

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

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 • 43min
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/ Connect with Melody: FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

23 snips
Jun 18, 2025 • 36min
49. 6 Signs You’re NOT Speaking Like a Senior Leader (And the Fixes)
Discover the subtle communication mistakes that can undermine your leadership presence. Learn how even highly competent individuals might inadvertently sound like mid-level contributors. Explore the six key habits to avoid for clearer communication and more influence. Uncover why top leaders often don't directly answer questions, enhancing their effectiveness. Get actionable insights to elevate your executive presence and make the most of your expertise in professional settings.

Jun 11, 2025 • 33min
48. How to Take Criticism Without Taking It Personally
Criticism at work only gets harsher and more frequent the higher you climb – not easier or less. That’s why in this episode Melody shares strategies to take feedback seriously without taking it personally (none of which requires superhuman zen). You'll learn how to handle difficult conversations in a way that both projects executive presence and safeguards your confidence. What You’ll Discover: How to decode what criticism reveals about workplace politics, power dynamics, and hidden agendasHow to separate someone's communication style from the actual content of their feedbackWhy you should never act on a leader’s input until you do THIS (and no, it’s not “ask questions”)The specific scripts to use when you're blindsided by criticism and need to calm downConnect with Melody: FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

Jun 4, 2025 • 35min
47. Leadership Under Pressure with Sabina Nawaz
Author Sabina Nawaz joins Melody to explore why pressure, not power, is what truly derails even the most well-intentioned leaders. They unpack simple tools like the Yes List and Multiple Meanings to help you lead with clarity, even when you’re overwhelmed.What You’ll Discover: Sneaky ways pressure warps your thinking, behavior, and relationships at workThe first thing to do when you feel like you’re barely keeping your head above waterHow to build your “pressure capacity” so challenges don’t derail your success About Sabina NawazSabina Nawaz is an elite executive coach who advises C-level executives and teams at Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions around the world. During her fourteen-year tenure at Microsoft, she went from managing software development teams to leading the company’s executive development and succession planning efforts for over 11,000 managers and nearly a thousand executives, advising Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer directly. Connect with Melody: FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

May 28, 2025 • 30min
46. Can't Stop Checking If Your Boss Is Happy With Your Work? Here's Why
Are you constantly checking if your boss is happy with your work? Discover how this habit can drain your confidence and lead to self-doubt. The discussion highlights the distinction between managing up and seeking approval. Learn why relying on your boss’s feedback can leave you unsatisfied. Explore the 'filter not sponge' approach to improve how you respond to others' input. Plus, understand how declaring your worth can sometimes become a trap rather than a strength.

May 21, 2025 • 34min
45. Building Emotional Fitness for Work & Life with Dr. Emily Anhalt
Dr. Emily Anhalt, a clinical psychologist and cofounder of Coa, shares insights on building emotional fitness, a concept she defines as training your emotions like muscles. She emphasizes the importance of resilience and connection in navigating workplace stress and difficult interactions. Anhalt discusses signs of emotional unfitness and practical exercises termed 'emotional push-ups' to enhance self-awareness and playfulness at work. She reveals that these emotional skills are learnable and can vastly improve both personal and professional lives.

May 14, 2025 • 37min
44. From Self-Criticism to Self-Advocacy: Grainne’s Path to Owning Her Expertise
Dive into Grainne's inspiring journey of overcoming self-doubt and perfectionism. Hear how she transformed her emotional struggles into self-advocacy, learning to confidently embrace her expertise. Explore the impact of childhood experiences on self-perception and the role of community support in fostering resilience. Discover the importance of authenticity and how navigating sensitivity can turn into a powerful strength in professional settings. This tale of personal growth encourages you to trust your value and own your unique strengths.

May 12, 2025 • 44min
43. Is Your Sensitivity Holding You Back at Work or Setting You Apart? This Explains Everything
🚨 Enrollment is now open for the next cohort of Melody’s signature program RESILIENT. Secure your spot: https://melodywilding.com/resilient Do you find yourself lying awake at night replaying work conversations in your head? Are you exhausted from feeling everything deeply while colleagues seem to effortlessly brush things off? In this eye-opening episode, Melody Wilding and her co-coach Wendy Cary, PCC unpack why you're stuck in a cycle of overwhelm, perfectionism, and self-doubt – despite your talent and dedication. They reveal a model that can help you finally pinpoint the root causes of your struggles, understand the biological basis of your sensitivity, and transform what feels like a professional liability into your greatest advantage. Connect with Melody: FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

May 8, 2025 • 52min
42. Ditching the Responsibility Trap: How Rebecca Tripled Her Assertiveness & Advocated For a Leadership Role After Decades of Over-Accommodation
🚨 Enrollment is now open for the next cohort of Melody’s signature program RESILIENT. Secure your spot: https://melodywilding.com/resilientIn this episode, you’ll hear from recent RESILIENT alumni, Rebecca, who spent years being her team’s "spray foam" – filling every gap and putting everyone else's needs before her own. Rebecca reveals how she tripled her assertiveness score, advocated for a leadership position, and finally designed a role that honors her ambition and sensitivity.You'll hear how Rebecca transformed her perfectionism and fear of disappointing others into the confidence to set clear boundaries, including how she:Stopped letting guilt drive her reactions to workplace demandsDirectly asked for a formal management role after decades of informal leadershipLearned to trust her social capital instead of "reinventing relationship rules" dailyStarted teaching people how to treat her through clear communicationConnect with Melody: FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up


