Work Better
Steelcase
Welcome to Work Better, the podcast where we think about work and ways to make it better.
Four overarching macro shifts are fundamentally changing work and will continue to alter the landscape for years to come. Some of these shifts have been building for years, while others seem to have happened all at once. It’s the magnitude of the change, along with the pace, that is uncharted territory. First, we’re living on screen. We’re spending more time collaborating on-screen than in-person. We have more meetings than ever and most people stay at their desk for video calls instead of going to a room to connect in person. No wonder people are feeling more lonely and isolated.
We’re in the middle of an AI supercycle – a period of dramatic growth and change. People are learning how to make AI their new co-workers. It’s changing jobs and the skills we need at a dizzying pace. Sometimes that pace can be overwhelming.
Meanwhile, the number of companies setting serious carbon reduction targets jumped 102% in one year. There’s a whole new mindset about sustainability. New types of jobs are being created, roles are changing, and people need new skills—essentially a culture change. It’s all good, but it’s a lot.
Another big shift is mental health, which is on everyone’s minds. For employers it’s even more top of mind than physical health. Gen Z is coming into the workforce with higher levels of anxiety and people of all ages feel like their work-life balance is getting worse.
With all the change around us, we need workplaces to be more like thriving communities. Because communities are both places and relationships. We need places that help us build connection, trust and a sense of shared purpose. By understanding how these shifts change behavior, we can create more resilient workplaces that build community and help people perform and feel better.
This season on Work Better, we’re sharing ideas about how work is changing and why we need community more than ever. Help us spread these ideas by sharing an episode with a friend or a colleague.
Work Better is brought to you by Steelcase, a global design and thought leader in the world of work. We help people do their best work by creating places that work better. Stay-up-to-date on design, insights and research to help people work better at steelcase.com/subscribe.
Four overarching macro shifts are fundamentally changing work and will continue to alter the landscape for years to come. Some of these shifts have been building for years, while others seem to have happened all at once. It’s the magnitude of the change, along with the pace, that is uncharted territory. First, we’re living on screen. We’re spending more time collaborating on-screen than in-person. We have more meetings than ever and most people stay at their desk for video calls instead of going to a room to connect in person. No wonder people are feeling more lonely and isolated.
We’re in the middle of an AI supercycle – a period of dramatic growth and change. People are learning how to make AI their new co-workers. It’s changing jobs and the skills we need at a dizzying pace. Sometimes that pace can be overwhelming.
Meanwhile, the number of companies setting serious carbon reduction targets jumped 102% in one year. There’s a whole new mindset about sustainability. New types of jobs are being created, roles are changing, and people need new skills—essentially a culture change. It’s all good, but it’s a lot.
Another big shift is mental health, which is on everyone’s minds. For employers it’s even more top of mind than physical health. Gen Z is coming into the workforce with higher levels of anxiety and people of all ages feel like their work-life balance is getting worse.
With all the change around us, we need workplaces to be more like thriving communities. Because communities are both places and relationships. We need places that help us build connection, trust and a sense of shared purpose. By understanding how these shifts change behavior, we can create more resilient workplaces that build community and help people perform and feel better.
This season on Work Better, we’re sharing ideas about how work is changing and why we need community more than ever. Help us spread these ideas by sharing an episode with a friend or a colleague.
Work Better is brought to you by Steelcase, a global design and thought leader in the world of work. We help people do their best work by creating places that work better. Stay-up-to-date on design, insights and research to help people work better at steelcase.com/subscribe.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 28, 2025 • 29min
Building Trust that Builds Profit with Minda Harts (S6: Ep.1)
In an era where trust is increasingly scarce, redefining it within the workplace can be a cultural game-changer. On the Work Better podcast, host Chris Congdon and guest Minda Harts, a bestselling author and workplace consultant, explore innovative strategies to rebuild trust. Learn how to cultivate trust, even in remote work settings, and address trust issues with colleagues and managers.
Minda Harts is a bestselling author, workplace consultant, and sought-after keynote speaker known for her work on addressing workplace inequities and advocating for women of color. She is the founder of The Memo LLC and the author of "The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table," "Right Within," and "You Are More Than Magic." Harts is also recognized for her Seven Trust Languages® framework, which helps organizations build high-trust cultures.
The Work Better podcast is produced with assistance from Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, Brandon Lacic, and Celeste Johnson. Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey provide creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.
Jan 6, 2025 • 32min
Burnout Isn’t What You Think It Is with special guest Jacqui Brassey (S5: Episode 9)
Many people say they feel ‘burned out’ at work, but how do they really know? How is ‘burnout defined? Or measured? And could other factors be at play? McKinsey researcher Jacqui Brassey joins the Work Better podcast to dive deeper into feeling ‘burned out’ and gives perspective on how our work can influence and even improve our holistic health in new ways.
Jacqui Brassey is a Senior Fellow and Director of Research Science at the McKinsey Health Institute, where she co-leads the Healthy Workforces initiative. With over 25 years of experience, she promotes mental health, wellbeing, agility, and resilience in organizations. Brassey is also a fellow researcher at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and an adjunct professor at IE University in Madrid. She holds multiple degrees, including a PhD in economics and business from Groningen University and a joint master's in affective neuroscience from Maastricht University and the University of Florence.
The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.
Dec 19, 2024 • 31min
Why the Office Needs Social Infrastructure with Eric Klinenberg (S5:E8)
Why the Office Needs Social Infrastructure with Eric Klinenberg (S5:E8) by Steelcase
Dec 10, 2024 • 34min
Battling Change Fatigue With Gallup’s Ben Wigert (S5:E7)
Seven in 10 employees have experienced disruptive change in the past year. Gallup’s Ben Wigert joins the Work Better podcast to identify three challenging trends happening at work and why ‘people-first’ change is urgently needed.
Wigert is the Lead Researcher for Gallup’s workplace management practice, specializing in human capital management and performance optimization. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and an MBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dr. Wigert has authored numerous publications on performance management and employee engagement. He also leads a cross-functional team focused on evolving workplace strategies for the future.
The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.
Nov 22, 2024 • 29min
Onboarding Your AI Coworker With Sean Gallagher (S5:EP6)
It’s no longer a question – AI is changing how we work, and it’s happening rapidly. A technical renaissance of sorts, AI is mainly driven by employees. But as Humanova founder Sean Gallagher tells us, leaders should act now – even if all the kinks haven’t been worked out – before their organizations are left behind.
Gallagher is the founder of Humanova and a leading expert on the future of work in Australia. He focuses on how technology, especially AI, transforms work and accelerates human capability. Dr. Gallagher led the Centre for the New Workforce at Swinburne University for six years and has conducted pioneering research on generative AI. He holds a PhD in chemistry and has been recognized for his contributions to academia and industry.
The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.
Nov 20, 2024 • 27min
Building Brain Capital With Harris Eyre (S5:EP5)
Mental and neurological disorders are costing world economies trillions of dollars every year – something physician and neuroscientist Dr. Harris Eyre calls a “decline in global brain capital.” In this edition of the Work Better podcast, Eyre talks about healthy brain practices and the steps we can take to address this global challenge.
Eyre is an Australian neuroscientist and entrepreneur known for his pioneering work in the brain economy, which focuses on enhancing brain health and skills to drive innovation. He is a Senior Fellow in Brain Health at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, where he leads the Neuro-Policy Program. Eyre’s career spans medicine, neuroscience, and economic strategy, with a commitment to promoting brain health on a global scale.
The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.
Nov 12, 2024 • 37min
Why We Need More Awe at Work with Libby Sander (S4:EP4)
What would make you feel less stressed at your office? Researcher Libby Sander joins the Work Better podcast to discuss her groundbreaking research on how work environments can impact your stress levels in the office. She’ll share the three most important things you need in the office now for better physical and mental wellbeing, and how adopting more beautiful spaces can encourage better collaboration, creativity and growth.
Dr. Libby Sander is an internationally renowned expert on the future of work and workplace design. She is an Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior at Bond University and the founder of the Future of Work Project. Dr. Sander holds a PhD in Organizational Behavior, a Master’s in Human Resource Management, and degrees in Arts and Business. She has spoken at TEDx and contributes to the World Economic Forum. Her research has been featured in prominent publications like the Harvard Business Review and The Guardian.
The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.
Nov 4, 2024 • 29min
Our 47-Second Attention Span With Gloria Mark (S5: EP3)
New research suggests you’ll barely have the attention span to finish reading this paragraph. We shift our attention faster and more often than ever before, impacting our work and health. So, what can we do to increase our attention? Slow down, set the audio speed to 1X, and listen to author Gloria Mark explain why this is happening and how small changes to our behavior and work environments can help -- on the latest edition of the Work Better podcast.
Gloria Mark is an American psychologist and Chancellor’s Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine. She earned her PhD in psychology from Columbia University and has published over 200 scientific research articles. Her work primarily focuses on human-computer interaction, social computing, and the social impacts of digital media. Mark is the author of the 2023 book “Attention Span,” which explores how digital media affects our attention spans and offers strategies for improving focus and productivity.
The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.
Oct 28, 2024 • 27min
Make it Safe for Employees to Speak Up with Connie Noonan Hadley (S5: EP1)
You may think that if you don’t hear much from your employees, everything’s going pretty well. But that may not be the case. In fact, organizational psychologist Connie Noonan Hadley believes when employees don’t feel like they can speak up, that can spell trouble for businesses. In this edition of the Work Better podcast, Dr. Hadley identifies the root causes of this silence and offers actionable ideas on how leaders can help employees feel safe to speak up. Drawing on her extensive research and experience, she provides insights into fostering a culture of psychological safety and well-being in the workplace.
Dr. Hadley is the Founder and Chief Scientist of the Institute for Life at Work. Dr. Hadley is also a Research Associate Professor at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, where she conducts research and serves as Co-Director of the Human Resources Policy Institute (HRPI). In addition, Dr. Hadley serves as a regular consulting researcher at Microsoft on future-of-work projects and the Microsoft Work Trend Index. Dr. Hadley holds a PhD in organizational behavior as well as an MA in social psychology from Harvard University, an MBA in strategic and human resource management from The Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania), and a BA in psychology from Princeton University.
The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.
Oct 28, 2024 • 30min
Teaching AI-Ready Students With José Antonio Bowen (S5: EP2)
Microsoft research shows 3 out of 4 global knowledge workers use AI in their jobs. But how are we preparing students for an AI-future at work? Educator, scholar and author José Antonio Bowen joins the Work Better podcast to talk about why becoming an ‘expert’ is so important to maximize the benefits of AI – and avoid being replaced by it.
Bowen has held significant academic and administrative roles, including serving as the 11th President of Goucher College. Bowen began his teaching career at Stanford University in 1982 and has also been a dean at Southern Methodist University and Miami University. He is known for his innovative approaches to education, particularly in active learning and the use of technology in the classroom. Additionally, Bowen is a prolific jazz performer and composer.
The Work Better podcast is hosted by Chris Congdon. Contributing producers are Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Creative art direction by Erin Ellison. Editing and sound mixing is by Sound Post studios. Technical support by Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez. Digital publishing by Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks.
