How I Work
Amantha Imber
You know those annoyingly successful people who seem to have it all figured out? Time to steal their playbook. Organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber gets world‑class achievers to spill their secrets - the daily strategies behind their success through to life hacks and productivity hacks they’d rather keep to themselves. We’re talking practical tips for boosting your output (including clever AI tools and shortcuts that’ll make you look like a genius), managing overwhelm without losing your mind, and optimising both work and wellbeing. No motivational fluff. Just battle‑tested tactics from people who’ve cracked the code.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 29, 2025 • 25min
Inside the hardest year at Inventium (Part 1)
Aly Solly, a team member at Inventium, shares her insights from the company's most challenging year, addressing trust issues and burnout head-on. She recounts how hierarchical changes led to division rather than collaboration. Aly reveals her struggles with burnout and the unsettling feeling of seeking new job opportunities. A pivotal moment comes during a vulnerable debrief that helps rebuild trust. The conversation delves into the emotional toll of retrenchments and culminates in a transformative phone call that restores connection.
Oct 26, 2025 • 6min
Quick Win: The AI experiment that made a CEO obsolete
Georgie Holt, co-founder of Flight Story, embarked on a transformative 60-day AI experiment to make herself obsolete as a CEO. She created Scout, a custom AI assistant that automated hiring tasks, saving her 20 to 25 hours weekly. The discussion dives into the question that sparked this initiative, the importance of mapping out pain points, and the shift from efficiency to presence in leadership. Georgie highlights how this newfound time allowed her to concentrate on people and long-term vision, elevating her role beyond operations.
14 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 28min
The moment that changed how Holly Wainwright sees ambition
Holly Wainwright, bestselling author and co-host of Mamamia Out Loud, explores the powerful role of jealousy in defining ambition. She shares a pivotal moment when she felt envy toward a friend's success, revealing how those feelings can illuminate our true desires. Holly discusses the fine line between ambition and competition, emphasizing how the right mindset can propel creativity. She also offers practical tips to manage envy, focusing on gratitude and self-reflection to stay grounded.
14 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 22min
(BONUS) The mindset shift that saved Holly Wainwright from burning out, again
In this engaging discussion, bestselling author and podcast co-host Holly Wainwright opens up about her ongoing struggle with burnout. She shares her journey of recognizing the 'do-crash-repeat' cycle and how choosing 'nup' as her word of the year helps her set boundaries. Holly reveals practical changes she's made, like restructuring her week to protect creative time and the innovative 'Yes-But' strategy for guilt-free decision making. With insights on treating energy as a luxury, this conversation inspires a transformative approach to well-being and creativity.
Oct 19, 2025 • 6min
Quick Win: The surprising upside of shorter tenure
Long staff tenure might seem impressive, but it can actually hinder innovation. The conversation reveals how entrenched experiences can stifle fresh ideas. New team members often present better solutions, while legacy voices may suppress their input. A mindset shift on turnover emphasizes the benefits of shorter tenure, aligning growth with new perspectives. It's a fascinating exploration of how to embrace change and encourage a culture of innovation.
14 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 36min
Steal Atlassian’s playbook for building stronger teams without an office
Avani Prabhakar, Chief People Officer at Atlassian, shares insights on building connections in a remote-first world. She discusses the Team Anywhere model, revealing how it redefines workplace dynamics. Avani explains the importance of intentional togetherness and practical strategies to combat Zoom fatigue. Delving into AI's role in HR, she describes how non-technical teams can create useful AI agents. Avani predicts a future of asynchronous work, focusing on how we work rather than where, highlighting the shift towards a collaborative, written-first culture.
6 snips
Oct 12, 2025 • 7min
Quick Win: What teams get wrong about psychological safety
Psychological safety isn't just about individuals—it's a team-wide necessity. One person’s feelings of unsafety can erode trust for everyone. Unpacking communication issues, they explore how private conversations can prevent open dialogue. Regular health checks every 6–8 weeks help track team dynamics effectively. A unique thumbs-up/thumbs-down rating system reveals mismatches in team feelings. They emphasize learning from what works, not just focusing on problems, as a key to fostering a thriving team culture.
Oct 8, 2025 • 34min
How to lead when you’re scared of saying the wrong thing, with Clare Stephens
Clare Stephens, a writer and former editor-in-chief at Mamamia, shares her personal experiences with public backlash and leadership. She explains the emotional toll of public shaming versus 'cancel culture' and how thoughtfulness can transform criticism. Clare offers insight on crafting effective apologies, both online and at work, emphasizing accountability and psychological safety. Finally, she reflects on leaving her dream role to pursue a more values-aligned path, revealing how motherhood reshaped her self-worth and decision-making.
13 snips
Oct 5, 2025 • 7min
Quick Win: The relationship reset that doesn’t feel like a chore, with Sahil Bloom
Relationships can slip when life gets busy, but maintaining connection is crucial. Sahil Bloom reveals his habit of expressing nice thoughts immediately to strengthen social bonds. He highlights the importance of social wealth as a predictor of happiness. Discover how iPhone memories can spark meaningful touchpoints. Plus, learn about the monthly 'life dinner' ritual that keeps his marriage on track. Small practices can lead to significant improvements in relationships, making life richer.
37 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 21min
Ask Me Anything with Dr. Amantha Imber: how to stand out in the job market, AI-proofing your skills, managing energy & my top leadership tips (Part 2)
In this engaging discussion, discover how to stand out in a job market saturated with AI-generated applications. Amantha shares expert insights on building high-performing teams through psychological safety and effective energy management. Learn to sharpen your critical thinking skills in the age of AI and why treating outputs as drafts is essential. For first-time leaders, she offers practical tips on conducting effective one-on-ones and shifting from advice-giving to coaching. Get inspired to thrive in today’s evolving work landscape!
