Worklife with Adam Grant WorkLife: Protecting your time with Linda Babcock
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May 6, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Linda Babcock, a Professor emerita of economics at Carnegie Mellon and co-author of 'The No Club,' dives into the complexities of gender dynamics in the workplace. She highlights how women often bear a disproportionate burden of non-promotable tasks and offers insights on setting boundaries. Together with Adam Grant, they share personal anecdotes on the struggle of saying no, explore the impact of societal expectations, and propose effective strategies to reclaim time and prioritize work that truly matters.
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Formation of The No Club
- Linda Babcock created the No Club after realizing she spent more time in meetings than research, unlike her male colleagues.
- The club helps members resist non-promotable tasks and set boundaries effectively.
Women Volunteer More for Costly Tasks
- Women are more likely to volunteer for non-promotable tasks even when these tasks carry a personal cost.
- This behavior is driven by social expectations rather than skill or preference.
Group Dynamics Affect Task Volunteering
- Men and women adjust task volunteering depending on group composition, showing expectations shape behavior, not preferences.
- People expect women to take on tasks, which encourages these gender differences.
