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
122hr 37min
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Learn the latest science on why we remember, what we forget, and how learning new ideas happens.
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Political scientist Ian Bremmer gives a stirring analysis of the current state of global affairs and explains what makes 2024 so complex.
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Adam asks about will.i.am’s creative process and digs into how he turns his expansive ideas into reality.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Carla Harris is a fierce leader, a devoted mentor, and a dynamic speaker.
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Andrea Jones-Rooy is a data scientist who’s skeptical about data. She also happens to be a comedian.
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Why do we work five days a week? Could we be just as productive, healthier and happier by working less?
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For someone who doesn’t believe in goal-setting, Emmanuel Acho is highly accomplished.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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".
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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.
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Thumbnail for "How to Change Your Workplace".
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Thumbnail for "The 4 Deadly Sins of Work Culture".
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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.
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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.
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Thumbnail for "Breaking Up with Perfectionism".
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Thumbnail for "How To Pitch Your Best Ideas".
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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?
Thumbnail for "How to Trust People You Don’t Like".
A crew of astronauts from different countries share fresh insights about handling conflict and building trust.
Thumbnail for "Your Hidden Personality".
You might not know yourself as well as you think.
Thumbnail for "The Problem with All-Stars".
The Butler Bulldogs have a habit of shocking college basketball fans by beating top teams with far more talent. How do they do it?
Thumbnail for "The Daily Show’s Secret to Creativity".
Adam takes us behind the scenes in the writers’ room to show how creative collaboration really works.
Thumbnail for "How to Love Criticism".
What if you could tell your co-workers what you really think of them?
Thumbnail for "Trailer: WorkLife with Adam Grant".
New episodes every Wednesday.

The wrong way to think about culture fit

Thumbnail for "The wrong way to think about culture fit".
October 1, 202433min 45sec

Many workplaces hire, reward and promote on culture fit. But that can come with real costs to individuals and organizations. In this episode, Adam dives into the evidence on why overemphasizing fit can overlook promising people — and shows how organizations can fight conformity and support self-expression. Guests include Ellevest founder Sallie Krawcheck, IDEO innovators Jim Yurchenco and Diego Rodriguez, and organizational behavior expert Patricia Hewlin.

Available transcripts for WorkLife can be found at go.ted.com/WLtranscripts

Thumbnail for "The wrong way to think about culture fit".
The wrong way to think about culture fit
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