our lives might be like if we had access to more generous leaves.

Our HBR reading list:

“The Best Ways Your Organization Can Support Working Parents,” by Daisy Wademan Dowling

“Need a Good Parental Leave Policy? Here It Is.” by Joan C. Williams and Kate Massinger

“How Companies Can Ensure Maternity Leave Doesn’t Hurt Women’s Careers,” by David Collings, Yseult Freeney, and Lisa van der Werff

“Denmark Has Great Maternity Leave and Child Care Policies. So Why Aren’t More Women Advancing?” by Bodil Nordestgaard Ismiris

“Why Walmart Expanded Parental Leave — and How to Convince Your Company to Do the Same,” by Sarah Green Carmichael

Get the discussion guide for this episode on our website: hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work.

Email us: [email protected]

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Could you take notes? Would you mind ordering lunch? We need someone to organize the offsite event — can you do that? Whether you’ve just started your career or are the CEO of the company, if you’re a woman, people expect you to do routine, time-consuming tasks that no one else wants to do.

We talk with University of Pittsburgh economics professor Lise Vesterlund about why women get stuck with — and even volunteer for! — tasks that won’t show off our skills or get us promoted, and how that slows down our career advancement and makes us unhappy at work. Women of color in particular are asked to do more low-promotability projects, and we talk with inclusion strategist Ruchika Tulshyan about some ways they can say no. Lise and Ruchika tell us how they’ve handled these kinds of requests and what managers can do to assign work fairly.

Our HBR reading list:

“Why Women Volunteer for Tasks That Don’t Lead to Promotions,” by Linda Babcock, Maria P. Recalde, and Lise Vesterlund

“Women of Color Get Asked to Do More “Office Housework.” Here’s How They Can Say No.” by Ruchika Tulshyan

“For Women and Minorities to Get Ahead, Managers Must Assign Work Fairly,” by Joan C. Williams and Marina Multhaup

“‘Office Housework’ Gets in Women’s Way,” by Deborah M. Kolb and Jessica L. Porter

Get the discussion guide for this episode on our webpage, hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work.

Email us: [email protected]

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Women at Work is back Sept. 17 with stories, conversations, and practical advice about women and work. Expect to hear from us every Monday for the next couple of months.

Email us here: [email protected]

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Hi team! Help shape our conversations by responding to these questions. You can answer as few or as many as you’d like:

• What work decisions do you struggle with? Do you overthink? Stress about making the best choice? Is there a strategy you’ve found useful in making complex decisions? Ever wonder if being a woman influences your decision making?

• Tell us about a time when a colleague took credit for your idea: What happened? How did it make you feel? Did you speak up about it? And what about when you’ve made it clear that you alone were behind a success: How did you do it? How did taking ownership make you feel? What questions do you have about claiming credit?

• Do you describe yourself as a perfectionist? If yes, how does that show up in your job? Has that pressure ever gotten in the way of making a decision or finishing a project? If you know how to keep your perfectionism in check, how do you do it? What questions do you have about perfectionism?

• Tell us about the “office chores” you do: Do they include taking notes? Handling lunch orders? Cleaning out the fridge? How did you wind up with this work? If you’ve been able to stop doing office housework, how did you say no?

Send your responses to [email protected]. Your answers will help us explore women’s experiences at work in the new season. And our producer might write you back to hear more about your story and ask if we can use it on the show.

Thanks for contributing! We’ll be covering a lot more in season two, and we’ll keep asking for your input.

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Don’t negotiate against yourself. It’s OK to drop the ball. Sleep. We get wisdom from women who are experts on how we work — and who have advice on how to ask for more money, achieve more by doing less, and avoid burning out.

We talk with Duke University management professor Ashleigh Shelby Rosette about negotiating, Thrive Global CEO Arianna Huffington about sleep, Levo Chief Leadership Officer Tiffany Dufu about dropping the ball, and New Yorker writer Susan Orlean about confidence. Then HBR senior editor Alison Beard teams up with Amy to answer a few of your questions about work.

Our HBR reading list:

“Nice Girls Don’t Ask” by Linda Babcock, Sara Laschever, Michele Gelfand, Deborah Small   

“Can an Agentic Black Woman Get Ahead? The Impact of Race and Interpersonal Dominance on Perceptions of Female Leaders” by Robert W. Livingston, Ashleigh Shelby Rosette, and Ella F. Washington

HBR Guide to Negotiating by Jeff Weiss

“How to Keep Email from Ruining Your Vacation” by Arianna Huffington

“Connect, Then Lead” by Amy J.C. Cuddy, Matthew Kohut, and John Neffinger

“Women, Find Your Voice” by Kathryn Heath, Jill Flynn, and Mary Davis Holt

Please fill out our listener survey at hbr.org/podcastsurvey — tell us what you think of the show!

Email us: [email protected]

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

The hand on the thigh. The creepy come-on. The lingering leer. These are some of the milder forms of sexual harassment that women have been reporting in the wake of the #MeToo outpouring. Other women have made allegations of sexual assault and even rape at the office.

While once such accusations would be met with — at most — a monetary settlement and a non-disclosure agreement, today they are more likely to be publicized and investigated. Some have welcomed this change but are worried it won’t last. Others are worried #MeToo has gone too far already and that perpetrators of harassment aren’t getting a fair chance to defend themselves — or that the movement will spark a backlash that’s ultimately worse for women.

We talk with UC Hastings professor Joan Williams about history and the law, HBR’s Amy Gallo about different ways to say “This is making me uncomfortable,” and Stony Brook University professor Michael Kimmel about how men can be allies.

Our HBR reading list:

Now What? by Joan C. Williams and Suzanne Lebsock

Getting Men to Speak Up by Michael S. Kimmel

How to Talk About Sexual Harassment with Your Coworkers by Amy Gallo

Have Our Attitudes About Sexual Harassment Really Changed? by Sarah Green Carmichael

Training Programs and Reporting Systems Won’t End Sexual Harassment. Promoting More Women Will by Frank Dobbin and Alexandra Kalev

The Omissions that Make So Many Sexual Harassment Policies Ineffective by Debbie S. Dougherty

What Works for Women at Work by Joan C. Williams and Rachel Dempsey

Email us: [email protected]

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

Do you earn the same salary as your male coworkers? How certain are you? For women, the wage gap is a common concern, for good reason: the average, college-educated woman starts out earning close to what her male peers do, but over a lifetime, the pay gap widens. Even for women who graduate from college, get an MBA, and take a job at a high-paying firm — 10 or 15 years into our careers, we’re earning only 60 percent of what men are.

There are a lot of complex factors that go into creating the wage gap — race, education, industry. Amy, Sarah, and Nicole dive into one that doesn’t get as much attention: age. What’s going on in our careers that causes us to earn so much less as we get older? Guests: Claudia Goldin, a Harvard economist, and Margaret Gullette, an age critic and author.

Our HBR reading list:

The Average Mid-Forties Male College Graduate Earns 55% More Than His Female Counterparts by Erling Barth, Claudia Goldin, Sari Pekkala Kerr, and Claudia Olivetti

Ending the Wage Gap by Sudip Datta, Abhijit Guha, and Mai Iskandar-Datta

Women Dominate College Majors That Lead to Lower-Paying Work by Sarah Green Carmichael

Everyone Likes Flex Time, but We Punish Women Who Use It by David Burkus

How the Gender Pay Gap Widens as Women Get Promoted by Lydia Frank

The Maternal Wall by Joan C. Williams

Email us: [email protected]

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.

As leaders, we know we’re supposed to be authentic, but for women, that can be tricky. For one thing, it can be hard to even know what our “true selves” want with all the demands competing for our attention. For another, there are different expectations about how women should look, and behave. In this episode, we talk with an expert on authenticity, as well as a woman trying everyday to bring her best self to work and help others do the same. Guests: Tina Opie and Candice Morgan. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City in Motion,” provided by Audio Network. For links to the articles mentioned in this episode, as well as other information about the show, visit hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work.

Simmering resentments over whose career comes first. Bickering over household tasks. Arguments over who should pick up the kids this time. This is the portrait of two-career coupledom in much of the popular media. But for a lot of couples, the reality is much rosier. Mutually supportive relationships let us take career risks, help us be more resilient to setbacks, and even “lean in” at work. In this episode, we talk with three experts to help us paint a picture of what a truly supportive dual-career relationship looks like, and understand how to get our own relationships closer to that ideal. Guests: Jennifer Petriglieri, Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, and Stephanie Coontz. Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network. For links to the articles mentioned in this episode, as well as other information about the show, visit hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work.

Have you ever been in a meeting and shared an idea, only to have it ignored? Then, 10 minutes later, a guy shares the same idea, and your boss says “Great idea!” (Grrr.) Or maybe you’ve been told you apologize too much, don’t speak up enough, or that you need more “confidence” or “leadership presence.” (Ugh.) In this episode, we tackle three aspects of communication: first, how and why women’s speech patterns differ from men’s; second, how women can be more assertive in meetings; and third, how women can deal with interrupters (since the science shows women get interrupted more often than men do). Guests: Deborah Tannen is a professor of linguistics at Georgetown University.  She is best known as the author of the bestseller “You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation.” Jill Flynn is a founding partner at Flynn Heath Holt Leadership. Amy Gallo is an HBR contributing editor and author of the “HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict.” Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network. For links to the articles mentioned in this episode, as well as other information about the show, visit hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work.

Conversations about the workplace, and women's place in it.