Worklife with Adam Grant

Kaja Kallas, the first female Prime Minister of Estonia, shares insights on leadership shaped by her experience in a nation facing external threats. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity and the dangers of inauthenticity in political discourse. Kallas discusses the necessity of accountability in global politics, advocating for effective communication and collaboration. She also reflects on the unique challenges women face in leadership, promoting inclusive practices. Her perspectives on navigating crises and cultural dynamics are both enlightening and inspiring.

Claude Steele, a pioneering social psychologist and emeritus professor at Stanford, delves into the impact of stereotype threat on performance. He explains how mere awareness of stereotypes can lead to anxiety and cognitive interference, particularly among marginalized groups. The conversation shifts to self-affirmation as a powerful tool to combat these effects, fostering resilience and growth. They discuss the flaws of high-stakes testing and suggest low-stakes alternatives. Claude emphasizes the importance of acceptance and belonging in mitigating stereotype threats, especially for professional women.

Ash Brandin, a middle school teacher and educational innovator, shares her insights on making learning as engaging as video games. She discusses how video games can enhance educational experiences, debunking myths about violence and exploring their emotional benefits. Ash highlights games for adults that break traditional norms and speaks about the importance of intrinsic motivation. Their conversation emphasizes the need to balance screen time while recognizing the cognitive skills and family dynamics that gaming can nurture.

In this enlightening discussion, Carla Harris, a renowned Wall Street veteran and former chair of the National Women's Business Council, shares her wisdom on mentorship and sponsorship. She emphasizes the necessity of building strong relationships and effectively advocating for oneself in the workplace. Carla explores the distinctions between mentorship and sponsorship and the vital role authenticity plays in leadership. With insights on confronting workplace bias and fostering inclusivity, she provides practical strategies for navigating professional challenges and empowering teams.

Annie Duke, a world poker champion and decision-making expert, shares her journey from dropping out of a PhD to winning the World Series of Poker. She discusses the art of quitting, emphasizing the need to balance perseverance with new opportunities. Listeners learn about poker strategies, the impact of gender bias, and the moral complexities of quitting. Duke also offers insights on evaluating priorities and personal values, helping people navigate tough decisions in both games and life.

Malcolm Gladwell, a renowned writer and journalist, joins the conversation for an engaging debate with Adam Grant. They dive into the complexities of intelligence, questioning if it's oversold or undersold in today’s world. The duo tackles racism, emphasizing the need for institutional accountability over individual blame. They discuss the ethics of sports performance, the role of trust in consumer relationships, and the importance of mindset in personal growth. Throughout, they challenge conventional thoughts, reminding us that we shouldn’t believe everything we think.

Dolly Parton, the beloved musician and humanitarian, shares her insights on creativity and ambition. She discusses her latest project, ‘Run, Rose, Run,’ which merges music and storytelling through a collaboration with James Patterson. Dolly reflects on overcoming challenges in her career, particularly sexism, while embracing imperfection and the emotional aspects of creativity. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, finding joy in creation, and the necessity of balancing ambition with self-acceptance.

John and Julie Gottman, renowned psychologists and co-founders of the Gottman Institute, share their expertise on creating and maintaining healthy relationships. They discuss avoiding the 'four horsemen of marital apocalypse,' navigating criticism, and the emotional toll of conflict. The couple explores practical tools like the Gottman Connect platform to improve communication. They also reflect on how the pandemic impacted relationships, amplifying strengths and challenges, while emphasizing the need for understanding and support in overcoming obstacles.

Cognitive scientist Dr. Maya Shankar shares insights on how life changes shape our identity and the importance of goal-setting. Psychology expert Dr. Ayelet Fishbach discusses the difference between measurable efforts and true productivity. They emphasize the need for realistic, engaging goals to inspire motivation. Discover how personal agency and offering choices can enhance goal achievement. Plus, explore the empathy gap in connecting with your future self and why it matters for personal growth.

Andrea Jones-Rooy, a data scientist, comedian, and NYU professor, shares her unique perspective on data's limitations and its humorous parallels with comedy. She explores the complexities of interpreting data in a biased world and emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions in scientific inquiry. Andrea discusses the excitement of real-time feedback in both science and comedy, and critiques how we present data and science to build trust. With insights from both her academic and comedic backgrounds, she reveals the art of effective communication in understanding our world.