The Anxious Achiever
Managing Career Transitions Part 2: Taking A Break
Nov 11, 2019
In this insightful discussion, Alyssa Mastromonaco, former White House deputy chief of staff and COO of Vice Media, opens up about the pressure of high-stakes leadership and managing anxiety. She reflects on the need for breaks to recognize mental health symptoms that often go unnoticed in a relentless work culture. Alyssa shares her personal journey through career transitions, emphasizing the importance of redefining identity outside of work. Her candid embrace of mental health transparency highlights how openness can create supportive workplace environments.
38:05
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Quick takeaways
- Alyssa Mastromonaco illustrates how anxiety can drive high performance, enabling individuals to excel in demanding roles despite mental challenges.
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of openly discussing mental health in professional environments to foster support and reduce stigma among colleagues.
Deep dives
The Impact of Anxiety in High-Pressure Roles
Alyssa Mastromonaco discusses how her anxiety shaped her work ethic during her time in politics, including her role as White House Deputy Chief of Staff. She suggests that her anxiety made her more organized and fastidious, enabling her to anticipate challenges and maintain control over multiple responsibilities. Despite the high-pressure environment, she perceived her anxiety not as a hindrance but as a utility that aided her performance in fast-paced situations, illustrating how some individuals channel their mental challenges into productive outcomes. This reflects a broader phenomenon where anxiety can sometimes propel individuals to perform at exceptional levels.
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