The most dangerous sound in any organization is silence. And yet, for many of us, speaking up is one of the hardest things to do at work. In this week’s episode, Assistant Professor of Management and Diversity at the Free University of Berlin Dr. Mona Weiss discusses her research around “employee voice.” She explains why personality alone can’t explain why some people keep quiet and why others make themselves heard, and offers research-backed tips to get everyone more engaged.

No one wants to be told they need fixing, and yet this is the impression so many diversity and inclusion programs leave on employees. According to Randall Tucker, Chief Inclusion Officer at Mastercard, the smarter way to gain people’s buy-in is to frame D&I as an extension of an organization’s business goals. That way, Randall says, leaders can help people see D&I as a tool for building their skills, not correcting their flaws.

It’s among the most heart-stopping questions a person can receive at work: Can I give you some feedback? But research shows it doesn’t have to be so dread-inducing. Done right, feedback can spark transformation. On this week’s episode, LIz Friedman, Senior Director of Global Performance & Development at Microsoft, shares how America’s most valuable company is learning to make self-improvement an active effort through smarter feedback.

Lynda Gratton believes the human experience is fundamentally shifting. It’s moving away from the three-stage life of education, career, and retirement, and instead moving into what she calls a “multi-stage life,” whereby people learn, work, and relax over many decades, well into old age. On this episode, discover how Lynda sees the future playing out in discussion with NLI’s Co-Founder and CEO, Dr. David Rock.

No one likes to feel like a number. And yet, so many organizations use rigid, ratings-based approaches for tracking employees’ performance. Rob Ollander-Krane, Director of Talent Planning and Performance at Gap Inc., has for years decided to take his teams in a different direction — namely, by killing performance ratings. In this episode, discover how Rob’s bold decision has ushered in a brand-new world of work.

To help employees learn new skills, IBM knows those people need to feel connected to their work. Which is why for the past few years, Deb Bubb, IBM’s Chief Leadership and Learning Officer, has sought to create more tight-knit communities within the company. That means more women. More people of color. And more cohesion overall. Listen in as Deb shares her progress and philosophies in adapting to this reskilling revolution. Our host Chris Weller is joined by Deb Bubb (CLO of IBM) and David Rock (Neuroleadership Institute).

For thousands of years, humans have used storytelling to share their truths and connect with others. And yet, as so many of today’s organizations continue to diversify, leaders still struggle to include a range of perspectives, even for critical decisions. Award-winning journalist and Executive Producer Soledad O’Brien believes organizations can do better, starting with the basic acknowledgement that everyone has an important story to tell, so long as leaders are willing to listen. Our host Chris Weller is joined by Soledad O’Brien (Starfish Media) and David Rock (Neuroleadership Institute).

Patagonia, the clothing company beloved for its mountain-ready apparel, has for the last few years been embarking on a journey of its own. Rather than simply avoid doing the planet harm, Patagonia wants to regenerate and protect Mother Earth through its environmental practices. But one day Dean Carter, Patagonia’s CHRO, had an idea. What if those same regenerative practices were brought internally, so that the company put as much into its employees as it took out? Might the company also flourish? Our host Chris Weller is joined by Dean Carter (Patagonia) and David Rock (Neuroleadership Institute).

As digitally native retailers like Amazon and Alibaba begin to nibble away at legacy brands’ market share, companies like Procter & Gamble have started rethinking the way they approach new product lines. For FD Wilder, Former Senior Vice President of Go-to-Market Strategy and Innovation at P&G, that new approach requires being the fastest learner in town - and shifting our mindset to roll with the uncertainty along the way. Our host Chris Weller is joined by FD Wilder (formerly of Procter & Gamble) and Heidi Grant (Neuroleadership Institute).

Learn about the Neuroleadership Institute's podcast, Your Brain at Work.