Women at Work

Follow Women at Work
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Women face gender discrimination throughout our careers. It doesn't have to derail our ambitions — but how do we prepare to deal with it? There's no workplace orientation session about narrowing the wage gap, standing up to interrupting male colleagues, or taking on many other issues we encounter at work. So HBR staffers Amy Bernstein, Amy Gallo, and Emily Caulfield are untangling some of the knottiest problems. They interview experts on gender, tell stories about their own experiences, and give lots of practical advice to help you succeed in spite of the obstacles.

Harvard Business Review


    • Jun 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 37m AVG DURATION
    • 154 EPISODES

    4.8 from 1,296 ratings Listeners of Women at Work that love the show mention: hbr, working women, please make more episodes, sisterhood, workplace, colleagues, posting, amy, relevant topics, gender, looking forward to future, i'm looking forward, nicole, session, navigate, future episodes, empowering, woman, examples, season 2.


    Ivy Insights

    The Women at Work podcast is truly an exceptional resource for women in the professional world. It provides valuable insights, practical advice, and inspiring stories that help women navigate and succeed in their careers. The hosts, Amy B and Amy G, do a fantastic job of creating a supportive and engaging environment for their listeners.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the wide range of topics covered. From work-life balance to gender bias in the workplace, each episode tackles important issues that women face in their careers. The guests featured on the show are experts in their fields and offer unique perspectives and strategies for success. Additionally, I appreciate how the hosts share their own personal struggles and experiences, which adds authenticity to the podcast.

    I also love the energy and enthusiasm that comes through in every episode. The hosts have great chemistry with each other and with their guests, making for lively and engaging conversations. The episodes are well-structured and thought-provoking, ensuring that listeners walk away with actionable advice and new perspectives.

    However, one potential drawback of this podcast is its focus solely on women in the workforce. While this is undoubtedly an important topic, it may limit the appeal to a broader audience. It would be beneficial to see more discussion around diversity and inclusion as a whole, including perspectives from men and individuals outside of traditional corporate settings.

    In conclusion, The Women at Work podcast is an empowering and informative resource for women navigating their professional lives. It offers valuable insights, practical tips, and inspiring stories that can help women thrive in their careers. Despite its limited scope on women's experiences specifically, it remains a highly recommended listen for anyone looking to gain knowledge, inspiration, or support in their professional journey.



    Search for episodes from Women at Work with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Women at Work

    Managing Up, One Conversation at a Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 37:32


    Have you ever realized, mid-project, that you and your boss weren't aligned on what success looked like or how to get there? Executive coach Melody Wilding explains why getting clear on goals and understanding each other's working styles is essential, even when you're already in a leadership role. They share advice on how to start these conversations in a way that feels natural and constructive, break down common style mismatches, and offer guidance for adapting without losing your authenticity.

    What We Can Learn from Taylor Swift

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 16:51


    When our colleague Kevin Evers wrote There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift, we knew we had to talk about it. For so many women, she's a role model—personally and professionally. Four HBR Swifties who read the book highlight how her instincts and decisions offer lessons in leadership, strategy, and staying power.

    What to Share, What to Hold Back

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 48:43


    Self-disclosure at work can build trust and connection, but it also comes with risks. In one of our earliest episodes, the late Columbia professor Katherine Phillips explained how sharing personal experiences helps diverse teams connect. We revisit that 2018 conversation and talk with her longtime collaborators, Tracy Dumas and Nancy Rothbard, who explain how expectations around self-disclosure have shifted, especially with the rise of remote work, social media, and political polarization. Plus, the Amys reflect on what they've learned about when, why, and how to open up at work.

    The Difference You Can Make in a Recent Grad’s Career

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 24:34


    Young women are entering the workforce full of potential but without some of the interpersonal skills they need to succeed and advance. That's not just their problem; it's ours too. In this live conversation from SXSW EDU, Amy Gallo talks with Neda Norouzi, an architecture professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Aimee Laun, director of the Career Connections Center at Texas Woman's University, about the gap between what colleges teach and what workplaces expect—and the critical role mentors, managers, professors, and parents can play in bridging it.

    Ask the Amys: Favoritism, Unsupportive Managers, and More

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 35:00


    Imagine having a direct report who sobs every time you give them feedback. Or leading a team of people who've told your boss they don't trust you. Or managing people for the first time—43 of them—with no training or guidance. The Amys offer advice for getting through these real situations from listeners–ot just advice, but actual language for asserting your needs, earning trust, setting boundaries, and holding your ground even when emotions run high.

    The Essentials: Asking Purposeful Questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 40:43


    Purposeful questions do more than clarify details—they reveal how you think and demonstrate leadership potential. Amy Gallo talks with a program manager looking to strengthen her executive presence and question-asking skills. Harvard Business School professor Alison Wood Brooks joins them to offer research-backed guidance on eliciting useful responses, building credibility through questions, and adapting to different conversational settings.

    Getting Along with an Insecure Tormentor

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2025 37:52


    What do you do when a formerly supportive boss turns against you? Amy G advises a project manager who still believes in her team, just not the person leading it. Learn tactics for managing up, protecting your reputation, and preserving your sanity.

    Starting March 10, More Amys, More Often!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 2:09


    After 10 seasons, Women at Work is changing things up for the better. We're shifting to a new, year-round schedule, releasing a new episode every other Monday, starting March 10. That means more episodes that inspire reflection and growth, more practical advice, and more insights and stories that make you feel seen and supported in your career.

    We’re Asking for (and Getting) What We Want

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 43:19


    What could you achieve if you asked for what you truly want at work? Amy Gallo and four listeners embraced Alison Fragale's “nos challenge,” requesting everything from clearer communication and help with a project to leadership opportunities and job title changes. As they pursued 10 rejections each, they noticed surprising patterns in how people respond, overcame fears of rejection, and made progress on personal and professional goals. Their experiences offer practical insights into how to ask assertively and gain status—even when the answer is no.

    How to Leap Mid-Career from One Industry to Another

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 54:30


    When you realize the line of work you've been in for years doesn't interest you anymore or is in decline or won't ever pay well enough, what's your next move? Amy B speaks with executive coach Nina Bowman about the process of making a bold mid-career leap: how to identify a new path, build connections to land interviews, and tell the story of how you'll succeed in a completely different role. Then, two listeners who made bold leaps themselves—one from academia to tech, the other from government to consulting—share their experiences and insights.

    Consumed by Caregiving

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 40:39


    A past guest recounts how she burned out, quit her job, intended to get a new job after taking a breather, and then didn't for over a year. That's because someone in her family kept getting sick or hurt, she had to move twice, and all of the logistical and emotional responsibilities fell to her (because who else was going to take them on?!) Sociologist Jessica Calarco helps her make sense of that exhausting year of unpaid work and the forces that put her and other women in this sort of position.

    Working While Parenting a Teen: Not What I Expected

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 52:33


    Do you expect to have more time for yourself and for your career as your kids become teens and young adults? Amy G did. If you too are getting “urgent” texts from your teenager at all hours, feeling judged by other parents about your level of involvement, and trying to figure out how to set the right amount of boundaries, she and Danna Greenberg hear you and have advice.

    Chats, Bots, and Prompts: Make GenAI Work for You

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 56:17


    There's something about hearing how other women are making the most of LLMs that can turn even the most GenAI-avoidant among us GenAI-curious. At least that's what happened to the Amys when they heard from several power users who've broadened their thinking, deepened their agency at work, and saved themselves time and stress. Maybe in listening to them you'll be inspired too.

    When Anxiety Interferes with Work

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 41:15


    Worrying is a fact of life; it comes and goes, usually. A clinical psychologist explains how to better manage anxiety at work, whether you have an anxiety disorder, suspect you might, or want to support a colleague who does.

    To Get What You Want, Be Both Assertive and Warm

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 37:30


    When you're interacting with people at work, how often do you find yourself deflecting praise, downplaying your accomplishments, or responding “busy!” when someone asks how you're doing? Why are those such common habits, especially if they so often leave us feeling fake? Alison Fragale, a professor of organizational behavior, offers an alternative: bring genuine strength and friendliness to everyday interactions because that combination gets women the success we deserve.

    What a Woman in the White House Could Mean for Us

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 39:51


    Political scientist Farida Jalalzai and organizational psychologist Laura Morgan Roberts unpack the symbolic and practical effects of having a woman in a top leadership position. They explore how Kamala Harris's potential presidency could challenge and shift our notions of leadership and change the way that women understand what's possible for themselves. They also dive into the realities Harris might face if elected—like juggling high expectations and navigating the complexities of representation.

    Season 10 of Women at Work Starts October 21

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2024 4:57


    How are women using GenAI to transform their work? What can we learn from the listeners who identify as “AI power users” about how to boost our productivity, creativity, and confidence? Why is working while parenting a teenager so much harder than Amy Gallo expected, and how can she and other moms navigate this emotionally demanding phase of motherhood? If you're mid-career and thinking about switching industries, what should you know before making the leap? These questions are at the heart of some of the conversations the Amys are having this season. As always, they'll bring you expertise, stories, and advice.

    Ground Your DEI Efforts in Data

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2024 42:12


    How do you know how diverse your company's workforce is, how equitable its processes are, and how included people feel if nobody is using any metrics? DEI strategist Lily Zheng explains the power of data to track a company's progress, fix unfairness, and hold people to their promises. They have advice for measuring and improving diversity, equity, and inclusion even when you don't have a budget or you're starting from scratch.

    How to Manage: Rising from Middle to Senior Management

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 51:52


    Is mid-level management a stone you're ready to step off of? Making that move is difficult but doable, and Amy B and her three guests will direct, inspire, and reassure you. An executive coach validates the challenges of scoring a position that's scarce. Then, two COOs whose careers stagnated in mid-level management before accelerating again, recount the conversations, decisions, and networking that jump-started them.

    How to Manage: Selling Your Ideas to Leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2024 35:08


    As a mid-level manager, when you spot an opportunity for the business to adopt a new technology, enter a different market, or improve a process, how should you approach the people above you so that they listen to your idea and act on it? Executives have a reputation for dismissing suggestions that aren't theirs. Amy B and her two guests, Sue Ashford and Ellen Bailey, suggest ways to frame the issue, involve others, and manage emotions so that your idea comes to fruition.

    How to Manage: Executing Strategy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 46:03


    Strategist Andrea Belk Olson spells out how to make the most of the latest corporate master plan that's now your job to put into action. She suggests important questions to ask yourself before hitting the ground running, ways to handle resistance from team members, what to do when the plan isn't working well, and points to include in progress updates.

    How to Manage: Getting Out of the Weeds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 44:36


    What's the happy middle between micromanaging and being too hands off? Amy B and three other experienced mid-level managers describe how they think about when to intervene and when not to so that they are empowering their teams and freeing up their own minds to do more of their most strategic work.

    Attend Women at Work Live May 16

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2024 2:35


    Register for a lively four hours with the Amys, their guest experts, and fellow fans of the show. Dorie Clark will talk about working with the ambition you've got right now; Ruchi Sinha building teams' trust in you as a leader and in one another; and Lily Zheng, on where we are now with DEI and where they'd like to see organizations go from here. We'll end with an advice hour, where Amy B and Amy G answer audience questions about leading a team, dealing with conflict, negotiating, or whatever else comes through the chat.

    The Essentials: Handling Fierce Criticism

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2024 35:27


    If you're in a leadership role, or any role where you are outspoken and visible, chances are that at some point people are going to criticize you, sometimes fiercely, sometimes publicly. Are you ready for that? Two women who've felt the heat because of decisions they've made or arguments they've put forward—or simply because of who they are—reflect on the ways they've steeled themselves and dealt with the fallout. Listening to them recount how they responded to fierce criticism will hopefully help you think about how you might respond, both when you see it coming and when you don't.

    The Essentials: Setting and Maintaining Boundaries

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2024 41:42


    We all need to set boundaries, even in the most structured jobs, because work has its way of encroaching on the rest of our life. Ashley, a senior analyst for the federal government, recently shifted to a schedule that helps her do her most important work and have some alone time before her family gets home. Now she's trying to figure out how to further minimize interruptions, deal with slow and busy stretches, and get out of unproductive meetings. Amy G and executive coach Melody Wilding talk through adjustments Ashley can make and things she can say to achieve those goals. They also offer strategies for how to communicate your set new limits with colleagues and when and discuss how to hold the line when your boundaries inevitably get tested.

    The Essentials: Building and Repairing Trust

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 46:29


    Trust smooths the way for collaboration, conflict resolution, and influencing. But how do you build this asset? And how do you repair it when you've missed a series of important deadlines or otherwise messed up? Organizational psychologist Ruchi Sinha talks with a listener who's struggling to restore skeptics' confidence in her and her team. Ruchi shares the three elements of trust and how to convey each one. She also offers advice on what to do if you've failed to acknowledge a broken promise and how to communicate practically when confidentiality prevents you from being totally transparent.

    The Essentials: Executive Presence

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2024 43:24


    Executive presence is a mix of gravitas, communication skills, and appearance. But what does that look and sound like in practice? To help a fully remote insurance underwriter think through ways she can act like a leader, we bring in a role model of hers and an expert in strategic communication.

    Sexism Is Everywhere

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2023 47:45


    Is there any way to know for sure whether something that someone did—or neglected to do—is rooted in sexism? When is confronting that person worth it? And if you'll never know what drove their actions, how do you make peace with the uncertainty? Amy G talks through these questions with two professors who study perceptions and gender stereotypes.

    Is Entrepreneurship Right for Me? (from New Here)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2023 43:09


    It's a question that so many of us are grappling with. Should I quit corporate life and pursue my passion project? Today in this episode from our colleagues at New Here—HBR's podcast for young professionals—we'll help you think through the possibilities and trade-offs, as we learn from one woman's experiences leaving corporate life to build her own business. You'll learn which of her fears were warranted, how she battled loneliness, managed her money, and whether or not she is actually happier working for herself.

    Ever Consider Joining a Board?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2023 47:20


    Eight women who've been on boards share how they landed a seat, gained confidence in the role, and found unexpected personal and professional benefits in the work. We hope their perspectives and advice will encourage you to consider trying it yourself some day. Ellen Zane, who runs a Harvard workshop for women interested in board work, gives further insight based on her deep experience as a director for nonprofits and private and public companies.

    Ask the Amys

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2023 35:05


    What if one of your first assignments at a new job was to fire people? What should you do if the person leading a project you're on isn't giving clear direction, demands that you work nights and weekends, bristles at your feedback—and leadership tells you to fall in line? These are two of the five situations that Amy B and Amy G talk through in this episode. They offer advice to the women who wrote in with their questions, with the hope that it will help them and anyone who's been in a similar situation, or might be one unfortunate day.

    So Many Feelings. Too Many?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2023 58:41


    Liz Fosslien believes “the future of work is emotional.” The Amys revisit our 2020 conversation with her and fellow organizational consultant Mollie West Duffy about the good that can come from being vulnerable with colleagues, and Fosslien returns to reassess where the line between vulnerability and oversharing is today.

    Should I Change My Last Name?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2023 46:53


    If you plan to get married, do you see yourself keeping or changing your last name? How much, if at all, does your career factor into that decision? Our associate producer, who's engaged, spoke with three recently married women about the professional considerations that factored into their decisions. Hannah and the Amys then join former co-host Nicole Torres to discuss how their names are connected to their personal brands.

    last name amy s nicole torres
    ADHD Is Different for Women

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2023 57:23


    Two women who have ADHD—one's a psychologist and the other a life coach—describe what the disorder is and how it messes with the brain's executive functions, like inhibition and emotional regulation. They give advice for managing the symptoms, asking for help at work, and what to do if what we're talking about sounds an awful lot like your life.

    Navigating Your Career When You Have a Disability

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2023 50:12


    Meredith Koch and Nicole Bettè are engineers who've bonded over conversations about their apparent and non-apparent disabilities. They recount how at different moments in their careers they've gotten the understanding and assistive technology necessary to do their jobs—and when they haven't, all with the hope that you'll be able to better advocate for yourself and your colleagues.

    Let’s Talk About Our Failures

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2023 43:48


    The Amys and their former co-host Sarah Green Carmichael revisit times they majorly messed up, in hopes that you'll feel better about your experiences with failure. We're not talking about honest mistakes with simple solutions; we're talking about larger problems that were difficult and costly to correct. They share what happened, how they recovered, and what they learned.

    October 16, the Amys Are Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2023 6:03


    In this ninth season of the show, these are some of the big questions they'll explore: How do you recover from a failure? What's it really like to serve on a board? Do our careers influence the decision to keep or change our last name? How does going through a divorce affect us at work? If we have a disability, how can we get the understanding and assistive technology we need to do our job? Amy G and Amy B will talk with women who've been there, bringing in advice, stories, and expertise.

    Women Who Are Making Work Better for Women

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2023 35:13


    When you see potential for your company to improve in some way—whether it's to overhaul an outdated policy, round out benefits, or to make jobs more workable, how can you instigate change? Three women who saw that potential and carried it through describe what they did at their companies, the results so far, and how you can follow their lead.

    Communicating Effectively When You’re Running on Empty

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2023 34:16


    Leadership development coach Muriel Wilkins talks us through communication techniques that meet you where you're at mentally and emotionally so that you can rise to the moment (even when you're worried you can't).

    How to Manage: Finding Yourself Again

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 39:31


    Who are you now, who do you want to be, and how can you stretch without taking on too much? Jen Dary regularly coaches first-time managers on these questions. She shares advice for finding yourself anew at work, dealing with disillusionment, and setting priorities and boundaries. Then, a former guest who's one year into leading a major project tells us about her aha moments. Finally, Kelsey answers the question of whether or not she's ready to try management again.

    manage jen dary
    How to Manage: Negotiating for Your Team

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2023 28:56


    When you manage people, they ask you for things: to extend a deadline, to make an exception, to give them a raise or more resources. Maybe they don't even have to ask; you notice the need and start thinking about how to meet it. Negotiations professor Martha Jeong explains the mindset, framing, timing, and tone that'll position you to get the most mutually beneficial solution.

    How to Manage: Conflict

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 40:03


    People management consists of a fair amount of mediation and diplomacy, and you can't expect to get the hang of it right away. You're in the middle of a lot now, and holding tension and resolving disagreements takes planning, practice, and restraint. Amy G teaches us about different types of conflict, natural tendencies, and options for responding.

    How to Manage: Being Taken Seriously

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2023 37:36


    If you're a woman who's a new manager, people will probably push back on your authority. As difficult as defiance is to face—especially when you're settling in yourself—we have ideas for making it clear that you're in charge. McKinsey's Lareina Yee recounts the actions that senior leaders took that affirmed her position. Kelsey reflects on the disrespect she felt as a first-time manager, as well as her discomfort with power, and Amy B helps her make sense of those experiences and feelings. If you manage a woman who's a new manager, this episode is for you too!

    Attend Women at Work Live April 27

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2023 2:02


    We've planned a half-day of learning, guidance, and inspiration—all virtual. Here's the session lineup, hour by hour: 1) Communicating effectively when you're running on empty, 2) Lessons from women making work better for women, 3) The latest gender research and what it means for you, and 4) Ask the Amys. Register here.

    The Essentials: Making Sound Decisions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2023 40:50


    A dentist joins Amy Gallo to ask a behavioral scientist about the fundamentals of sound decision making: when to use a process, how to handle resistance to a call you've made, and making peace with a tough call.

    The Essentials: Getting the Feedback You Need

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2023 43:07


    We need actionable, useful feedback to grow and advance professionally. But our guest, an aerospace engineer, hasn't received any of that for years, and she feels like she's missing out on information that would clarify her standing at her company and secure her future success there. We bring in Ella Bell, an expert on interpersonal communication and organizational behavior, to offer advice, including suggestions on how to respond to, make sense of, and act on feedback you receive.

    The Essentials: Managing Projects

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2023 35:06


    What's a project charter? Why does this one person keep trying to derail our progress? Are our planning meetings effective? How do I actually get people to follow through? Figuring out how to successfully manage a project can make any professional's head spin. One woman, new to this type of work, shares the challenges she's already facing, including uncertainty, interpersonal conflict, and lack of responsiveness from the team. And an experienced project manager shares tips for motivating and influencing others, communicating effectively, and solving problems.

    The Essentials: Playing Office Politics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2023 35:59


    Everyone at work has their own priorities, concerns, and agendas, and knowing what those are allows us to navigate meetings and projects more deliberately and successfully. Organizational psychologist Madeleine Wyatt explains the interrelated skills that enable us to influence others, in conversation with a transportation planner who's trying to figure out how to maneuver her way up in an often-exclusionary, male-dominated industry.

    Season 8 Highlights — and a Host Reunion!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2022 40:11


    Former co-hosts Sarah, Nicole, and Emily reunite with the Amys to talk through the insights and advice that most resonated with them from this season, from how they gained their team's trust as a first-time manager to how they're now thinking about retirement. They also share how they've been doing since they left the show and HBR.

    How to Push for Policy Changes at Your Company

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2022 53:45


    Want to modernize a program or enact a policy that would benefit women in your workplace, but don't know where to begin? Learn how to build a grassroots initiative, no matter your job title. Two experts in systemic, organizational change explain the many different roles critical to sustaining a movement. They also share tried-and-true ways to keep everyone invested in the cause, aligned, and on track.

    Working While Managing Your Child’s Mental Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2022 41:54


    Tending to a child's mental health challenge is a critical job that deserves support from employers. Many parents, however, aren't getting the understanding, flexibility, and paid time off they need. What can we do to make work more manageable for parents struggling to keep their children safe and well while trying to keep up at work? The executive director of a children's mental health advocacy group shares ideas and advice.

    Claim Women at Work

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel