Psychology at Work | Career Success, Leadership, Communication Skills
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.
Latest episodes
Mar 19, 2025 • 43min
34. Mastering Difficult Conversations with Viral Sensation & Trial Lawyer, Jefferson Fisher
Jefferson Fisher, a trial lawyer and viral communication expert, shares his strategic insights on mastering difficult conversations. He reveals how to communicate assertively without offending, and what to say when someone takes credit for your work. Jefferson discusses his three-part communication framework: say it with control, confidence, and connection. He also provides tactics for delivering bad news and emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and active listening in navigating professional dialogues.
Mar 12, 2025 • 40min
33. How to Turn Job Seeking into Job Shopping with Madeline Mann
Tired of feeling powerless in your job search? HR insider and career coach, Madeline Mann, is here to flip the script on traditional job hunting. Madeline shares her revolutionary approach that transforms frustrated job seekers into confident job shoppers. Drawing from her experience in HR and recruiting at top companies, she breaks down exactly how to take control of your career journey and land roles at dream companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.You’ll Discover:The psychology behind what actually makes hiring managers take notice How to shift from being a desperate job seeker to becoming an empowered job shopperPractical strategies for managing an effective job search while working full-timeAbout Madeline Madeline Mann is an HR & Recruiting leader and the author of Reverse the Search, who spun her insider knowledge of the hiring process into an award-winning career coaching empire, called Self Made Millennial, where she has reached millions. Through her platforms and coaching, Mann works to turn job seekers into Job Shoppers, enabling any professional to land high-paying job offers, with many landing roles at competitive Fortune 500 companies. Mann has been featured in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and ABC News, and is recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice.speaklikeaseniorleader.com 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
Mar 7, 2025 • 32min
32. What's Your Professional Power Position? (Introducing My New Direction)
In this candid episode, Melody shares the behind-the-scenes story of her bold new direction and introduces a brand new concept: your Professional Power Position. She opens up about the personal wake-up calls that led to this evolution, including why she stopped softening her message and what happened when she did. Through compelling examples and personal confessions, Melody shows why mastering both your own psychology AND others' is the key to getting the recognition, respect, and results you deserve. This conversation will change how you think about power, influence, and success at work. 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
Mar 4, 2025 • 27min
31. Exclusive First Listen: Managing Up Audiobook Introduction
Today is a big day! Melody’s new book, Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge, is officially out in the world 🎉 To celebrate, you get exclusive first listen to the Introduction, where you’ll hear why managing up isn’t something you do for your boss—it’s something you do for yourself. Grab your copy at managingup.com. Your support on launch day will help bring this book to as many professionals as possible who need it.Audio courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from MANAGING UP by Melody Wilding, read by the author. 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
Feb 26, 2025 • 17min
30. Your Roadmap to Workplace Influence: 10 Conversations to Manage Up-Part 2
Discover the art of workplace influence with key strategies for building valuable professional relationships. Learn how to make your contributions visible and navigate crucial conversations for career advancement. Melody reveals essential tactics for networking internally and transitioning roles while maintaining strong connections. Uncover the final five conversations that can help you secure the opportunities you deserve. This insightful guide sparks a roadmap to empower your professional journey!
Feb 24, 2025 • 27min
29. Your Roadmap to Workplace Influence: 10 Conversations to Manage Up-Part 1
Discover the secrets to workplace influence through strategic conversations. Learn about the invisible dynamics that often go unnoticed in professional settings. The discussion highlights how to align your priorities with your leaders and understand different communication styles. Get ready to boost your confidence with essential conversations that can reshape your relationships at work. Mastering these interactions can be a game changer for your success!
Feb 19, 2025 • 24min
28. 5 Managing Up Myths Keeping You from a Promotion & Peace of Mind
🚨 Pre-order Melody’s new book, Managing Up: How to Get What You Need From the People in Charge. Get over $400 worth of bonuses at: https://managingup.comJoin Melody as she reveals why everything you thought you knew about managing up is outdated and possibly sabotaging your success. Learn why this critical skill isn't about being a yes-person or surviving bad bosses, but about strategically positioning yourself for greater influence, autonomy, and impact. Whether you're an introvert who thinks you can't play office politics, or someone with a great boss who thinks you don't need these skills, this episode will transform how you think about managing up in today's complex workplace.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
Feb 17, 2025 • 46min
27. Influence Any Boss with this "Cheat Code"
🚨 Pre-order Melody’s new book, Managing Up: How to Get What You Need From the People in Charge. Get over $400 worth of bonuses at: https://managingup.comIn this episode, get a special peek into Melody’s recent training that will show you how to decode your boss's working style, understand what drives their behavior, and adapt your approach to get better results. Whether you're dealing with a micromanager, an indecisive boss, or someone who just doesn't seem to get you, this episode will give you practical tools to move from constant friction to smooth collaboration. It's time to stop dreading those interactions and start navigating them with confidence.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
Feb 12, 2025 • 26min
26. My Unpopular Opinion About Difficult Bosses
🚨 Pre-order Melody’s new book, Managing Up: How to Get What You Need From the People in Charge. Get over $400 worth of bonuses at: https://managingup.com"My boss is difficult" - how many times have you thought or said those words? In this episode, Melody shares an uncomfortable truth that might ruffle some feathers, but could completely change your career trajectory and take back your power. 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
Feb 5, 2025 • 35min
25. Mindful Productivity, Tiny Experiments, and Embracing Uncertainty with Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Neuroscientist and former Google executive Anne-Laure Le Cunff challenges our linear idea of career success, introducing a new approach: tiny experiments. She shares how this experimental mindset transformed her own career trajectory and offers practical strategies for anyone looking to make more meaningful career choices. Whether you're feeling stuck in your current role or contemplating a bold career move, this conversation will reshape how you think about professional growth and decision-making. You’ll Discover:Why traditional career planning often fails us, and how an experimental mindset can unlock new possibilities you never consideredhe surprising truth about procrastination and how to use it as a tool for deeper self-understandingHow to run "tiny experiments" in your current role to explore new directions without taking major risksThree essential mental shifts that transform decision paralysis into purposeful actionAbout Anne-LaureAnne-Laure Le Cunff is an award-winning neuroscientist and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Ness Labs, where her weekly newsletter is read by more than 100,000 curious minds. Her research at King’s College London focuses on the psychology and neuroscience of lifelong learning, curiosity, and adaptability. Her upcoming book, Tiny Experiments, is a transformative guide for living a more experimental life, turning uncertainty into curiosity, and carving a path of self-discovery. Previously, she worked at Google as an executive on digital health projects. Her work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Forbes, Financial Times, and WIRED. Learn more at https://nesslabs.com/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
