

Psychology at Work | Career Success, Leadership, Communication Skills
Melody Wilding
Have you ever felt like you're the only one struggling with self-doubt at work? Maybe you’ve wondered why office politics seem so complicated or how some people seem to influence so effortlessly? The secret is that every day at work, we're surrounded by psychological dynamics - internal and external. There's the voice in our head second-guessing our decisions, the subtle power plays in meetings, the unspoken expectations that shape our behavior and others. Yet most of us are dropped into our careers with zero insight into these invisible forces.That changes today. Welcome to Psychology at Work. I’m your host Melody Wilding, licensed social worker, human behavior professor, and author of two books: Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work and Managing Up: How to Get What You Need From the People in Charge. With a background as an emotion researcher, therapist, and after over 13 years of coaching thousands of executives and leaders across the world, there’s nothing I love more than helping emotionally intelligent people like you use superpower to make work better for themselves and everyone around them. Because here’s the thing, technical skills will only get you so far in your career. It's mastering your own psychology and understanding that of others that will truly make or break your success.While your coding skills might land you a job, it's your ability to manage stress and stay focused under pressure that will help you meet tight deadlines and deliver high-quality work.Your financial acumen might get you noticed, but it's your ability to navigate stakeholder relationships and office politics that will help you secure buy-in for your ideas.Your strategic thinking might earn you a promotion, but it's your self-awareness and ability to regulate your emotions that will make you an effective leader people want to follow.The title of this show is a playful nod to our double focus. First, we explore how psychology operates in professional settings. But second, in each episode you’re going to walk away with practical insights that you can put to work right away. I know firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate the workplace when you're sensitive, empathetic, and prone to overthinking. That's why I created this podcast that brings you the tools and insights I wish I'd had earlier in my career.Get ready, because you’re going to learn how to master the ‘silent rules’ of human behavior so you can achieve career success without sacrificing inner peace.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 13, 2025 • 44min
59. Personal Brand, Powerful Presence: The Psychology of Style with Cassandra Sethi
If you’ve ever felt like your personal style doesn’t match the professional you are – or want to – become, then this episode is for you. Joining me is Cassandra Sethi, founder of Next Level Wardrobe and the creator of the NLW Style System, which helps executives and entrepreneurs create stress-free, high-impact wardrobes that give you confidence and presence in any room. What You’ll Discover: The embarrassing moment that made Melody fully revamp her personal brand The exact steps to build a personal brand that feels authentic and leadership-readyCommon mistakes you might be making when you try to look “executive”How decision fatigue shows up in your closet—and how to eliminate itAbout CassandraCassandra Sethi is the Founder of Next Level Wardrobe, a top-rated virtual and in-person personal styling service for professionals. With over 25 years of experience in the fashion industry, her and her team help executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders build streamlined, polished wardrobes without stress. Her signature NLW Style System teaches clients how to shop smarter, dress for their goals, and feel confident in any setting. Known for her practical, strategic approach, she believes great style should be simple, sustainable, and aligned with who you are. Cassandra’s mission is to take the guesswork out of getting dressed—so clients can focus on making a greater impact in their work and lives, while always looking and feeling their best. melodywilding.com/highperformance melodywilding.com/highperformanceConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

Aug 6, 2025 • 42min
58. Step into a Bigger Role Without Self Sabotage: How Amy TRIPLED Her Assertiveness in 13 Weeks, Built Influence & Mastered Difficult Personalities
🗓️ FREE TRAINING: Discover which one of 6 traits drives you to overthink & people-please at work -- and how to finally break free. RSVP for 60 Minutes to Defeat Self-Sabotage, happening August 14th 12pm ET (replay available): https://melodywilding.com/60minutes—Have you ever gotten the promotion you wanted, only to feel completely overwhelmed instead of excited? Today's guest, Amy, knows that feeling intimately. As an administrative manager at a major research university, she transitioned from a role where she felt confident and at the top of her game to a new position that challenged everything she thought she knew about herself. You’ll hear how after joining RESILIENT she went from second-guessing every interaction to being recognized as a strategic leader across her organization.What You’ll DiscoverThe "popcorn strategy" Amy used to build rapport with someone who initially found her annoying (now they work seamlessly together)How she went from dreading Monday mornings to feeling energized about challenges – without changing jobs or teamsThe mistake Amy was making that was sabotaging her credibility (even though she thought she was being professional) melodywilding.com/highperformance melodywilding.com/highperformanceConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

Jul 30, 2025 • 32min
57. Are You Self-Sabotaging? Subtle Signs That Masquerade as Being a “Good Employee”
🗓️ FREE TRAINING: Discover which one of 6 traits drives you to overthink & people-please at work -- and how to finally break free. RSVP for 60 Minutes to Defeat Self-Sabotage, happening August 14th 12pm ET (replay available): https://melodywilding.com/60minutes—In this episode, Melody breaks down the sneaky, subtle ways self-sabotage shows up at work. Not the obvious stuff you see in every career listicle, but things you’re praised for yet quietly hold you back from the success, recognition, and peace of mind you actually want.What You’ll Discover:▪️Why your "responsible" decision-making might actually be based on completely made-up math▪️ How you're unconsciously treating yourself worse than you'd treat your most unreliable colleague▪️ One emotional habit that feels like self-awareness but actually prevents you from solving problems▪️ The seemingly professional behavior that's actually laziness in disguise melodywilding.com/highperformance melodywilding.com/highperformanceConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 22min
56. 5 Steps to Speak Like a Senior Leader [FREE TRAINING REPLAY]
Discover how to sound credible and command respect in your workplace. Learn the real meaning behind 'executive presence' and find out that it’s not about being louder or fancier. Melody shares simple tweaks you can implement today to enhance your communication with polish. Unveil a 5-step system that has led clients to six-figure promotions, all without pesky buzzwords. Get ready to elevate your career and assert your leadership with strategies designed for impactful communication!

Jul 22, 2025 • 38min
55. How Leaders REALLY Decide Who Gets Promoted with Alli Peck
⏰ ENROLLMENT CLOSING for Speak Like a Senior Leader: https://speaklikeaseniorleader.comMelody sits down with Alli Peck, the powerhouse behind @allifromcorporate, where over a million followers turn for her bold, unfiltered advice on navigating the modern workplace. Now leading a mechanical engineering team at a national security facility, Alli reveals what leaders are really looking for when they evaluate your communication, presence, and potential.What You’ll Discover: One small behavior that instantly signals “this person is ready for more responsibility”The most common communication mistake that makes even smart people seem unprepared or immatureWhat the most impressive team members do differently when sharing ideas or handling pushbackThe red flag that makes leaders hesitate to put you in front of important stakeholdersAbout Alli PeckAlli Peck is a TEDx speaker, author of Surviving Office Life, and social media influencer with nearly one million followers across seven platforms, where she shares bold, relatable content on career development and navigating the modern workplace (@allifromcorporate0). She leads a mechanical engineering team at a National Security facility, runs a real estate investment company in Las Vegas, and has been featured in The Today Show, Business Insider, TIME Magazine, and The Skimm. Allison brings a unique blend of corporate leadership, small business strategy, and viral storytelling—helping organizations build high-performing teams and amplify their success through impactful social media. melodywilding.com/highperformance melodywilding.com/highperformanceConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

Jul 18, 2025 • 13min
54. The Surprising Reason You Sound More Junior Than You Really Are
Join Speak Like a Senior Leader™ before doors close July 25th 11:59pm. Only cohort of 2025! https://speaklikeaseniorleader.comIn this episode, Melody reveals the one simple communication shift that instantly elevates how others perceive your credibility. Melody breaks down how to communicate in a way that reflects the true complexity and magnitude of your work, so leaders see you as the strategic, high-value professional you actually are.What You’ll Discover: The two missing ingredients that instantly separate senior-level communication from junior-level ramblingHow to make colleagues and leader lean forward and think "now that was impressive"The before-and-after transformation that got one client invited to present to the board within six monthsConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

Jul 16, 2025 • 29min
53. “Spiky” Points of View on Workplace Politics
Join Speak Like a Senior Leader™ before doors close July 25th 11:59pm. Only cohort of 2025! https://speaklikeaseniorleader.comMelody shares her most controversial “hot takes” on workplace politics and delivers the hard truths about how influence really works in corporate environments. This episode challenges the romanticized view of how work "should" operate and provides a pragmatic framework for gaining influence ethically. What You’ll Discover: ▪️The brain science behind why "staying above office politics" backfires▪️How to tell the difference between productive politics and destructive manipulation▪️Why your "weakness" for picking up on tension might be the most valuable skill you're not using melodywilding.com/highperformance melodywilding.com/highperformanceConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

Jul 9, 2025 • 38min
52. Want to Be More Authoritative at Work? Building Confidence Is a Waste of Time
🎟️ NEW FREE TRAINING: RSVP for 5 Steps to Speak Like a Senior Leader happening July 16th at 3pm ET: https://melodywilding.com/training If you've been waiting to "feel more confident" before speaking up in meetings, asking for that promotion, or sharing your insights at higher levels, this episode will completely shift how you think about building authority and credibility at work. Melody surveyed hundreds of mid-to-senior level professionals. What she found were hidden patterns that keep even the most driven people stuck, struggling to turn their expertise into true respect and recognition. In this episode, she unpacks why the self-help industry’s obsession with “confidence” might be making it worse.What You’ll Discover: What your nervous system really needs to build executive presence Why your carefully crafted message can still land flat—and what to do about itA life-changing 5-word concept that will change how you think about nervousnessThe five biggest myths professionals believe about confidence (and what’s true instead)Connect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

Jul 2, 2025 • 35min
51. Decoding Executive Speak
Ever felt puzzled by vague executive phrases? This discussion unveils the hidden meanings behind diplomatic language for career growth. Learn how to sharpen your communication skills without overthinking every interaction. Discover the power of mapping organizational politics to identify key influencers and gain support for your ideas. Plus, master the art of discerning between genuine urgency and mere hype, ensuring you respond effectively when feedback suggests additional refinement.

Jun 25, 2025 • 45min
50. Quiet Your Racing Mind with Nick Wignall
Learn how to quiet your racing mind and overcome chronic worry at work with clinical psychologist Nick Wignall. If you struggle with workplace anxiety, overthinking every email, or constantly second-guessing your decisions, this episode provides practical strategies to break free from the worry cycle. What You’ll Discover: The subtle, sneaky causes of anxiety that most people never notice at workHow to tell the difference between a worry and worrying (and why it matters for your career)The most underrated solution to workplace worry that has nothing to do with breathing exercisesHow to actually stop your mind from racing when you're spiraling about workAbout Nick: Nick Wignall is a board-certified clinical psychologist. He currently works as a coach for anxious high-achievers and runs a leadership consulting firm, Loom. His newsletter, The Friendly Mind, reaches 50,000+ people each week and shares practical, evidence-based advice for emotional health and wellbeing. https://nickwignall.com/ melodywilding.com/highperformance melodywilding.com/highperformanceConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up