Logo for WorkLife with Adam Grant

WorkLife with Adam Grant

TED

You spend a quarter of your life at work. You should enjoy it! Organizational psychologist Adam Grant takes you inside the minds of some of the world’s most unusual professionals to discover the keys to a better work life. From learning how to love your rivals to harnessing the power of frustration, one thing’s for sure: You’ll never see your job the same way again. Produced in partnership with Transmitter Media.

© TED: https://www.ted.com/about/our-organization/our-policies-terms/ted-com-terms-of-use#h2--copyright-issues-and-licenses

You spend a quarter of your life at work. You should enjoy it! Organizational psychologist Adam Grant takes you inside the minds of some of the world’s most unusual professionals to discover the keys to a better work life. From learning how to love your rivals to harnessing the power of frustration, one thing’s for sure: You’ll never see your job the same way again. Produced in partnership with Transmitter Media.

© TED: https://www.ted.com/about/our-organization/our-policies-terms/ted-com-terms-of-use#h2--copyright-issues-and-licenses
123hr 46min
Thumbnail for "The wrong way to think about culture fit".
Thumbnail for "Jane Goodall on leadership lessons from primates".
Thumbnail for "The art of invention with Nathan Myhrvold".
Thumbnail for "The science of fighting crime with Nick Cowen".
Thumbnail for "Malcolm Gladwell on the importance of self-correction".
Thumbnail for "Finding the joy of service with Milk Bar's Christina Tosi and restaurateur Will Guidara".
Thumbnail for "Should leaders be feared or loved? with historian Niall Ferguson".
Thumbnail for "Overcoming loneliness with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy".
Thumbnail for "The dark side of charisma".
Thumbnail for "How to design teams that don’t suck".
Thumbnail for "John Legend on the creative process and "mumbling" his way to a hit".
Thumbnail for "The secret to success isn't power — it's status".
Thumbnail for "Sarah Silverman on being wrong — and treating trolls with kindness".
Thumbnail for "How to stop doom scrolling — and have a better experience online with Jay Van Bavel".
Thumbnail for "Fixing college campuses with political scientist Danielle Allen".
Thumbnail for "Trevor Noah on the importance of context".
Thumbnail for "Fighting against the status quo with filmmaker Jon M. Chu".
Thumbnail for "How to fight prejudice with Betsy Levy Paluck".
Thumbnail for "How to build a great culture with restaurateur Danny Meyer".
Thumbnail for "The art and science of trash talk with Rafi Kohan".
Thumbnail for "Beyond breaking the glass ceiling with Julia Gillard, Australia’s first female prime minister".
Julia Gillard served as the Prime Minister of Australia from 2010 to 2013. During her tenure as the first woman to hold that role, she gave an electrifying speech about sexism and how it impacts all women, even those in power. Since then, she has continued to fight for gender equality. In this interview, she opens up about the challenges faced by women in leadership positions and the reactions to her viral speech. She also talks about the causes of deepening gender divides, how feminism also benefits men, and the qualities great leaders should embody regardless of how they identify.
Thumbnail for "Explaining the Dunning-Kruger effect and overcoming overconfidence with David Dunning ".
The Dunning-Kruger effect is a rare psychological concept that has achieved pop culture fame.
Thumbnail for "Mellody Hobson on taking tough feedback (re-release)".
Thumbnail for "Decoding Gen-Z slang and grammar pet peeves with linguist Anne Curzan".
Thumbnail for "How novelist Gabrielle Zevin learned to enjoy failure".
Thumbnail for "Richard Branson on saying yes now and figuring it out later".
Thumbnail for "Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on facing impostor syndrome and taking criticism".
Thumbnail for "The internet doesn't need your opinion on everything with Rebecca Solnit".
Thumbnail for "John Green wants you to pay attention to your attention (bonus)".
Thumbnail for "A company is not a family with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky".
Thumbnail for "Reimagining technology – and talking to animals – with Aza Raskin".
Thumbnail for "The art of failure with David Duchovny".
Adam and David discuss the value of falling short of our goals, the perils of success, and whether nice people really finish last.
Thumbnail for "The art of vulnerability and connection with comedian Mae Martin".
Adam and Mae chat about the value of vulnerability in connection, snapping out of procrastination, shame spirals, and life lessons from the art of improvisation.
Thumbnail for "Kara Swisher on speaking truth to power".
Kara Swisher made her name by being disarmingly direct with the who’s who of tech – from Steve Jobs to Bill Gates to Elon Musk.
Thumbnail for "Anne Lamott's thoughts on love, writing, and being judgy".
Adam and Anne chat about the art of great writing, the challenges of being kinder to others and ourselves, and the lessons to be learned from a life examined.
Thumbnail for "How to make the most of your twenties with Meg Jay".
How important are your twenties — and how bad are they? Meg Jay is a clinical psychologist who specializes in young adult development in twenty year-olds.
Thumbnail for "Yuval Noah Harari on what history teaches us about justice and peace".
Adam and Yuval examine the power of stories in shaping humanity’s success, discuss the tension between justice and peace, and reconsider the true purpose of studying history.
Thumbnail for "The science of memory with Charan Ranganath".
Learn the latest science on why we remember, what we forget, and how learning new ideas happens.
Thumbnail for "Understanding the pendulum swing of global power with Ian Bremmer".
Political scientist Ian Bremmer gives a stirring analysis of the current state of global affairs and explains what makes 2024 so complex.
Thumbnail for "will.i.am on AI — and the future of creativity".
Adam asks about will.i.am’s creative process and digs into how he turns his expansive ideas into reality.
Thumbnail for "How to be productive without burning out, with Cal Newport".
Adam digs into the data on productivity with author and educator Cal Newport, debating the benefits and drawbacks of doing fewer things and discussing individual habits and organizational practices for preventing burnout and promoting worthwhile work.
Thumbnail for "Is your organization a little culty? with NXIVM whistleblower Sarah Edmondson".
Sarah Edmondson escaped and blew the whistle against NXIVM, the cult masquerading as a “personal and professional development company.” She and Adam explore the dark sides of charisma.
Thumbnail for "Redefining hustle culture with Robin Arzón".
Robin Arzón is the head instructor at Peloton and an ultramarathon runner, but she didn’t plan to make her career based on her athletic prowess. In this conversation with Adam, she talks about how she fell in love with running in adulthood and her radical career pivot from lawyer to renowned exercise instructor.
Thumbnail for "Revising the stories we hold dear with Denise Hamilton".
Adam and inclusion strategist Denise Hamilton discuss the pain of abandoning old stories, the value of revising long-held beliefs, and how to respond to the backlash against diversity and inclusion.
Thumbnail for "Power, purpose, and the American presidency with Jared Cohen".
Jared Cohen has worked with the world’s top leaders to tackle humanity’s biggest problems. His work in international problem-solving also translates into a passion for U.S. history. Adam and Jared discuss American presidents, the psychology of the founding fathers, debate the pros and cons of pursuing a legacy, and share what these historic figures can teach us all about pursuing and finding purpose.
Thumbnail for "How to become a "friction-fixer" with Bob Sutton".
Bob Sutton is an organizational psychologist and bestselling author. In this zesty conversation with Adam, Bob shares insights on how to overcome friction at work.
Thumbnail for "Overcoming toxic positivity with Susan David".
Adam and psychologist Susan David examines the skills involved in emotional agility, discussing the risks of judging and suppressing unwanted emotions — and effective techniques for managing them.
Thumbnail for "You have more control over your emotions than you think with Lisa Feldman Barrett".
Emotions are like opinions — everyone has them. Thanks to the pioneering research of today’s guest, Lisa Feldman Barrett, we know that it’s possible to transform our feelings by changing how we think and talk about them.
Thumbnail for "Jennifer Garner realizes her hidden potential".
Jennifer Garner’s roles often center strong women who know how to achieve great things. In a fun and surprising live conversation, Jennifer chats with Adam about his latest book and the unexpected factors that build character and long-term success.
Thumbnail for "Bringing out the good in kids —and parents— with Becky Kennedy (Re-release)".
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.
Thumbnail for "Daniel Kahneman doesn't trust your intuition (Re-release)".
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.
Thumbnail for "Chess grandmaster Maurice Ashley on why mistakes are our greatest teachers".
Maurice Ashley is a trailblazing chess grandmaster — the first African-American player to claim that prestigious title. Adam and Maurice discuss the lessons from losing, the benefits of respecting your opponents, and what drives a winning strategy in chess and life.
Thumbnail for "Your brain on art with Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen".
Delve into the fascinating science of neuroaesthetics and explore how art can unlock creativity, enhance well-being, and enrich communities.
Thumbnail for "The psychology of self-persuasion with Elliot Aronson".
Adam asks Elliot about his pioneering work on making mistakes, cognitive dissonance, the dangers (and upsides) of rationalizing our beliefs, and strategies for making better decisions while keeping an open mind.
Thumbnail for "Brené Brown on What Vulnerability Isn't".
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.
Thumbnail for "Poet Maggie Smith on embracing ambiguity".
Maggie and Adam discuss strategies for handling complex emotions, sustaining hope while acknowledging reality, and accepting ambiguity in life and art.
Thumbnail for "The Office's Rainn Wilson on meaning and happiness".
Adam asks Rainn about his unlikely journey to stardom and how it led him into exploring the insights that philosophy, psychology, and the world’s great spiritual traditions can offer on modern life’s existential questions.
Thumbnail for "The problem with optimizing our lives (w/ Barry Schwartz and Coco Krumme)".
Adam brings together psychologist Barry Schwartz and applied mathematician Coco Krumme to discuss the dark side of maximizing everything. The three discuss the unintended consequences of always aiming for the best, debate different strategies for individuals and societies to make better choices, and explore how it’s possible to pursue success without sacrificing happiness.
Thumbnail for "The art of rough drafts with George Saunders".
George Saunders sits down with Adam and shares what he’s learned from his winding path towards becoming a professional author, the secrets of creating work that sticks, and how to receive feedback and elevate our rough drafts.
Thumbnail for "Unlocking Hidden Potential with Malcolm Gladwell".
Malcolm Gladwell hosts a rollicking live discussion about Adam's new book, "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things," which is out today. They explore why we overemphasize innate talent, how Adam grappled with impostor syndrome as a writer and perfectionism as an athlete, and how to chart a path toward achieving greater things.
Thumbnail for "The Three Big Myths of Mentoring".
Mentoring plays an important role in growth and success for both mentors and mentees. But finding the right mentor — and being an effective one — is easier said than done. Adam digs into the science of what makes a good mentor, learns what it takes to build a strong bond from an extraordinary mentor-mentee pair, and busts lasting myths that prevent us from unlocking our potential.
Thumbnail for "The Zombie Guide to Surviving Bureaucracy".
Bureaucracy exists to provide consistency and structure, but it often stifles creativity and productivity – and breeds misery. In this episode, Adam investigates why we wind up with stupid rules, how to cut red tape without creating chaos, and what it takes to hack bad policies for a greater good.
Thumbnail for "The Science of Recharging on Weekends and Vacations".
Adam examines the evidence on recovery and burnout, explores how workplaces can reimagine vacation policies, and highlights what kinds of hobbies are best suited to different times of day.
Thumbnail for "Why Meetings Suck and How to Fix Them".
Meetings often drain our joy and sap our focus – and meeting overload kills productivity. So why do we have so many of them, and is a better world possible? Adam investigates the science of improving meetings.
Thumbnail for "How to set boundaries with therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab".
As a therapist, Nedra Glover Tawwab has spent years helping people set boundaries in their personal and professional lives. Nedra sits down with Adam for an insightful discussion on why people struggle with creating boundaries, how we can deal with saying “no,” and why setting a boundary is the ultimate act of self-respect.
Thumbnail for "Khan Academy founder Sal Khan on AI and the future of education".
As the founder and CEO of Khan Academy, Sal is a pioneer in the education technology space. Sal and Adam have an exciting discussion about the role of AI in the classroom, discuss the opportunities and challenges of designing tools that foster true critical thinking, and share their visions for the future of education.
Thumbnail for "Jim Gaffigan on how comedy leaves an aftertaste".
With his sharp observational comedy and dry wit, Jim Gaffigan has been making people laugh for decades. He opens up about his early career shift from marketing to comedy, the art of crafting jokes that land, and the often exasperatingly funny experience of parenting.
Thumbnail for "When an introvert and an extrovert fall in love with Chip and Joanna Gaines".
Chip and Joanna Gaines are best known for their hit reality TV home renovation show “Fixer Upper.” The married couple has delighted audiences by finding charm in unexpected places, and now Chip and Joanna are building their own empire extending from furniture and homewares to a Gaines TV channel. But their greatest achievement has been building a thriving partnership at work and home despite dramatic differences between their personalities.
Thumbnail for "How Pixar’s Ed Catmull and Pete Docter make magic on and off screen".
As they dreamed up iconic characters like Buzz and Woody, Pixar reinvented how animated movies are made. But first, they had to build a culture to make this magic possible. Pixar's co-founder and longtime president Ed Catmull and Oscar-winning Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter talk with Adam about how to spark and sustain creative collaboration.
Thumbnail for "How to tell your own story with Baratunde Thurston".
Baratunde Thurston is an Emmy-nominated writer, activist and comedian. Whether it’s through his witty and thoughtful work at The Onion or The Daily Show, or via in-depth reflections in a New York Times best-selling book or a hit podcast, Baratunde is adept at addressing complex ideas with compelling stories and serious issues with levity.
Thumbnail for "The science of personality and the art of well-being with Brian Little".
Brian and Adam talk about how our personal projects shape our well-being, the nuances of introversion and extraversion, when it makes sense to act out of character, and what our daily pursuits reveal about us.
Thumbnail for "Hidden Figures author Margot Lee Shetterly on reframing the stories we tell".
Margot Lee Shetterly used to be an investment banker, a business owner, and a content marketing and editorial consultant. Now she’s the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “Hidden Figures,” which chronicles the challenges and contributions of the Black women who worked at NASA from the 1930s through the 1960s. Margot and Adam talk about the process of finding and researching the story behind “Hidden Figures,” how to navigate career transitions, and why reframing familiar tales creates more complex and compelling narratives.
Thumbnail for "Building atomic habits with James Clear".
As a blogger and executive coach, James Clear spent years studying how to form and change habits. His research culminated in the book "Atomic Habits”, which has sold more than 15 million copies and been translated into over 50 languages.
Thumbnail for "Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya’s “Anti-CEO Playbook”".
When Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya first arrived in the U.S., he had little money and no big plans. But combine his childhood growing up in a nomadic dairy-farming Kurdish family, some college-level business courses, and a lot of spunk, and his winding trajectory is a unique story of an entrepreneur finding his north star.
Thumbnail for "Ambition vs. aspiration with philosopher Agnes Callard".
Before Agnes Callard was a philosophy professor at the University of Chicago, she was on her high school debate team — and she still loves to debate anything and everything. Her work regularly appears in major outlets such as The New York Times, and she was recently profiled in The New Yorker for her radical openness to rethinking her life. Agnes and Adam discuss the difference between ambition and aspiration, the art of thought-provoking conversations, and whether listening or arguing helps you do your best thinking.
Thumbnail for "Whole Foods founder John Mackey doesn’t follow business plans".
When John Mackey co-founded Whole Foods, he didn’t consider himself an entrepreneur. But after 42 years of leading the company – and spearheading its sale to Amazon – Mackey has proven that a business with purpose can succeed and scale.
Thumbnail for "Admiral Linda Fagan on servant leadership".
Admiral Linda Fagan is the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard – and the first woman to ever lead a branch of the U.S. military. She speaks with Adam about facing impostor syndrome and breaking glass ceilings, spearheading a bold vision for change in the military, and why she believes good leadership requires confidence and humility. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts.
Thumbnail for "Have a work problem? Call Fixable!".
WorkLife will be back for Season 6 in September. Until then, check out this preview of Fixable, a new work call-in podcast from the TED Audio Collective.
Thumbnail for "Brené Brown and Simon Sinek on the leadership skills we need to build".
Brené Brown and Simon Sinek are two of the world's most influential thought leaders. They’ve shared their insights on the power of vulnerability and purpose in viral TED talks, hit podcasts, and bestselling books. Adam invites Brené and Simon to a lively discussion about the most important skills for leaders to build -- and the most vital steps for organizations to put people first.
Thumbnail for "NBA Hall of Famer Joe Dumars on managing eclectic personalities".
Six-time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer Joe Dumars spent 14 years with the Detroit Pistons. As the quiet leader of multiple championship teams, he guarded Michael Jordan –who said he did it better than anyone else– and helped keep teammates like Dennis Rodman focused.
Thumbnail for "Cultivating good power with longtime IBM CEO Ginni Rometty".
Ginni Rometty rose through the ranks at IBM to become their first female CEO. After leading the iconic tech company from 2012 to 2020, Ginni chronicled the experiences and lessons learned in her memoir, “Good Power.”
Thumbnail for "Steve Martin on finding your authentic voice".
Steve Martin has made an award-winning career out of taking on new identities–from actor and comedian to musician and novelist. Over the years, he’s learned that the best way to find yourself is by imitating your role models.
Thumbnail for "Getting to the heart of team culture with Pete Carroll".
How do you build a team capable of winning the Super Bowl? Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll believes it comes down to strong relationships–ones that extend beyond the field and last for a lifetime.
Thumbnail for "Reconsidering your beliefs with Tara Westover".
The first time Tara Westover ever stepped into a classroom, she was seventeen. Today, Tara has a PhD in history and a #1 New York Times bestselling book, “Educated”, a memoir about her experience growing up undereducated in rural Idaho in a Mormon survivalist family.
Thumbnail for "How do incentives really work? with Uri Gneezy".
What motivates us to do… well, anything? Uri Gneezy is a behavioral economist who has changed our understanding of how incentives influence our decisions and actions.
Thumbnail for "Sci-fi writer Andy Weir doesn't love writing".
Andy Weir is the bestselling author of The Martian and Project Hail Mary. He’s known for weaving deep, carefully researched science into his novels, building intricate sci-fi worlds that have captivated millions of readers.
Thumbnail for "The science of performing under pressure with Sian Beilock".
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.
Thumbnail for "ChatGPT did NOT title this podcast (w/ Allie Miller & Ethan Mollick)".
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?
Thumbnail for "The psychology of fiction with Jennifer Lynn Barnes".
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.
Thumbnail for "What animal intelligence reveals about human stupidity with Justin Gregg".
Justin Gregg is an animal cognition expert -- he studies what goes on inside the heads of other creatures, and what that means for us.
Thumbnail for "How Yo-Yo Ma sustains his creative energy".
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.
Thumbnail for "Life lessons from sports with Jody Avirgan".
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.
Thumbnail for "Bringing out the good in kids—and parents—with Becky Kennedy".
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
Thumbnail for "Soccer star Abby Wambach on being good enough".
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
Thumbnail for "Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on leading with strength and sincerity".
Kaja Kallas is the current Prime Minister of Estonia – and the first woman to hold the position.
Thumbnail for "Breaking free of stereotype threat with Claude Steele".
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.
Thumbnail for "The surprising effects of video games with Ash Brandin".
As an educator, Ash Brandin’s mission is to make learning in school as fun as playing a game.
Thumbnail for "Finding–and becoming–great mentors and sponsors with Carla Harris".
Carla Harris is a fierce leader, a devoted mentor, and a dynamic speaker.
Thumbnail for "Knowing when to quit with world poker champion Annie Duke".
Annie Duke dropped out of a PhD program in cognitive psychology– and went on to win the World Series of Poker.
Thumbnail for "Malcolm Gladwell Questions Everything".
For our final episode of the year, let’s revisit Adam and Malcolm’s conversation from the archive.
Thumbnail for "Dolly Parton is burning up, not burning out".
As we get ready for 2023, we’re excited to bring you a conversation Adam had earlier this year with beloved musician Dolly Parton.
Thumbnail for "The science of healthy relationships with John and Julie Gottman".
For decades, renowned psychologists John and Julie Gottman have studied–and guided–healthy relationships.
Thumbnail for "The Science of Motivation | A Slight Change of Plans".
This week, we’re sharing a preview of A Slight Change of Plans, from Pushkin Industries.
Thumbnail for "Why data don’t have all the answers with data scientist Andrea Jones-Rooy".
Andrea Jones-Rooy is a data scientist who’s skeptical about data. She also happens to be a comedian.
Thumbnail for "How to have good arguments with world debate champion Bo Seo".
Growing up, Bo Seo avoided arguments at all costs–until he discovered competitive debate.
Thumbnail for "The four-day work week: luxury or necessity?".
Why do we work five days a week? Could we be just as productive, healthier and happier by working less?
Thumbnail for "The problem with setting goals, with NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho".
For someone who doesn’t believe in goal-setting, Emmanuel Acho is highly accomplished.
Thumbnail for "The psychology of human delusions with filmmaker Adam McKay".
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.
Thumbnail for "If teachers took over the government with Sharon McMahon".
If you were online during the historic 2020 election cycle, you may have seen Sharon McMahon’s viral videos.
Thumbnail for "Reese Witherspoon on turning impostor syndrome into confidence".
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.
Thumbnail for "Life, the universe, and everything with Nobel laureate physicist Saul Perlmutter".
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.
Thumbnail for "How Celeste Ng writes fiery prose".
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.
Thumbnail for "Busting the myths of the brain with neuroscientist Chantel Prat".
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.
Thumbnail for "Malcolm Gladwell Experiments with Adam's Class".
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.
Thumbnail for "Surgeon Atul Gawande wants everyone to have a coach".
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.
Thumbnail for "How free solo climber Alex Honnold faces fear".
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.
Thumbnail for "Mark Cuban doesn’t believe in following your passions".
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.
Thumbnail for "Introducing ReThinking with Adam Grant".
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.
Thumbnail for "Michael Schur on every moral question ever | The TED Interview".
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.
Thumbnail for "How to Change Your Workplace".
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.
Thumbnail for "The 4 Deadly Sins of Work Culture".
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
Thumbnail for "It’s Time To Stop Ignoring Disability".
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.
Thumbnail for "The Do’s And Don'ts Of Returning To The Office".
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.
Thumbnail for "Ava DuVernay is Triumphant".
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.
Thumbnail for "Satya Nadella is building the future".
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.
Thumbnail for "Is Emotional Intelligence Really So Important? | No Stupid Questions".
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.
Thumbnail for "Jon Batiste on the art of pushing your limits".
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.
Thumbnail for "Breaking Up with Perfectionism".
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.
Thumbnail for "How To Pitch Your Best Ideas".
Great pitches can seem like genius or magic. But you don’t have to be a great salesperson to give a great pitch.
Thumbnail for "Rethinking Flexibility at Work".
“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.
Thumbnail for "The Not-So-Great Resignation".
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?
Thumbnail for "Dolly Parton is burning up, not burning out".
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.
Thumbnail for "Leadership lessons from Zelenskyy and Putin".
As Russia continues to attack Ukraine, the whole world is watching a momentous clash of leadership styles.
Thumbnail for "A Glimpse Into The Future | TED Radio Hour".
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.
Thumbnail for " Annie Murphy Paul | The Next Big Idea".
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.
Thumbnail for "Esther Duflo wants you to think like a plumber".
When Esther Duflo took her first economics class, she hated it. In 2019, she won a Nobel Prize in economics.
Thumbnail for "Indra Nooyi Says It’s Time for Leaders to Care".
PepsiCo's trailblazing former CEO drove record profits—but did so while investing in employee well-being, consumer health, and environmental sustainability.
Thumbnail for "Indra Nooyi wants us to reimagine the return to work".
The longtime PepsiCo CEO is one of the world’s most powerful women and Time’s 100 most influential people.
Thumbnail for "Allyson Felix on defeating disappointment and savoring success".
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.
Thumbnail for "How to stop languishing and start finding flow | TED Talks Daily".
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?
Thumbnail for "We should allow sad days, not just sick days".
People are finally paying attention to mental health at work, but some major myths are holding us back.
Thumbnail for "Is it Safe to Speak Up at Work?".
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.
Thumbnail for "Lin-Manuel Miranda Daydreams, and His Dad Gets Things Done".
In a world obsessed with efficiency, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash Broadway hits Hamilton and In the Heights began with idle curiosity.
Thumbnail for "John Green Wants You to Pay Attention to Your Attention".
Do you pay attention to your attention?
Thumbnail for "Mellody Hobson on Taking Tough Feedback ".
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.
Thumbnail for "Merve Emre on Emotional Intelligence as Corporate Control".
In 2020, we saw stress from our personal lives seep into our work lives at an uncontrollable magnitude.
Thumbnail for "Your Insecurities Aren’t What You Think They Are".
“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!
Thumbnail for "Who's the Boss?".
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.
Thumbnail for "How to Bust Bias at Work".
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.
Thumbnail for "Why it Pays to Raise Pay".
When employees are paid more, they give more.
Thumbnail for "Dax Shepard Doesn't Believe in Regret".
Comedian, actor, and Armchair Expert host Dax Shepard steps into the hot seat for a conversation with Adam on Clubhouse.
Thumbnail for "Bonus: That Blah You’re Feeling Is Called Languishing".
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.
Thumbnail for "Glennon Doyle Wants you to Abandon Identity".
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.”
Thumbnail for "How to Build an Inclusive Workplace".
Over the last year, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, many companies have paid lip service to anti-racism. But what does it actually take to change individuals — and the structures and cultures of organizations?
Thumbnail for "The Science of Productive Conflict".
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.
Thumbnail for "Navigating Career Turbulence".
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.
Thumbnail for "How to Rethink a Bad Decision".
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?
Thumbnail for "Daniel Kahneman Doesn't Trust Your Intuition".
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.
Thumbnail for "Malcolm Gladwell Questions Everything".
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.
Thumbnail for "Jane Goodall on Leadership Lessons from Primates".
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.
Thumbnail for "Brené Brown on What Vulnerability Isn't".
We usually wear our thickest armor at work, and Brené Brown has blazed the trail of teaching us why—and how to shed it.
Thumbnail for "Think Again: JJ Abrams Takes Adam’s Job".
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.”
Thumbnail for "How Science Can Fix Remote Work".
Remote work was a trend that some companies and gig workers were trying out, even as others resisted.
Thumbnail for "Career Decline Isn't Inevitable".
As we age, we often feel like the clock starts ticking on our careers
Thumbnail for "Bonus: The Fall of WeWork's Culture".
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.
Thumbnail for "Reinventing the Job Interview ".
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.
Thumbnail for "We Don’t Have to Fight Loneliness Alone".
Many workplaces have become increasingly lonely, even before the coronavirus pandemic made more of us literally remote.
Thumbnail for "Authenticity Is a Double-Edged Sword".
What does effective authenticity look like, and how can we learn to strike the right balance?
Thumbnail for "Bonus: Relationships at Work with Esther Perel".
Work relationships are complicated. Who holds the power and why?
Thumbnail for "The Science of the Deal".
Most of us negotiate in one of two ways: either you roll right over the other party, or you just roll over.
Thumbnail for "Burnout Is Everyone's Problem".
Burnout seems to be everywhere. But it’s not inevitable.
Thumbnail for "The Real Reason You Procrastinate".
You procrastinate because you're lazy, right? Wrong.
Thumbnail for "Bonus: Wild Work Advice with Cheryl Strayed".
For some sage advice, Adam sought out master advice-giver Cheryl Strayed, the author of Wild.
Thumbnail for " Bonus: Fadbusting with Freakonomics".
Why some popular workplace fads might be bogus—and what to do instead.
Thumbnail for "When Strength Becomes Weakness".
Excellence comes from doing what you do best—but you need to make sure you’re doing it at the right times.
Thumbnail for "Bouncing Back from Rejection".
Learn how to face rejection—and even come out stronger because of it.
Thumbnail for "How to Remember Anything".
Memory is a skill you can learn -- and a powerful strategy every workplace can harness.
Thumbnail for "The Office Without A**holes".
How do you deal with jerks at work? And is it possible to eliminate them altogether?
Thumbnail for "The Perils of Following Your Career Passion".
Instead of taking the job that will make you happiest, look for the one where you’ll learn the most.
Thumbnail for "Networking For People Who Hate Networking".
Ditch your business cards. There are more effective, less awkward strategies for building your connections.
Thumbnail for "Become Friends with Your Rivals".
What we can learn about friendly competition from Olympic skiers, elite marathoners, and...food truck vendors.
Thumbnail for "The Creative Power of Misfits".
Harness the power of frustrated people to shake up the status quo — just like Pixar did.
Thumbnail for "Teaser: WorkLife Season 2".
The science of making work not suck
Thumbnail for "Bonus: A Debate with Malcolm Gladwell".
Adam talks with 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.
Thumbnail for "Bonus: #MeToo with Ashley Judd, Ronan Farrow, and Tarana Burke".
To find out how to stop sexual harassment at work, Adam talks with three powerful voices of the #MeToo movement.
Thumbnail for "When Work Takes Over Your Life".
Technology is making it harder than ever to disconnect, but it might be easier than you think.
Thumbnail for "A World Without Bosses".
Being your own boss can be liberating, but it can also be paralyzing.
Thumbnail for "Faking Your Emotions at Work".
You manage your own emotions at work—and your coworkers’ and customers’ emotions too. How do you do that without burning out?