WorkLife with Adam Grant

Sian Beilock is a cognitive scientist who specializes in why we choke under pressure. She’s also the first woman to be elected President of Dartmouth College. Sian shares with Adam her unique perspective on delivering results in high-stress environments, the value of sitting with discomfort, and strategies for guarding against performance anxiety. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence chatbot capable of generating human-like text, seems to be everywhere. But how trustworthy are these tools -- and what do they mean for the future of writing and work? Adam brings AI entrepreneur Allie Miller and innovation and entrepreneurship professor Ethan Mollick to discuss the capabilities of ChatGPT, debate its merits and downfalls, and ponder what we should -- and shouldn’t -- leave to AI. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

As a novelist, Jennifer Lynn Barnes has earned acclaim from critics and fans alike – her series The Inheritance Games has sold over a million copies. Before she became a bestselling author, she was a leading researcher in psychology on what draws us to fiction – and how it affects us. Jennifer and Adam discuss the psychology of reading and writing, fiction and fandom, and the role of imagination in the stories we love most. Then a special guest co-host (Adam’s daughter!) asks Jennifer about creativity, her favorite characters, and what makes a piece of writing original. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Justin Gregg is an animal cognition expert -- he studies what goes on inside the heads of other creatures, and what that means for us. He’s a captivating science writer: one of his specialties is explaining whether dolphins are actually smart, and his most recent book is “If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal.” In an expansive conversation, Justin and Adam discuss what makes the human mind unique, muse over the life lessons we might learn from the animal world, and debate whether or not, when it comes to consciousness, ignorance is really bliss. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Yo-Yo Ma began playing the cello at age four, played for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower at age seven, and has been touring the world since. He’s released over 100 albums and won 19 Grammy awards, and he’s won both the National Medal of the Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Yo-Yo talks with Adam about his experience with burnout, how he sustains his energy and creativity, and what it means for music to connect –and celebrate– humanity. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Jody Avirgan has played and reported on sports at the highest levels. After being one of the few professional Ultimate Frisbee players to be featured in a Sportscenter highlight, he pivoted to a career in radio, where he’s produced thoughtful stories on acclaimed shows like ESPN’s 30 for 30, Freakonomics, and 99% Invisible. Now he’s the host of Good Sport, a new podcast from the TED Audio Collective. Jody and Adam dive into what forges great leadership on and off the field, explore why certain cities and communities become hotbeds of talent, and discuss why sports are more than just fun and games. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

As a clinical psychologist, Becky Kennedy works with parents to raise good kids. She’s best known as Dr. Becky on Instagram, and has been called the "Millennial parenting whisperer" for good reason. Becky and Adam challenge the widespread belief that it’s a parent’s job to make their children happy, talk candidly about the surprisingly difficult task of setting and maintaining boundaries, and dig into the science and practice of helping kids (and adults) deal with the ups and downs of life. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Abby Wambach is one of soccer’s all-time greats. But in 2015, after she retired with two Olympic medals, a FIFA World Cup Championship, and six U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year awards under her belt, she wasn’t sure what would be next. In this jam-packed conversation, Abby shares how she rethought her life and work. She and Adam discuss the challenges with maintaining motivation, what makes teams great, and how to know when you’ve accomplished enough. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Kaja Kallas is the current Prime Minister of Estonia – and the first woman to hold the position. Her perceptive communication and bold action against the threat of Russian authoritarianism has bolstered her reputation as a leader we should all be paying attention to. The Prime Minister talks to Adam about what we can learn from the past when thinking about future consequences, the risks of being inauthentic, and what qualities distinguish the best leaders from the rest. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Claude Steele is one of the most influential social psychologists of all time. As a Stanford professor, he’s best known for his groundbreaking research on how the threat of being stereotyped undermines our performance. Adam talks with Claude about why the mere possibility of being stereotyped affects us, how we can protect ourselves from the harmful effects, and what healthy self-affirmation looks like. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

As an educator, Ash Brandin’s mission is to make learning in school as fun as playing a game. In exploring the science and practice on the effects of video games, Ash (@TheGamerEducator on Instagram) has an unusually insightful–and unusually balanced–perspective. Adam and Ash discuss the evidence on how video games influence kids and adults, how to set healthy boundaries, and what it means to make leisure and play a priority. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Carla Harris is a fierce leader, a devoted mentor, and a dynamic speaker. A Wall Street veteran who has been named one of the most powerful Black executives in America, Carla’s worked across multiple industries in her 30+ year career, and was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women's Business Council. In a highly entertaining Authors@Wharton event, Carla speaks with Adam about strategies for building relationships with mentors and sponsors, how to advocate effectively for ourselves and authors, and what to do when we’re not getting the support we need. Carla’s latest book “Lead to Win” is out now. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG15

Annie Duke dropped out of a PhD program in cognitive psychology– and went on to win the World Series of Poker. At the Authors@Wharton Series, Adam and Annie discuss the evidence on when to pull the plug, delve into decision-making lessons from psychology and poker, and examine the difference between rethinking an idea and leaving it behind. Annie’s latest book “Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away” is out now. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

For our final episode of the year, let’s revisit Adam and Malcolm’s conversation from the archive. When Adam Grant and Malcolm Gladwell sit down to challenge each other, everything is fair game. Sit ringside for this collegial cage match in which two preeminent writers rethink each other's ideas in an insatiable quest to get closer to the truth. Is intelligence undersold or oversold? Does individual blaming and shaming obscure the pursuit of real change on racism? Could rethinking everything lead not only to a better business but a better life? In pursuit of answers, Grant and Gladwell agree on this much: you shouldn't believe everything you think. Find the transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4GTscript4

As we get ready for 2023, we’re excited to bring you a conversation Adam had earlier this year with beloved musician Dolly Parton. Adam talks with Dolly about her creative process, how she balances getting things right with getting things done, and how she manages the hefty cup of ambition she pours herself each morning. Her latest project, “Run, Rose, Run” is both a novel coauthored with James Patterson and a full-length companion album. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/T4G26

For decades, renowned psychologists John and Julie Gottman have studied–and guided–healthy relationships. They share insights from their research–and their marriage–on how to avoid a relationship apocalypse, handle conflict, and make love last. Their latest book, “The Love Prescription” is out now, and Adam has a field day getting them to demonstrate the differences between good and bad fights. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG13

This week, we’re sharing a preview of A Slight Change of Plans, from Pushkin Industries. Cognitive scientist Dr. Maya Shankar blends compassionate storytelling with the science of human behavior to help us understand who we are and who we become in the face of a big change. Psychology professor and motivation expert Dr. Ayelet Fishbach joins Maya to share science-backed strategies for setting smarter goals...and actually sticking with them. Hear the full episode, and more, at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/scp5?sid=worklife. A Slight Change of Plans was named Best Podcast of the Year by Apple Podcasts in 2021.

Andrea Jones-Rooy is a data scientist who’s skeptical about data—and a comedian. Andrea and Adam talk about the perks and perils of sharing data on social media, the similarities between the scientific method and comedy, and the value of adding an air of mystery to the way we communicate discoveries. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG12

Growing up, Bo Seo avoided arguments at all costs–until he discovered competitive debate. He went on to win the world debate championship twice and coach the Australian national team as well as the Debating Union at Harvard. Adam and Bo discuss the value of good arguments, how key debate skills pushes us to sharpen our thinking, and how we can get better at disagreeing. Bo’s new book “Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard,” is out now. This episode first aired on The Next Big Idea podcast. You can listen to The Next Big Idea wherever you’re listening to this.

Why do we work five days a week? Could we be just as productive, healthier and happier by working less? And if so, how can leaders and workers successfully make the transition to a new way of working? Adam led a lively discussion of the science and practice of shorter work weeks with top experts from government, business, and academia at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The guests were Ohood Al Roumi, the UAE’s Minister of State for Government Development and the Future; Jonas Prising, CEO and Chairman of ManpowerGroup Inc.; Hilary Cottam, Social Entrepreneur at the Centre for the Fifth Social Revolution; and Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America. This episode also aired on Agenda Dialogues, a podcast from the World Economic Forum. You can listen to Agenda Dialogues and other podcasts from the WEF wherever you’re listening to this. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG11

For someone who doesn’t believe in goal-setting, Emmanuel Acho is highly accomplished. He’s a former NFL linebacker, an Emmy-winning TV sports analyst, and the New York Times bestselling author of “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” – and hosts a video series and podcast of the same name. Emmanuel shares why he is “anti-goals”, how he consistently achieves greatness without pursuing success, and what sports have taught him about living a creative life. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG10

Adam McKay is one of the great satirists of our screens–he’s the writer, director, and producer behind Don’t Look Up, Succession, and The Big Short. Before that, he was best known for making us laugh at Anchorman and as the head writer of Saturday Night Live. Adam and Adam discuss the psychology of human delusion and narcissism, what he learned from improv comedy, and why success is about way more than who you know. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG9

If you were online during the historic 2020 election cycle, you may have seen Sharon McMahon’s viral videos. A former high school educator now known as “America’s Government Teacher,” Sharon fights polarization with nonpartisan facts. Sharon and Adam discuss how we can rethink the qualifications for elected office, who decides to run, and what information voters should weigh. They also address ways to sharpen critical thinking and ponder how to improve Congress with a few thought experiments–including a total takeover of the House and Senate by none other than America’s government teachers. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG8

When Reese Witherspoon was in rehearsals for her lead role in the 2005 film Walk the Line, she wanted to quit–every day. But she went on to win the Oscar for her performance as June Carter Cash. Since then, she’s gone from playing iconic roles in films (Legally Blonde, Election, Water for Elephants) to also producing and starring in her own TV shows and movies (Little Fires Everywhere, Big Little Lies, Wild). Reese talks to Adam about how she's built confidence by facing her doubts head on, and shares why acknowledging what she doesn’t know has helped her found a company–which was recently acquired for $900 million–that finally puts women at the center of their stories. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG7

Growing up, Saul Perlmutter just wanted to know how the world worked. In 2011, he was part of the Nobel Prize-winning team that discovered the accelerating expansion of the universe. Saul and Adam talk about how science and knowledge evolve, what surprising emotions come with discovery, and why the combination of individual humility and collective confidence can solve some of the world’s biggest problems. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG6

It took Celeste Ng a long time to believe she could write for a living. Now she’s the New York Times bestselling author of the novels “Everything I Never Told You” and “Little Fires Everywhere”-- which was developed into a hit TV show by Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine. Adam and Celeste have been friends since college–they met through her first writing job. They discuss Celeste’s versatile writing process, her insights on thinking and communicating more clearly, and how she feeds her curiosity–both as a reader and a writer. Celeste’s latest book, “Our Missing Hearts,” is out now. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG5

Have you ever thought you can’t do something because you’re “not wired that way”? Neuroscientist Chantel Prat might challenge you to rethink your beliefs. Chantel dispels some sticky myths about right-brainers and left-brainers, shares her research on how learning to code depends more on verbal skills than math skills, and generates some hypotheses about Adam’s brain. Her debut book “The Neuroscience of You” is out now. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG4

This week, we’re sharing a special episode from one of Adam's favorite podcasts, Revisionist History. Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast about things misunderstood and overlooked. This season, Malcolm is obsessed with experiments – natural experiments, scientific experiments, thought experiments. And in this episode, Adam Grant got to help out. Malcolm wanted to talk with a group of college seniors or recent graduates. So Adam invited him to a special seminar at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. Adam’s students become guinea pigs as Malcom tries to help them identify and then discuss a very specific type of privilege, a category of privilege that’s often ignored. If you know Malcolm Gladwell, he does sometimes seem to have it out for Ivy League schools like Penn. But this episode is not what you might expect: Malcolm winds up pointing the finger of blame quite firmly in his own direction, too. You can hear more from Revisionist History at https://link.chtbl.com/workliferevisionist

Atul Gawande was advised by a colleague to say yes to every opportunity until he turned 40. Since then he’s been a renowned surgeon, a public health leader and government policymaker, and a bestselling author and “New Yorker” writer. He talks with Adam about his fascinating career and how he balances his passions for different fields, why he works with a coach even in the operating room, and how he’s working in The White House to end our current pandemic–and prevent the next one. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG3

In 2017, Alex Honnold did what even the world’s best rock climbers thought was impossible. He climbed to the top of El Capitan– a granite rock mountain more than 3,000 feet high– without a rope, harness, or net. His audacious feat was the subject of the Oscar-winning documentary “Free Solo,” and it left Adam with some burning questions about what we can learn from his unique approach to managing fear. Alex opens up about how he regulates his emotions when he’s hanging on by just a few fingers, what still scares him, and how he stays motivated to pursue ambitious goals. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG2

Mark Cuban has gone from selling garbage bags door-to-door to selling internet companies for billions, acquiring an NBA team, and becoming a beloved “Shark” on Shark Tank. Mark reveals to Adam how he turns problems into opportunities in entrepreneurship, basketball, and investing. They discuss his latest venture–disrupting the healthcare industry with an online pharmacy and a price-slashing philosophy that makes hundreds of drugs affordable–and why following your passion is not the best way to maintain your motivation. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/RWAG1

Great news WorkLifers! You told us you wanted more episodes of Taken for Granted, and we listened. We’ve renamed the show Re:Thinking with Adam Grant, and we’ll be back with more episodes, all year round. In every episode Adam will host lively discussions and debates with the world’s most fascinating thinkers, creators, achievers, and leaders to figure out what makes them tick. Adam will bring curiosity and science to conversations with people like entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban, death-defying rock climber Alex Honnold, novelist Celeste Ng, Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon, Nobel Prize-winning Saul Perlmutter, the physicist who discovered the expansion of the universe, and many more. How do they think–and what do they challenge us all to rethink? Find out on ReThinking with Adam Grant on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Michael Scott, Leslie Knope, Detective Jake Peralta–television producer and writer Michael Schur has created some of TV’s most beloved sitcom characters on shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and The Good Place. Still, his shows and his philosophy are not just about laughs. Today on The TED Interview, another podcast in the TED Audio Collective, Michael Schur sits down with host Steven Johnson. They dive into the craft of writing the TV comedy, why he is obsessed with philosophy and ethics, and what he’s learned from both the fictional and the real workplace about how humans behave, grow, and love. Michael’s New York Times-bestselling book “How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question” is out now.  For more episodes on the future of work, health, intelligence, and more, follow The TED Interview wherever you're listening to this.

It’s hard to make change at work happen. But wherever you sit in the hierarchy, there are steps you can take to overcome resistance and motivate people to embrace new ideas. In this episode, Adam brings in an education change agent, a business turnaround specialist, and a bestselling author to identify what you can do to improve the status quo. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/WL49

How do you avoid joining a toxic culture– and build a healthy one once you’ve arrived? In this episode, Adam explores how to recognize the four deadly sins of work culture before you join an organization, and shares strategies that can help shape a thriving workplace from the inside. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/WL48 We have a quick favor to ask you! We love making the show, and we're always trying to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, please take our survey at surveynerds.com/worklife

Disability is far more common and far more diverse than we might realize. But often, people are reluctant to reveal their disabilities, and managers don’t know how to address them. In this episode, Adam investigates some extraordinary steps workplaces are taking to support people with disabilities– and those without. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/WL47 We have a quick favor to ask you! We love making the show, and we're always trying to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, please take our survey at surveynerds.com/worklife

It’s been two years since offices around the world were thrown into virtual environments to do their jobs, and now many leaders are itching to get everyone back in the office. But new evidence demonstrates that hybrid work can be good for people and organizations. Adam brings an economist and a management expert to weigh in on the science of hybrid work, and make a road map to success in the modern (sometimes virtual) workplace. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/WL46 We have a quick favor to ask you! We love making the show, and we're always trying to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, please take our survey at surveynerds.com/worklife

Before Ava DuVernay became the first Black woman director to win Sundance and get nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, she was a publicist with a little hobby, a big dream, and a lot of patience. Adam talks to Ava about how she turned her side gig of filmmaking into a brilliant career, how her leadership style has evolved over the years, and what studying MLK while making the movie Selma can teach us about what it really takes to inspire. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/T4G29 This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now.

Satya Nadella is a modern renaissance man; he’s a cricket enthusiast, poetry lover, oh, and the chairman and CEO of Microsoft with a nearly perfect approval rating on Glassdoor. Satya has led a transformation at Microsoft, up-ending the culture, and rethinking remote and hybrid work. In this episode, Adam talks to Satya about the future of work, leadership, and building cultures of care. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/T4G28 This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now.

Today, something a little different. We're sharing an episode of No Stupid Questions, a podcast about human behavior hosted by Adam’s colleague and friend Angela Duckworth—a worldwide expert on grit—and Stephen Dubner, host of Freakonomics Radio. In this episode, Angela and Stephen debate whether emotional intelligence is necessary for good leadership. Stephen also wonders if emotional intelligence is something that can be learned, and the two discuss whether high E.I. might actually have negative repercussions. To hear more episodes on the weird and wonderful ways that humans behave, follow No Stupid Questions wherever you're listening to this. We have a quick favor to ask you! We love making the show, and we're always trying to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, please take our survey at surveynerds.com/worklife

Jon Batiste has had a record year—he was the most nominated artist at the Grammys, winning five of his ELEVEN nominations across multiple categories, including Album of the Year. When he’s not making musical history, he’s a touring artist, late-night band leader, and Oscar-winning composer. In this episode, Jon talks with Adam about the creative process of making his genre-defying music, his prodigious background as a young musician in New Orleans, the role of focus and variety in building a successful career, and the power of art to make real change. For the full text transcript, visit https://tedtalks.social/3FCKvYj This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now.

Perfectionism is on the rise–and not just in job interviews when people claim it’s their greatest weakness. But the desire to be flawless is not always productive—or healthy. As a recovering perfectionist, Adam dives into how he managed to abandon the quest for 10s while holding onto his drive for excellence. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/WL45 We have a quick favor to ask you! We love making the show, and we're always trying to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, please take our survey at surveynerds.com/worklife

Great pitches can seem like genius or magic. But you don’t have to be a great salesperson to give a great pitch. Whether you’re floating an idea at a team meeting, looking for investors for your startup, or applying for your next job, life is full of pitching moments. In this episode, we bust myths about what it takes to drum up excitement–and share insights from Hollywood and Silicon Valley on ways to improve your chances of getting your audience on board. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/WL44 We have a quick favor to ask you! We love making the show, and we're always trying to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, please take our survey at surveynerds.com/worklife

“Flexibility” is the number one request people are making from employers. But flexibility is much more than WHERE you work–it also means having the freedom to make choices about what you work on, who you work with, and when and how often you work. This episode examines the science and practice of creating more autonomy– and making it work for people and organizations. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/WL43 We have a quick favor to ask you! We love making the show, and we're always trying to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, please take our survey at surveynerds.com/worklife

Over the past year, the Great Resignation has been all over the news. Many people are celebrating quitting their jobs… but it’s a decision some will come to regret. So when’s the right time to leave? How do you quit without burning bridges? And how can workplaces encourage people to stay? For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/WL42

Dolly Parton is a living legend. Her hit songs like “9 to 5”, “Jolene”, and “I Will Always Love You” have captured generation after generation, and her career is far from slowing down. Her latest project, “Run, Rose, Run” is both a novel co-authored with James Patterson AND its brand-new, full-length companion album. In today’s episode, Adam talks to Dolly about her creative process, how she balances getting things right with getting things DONE, and how she manages the hefty cup of ambition she pours herself each morning. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/T4G26

As Russia continues to attack Ukraine, the whole world is watching a momentous clash of leadership styles. No one is more qualified to analyze the situation than political scientist and former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul. In this episode, he and Adam discuss Putin’s motives, Zelensky’s rise, and the leadership lessons from this crisis. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/T4G25

This hour, futurist Amy Webb guides us through innovations that give a glimpse into the future of transportation, wellness, tech, commerce, and travel ... and the impacts they'll have on our lives. This is an episode of the TED Radio Hour with NPR, another podcast in the TED Audio Collective. For more episodes, you can find and follow the podcast wherever you're listening to this. And we'll see you on March 29 for more WorkLife episodes!

WorkLife will be back on March 29 with new episodes including an incredible conversation with Dolly Parton, and an episode on the (not so) Great Resignation. For now, here's an episode of another show that Adam frequently appears on. It's called The Next Big Idea, presented by LinkedIn. In this episode, Annie Murphy Paul, author of “The Extended Mind” sits down with Adam for a spirited conversation in which she defends the fine art of fidgeting, suggests ways to improve group brainstorms, and gives him advice on how to talk to his childhood sensei. For more episodes, you can find and follow the Next Big Idea wherever you're listening to this.

When Esther Duflo took her first economics class, she hated it. In 2019, she won a Nobel Prize in economics. Esther talks with Adam about her groundbreaking experiments to fight poverty, busts myths about what motivates people, and reveals how to make meaningful progress toward solving daunting problems. Read the text transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4G24 This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now. 

PepsiCo's trailblazing former CEO drove record profits—but did so while investing in employee well-being, consumer health, and environmental sustainability. In their second conversation, she and Adam are on stage for a lively, entertaining dialogue about how to improve our work lives and our workplaces. They talk about striking a balance between fitting in and standing out, winning support for major change up and down the org chart, and rethinking business education. Indra also reveals the name of the only world leader who ever intimidated her and why she doesn’t care who wins the battle between Pepsi and Coke. Find the transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4G23 This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now. 

The longtime PepsiCo CEO is one of the world’s most powerful women and Time’s 100 most influential people. In the first of two rich conversations, she explains why she wrote more than 400 letters about her direct reports… to their parents. Indra and Adam discuss what she’s learned about leadership, finding and being a mentor, championing ideas from below, and making big career decisions. They also explore some of the big questions around the future of work—from embracing flexibility to creating equitable arrangements for women to making family a real priority. Read the text transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4G22 This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now. 

At the age of 18, Allyson Felix took home the Olympic silver medal in the 200 meter dash. She was devastated. Where others saw “second-best in the world,” she only saw “not first.” That race lit a fire that would carry her on to become the most decorated track and field athlete in American history. Adam talks with her about achieving excellence, bouncing back from her so-called “failures,” and sustaining motivation to medal in five straight Olympic games. Read the text transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4G21 This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now. 

We're back soon with new episodes of Taken for Granted, but for now, here's a TED Talk Adam gave recently. Have you found yourself staying up late, joylessly bingeing TV shows and doomscrolling through the news, or simply navigating your day uninspired and aimless? Chances are you're languishing—a psychic malaise that has become all too common after many months of the pandemic. Adam breaks down the key indicators of languishing and presents three ways to escape that "meh" feeling and start finding your flow. This was originally posted on TED Talks Daily, where you'll find a new idea every weekday. Follow TED Talks Daily wherever you get your podcasts.

People are finally paying attention to mental health at work, but some major myths are holding us back. Adam breaks down what we get wrong about mental health at work, what individuals and organizations can do to start getting it right, and why we all need compassion more than empathy. Thanks to our guests Demar Derozan, Sally Maitlis, Darlene Upton and Paul Bloom for joining us on this episode. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/WL41

Are you afraid to share bad news, ask for help, or admit you were wrong? These are signs of being in a psychologically unsafe work environment. Adam breaks down the importance of psychological safety in preventing errors and promoting innovation and inclusion, and examines what it takes to build a culture of voice rather than silence. Thanks to guests Ed Pierson, Amy Edmondson, Captain Bill Wilson and Admiral McRaven for appearing on this episode. Find the text transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/410

In a world obsessed with efficiency, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash Broadway hits Hamilton and In the Heights began with idle curiosity. Adam interviews Lin together with his father, Luis, about finding harmony between creativity and productivity—and rhythm between work and life. They discuss what motivated Lin to take a big risk on the biggest stage of his life, the challenges of fitting in when you stand out, the importance of delegation and deadlines, and the lost art of doing nothing. Read the full text transcript at go.ted.com/T4G9. This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now. 

Do you pay attention to your attention? John Green is the beloved author of The Fault In Our Stars, and when he started tracking his attention, he realized he was obsessed with evaluating human progress. He decided to start rating everything—from the capacity for human wonder to Canadian geese—on a five-point scale. In this deeply thoughtful conversation with Adam, John shares what he learned from his series of Yelp-style reviews, the gift of a great book, and the unexpected life lessons found in the last lap of Mario Kart. Read the full text transcript at go.ted.com/T4G8 This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now. 

Criticism rarely comes wrapped in a shiny gift box, tied with a bow. As a trailblazing leader, one of Mellody Hobson’s gifts is finding the diamond in the rough. She and Adam unpack how to look for the grain of truth in any critique, when to discount feedback, and what it takes to be honest without being brutal. Find the full text transcript at go.ted.com/T4G7 This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now. 

It’s been 25 years since the concept of emotional intelligence exploded onto the scene. Cultural critic Merve Emre makes a bold case that in the wrong hands, it can be used to exploit people. We unpack the surprising roots of emotional intelligence, how it’s been co-opted as a form of corporate control, and why you might want to rethink some of your core assumptions about emotions at work. You can find the full transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4GTscript6 This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now. 

“I can’t do this.” “I didn’t deserve this promotion.” “When will they find me out?” If you’ve had thoughts like these, you aren’t alone. Nearly 70% of people have experienced imposter syndrome—even some of the most successful ones! The difference is in how they can use imposter thoughts as fuel, rather than a fire to burn them out. Adam shares three steps you can take to harness your own self-doubt as a fuel for success, and why we stand to gain more from embracing our insecurities rather than hiding from them. WorkLife is made possible with the support of LinkedIn, Logitech, Morgan Stanley, SAP, and Verizon.

Workers are now expecting more from their employers beyond a paycheck and benefits. Employees want an employer who lines up with their values outside of work and stands up in the name of justice. And when they don’t, employees are becoming more active about asking their companies to cancel partnerships or are walking out in protest--as we’ve seen with workers at Facebook, Google and others. A company is not a democracy, but it doesn't work when it's a dictatorship. Employees are embracing activism, calling on their employers to take a stand on social and political issues. How should leaders navigate these demands while addressing the concerns of other stakeholders? And how can we all use our voices effectively to drive change? Find the full text transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/WLTranscript49. WorkLife is made possible with the support of LinkedIn, Logitech, Morgan Stanley, SAP, and Verizon.

We’ve all been to bias training, but it rarely works—and sometimes backfires. Science suggests that to drive real change, it’s not enough to run one-off workshops. We need to change individual and organizational habits. Find out how people can overcome their own prejudices and workplaces can break barriers to help marginalized groups advance into leadership roles. Find the full text transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/WLTranscript48. WorkLife is made possible with the support of LinkedIn, Logitech, Morgan Stanley, SAP, and Verizon.

When employees are paid more, they give more. Going above market pay might sound like a fantasy, but in a growing number of companies it’s becoming a profitable reality. Peek inside workplaces that have reinvented their pay structures to give employees their worth and more—and explore the science of how it can pay off for everyone in the long run. Note: This episode was published in May 2021, and features an employee at Gravity Payments, whose founder and longtime CEO has stepped down in light of serious allegations of sexual misconduct.  The behavior reported by the New York Times is completely unacceptable and not condoned by TED or any parties that contributed to the episode. Our focus in this episode is not on Dan Price, but on what can be learned from an experiment at the company on raising pay. Find the full text transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/WLTranscript47. WorkLife is made possible with the support of LinkedIn, Logitech, Morgan Stanley, SAP, and Verizon.

Comedian, actor, and Armchair Expert host Dax Shepard steps into the hot seat for a conversation with Adam on Clubhouse. They discuss what he's learned over the course of 300+ interviews, how he thinks about humor at work, and how he’s rethought his views on masculinity. They also field questions from past WorkLife guests like Malcolm Gladwell and Kat Cole. You can find the full transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/WLTranscript46. WorkLife is made possible with the support of LinkedIn, Logitech, Morgan Stanley, SAP, and Verizon.

Adam wrote a viral article for The New York Times on a feeling many of us are struggling with right now. It's somewhere between burnout and depression: languishing. This neglected middle child of mental health can dull your motivation and focus—and it may be the dominant emotion of 2021. This article originally appeared in The New York Times on April 19, 2021, with the headline, 'There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing'. To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android. The producer for NYT was Kate Winslett, and the producer for TED was Sheena Ozaki.

Author and activist Glennon Doyle used to say “I am a Christian. I am straight. I am an addict.” Now she simply says “I am.” In this episode, Doyle sits down with Adam to discuss letting go of past identities — and rethinking the idea of identity as a whole. They explore insights from Doyle’s bestselling book, Untamed, on dealing with unpleasant emotions, redefining weaknesses and redefining ourselves. Warning: their conversation might lead you to start redefining yourself. For more from Glennon, check out her new podcast We Can Do Hard Things. You can find the full transcript at go.ted.com/WLTranscript45. WorkLife is made possible with the support of LinkedIn, Logitech, Morgan Stanley, SAP, and Verizon.

Over the last year, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, many companies have paid lip service to racial inclusion. But what does it actually take to change individuals — and the structures and cultures of organizations? In the first of two episodes on bias, psychologist John Amaechi shares powerful insights on inclusion — and several experts weigh in on the latest science of privilege, allyship, and opportunity at work. A key takeaway: your culture is defined by the worst behavior you tolerate. For the transcript for this episode, head to go.ted.com/WLTranscript44. WorkLife is made possible with the support of LinkedIn, Logitech, Morgan Stanley, SAP, and Verizon.

Whether it's over a project, politics, or pizza toppings, conflict with colleagues is inevitable. The goal is not to eliminate it; it’s to handle it better. There’s a whole science of managing individual and team conflicts, and it suggests that we don’t have to agree to disagree. We need to start by understanding what our clashes are actually about—because often, we’re not arguing about what we THINK we’re arguing about at all. For the transcript of this episode, head to  go.ted.com/WLTranscript43. WorkLife is made possible with the support of LinkedIn, Logitech, Morgan Stanley, SAP, and Verizon.

Everyone’s career will hit some turbulence at some point. The past year has left us all reacting to dramatic change. Instead of pushing harder against the headwinds, we’re sometimes better off tilting our rudder and charting a new course. In this episode, hear from people who have taken unusual steps to battle uncertainty, rethought their approach to finding and landing a job, and reached out for help in unexpected places—as well as an expert on recessions who forecasts the future by looking to the past. For the transcript for this episode, visit go.ted.com/WLTranscript41. WorkLife is made possible with the support of LinkedIn, Logitech, Morgan Stanley, SAP, and Verizon.

In life and work, we have a hard time changing course. When we wind up in a miserable job, a failing project, or a floundering romantic relationship, we rationalize, make excuses, and stick with our bad decisions—even when the writing's on the wall. Why? Usually we assume the driving force is sunk costs: we don't want to admit we've wasted that time or money. But in fact, the root of our stubbornness is a psychological trap called “escalation of commitment.” Once we understand that, we can start taking steps to protect ourselves from… well, ourselves. WorkLife is made possible with the support of LinkedIn, Logitech, Morgan Stanley, SAP, and Verizon.

Daniel Kahneman is a Nobel Prize winner who transformed our understanding of the biases that cloud our thinking. In this conversation, he and Adam explore when to trust our intuition and when to second-guess it. Danny explains how he finds joy in being wrong, spells out steps to smarter interviewing, and reveals how he—the master decoder of decision-making—makes decisions. Find the transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4GDK This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now. 

When Adam Grant and Malcolm Gladwell sit down to challenge each other, everything is fair game. Sit ringside for this collegial cage match in which two preeminent writers rethink each other's ideas in an insatiable quest to get closer to the truth. Is intelligence undersold or oversold? Does individual blaming and shaming obscure the pursuit of real change on racism? Could rethinking everything lead not only to a better business but a better life? In pursuit of answers, Grant and Gladwell agree on this much: you shouldn't believe everything you think. Find the transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4GTscript4 This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now. 

Have you ever felt your work colleagues sometimes act like animals? In this conversation, Jane and Adam take that idea literally, exploring what Jane's expertise on chimp behavior can teach us about how humans relate and organize. With grace and wisdom, Jane shares primal insights on how we acquire and keep power, the difference between being a leader and being a boss, and the role of patience in making discoveries and making a career. Find the transcript for this episode at go.ted.com/T4GTscript3 This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now. 

We usually wear our thickest armor at work, and Brené Brown has blazed the trail of teaching us why—and how to shed it. In this conversation, Adam and Brené unpack the power of showing vulnerability at work—and explore how much is too much. Learn when and where to set boundaries, find out how to get more comfortable with being uncomfortable, and hear Brené rethink a key assumption that she took for granted in her own work. This was an episode of Taken for Granted, but now the podcast is called ReThinking with Adam Grant, and it’s back with weekly episodes. You can listen to them right here in the WorkLife feed, or by following ReThinking with Adam Grant wherever you are right now. 

JJ Abrams joins as the interviewer for an exclusive first look at Adam's forthcoming book: “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know.” Together, they illuminate strategies for maintaining humility, curiosity, and mental flexibility in a world that rewards confidence, conviction, and foolish consistency. Plus, JJ shares some of his favorite rethinking moments from writing “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” producing “Lost,” and directing an episode of “The Office.”

Remote work was a trend that some companies and gig workers were trying out, even as others resisted. Then the pandemic made it an overnight reality for many of us. This feels like uncharted territory, but there’s already plenty of knowledge on how to do it well. Learn from someone who has done more remote work than almost anyone on the planet—and find out what science says about how to keep your teams cohesive, fight screenout, and build resilience by mentally traveling in time.

As we age, we often feel like the clock starts ticking on our careers. But there are ways to sustain—and even gain—excellence over time. Meet a musician whose career ended too soon, and an entrepreneur and a social media star who defied the stereotypes on professional decline. They illuminate steps that fuel great second and third acts.

Exclusive: In his first public interview since WeWork’s collapse, former Chief Growth Officer David Fano opens up about the company’s leadership and culture. We go deep on the rewards and risks of charismatic leadership and bold visions, the differences between strong cultures and cults, and how a meteoric rise can come crashing down.

"We’ve all answered our share of cringeworthy interview questions—and watched managers pick the wrong person while rejecting the right one. Is it time to delegate hiring decisions to algorithms? Find out what the experts recommend, and meet a pair of leaders who have reimagined the interview process by ignoring credentials and refusing to look at resumes.

Many workplaces have become increasingly lonely, even before the coronavirus pandemic made more of us literally remote. It’s not just an unpleasant feeling—loneliness can hurt our health and our job performance. Find out why it's time for happy hours to finally die—and how it might take less than a minute to start building real connections.

"Just be yourself." That's popular work advice these days, with more and more companies encouraging people to “be authentic” and bring their whole selves to work. But when we get real at the wrong time or in the wrong way, it can backfire. What does effective authenticity look like, and how can we learn to strike the right balance?

Work relationships are complicated. Who holds the power and why? What are effective ways to solve conflict? And how do you know when it’s time to walk away? Adam gets personal with therapist Esther Perel to explore the dynamics of trust, power, and people pleasing.

Most of us negotiate in one of two ways: either you roll right over the other party, or you just roll over. But great negotiators refuse to believe that we have to choose between results and relationships. Sharpen your negotiation skills for both business and life with evidence and insights from a trio of negotiators who transformed their styles—and one who pulled off one of the most consequential agreements in human history. To find transcripts for WorkLife, head to https://www.ted.com/series/worklife_with_adam_grant

Burnout seems to be everywhere. But it’s not inevitable. Come inside some high-pressure workplaces that have figured out how to fight exhaustion by redesigning jobs—and changing cultures.

You procrastinate because you're lazy, right? Wrong. The truth is more complex—and far more interesting. Learn how to stop putting off important tasks ... with a little help from master procrastinator Margaret Atwood.

We’re constantly seeking advice about our work lives. Which job offer to take. When to quit. Whether to blow the whistle on a bad boss. But so much of the advice we get—and give—turns out to be bad. For some sage advice, Adam sought out master advice-giver Cheryl Strayed, the author of Wild.

Open office plans. Learning styles. 10,000 hours of practice. Freakonomics host Stephen Dubner joins Adam for a live conversation to reveal why some popular workplace fads might be bogus—and what to do instead. This episode is made possible with the support of Accenture, Bonobos, Hilton, and JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Excellence comes from doing what you do best—but you need to make sure you’re doing it at the right times. This episode is made possible with the support of JPMorgan Chase & Co., Accenture, Bonobos, and Hilton. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifeweakness

Learn how to face rejection—and even come out stronger because of it. This episode is made possible with the support of Hilton, Accenture, Bonobos, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/workliferejection

Memory is a skill you can learn -- and a powerful strategy every workplace can harness. This episode is made possible with the support of Accenture, Bonobos, Hilton, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifememory

How do you deal with jerks at work? And is it possible to eliminate them altogether? This episode is made possible with the support of Bonobos, Accenture, Hilton, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifeaholes

“Do what you love” is often terrible advice. Instead of taking the job that will make you happiest, look for the one where you’ll learn the most. This episode is made possible with the support of JPMorgan Chase & Co., Accenture, Bonobos, and Hilton. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifepassion

Ditch your business cards. There are more effective, less awkward strategies for building your connections. This episode is made possible with the support of Bonobos, Accenture, Hilton, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifenetworking

What we can learn about friendly competition from Olympic skiers, elite marathoners, and...food truck vendors. This episode is made possible with the support of Accenture, Bonobos, Hilton, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/workliferivals

Harness the power of frustrated people to shake up the status quo — just like Pixar did. This episode is made possible with the support of Bonobos, Accenture, Hilton, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifemisfits

Work doesn't have to suck; science says so. Take a trip inside the minds of expert networkers and Olympic champions, an Oscar-winning director and an office-politics whisperer — who've all mastered ways to make work more creative and more fun.

In a special live taping at the 92nd Street Y in New York, Adam talks with Revisionist History's Malcolm Gladwell about how to avoid doing highly undesirable tasks, what makes an idea interesting, and why Malcolm thinks we shouldn't root for the underdog. This episode is brought to you by Accenture, Bonobos, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Warby Parker. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifegladwell

To find out how to stop sexual harassment at work, Adam talks with three powerful voices of the #MeToo movement: its founder Tarana Burke, Pulitzer Prize-winner Ronan Farrow and silence breaker Ashley Judd. This episode is brought to you by Accenture, Bonobos, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Warby Parker. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifemetoo

Technology is making it harder than ever to disconnect, but it might be easier than you think. To learn about setting boundaries, Adam talks with entrepreneur Arianna Huffington, leaders who have taken bold steps to ban emails at odd hours in their workplaces, and an FBI hostage negotiator who has surprising advice on saying no. This episode is brought to you by JPMorgan Chase & Co., Accenture, Bonobos, and Warby Parker. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifetakeover

Being your own boss can be liberating, but it can also be paralyzing. Adam talks with author Dan Pink about the challenges of working for ourselves and visits a tomato paste company, Morning Star, that has run successfully for decades without bosses. This episode is brought to you by Bonobos, Accenture, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Warby Parker. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifebosses

You manage your own emotions at work—and your coworkers’ and customers’ emotions too. How do you do that without burning out? To find out how to get into character, deliver a great performance, and avoid exhaustion, Adam talks with actor John Lithgow and takes you inside the call center at Zappos and the hospitality philosophy of an acclaimed restauranteur. This episode is brought to you by Accenture, Bonobos, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Warby Parker. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifeemotions

Astronauts on the International Space Station live in capsules together for months. And yes, they can get on each other's nerves. A crew of astronauts from different countries -- and the wilderness trainer who was called in for an emergency intervention -- share fresh insights about handling conflict and building trust. This episode is brought to you by Accenture, Bonobos, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Warby Parker. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifetrust

Are you an introvert... or an extrovert? You might not know yourself as well as you think. Adam talks with “Quiet” author Susan Cain and visits a workplace where personality training starts even before job training, to help you discover what your traits really are – and how you can stretch beyond them. This episode is brought to you by Warby Parker, Accenture, Bonobos and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifepersonality

The Butler Bulldogs have a habit of shocking college basketball fans by beating top teams with far more talent. How do they do it? Adam Grant joins the team to talk about why stars are overrated, role players are underrated, and humility can go hand in hand with confidence. Also featuring “Moneyball” author Michael Lewis and Brad Stevens, coach of the Boston Celtics. This episode is brought to you by JPMorgan Chase & Co, Accenture, Bonobos and Warby Parker. Find the transcript at:  go.ted.com/worklifeallstars

Group brainstorming is usually where creativity goes to die. But at The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, they have it down to a science. Adam takes us behind the scenes in the writers’ room to show how creative collaboration really works, and reveals what inspires people to share their best – and worst – ideas. This episode is brought to you by Warby Parker, Accenture, Bonobos and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Find the transcript at:  go.ted.com/worklifedailyshow

What if you could tell your co-workers what you really think of them? At the world’s most successful hedge fund, everyone is rated and ranked constantly – in front of everyone. They’ve figured out how to embrace negative feedback, and they swear it’s essential to their success. Adam shows how you can learn to take criticism well – and get better at dishing it out. This episode is brought to you by Bonobos, Accenture, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Warby Parker. Find the transcript at: go.ted.com/worklifecriticism

What do the Daily Show, the Boston Celtics, and NASA all have in common? They’re about to change the way you think about work.