DiscoverWorkLife with Adam Grant
WorkLife with Adam Grant

WorkLife with Adam Grant

Author: TED

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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.
179 Episodes
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Trevor Noah is widely admired for his quick wit. He's hosted The Daily Show and the Grammy Awards, sold out huge arenas around the world, had numerous hit comedy specials on Netflix, and published a bestselling memoir, Born a Crime. One of the keys to his success is his ability to read people and communicate clearly. In a lively discussion with Adam, Trevor dives into the importance of context in everything from personal relationships to global politics. The two also debate the best way to improve American politics — and Trevor does a few impromptu impressions, including one of Adam. Trevor's new podcast, What Now?, is available on all platforms.Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
Before becoming the director of major films like Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights and the upcoming Wicked, Jon M. Chu wondered if he missed his chance to make it big. After a great deal of trial and error, his path to success is its own cinematic hero's journey. Jon and Adam discuss what it takes to reach your own potential, the creative process, and how to find the courage to tell new stories. His new book Viewfinder is out now.Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
How can we reduce hostility between people and groups? Social psychologist Betsy Levy Paluck has done groundbreaking work on an approach to fighting prejudice that's faster than trying to change institutions and more feasible than trying to change individuals. Betsy and Adam explore the origins of animosity, discuss her experiments in Rwanda and in schools, and unpack strategies for bridging our divides.
At 27, long before he gained acclaim as the restaurateur behind Shake Shack and Gramercy Tavern, Danny Meyer launched his first venture, Union Square Cafe. More than 20 James Beard Foundation awards later, Danny shares the strategies and insights that fueled his restaurant empire. He and Adam discuss how to build a culture of excellence and care, how to hire people who treat others well, and how to bring values to life. Danny is the author of the New York Times bestseller Setting the Table.Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
Journalist Rafi Kohan says talking trash can do more than spice up a sport. His latest book, Trash Talk: The Only Book About Destroying Your Rivals That Isn’t Total Garbage, is a fascinating look at the art and history of competitive insults. From women's basketball to the Olympics to the TED stage, Adam and Rafi dissect the mind games that fuel performance — and dive into the science of why a little banter can go a long way.Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
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.Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts An excerpt from Julia Gillard's 2020 speech was used in this episode. The clip was sourced from the Commonwealth of Australia, and is used under Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 AU.
The Dunning-Kruger effect is a rare psychological concept that has achieved pop culture fame. David Dunning -- the lead author and one of the world’s most-cited psychologists -- joins Adam to discuss his famous findings about the arrogance of ignorance, the challenges of knowing what you don’t know, and the dangers of “doing your own research.” Then David and Adam uncover strategies for overcoming overconfidence among amateurs as well as experts.Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts    
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
Anne Curzan is a professional word nerd. As a linguist and English professor, Anne studies the history of the English language — and how public attitudes about words shift over time. Adam and Anne geek out over whether the grammar rules you learned in school are justified, why some language peeves are (or aren't) worth holding onto, and confess what they're learning from Gen-Z slang. Anne's latest book, Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide For Everyone Who Cares About Words, is out now.Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
Gabrielle Zevin wrote the runaway bestseller Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, but she doesn’t expect anyone to know most of her other nine books. The acclaimed novelist joins Adam to discuss how to face failure, find inspiration, make sure success doesn't hinder creativity, and stay motivated when your goals don't align with your skills. Then, they riff on the most important elements of a story and several mic drop moments in her work. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
Sir Richard Branson has spent his lifetime taking dreams and making them reality. As the founder of the Virgin Group, he's built more than 400 businesses spanning from retail to music to transport. In his spare time, he’s advocated for human rights and sustainability — and set world records for hot air ballooning and kitesurfing. Richard talks with Adam about what he’s learned about courage and risk-taking in more than half a century of entrepreneurship, unveils his distinctive view of competition, and shares what he thinks great leaders have in common. Richard’s new audiobook, "Losing and Finding My Virginity: The Full Story," is out now.Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
Justin Trudeau has served as the Prime Minister of Canada since 2015. And there’s a lot to dig into from his years in office — and from his life before, as well. Adam sits down with him to discuss lessons learned about leadership. The Prime Minister opens up for the first time about his early struggles with impostor syndrome and how he maintains his motivation in the face of disapproval and criticism today. He also shares how he encourages people to speak truth to power, where his team is challenging him to improve right now, why he considered quitting, and what keeps him awake at night.Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
American writer Rebecca Solnit thinks deeply and writes evocatively about our world. Her must-read essays and award-winning books span hope, history, art, leadership, and sustainability. Adam and Rebecca reflect on what we lose when public discourse is diluted to fit into social media, debate how to bring back good conversations online, and share why being able to recalibrate our opinions is crucial in our increasingly digital world.Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
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/T4G8This episode previously aired June 22, 2021.
Brian Chesky, the CEO and cofounder of Airbnb, is firmly in the trust business. His focus isn't only on building a trusted platform for people to rent their homes to strangers — it's on earning the trust of his employees. Adam and Brian discuss how to lead with care in tough times, why it's better to overcommunicate than undercommunicate, what to expect for the future of work, and why a company should be treated as a community rather than a family. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
Years ago, Aza Raskin invented the infinite scroll – and yes, he regrets it. Today, Aza is the co-founder of the Center For Humane Technology and the Earth Species Project. Aza’s work focuses on creating and advocating for ethical technology that benefits collective well-being. For his latest project, he’s looking beyond humanity, using artificial intelligence to decode whale communication and see what lessons we might learn from the animal world. In this expansive conversation, Adam and Aza discuss ways to improve social media, how communicating with other species could change our world, and why everyone – including our governments – needs to upgrade our thinking about an AI world. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
David Duchovny knows a lot about success — he’s a Golden Globe-winning actor who has had iconic roles from The X-Files to Californication. But as a literature PhD dropout turned director turned songwriter and novelist, David is more interested in failure and what it can teach us. Adam and David discuss the value of falling short of our goals, the perils of success, and whether nice people really finish last. David’s new podcast Fail Better is out now. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
Mae Martin is a comedian, improviser, screenwriter, and podcast host. Their work on Netflix includes the stand-up special Sap and the aptly named TV series Feel Good. 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. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
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. So why doesn’t she like the phrase “speak truth to power?” The journalist, author, and host of the popular podcasts Pivot and On joins Adam to discuss her history of assertiveness and her strategies for challenging authority. Then, they dive into Silicon Valley’s favorite status symbols, the difference between being demanding and being demeaning, and the future of technology and accountability. Kara’s latest book, Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, is out now. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
Anne Lamott may be your favorite writer’s favorite writer. The author of many beloved books, including the modern classic Bird by Bird, Anne’s writing is singularly insightful, moving, and oftentimes funny. 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. Then, Anne helps with a special request. Anne’s latest book, Somehow: Thoughts on Love, is out now. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts
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Comments (147)

Dorian C. Schiefelbein

The recent collection of astrophotos showcases the breathtaking beauty of the night sky, highlighting celestial wonders like the Buck Full Moon and the Lagoon Nebula https://orbitaltoday.com/2024/07/22/buck-full-moon-and-lagoon-nebula-lead-best-astrophotos-of-the-week-15th-22nd-july/ These images capture the imagination and inspire a deeper appreciation for the universe, reminding us of the endless marvels that await exploration.

Aug 31st
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Tian Tac

Is there anyway I can get the transcripts?

Jul 22nd
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Vishaal Bhatnagar

Tyranny of #positivity in the nuanced, research-backed language of Dr. Susan David, Ph.D. in conversation with Adam Grant Great new description I learnt from the episode: I am a "non-pessimist", to better describe myself. Loved it! https://castbox.fm/vb/666928635 #difficultconversations #realism #emotionalresilience #pessimism #healthandwellness #optimism #guilt #empathy #compassion #values #psychologicalwellbeing

Mar 1st
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Vishaal Bhatnagar

Great episode

Mar 1st
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Mr kibria

💚🔴💚WATCH>>ᗪOᗯᑎᒪOᗩᗪ>>LINK>👉https://co.fastmovies.org

Jan 27th
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M&H

is it possible to write the note of you're podcast

Jan 19th
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Mustafa Thunder

Instead of increasing people's happiness, policies should be geared toward reducing their misery. You cannot accurately define happiness for everyone because it means different things to different people. But you can do this for misery and sadness. Poverty, hunger, illness, and lack of security make everyone miserable whereas a new gym might make some happy but not all.

Dec 28th
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Mustafa Thunder

Sharpen your decision-making by asking yourself twice. Opinions shift with mood, energy, and life's currents. This double-check samples your inner compass, leading to steadier choices. So ditch the knee-jerk reaction and sleep on it – your future self will thank you.

Dec 28th
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Hooryar Mehrabi

love everyone of episodes. Thank you dear Adam!

Nov 21st
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Mustafa Thunder

it doesn't happen that I decide to listen to a podcast more than once but this one hit home so deeply that I have to.

Nov 10th
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MED A

agree to some big degree life

Nov 7th
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Shaaheen Shahi

Would you please make a podcast and talk about reducing working hours because I think things are gettng done so faster these days beacause of the tehnologies which is being used at office. computers, emails, productivity tools, and many more things we use, caused to get things done faster. So there is no need to work for 8 frustrating hours. I think 4 to 6 hours a day is more than enough. It increases the efficiency of people and people will have more time for their own life.

Oct 8th
Reply (1)

Aakash Amanat

I absolutely love "WorkLife with Adam Grant"! The insights and discussions brought to light in each episode are not only thought-provoking but also incredibly relevant to our ever-evolving work landscape. https://www.houzz.com/pro/parchmentcrafters Adam Grant's ability to blend research, personal anecdotes, and practical advice creates a unique listening experience. The episodes on topics like leadership, productivity, and work culture have genuinely reshaped the way I approach my own career. It's refreshing to hear from experts and real-life professionals who have successfully navigated the challenges that many of us face in our professional lives. https://www.cakeresume.com/me/Parchment-Crafters

Aug 21st
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Phillip Gold

It's actually sometimes very difficult to call out of work without a good reason. My advice - if you have a real reason, give it and then you won't have to blush in front of your boss if your deception is discovered. But there is also a second effective way (in fact, there are several). You can find these ways on this page https://resumekit.com/blog/how-to-call-out-of-work/ . As someone who has employees of my own, I can tell you that this would work for me. Maybe some of my employees have already used these tips and I didn't get anything about it :D

Jul 25th
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Mike Horan

Do you have any tips on how to take a day off work? I only need advice that will actually help me get off work from my strict boss.

Jul 25th
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Sage Birchwood

Lmao, ethical capitalism? Says the former CEO of a company that uses prison labor.

Jun 6th
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Amirali Sedaghatyar

Thanks a bunch. hilarious and life_changing at the same time.

May 5th
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Osprey 225

from a woman who created a toxic work environment at Barnard College......

May 2nd
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Manan Jariwala

Wonderful episode. Thanks.

Apr 13th
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Pooja Vaid

This episode was fantastic! Thank you!

Mar 28th
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