The New Way We Work

Nov 10/2023

Leaders have tried to sell work as ‘one big family’ for years. With the proliferation of terms like ‘office besties’ and ‘work spouses,’ many employees have viewed work as a type of family too. But anyone who has been passed over for a promotion they deserved or laid off after years of hard work knows[...]
Even as the nature of work changes and innovations transform our jobs, the hiring process feels stuck in the same biased, ineffective rut. Too often, when companies finds themselves with an open position, they fall back on the same broken methods: mining leadership’s narrow, professional networks, or posting the same ineffective job ads in the[...]
No matter what job you have, you’ve probably felt at various points in your career that you don’t make enough. And because money can be a taboo topic, we rarely reveal what our salaries are—even with the people we’re closest to. In a recent survey, only about half the participants said they share their salary[...]
One of the secret problems with work is that hard work alone isn’t enough to get ahead. It’s a tough wake-up call for those of us who spent our school years working to get all As and doing all the things we were told were the key to a successful life. The truth is, work—and[...]
Fifty percent of people say they’ve quit a job because of a bad boss. Why are so many managers unable to effectively manage? And is there a way to learn how to be a better manager? Leadership coach Lia Bosch joins host Kathleen Davis to talk about what companies get wrong about management and how[...]
Welcome back to Season 12 of ‘The New Way We Work’!Even in the best of times, there’s always been an undercurrent of conflict between the priorities of corporate leadership and the needs of employees. But in the last several years, that tension has increased noticeably. Whether it’s the ongoing battles over employees returning to the[...]
The New Way We Work is back for a new season next week and we are unpacking the biggest problems with work! Problems like lack of pay transparency, how hard work too often goes unrewarded, how the wrong people end up as managers, and so much more.
The impact of AI on finance departments will be huge.
How artificial intelligence is shaping the product journeys from procurement to end customers.
In this podcast, leaders in HR and AI reveal what it will take for businesses to get their staff on board.
According to surveys, the average employee spends more than 4 hours a week in meetings, but around 90% of people consider their meetings to be unproductive. While it’s tempting to eliminate meetings altogether, they are often a necessary part of getting work done. In this recent LinkedIn Audio conversation with ‘Fast Company’ senior editor Julia[...]
Work has changed a lot in the last few years: from the shift to remote work to the struggle over returning to the office, from the great resignation to mass layoffs at tech and media companies, from the rise in union organizing to the rise in AI in workplaces. So what does 2024 hold for[...]
The end of the year brings a lot of office traditions: holiday parties, year-end bonuses if you’re lucky, and often performance reviews. In this LinkedIn Audio conversation with senior editor Julia Herbst, we talk about common biases to avoid, what to say about areas of improvement, and how to get the most out of the[...]
Kate Davis is joined by Fast Company podcast hosts KC Ifeanyi, Yasmin Gange and Josh Christensen to discuss the biggest stories from 2023
Workplaces move through design trends and conceptual themes just like other parts of modern interior commercial design. Remember the evolution of the cubicle farm, or the early 2000s’ startup office with a long communal desk (and ping pong table nearby)? But now, with our in-office and work-from-home routines in flux, what design elements will the[...]
Sometimes, taking a scary, big career risk is the move that changes everything. We asked attendees at the Fast Company Innovation Festival a few months ago to share the biggest career risks they’ve ever taken. We heard everything, from switching to a new industry to dedicating their work to a cause they care about.
Emotional intelligence remains a workplace buzzword that confuses many people. On this episode from our LinkedIn Audio series, Farah Harris, author of ‘The Color of Emotional Intelligence,’ discusses how emotional awareness and management play into our office lives. It’s a skill often treated as optional, but mastering emotional intelligence—the ability to manage your emotions and[...]
Quitting a job is a huge decision, so what are the signs that it’s time to go? Chronic burnout or toxic colleagues might be a few of the red flags.
For decades, the typical image of a midlife crisis has been a man buying a sports car or getting a divorce and marrying a younger woman. Whether or not that still rings true, for women in the workplace that has nothing to do with reality. Midlife for women is the time when menopause, family caregiving,[...]
"What's your biggest weakness?" remains one of the trickier job interview questions frequently posed to an interviewee. How do you tout your skills and accomplishments while being honest about your challenges?
After hearing from experts about how AI is changing the office, we decided to test out a few AI tools and report back on how they brilliantly changed our workflow. But as it turns out, some of these tools are definitely not ready to deliver the productivity boosts they promise.
Writing a cover letter, especially when not required by a job application, can feel like a big pain. But it really makes a big difference—here’s why.
Companies now have mountains of data to help drive decisions and develop products, but a holistic approach to product development must also prioritize customers’ needs and preferences. In this podcast interview, Stephanie Mehta, CEO of Mansueto Ventures, the parent of Fast Company, sits down with Emily Roberts, Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Consumer[...]
This year, funding for AI-related startups has surpassed $23 billion dollars, and thousands of AI tools promise to automate tasks in every type of job. But instead of thinking about how technology can replace humans, Aneesh Raman, vice president and head of the Opportunity Project at LinkedIn, believes this system-level change will bring more humanity[...]
Giving negative feedback at work may feel uncomfortable, but it's a necessary part of communication. Here are some tips for making the process constructive.
The company’s director of finance explains how her job goes well beyond accounting. Tina Hetzer, director of finance at Pink Lily, is one of the rising financial stars who are helping to bring their businesses to the next level. She built Pink Lily’s finance team from scratch and has helped the company become one of[...]
The housing crisis in the U.S. continues to get worse, with the highest mortgage rates in a generation currently and rents outpacing inflation by more than 40%. And the problem isn’t just in cities like New York and San Francisco. It’s affecting many other places where tourism is a major industry or high-cost areas that[...]
If your boss is constantly checking up on you, looking over your shoulder—literally, figuratively, even virtually—here are some strategies for creating a better working relationship.
Duolingo’s freemium subscription model, beloved brand and strategic investments have allowed it to execute its educational mission and become a cultural touchstone. Matthew Skaruppa, CFO of Duolingo, is one of the rising financial stars who are helping to bring their businesses to the next level. Since he joined the company in 2020, Duolingo has grown[...]
A couple of weeks ago, the U.S. went over the “childcare cliff” as billions of dollars of pandemic-era federal funding for childcare expired. But childcare providers have been struggling since well before the pandemic, with rising costs and little recourse but to raise their own prices. The chain reaction now for providers, children, and parents[...]
It's nerve-racking to negotiate your salary, especially with a new employer! Here's how to reframe the conversation and ask for what you want.
Mitch Reback, CFO of Sweetgreen, is one of the rising corporate financial stars who is helping to take their companies to the next level. When he started, Sweetgreen had 25 stores; today, there are more than 220—and Reback says the company is still in its “infancy.” In this podcast, part of the SAP-sponsored Growth Agents[...]
When the Supreme Court ruled in June that race-based affirmative action practices in college admissions was unconstitutional, it not only sent universities scrambling, but it also caused a lot of confusion within companies. What would it mean for diversity, equity, and inclusion departments and initiatives? It didn’t help that as soon as the decision was[...]
We’re in an era where employee fulfillment and purpose are essential, but have management principles caught up? Today’s episode was recorded live at the Fast Company Innovation Festival last week in New York City, with Rachel Korberg, founder and executive director of the Family and Workers Fund, and Sarah Kalloch, executive director of the nonprofit[...]
Find it difficult to focus at work? Is the environment the problem, or is it our own brain? In this special conversation from LinkedIn Audio, Fast Company's Work Life team breaks down what’s really behind our inability to focus, how to deal with distractions and train your brain to concentrate, and how to find motivation in[...]
We’ve all heard of FOMO, fear of missing out, but what about . . . JOMO? Podcast producer Blake Odom joins this episode to talk about the ‘Joy of Missing Office,’ with input from a few ‘Fast Company’ staffers who work remotely. Besides the comforts of home and skipping a terrible commute, what else do[...]
Many companies are still trying to figure out how to coax employees back to the office and how to design hybrid models that work for everyone. Not going so well yet: Bosses are clashing with employees who want to continue working remotely or at least maintain some of the flexibility they’ve had over the past[...]
The next season of The New Way We Work starts next week! This fall, we might not be heading back to school but policies around coming back to the office (or not!) are still on a lot of people's minds. We'll also be digging into how the Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action in college[...]
Thinking of quitting your job? Whether you are miserable and dream of quitting your job in a dramatic TikTok-worthy fashion, or if you’re just feeling stagnant and uninspired, leaving your job is a huge decision. In this special LinkedIn Audio conversation, Fast Company Editors Kathleen Davis, Julia Herbst, and AJ Hess offer advice on red[...]
In this special interview from LinkedIn Audio, Judith Humphrey, Fast Company contributor and author of the new book "The Job Seeker’s Script" gives her best advice for job searching. What pieces of your resume can you trim, and what parts should you highlight? How important are cover letters...really? And once you land the interview, how[...]
Fast Company's fourth annual Queer 50 list, which publishes on Tuesday June 13th, celebrates the representation and influence of LGBTQ women and nonbinary leaders across industries. The individuals on the list have a seat at the table among the highest ranks for billion-dollar companies and powerful positions in advocacy, politics, and entertainment. They are also,[...]
On June 6, 2018 the first episode of this podcast aired with an episode titled “What’s ruining our sleep.” The show at the time was called “Secrets of the Most Productive People” a nod to Fast Company's annual magazine package of the same name where we ask people from across industries how they get things[...]
Today’s episode is an edited version of a recent LinkedIn Audio conversation with Senior Staff Editor Julia Herbst. We dug into research on the different forms procrastination can take and explore strategies for overcoming it.
Is AI coming for our jobs?? ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Max Ufberg explains that it is . . . but that it’s not all bad news. And Yaz chatted with Loom CEO Joe Thomas—Loom is essentially TikTok for business, which sounds crazier than it is—about how video conferencing is here to stay. Also, a[...]
Today’s episode is an edited version of a LinkedIn Audio discussion I had recently with Senior Editor Julia Herbst and Staff Editor AJ Hess where we covered how to manage your manager and offered advice for managers to make sure they aren’t making missteps that could make employees disengage.
Kate Davis talks with Fast Company Editor, Christopher Zara, about his book "Uneducated: A Memoir of Flunking Out, Falling Apart, and Finding My Worth"
Kate Davis talks with Lars Schmidt about what a progressive, employee-centric human resources department would look like? What roles would it contain? And, If there is a future where HR is no longer the butt of office jokes? Lars is the founder of the HR consultancy Amplify, speaker, host of the Redefining Work podcast, author[...]
How is retirement changing for those with a few years versus a few decades left in the workforce? How can you plan for retirement at any age or career stage? How is retirement likely to change over the next generation? On this week's episode, Kate Davis talks with Emily Guy Birken to answer these questions.[...]
Earlier this season, Kate Davis talked to New York Times columnist Jessica Grose about a piece Grose wrote called “the hour between babe and hag”. The article examines gendered ageism. Jessica writes that there seems to be about 10 years when a woman can hope to be taken seriously at work. Roughly from age 35-45.[...]
Kate Davis and the work life team at Fast Company talk about what different generations of employees want out of work
Kate Davis talks with Albert Fox Cahn about what employers tracking and what tools are they using, If there any regulations around employee surveillance, and if your boss even has to tell you that you are being monitored. Albert Fox Cahn is the founder and executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project. He’s also[...]
The earliest Artificial Intelligence program was written way back in 1951 but outside of science fiction AI didn’t enter the mainstream conversation until decades later. At Fast Company we’ve been covering AI technologies for many years but nothing has compared to the excitement and fear that Open AI and their artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT has[...]
On today's episode, Kate explains how AI might change our jobs. A 2021 poll found that 48% of Americans fear that automation will reduce the number of jobs, but is there really something to be afraid of?
Kate Davis talks with Amber Cabral about diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Amber is an Inclusion Strategist, certified coach, speaker and author of Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Culture.
On the latest episode of ‘The New Way We Work,’ we discuss what happens when companies cut their DEI departments to save money. Wema Hoover, a global diversity, equity, and inclusion expert noted that many companies may be trimming DEI roles because they never took it seriously to begin with.
Kate Davis talks with Fast Company Senior Editor Julia Herbst about an article she recently wrote looking at whether employees are still feeling as empowered and in control of their careers as they did a year ago.
Kate Davis talks with Jessica Grose, New York Times opinion writer, about her new book “Screaming on the inside: the Unsustainability of American Motherhood”
We are back with new episodes on February 20th!
This week we have a panel recorded at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York last fall. This discussion was one of my favorites from the Festival - Fast Company editor Morgan Clendaniel spoke to Sara Nelson, President of the Flight Attendants union; Christian Smalls, President, Amazon Labor Union; and Saket Soni, Founder, Resilience[...]
Today’s episode was recorded at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York last fall. Bhavik Shah, principal from Mind Share Partners presented a workshop about how to support mental health of employees. He joined me in the podcast booth on the festival floor to talk about how he thinks the workplace will change over[...]
When it comes to New Years Resolutions, why do so many of us fail – and what’s the secret to those few that manage to follow through? For this LinkedIn Audio from Tuesday 1/10, Fast Company's Work Life editors comb through all the best advice around goal setting and share their tips.
Last year, Dr. David Rock of the Neuroleadship Institute came on The New Way We Work to talk about the factors that make work meaningful. He pointed to five forms of motivation, using the acronym "SCARF" which stands for status, certainty, autonomy, relatedness, and fairness. On today's episode Kate Davis and producer Josh Christensen take[...]
Kate Davis, KC Ifeanyi, and Amelia Hemphill discuss the biggest stories at Fast Company this past year and share their favorite moments from Fast Company podcasts. Kate highlights The New Way We Work's 4-part miniseries "Ambition Diaries," which examined the effects of the pandemic on women's progress in the workplace. KC reviews some of the biggest trends in the[...]
In good economic times and bad. Fresh out school, mid-career, in your second or third act. After a layoff or a resignation. Following a short stint or a long tenure. We will all find ourselves looking for a job at several points in our lives. Which is probably why resume advice has always been among[...]
Kate Davis is joined by Fast Company editors Lydia Dishman and Julia Herbst to debate what office jargon is the absolute worst.
Kat Davis talks with Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic about miscommunication in the workplace
Kate Davis explains five red flags to watch out for when interviewing for a job. For more tips, check out the article link below. https://www.fastcompany.com/90734998/10-signs-you-shouldnt-take-the-job
It’s Thanksgiving tomorrow and what better way to spend it than examining how our food is produced? While we can’t live without food, we also can’t afford to have the current agricultural industries, which grow and produce our food, continue contributing to climate change at such a rapid pace. The global population is larger than[...]
Kate Davis talks with Dorie Clark about how to future proof your career (as much as possible). Dorie has been a guest on the show before, she’s also a contributor to Fast Company, Harvard Business Review and others and has been named the #1 Communication Coach and one of the Top 50 Business Thinkers in the[...]
How do you prepare for a looming recession and the possibility of layoffs? Is there such a thing as a recession proof job? Kate Davis is joined by Amanda Augustine to answer these questions. Amanda is an expert in career advancement, ranging from developing one’s professional brand to acing job interviews. She’s a speaker and contributor[...]
Kate Davis is joined by Kim Rittberg, host of the podcast Mom’s Exit Interview, to discuss what the next career chapter is for some of those women who left the traditional workforce in 2020
In this special podcast episode, hear the latest on what’s taking place in edge computing and hybrid cloud from a top industry executive at AWS. Also learn how these innovations can ultimately help you transform your business.
On this fourth and final episode of Ambition Diaries, Kate examines is ambition really matters anymore after the pandemic and how we are recalibrating in the new world of work.
In this episode we’ll hear from several of the mothers and daughters in the series about how decisions around marriage and children played out in their homes and careers. From the cost of childcare limiting career options, to delegating responsibilities to a babysitter. From grappling with questions of fulfillment in motherhood to approaching child rearing[...]
On the second episode in Ambition Diaries, we hear stories of workplace discrimination. ” it calls to mind a bygone era of Mad Men style overt sexism and racism. And while that kind of egregious behavior does still happen, the discrimination most prevalent in workplaces of all types can fly under the radar of those[...]
Over the course of several months, seven reporters from across the country recorded intimate conversations between mothers and daughters about issues like unpaid labor, discrimination, pay gap, career advancement, work life balance, and how the pandemic has changed our relationship to work. The result is a 4-part mini series called Ambition Diaries. In this first[...]
Kate Davis hosts a live episode of The New Way We Work at Fast Company Innovation Festival. She talks about burnout and why so many employees are unhappy at work with Ludmila Praslova and Phoebe Gavin. Ludmila is a professor of Organizational psychology at Vanguard University of Southern California with extensive experience in talent systems,[...]
On this week's Most Innovative Companies Podcast, Nicolas Julia, CEO and cofounder of Sorare talks about his vision for democratizing NFTs through the world’s biggest sports.
On this week’s Most Innovative Companies Podcast, Alexandr Wang, CEO and founder of Scale AI, explains how his company is using data to tackle problems from access to healthcare to supplies for the war in Ukraine.
On the latest episode of the Most Innovative Companies podcast, Irving Fain, founder and CEO of the vertical farming company Bowery, explains how being an outsider to agriculture has helped him come up with new ideas.
James Vincent is joined by Rebekah Jefferis, Stephen Butler and Nick Barham, his partners at FNDR, to discuss lessons they've learned from their work with 126 founders.
Every company’s success is tied to its talent - recruiting and retaining the employees needed to deliver high-level customer experiences that support the bottom line. Yet rapid transformation has disrupted many things that organizations used to do to maintain great company cultures. So how can business leaders reimagine their employee experiences to meet the needs of[...]
On this week’s Most Innovative Companies Podcast, Nate founder and CEO Albert Saniger discusses the role technology plays in our lives, and the autonomy we hold over our decisions and our data.
Kate Davis talks to Dr. Courtney McCluney, assistant professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University, about code-switching at work and what companies really mean when they talk about "culture fit".
On this week’s Most Innovative Companies podcast, Joanna Coles explains the business case for all leaders to surround themselves with independent working minds that are connected to culture, both within the broader world around us as well as the communities we live, work, and thrive in.
On this week’s episode of Most Innovative Companies podcast, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence talks with James Vincent about why companies should embrace innovation even when they don’t need to.
Kate Davis is joined by Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic to discuss how the people who end up in leadership positions often possess the traits least suited to manage and lead people. Dr. Chamorro-Premuzic is the Chief Innovation Officer at Manpower Group, Professor of Business Psychology at University College London and Columbia University, a frequent contributor to the[...]
On this week's Most Innovative Companies Podcast, Jack and Sam dive into why the creator economy isn’t new, but a fresh iteration of a much older phenomenon, as well as the beauty of Web3 as it applies to ownership. By focusing on “love” as opposed to “likes”, Patreon has helped change the way art is[...]
On this week's Most Innovative Companies, Joe Percoco, cofounder and co-CEO of Titan, shares his thoughts with host James Vincent about why, while a financial crisis is undeniably a challenge to companies, it can also bring key opportunities for growth. His company Titan is a consumer fintech opening up access to expert-led investment opportunities for[...]
Kate Davis talks with Dr. David Rock about what makes for meaningful work. David is the Co-Founder & CEO of NeuroLeadership Institute, a cognitive science consultancy that has advised some of the biggest companies. He is also the author of four books including Your Brain at Work.
Kate Davis is joined by Kim Kelly to discuss what’s behind the new labor movement and what both employees and managers should be thinking about at their workplaces. Kim is the author of FIGHT LIKE HELL: The Untold History of American Labor. Her writing on labor, class, politics, and culture has appeared in The New[...]
On this episode we take a look at some of the most infamous bosses from TV and film and see if there are any leadership lessons we can learn from their mistakes.
On the latest episode of The New Way We Work, we hear from Emma Hernandez about her experience accessing abortion care at two different points in her life: with and without employer support. Access to safe and legal abortion over the last five decades has had a tremendous impact on women. Women’s labor force participation[...]
Kate Davis talks with Diana Kander about the pitfalls even the most well meaning manager might fall into and how to avoid them. Diana is an author, keynote speaker, and host of The Growth League podcast, which catalogs rules for growth from remarkable women. She also co-authored a Fast Company article titled “We interviewed 50 ‘bad[...]
Kate Davis talks to Nena Martin about what the office of the future should look like. Nena is Global Technology Leader and Director of Workplace for the design and architecture firm Gensler. She has extensive experience in commercial architectural interiors of all types, she’s worked with clients including Apple, Google, Facebook,and many more in the[...]
Kate Davis and Josh Christensen talk about how to make friends at work. The two Fast Company articles we pulled tips from for this episode are How to make office friends if you’re planning to keep working from home By Corey Weiner and You can make friends at work. Here is how to foster life-long connections[...]
Kate Davis talks with Mark C. Crowley about The Great Reentry and what leaders need to know to make this transition work.
Kate Davis talks with Sara Horowitz about the future of portable benefits. Sara is the founder and former executive director of the Freelancers Union and founder of the mutualists society. She is also an author whose most recent book is “Mutualism: Building the Next Economy from the Ground Up”.
Kate Davis talks with Hayden Brown about why so many workers are freelancing and how this trend will only continue to grow. Hayden is president and CEO of Upwork, a work marketplace that connects businesses with highly-skilled talent.
Kate Davis is joined by The New Way We Work producer Josh Christensen and Fast Company's senior VP of Entertainment Scott Mebus to talk about their work meeting audit. If you'd like to audit your own meetings, you can find instructions in this Fast Company Article: https://www.fastcompany.com/90727966/you-can-cancel-most-of-your-meetings-if-you-do-these-5-things
Kate Davis talks with Melissa Boteach about what it would look like if we paid for unpaid labor. Melissa is Vice President for Income Security, Child Care and Early Learning at the National Women’s Law Center. Melissa also oversees their advocacy, policy, and public education strategies on these issues.
On today's episode, The New Way We Work producer talks with Irenka Krone and Nina Prochazka about job sharing. They cohead communication, network and knowledge management at CINFO, and work together at Association PTO, advocating for flexible work models and coaching job share partners.
Kate Davis joined by Kenzo Fong and Josh Foreman to discuss the future of workplace flexibility. Kenzo is CEO & Founder of Rock who recently wrote for Fast Company about asynchronous work. And Josh is the CEO and Founder of Indebted who recently wrote about how his company moved to a 4 day work week.
Kate Davis and her producer, Josh Christensen, take the Myers-Briggs and Big Five personality tests. If you'd like to take the Big Five, follow this link: https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/IPIP-BFFM/
Kate Davis talks to Dr. Art Markman about why everyone's favorite personality test--The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator--is unreliable, especially when used in the hiring process. Art is a professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas at Austin and Founding Director of the Program in the Human Dimensions of Organizations.
The New Way We Work is back on February 7th with brand new episodes.
We are taking a short break from new episodes of The New Way We Work. We will be back with new episodes this February where we will talk about personality assessments, unions, retirement and so much more. To hold you over, here is a panel from Fast Company's Innovation Festival this past fall called "Working[...]
Today we have a special holiday episode where Kate Davis is joined by KC Ifeayni--host of Creative Conversation--and Talib Visram--host of World Changing Ideas--to reflect on the past year here at Fast Company and to share some new year's resolutions
Kate Davis is joined by Dr. Jessica Jackson to discuss what mental health support should look like at work. Dr. Jackson is a psychologist and the Global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Care Lead at Modern Health. Plus, we have a custom segment from Fast Co. Works and McKinsey & Company about how we take[...]
Kate Davis and her producer, Josh Christensen, take the Narcissistic Personality Inventory assessment to see just how narcissistic they might be. If you'd like to take the assessment yourself, follow this link: https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/NPI/
Kate Davis is joined by Dr. Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic to discuss how the people who end up in leadership positions often possess the traits least suited to manage and lead people. Dr. Chamorro-Premuzic is the Chief Innovation Officer at Manpower Group, Professor of Business Psychology at University College London and Columbia University, a frequent contributor to the[...]
On today's episode, we here from a childcare provider who left the industry after 20 years in the business.
The fragility of the country’s childcare infrastructure is one of America’s most enduring economic and societal challenges. This special recording of The New Way We Work podcast will explore public policy proposals, private sector initiatives, and other solutions that will help strengthen the economy and put people back on the job. Plus, a bonus segment[...]
Staff editor Lydia Dishman dives deep into the all too familiar history of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Kate Davis talks with Ellen Pao about the rise in workplace harassment during the pandemic, what's possibly causing the problem, and what companies should be doing to fix it. Pao is a tech investor and advocate, the former CEO of reddit, and CEO and cofounder of the diversity and inclusion nonprofit Project Include.
Kate Davis talks to staff editor Lydia Dishman about her appreciation of going back to the office
Kate Davis talks with Natalie Nixon about creativity, collaboration and company culture. Natalie is the president of Figure 8 Thinking, author of The Creativity Leap: Unleash Curiosity, Improvisation and Intuition at Work and a contributor to Fast Company
On today's episode we hear from someone who loves remote work despite initial reservations. Plus, we have another custom segment from Fast Co. Works and McKinsey & Company about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with Lareina Yee, Senior Partner at McKinsey and Company
Kate Davis talks with Dorie Clark about how to advance in your career when you are working from home. Clark is an author, professor of business at Duke and Columbia, and a contributor for the Harvard Business Review and Fast Company
On this week's episode, we hear from a retail worker about what led them to quit their job and join the great resignation. Plus, we have a custom segment from Fast Co. Works and McKinsey & Company about getting hybrid work right with Bryan Hancock, partner at McKinsey & Company and global leader of its[...]
Kate Davis talks with Fast Company contributor Stephanie Vozza about why so many people are quitting their jobs, who they are most likely to be, and what industries are most affected.
In this week's episode, Fast Company reporter Lydia Dishman dives deep into the history (and future) of the office.
On this week's episode, Kate Davis talks to Fast Company contributor Gwen Moran about who should--and shouldn't--return to the office. Subscribe to The New Way We Work wherever you listen. If you liked this episode, leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. We want to hear from you. How do you feel about[...]
The New Way We Work returns with new episodes on September 13. We will be diving deep into the return to the office, "The Great Resignation", and the child care crisis.
In this episode, we’re talking about social media. While Facebook and Twitter still dominate the space, apps like TikTok and Clubhouse are offering people new ways to express themselves and form communities. Amy chatted with Maria Raga, the CEO of Depop, the fashion resale app that’s become popular with Gen Z. The platform has 30[...]
In today's modern environment, it's impractical to live a completely digital-free life. But as Newport points out, you can keep your smartphone and stay sane at the same time. The key is to practice digital minimalism, and spend your online time "on a small number of carefully selected activities that strongly support things you value,[...]
In this weeks 'Best Of' episode, Fast Company reporter Pavithra Mohan spoke to Nir Eyal, author of Indistractable: How To Control Your Attention And Choose your life. Nir gets to the heart of what’s really behind procrastination, and why discipline and willpower are a myth when it comes to combating distraction. And if you like[...]
On this episode, we’re going to talk about the gaming industry, which is worth more than 160 billion dollars globally. Over the past year and a half, as people have gone from sheltering at home to tentative re-engagement with the world to….whatever is in store for us this fall, games have taken on an outsized[...]
Fast Company has been writing about how to beat distractions and find more focus at work for years, but right now all of the normal advice feels less practical. Between the stress and worry that has accompanied the pandemic and economic crisis--coupled with the tumultuous presidential election--staying focused can feel impossible. On today's 'Best Of'[...]
In this episode, we’re talking about biotech and health. If this past year and a half is any indication, investment in these sectors is critical. We’ve seen how we can confront a global pandemic with fast-tracked RNA-based vaccines. We’ve harnessed genomics to track and diagnose illness as it spreads. And the rise of telemedicine has[...]
Once upon a time, putting your head down, doing good work, and staying loyal to a company may have been enough to get a promotion. But these days, that's no longer the case. In today's constantly changing workforce, companies reward employees who can bring results and aren't afraid to be vocal about it. It's often[...]
On this week's 'Best Of' episode, we go back to 2019 when Kate and Anisa broke down how to prepare for a job interview and what employers are really asking with those common interview questions.
We're talking about AI in this episode. Once the villain of Sci Fi thrillers, AI is one of the most crucial—and misunderstood—sectors that we cover here at Fast Company. The truth is, AI—in some form or another—underpins the operations of just about every company these days, from powering self-driving technologies in our cars to serving[...]
On this "Best of The New Way We Work" episode, we go back to 2019 when Kate and Anisa dove into all things career-related, starting with the most basic tool to get your foot in the door: your resume. What are some resume mistakes you should stay away from? Are there common advice you’ve unknowingly[...]
Of all the decisions that you'll have to make over the course of your career, one of the biggest is when it's the right time to leave a job? Like many career decisions, the answer isn't straightforward. As we discuss in this week's "Best Of" episode of The New Way We Work, some signs are[...]
Taking a vacation is not a given in our work culture and if you do, it's likely that you'll check a few work emails here and there. But not taking the time to disconnect can actually make you less productive.
On this episode, The New Way We Work is back with another one of our greatest hits. This one is from late 2019 and it’s a fun bonus episode where Kate Davis debates VP of Entertainment, Scott Mebus, on the controversial topic of unlimited vacation. The idea that employees can choose how much vacation they[...]
This episode is from early 2019 where Kate Davis and former co-host, Anisa Purbasari-Horton, spoke to former lawyer turned burnout and resilience expert Paula Davis-Laack about why our work and achievement-centric culture might be to blame for the high rates of burnout in America, along with what signs we should look out for, and how[...]
It has been over 100 episodes since this podcast began, first as Secrets of the Most Productive People and now The New Way We Work, so we are rebroadcasting some of the best episodes from the past 4 years this summer. In this episode from 2018, Kate Davis and Anisa Purbasari-Horton talked to author Tiffany[...]
On this week's episode, we feature highlights from Fast Company's Black in Tech special report. For the full report, follow this link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90644593/1-year-3-8-billion-later-how-2020s-race-reckoning-shook-up-big-tech
In this bonus episode, Kate Davis talks to senior staff editor Julia Herbst about Fast Company's second annual Queer 50 list. Plus, we hear highlights from interviews with this years honorees including Black Lives Matters co-founder Alicia Garza. To see the full list, follow this link: https://www.fastcompany.com/queer-50/2021
Kate Davis talks to Gabriel Arkles, Senior Counsel at the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, about trans rights at work, healthcare disparities and his work on Aimee Stephens Supreme Court case last summer. Produced by Joshua Christensen
The New Way We Work would like to introduce you to a new podcast from Fast Company that we think you are going to love. It’s called Hit the Ground Running and it’s all about how to navigate the ever changing world of work as an early career professional. The show is hosted by Yasmin Gagne[...]
Kate Davis talks to LaFawn Davis, Group Vice President of Environmental, Social & Governance at Indeed, about how to make a more inclusive workplace for LGBTQ+ employees, intersectionality, and the spike of anti-trans legislation in states across the country. Produced by Joshua Christensen
According to Simply Insurance, nearly 6% of Americans will experience a short-term disability each year, and around 40% of those people will have their applications for disability insurance declined. On this episode, Kate Davis reports on how difficult it can be to qualify for temporary disability. More on this topic from Fastcompany.com: https://www.fastcompany.com/90414895/exclusive-i-left-google-because-of-pregnancy-discrimination Produced by[...]
Kate Davis speaks with Hiren Shukla, the founder and global leader of Neuro-Diverse Centers of Excellence at EY Global, about how neurodiverse persons are so often marginalized in the workforce. Read more on fastcompany.com: https://www.fastcompany.com/40421510/what-is-neurodiversity-and-why-companies-should-embrace-it https://www.fastcompany.com/90424650/too-often-neurodiverse-hiring-efforts-overlook-female-job-seekers https://www.fastcompany.com/90543909/how-companies-can-support-neurodiverse-employees-who-choose-to-come-out Produced by Joshua Christensen
We take a look back at the history of disabled workers rights legislation over the past century and how there are still loopholes and gaps that employers can exploit to discriminate. See full text of the ADA here
Kate Davis talks with Lydia X. Z. Brown about how disabled workers have to go about disclosing disabilities at work and what companies should be doing to make their hiring processes more equitable. Lydia is a scholar and advocate in disability studies and technology policy and also the Policy Counsel for the Privacy & Data Project[...]
Kate Davis takes a look back at two moments in U.S. history when our government nearly had universal childcare, but failed to follow through. Fast Company has been reporting on the recent attacks on AAPI people and ways you can get involved and help, from places you can donate and volunteer to how you can[...]
Kate Davis talks with author, speaker and podcast host Claudia Reuter about the penalty women face when they decide to have children.
Fast Company reporter Pavithra Mohan explains the history of women being pushed out of the workforce going back to the beginning of the 20th century.
Kate Davis talks to Michelle Ryan about her research on the glass cliff. Ryan is a professor of social and organisational psychology at the University of Exeter. She’s also the incoming director of the Global Institute of Women’s Leadership at the Australian National University. She, along with Alex Haslam, coined the term “glass cliff” as part[...]
On this bonus episode, we hear Jenna's story of landing her dream job in broadcast news and leaving that industry behind to find a more equitable workplace that allowed her to have a family without sacrificing income and stability.
Kate Davis talks to Maria Colacurcio, CEO of Syndio, about the gender pay gap, pay equity, and what companies can do to make real progress in closing the gap. Links to more reporting on the pay gap from FastCompany.com: https://www.fastcompany.com/90609641 https://www.fastcompany.com/section/short-changed
On this bonus episode, Kate Davis and her producer, Josh Christensen, recap lessons learned from the last five episodes on race in the workplace. Then, we hear from Kelly and his experience as a Black man in white dominant work culture.
Kate Davis talks to Dr. Courtney McCluney, assistant professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University, about code-switching at work and what companies really mean when they talk about "culture fit".
On this bonus episode, Fast Company reporter, Lydia Dishman, takes us through the history of diversity and racial bias training. From the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to Reagan's deregulation to the events of this past summer.
Kate Davis talks to Mimi Fox Melton, acting CEO of Code 2040, about how white privilege manifests in the work place and tone policing. Subscribe to The New Way We Work on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Fast Company Staff Writer, Pavithra Mohan, dives into the limitations of diversity reports like the ones we've seen from companies like Google, Facebook and Amazon since 2014.
Kate Davis talks with Racial Equity Strategist and Leadership Coach, Dorianne St. Fleur, about where companies can start in building a more equitable workplace. Then, Kate talks with Porter Braswell, co-founder and CEO of Jopwell, about the myth of the pipeline problem. This episode of The New Way We Work is sponsored by Cove, the[...]
Secrets of the Most Productive People returns January 25 with new episodes and new name.
In this bonus episode, you'll hear highlights from interviews with Brandy Zadrozny, Bubba Wallace, N.K. Jemisin, Gina McCarthy and Jacqui Guichelaar.
On December 16, Fast Company Podcast Network went live on Facebook and Youtube. Creative Conversation host, KC Ifeanyi, was joined by Kate Davis--host of Secrets of the Most Productive People--and Talib Visram--host of Fast Break--to talk about 2020.
Kate Davis is joined by Fast Company Staff Writer, Pavithra Mohan, and Alana Kaufman LCSW, a psychotherapist and the founder and director of the Talk Suite, to discuss how to cope with isolation this holiday season.
Kathaleen Pittman, who runs Hope Medical Group for Women--one of three clinics that provide abortions in Louisiana--shares her story about the continued threats to reproductive rights in Louisiana and running a clinic during the pandemic.
Kate Davis talks to Gemma Hartley--writer, reporter, and author of Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way Forward--about the disproportionate burden of emotional and unpaid labor women bear both at home and in the workplace.
This past June, after the world saw the horrific video of George Floyd being killed, millions took to the streets to protest the continued systemic oppression of Black Americans. This tragedy--and the activism that followed--made individuals examine their own complicity, families have tough conversations and workplaces reckon with their own culture, policies and approach to[...]
Fast Company has been writing about how to beat distractions and find more focus at work for years, but right now all of the normal advice feels less practical. Between the stress and worry that has accompanied the pandemic and economic crisis--coupled with the tumultuous presidential election--staying focused can feel impossible. On today's episode, Kate[...]
On this week's Productivity Dispatch, we hear from Pedro who spent Election Day working at a polling place in his neighborhood.
Dorianne St. Fleur joins Kate Davis to discuss microaggressions in the work place, how to be an ally and DARVO. Dorianne is a Racial Equity Strategist and Leadership Coach who specializes in helping organizations build anti-racist workplaces.
Liz Neitge is an actor and bartender from New York City. When the pandemic hit in March, both her industries shut down over night. As restaurants began to re-open this summer, Liz attempted to re-enter the work force, but the risks gave her pause. This is her story.
Fast Company staff writer, Pavithra Mohan, joins host Kate Davis to discuss her reporting on individuals experiencing long term, lingering effects of COVID-19 and how they are fighting for understanding from employers.
The coronavirus pandemic has forever changed the world and the way we work. Right now, millions of American workers across every industry are on the front lines of figuring out this new normal. To highlight the stories of everyday people, Secrets of the Most Productive People is launching its new series, Productivity Dispatch: Stories From[...]
A custom series on science, technology, and innovation in partnership with GSK. In this episode, we hear from GSK's Chief Scientific Officer and President of R&D Hal Barron as he explains how GSK collaborates with its competitors to solve the world's biggest problems.
Find our 2020 listener survey at fastcompany.com/mostproductivesurvey and submit your responses by October 9th for a chance to win a $50 gift card.
In this last episode in Secrets of the Most Productive Peoples “Reinventing Education” mini series, where we take a look at how school nurses are preparing for school reopening as well as what epidemiologists are thinking about how to emerge from this crisis.
In today’s episode we are take a look at the possible solutions to the child care crisis. Host Kate Davis is joined by Staff Writer Pavithra Mohan to discuss what businesses are doing to support working parents. Then, Kate talks to Lauren Hogan, Managing Director at the National Association for the Education of Young Children,[...]
There’s no question: School looks different this year. Some students will attend in-person classes. Others will participate in a hybrid model, mixing online and in-person classes. Still others will stay entirely virtual, logging into classes from their bedrooms or kitchen tables. In this episode of Secrets of the Most Productive People's Reinventing Education series, contributing[...]
Amidst a growing global pandemic with persistent outbreaks and a patchwork of reopening plans, one of the biggest issues facing our nation is what to do about education and childcare for the countries over 73 million children. The far reaching impact of ongoing school closures in America has the ripple effect on all aspects of life[...]
Secrets of the Most Productive People will be back in your feeds on August 31st where we'll be exploring one of the biggest issues facing our nation during the COVID-19 pandemic: the reopening of schools.
Dorianne St Fleur--Diversity & Inclusion Strategist, Career Development Coach and Founder of Your Career Girl Inc.--joins Secrets of the Most Productive People to discuss how to look for a job during the pandemic. If you have a problem in your career or on the job hunt, tell us about it. Leave us a voicemail at[...]
On this week’s episode of Secrets of the Most Productive People, we talk about the mental health struggles so many of us are facing right now. We also speak with Alice Boyes, a former clinical psychologist and the author of The Healthy Mind Toolkit and The Anxiety Toolkit. Boyes gives us insight into the accommodations[...]
This week we’ll learn about a new toy robot that could help children socialize, a good alternative to Rosé and some handy productivity tips. Be sure to check in with us next week for another roundup of helpful tips and creative ideas to stay positive throughout this challenging time. You can subscribe to Fast Break[...]
This week, Fast Company deputy editor Kate Davis and Head of Video and Podcasting Scott Mebus are talking about parenting during a pandemic. How can working parents attempt to get everything done, what should managers do to support all of their employees, possible tensions among those without kids, and how this unprecedented time may be[...]
Presenting Fast Break, a new podcast from Fast Company Magazine. This week we’ll learn about how some companies are adjusting their advertising game, why the L.A Clippers are helping change the way people watch sports, and some self care tips for working moms. You can subscribe to Fast Break on Apple podcasts or wherever you[...]
As COVID-19 has spread, many aspects of our working lives have changed. Some of us wear masks and face-shields; some join meetings from our couches; others juggle conference calls and toddler nap times. For leaders overseeing teams, there are also new challenges. As information about the virus and economic conditions change rapidly, leaders must make quick (and often[...]
In the this bonus episode of Secrets of Secrets of the Most Productive people, hosts Pavithra Mohan and Julia Herbst discuss how you can continue your professional connections and develop career skills while sheltered at home during this pandemic.
As far as obstacles to productivity go, procrastination is a challenge that many run into over and over again. Add the uncertainties caused by COVID-19 and the distractions that working in unsettling environment brings, tackling things that require effort and brainpower can feel downright impossible. That's because as my cohost Pavithra Mohan and I discuss[...]
From our friends at Inc. Magazine, please enjoy this trailer to What I Know. Subscribe to What I Know on Apple Podcasts or Spotify The greatest businesses weren’t born from moments of genius. They emerged after years of discovery--and often after years of failure. What I Know from Inc. magazine takes you inside the messy,[...]
In this bonus episode of Secrets of the Most Productive People, Pavithra Mohan moderates a debate between Scott Mebus and Ruth Reader to determine who is more productive: night-owls or morning-birds.
COVID-19 has upended every aspect of our life, including the way we work. For many office workers who are fortunate to remain employed during this period, that can mean working from home for the foreseeable future. That in itself comes with its challenges, as we’ve discussed in previous episodes. But add other household members to[...]
In this bonus episode, the Secrets of the Most Productive People team talks through how they've been coping working from home and provides some tips for how you can be more productive.
Now introducing Book Smart, a new podcast from our friends at Inc. Magazine. Each week, host Cameron Albert-Deitch highlights the books beloved by well-known founders and entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Warren Buffet. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.
We're currently living in a time where uncertainty is our reality. The global pandemic that is Covid-19 has disrupted almost every aspect of modern life, including the way we work. On this week's episode of Secrets Of The Most Productive People, co-hosts Anisa Purbasari Horton, Pavithra Mohan, and Julia Herbst discuss all of the ways[...]
Companies in industries from tech to retail to hospitality have found a novel way of getting their employees to be more productive: They let their staff pursue their passions, on company time. It may seem counterintuitive, but by allowing personnel the opportunity to do anything from volunteer to create a fully operational nonprofit, firms are[...]
Impostor syndrome is something that cohosts Pavithra Mohan and Anisa Purbasari Horton have had to battle throughout their professional lives. But as they both discussed on this week's episode of Secrets Of The Most Productive People, it never quite goes away. They learned that rather than trying to make it disappear, they needed to learn[...]
Innovation in employee benefits has a long history. Take sabbaticals, a benefit that began in academic institutions. These long breaks allowed professors and researchers to take time off to pursue personal projects or simply recharge their creativity over the course of several months off. Those novel approaches are slowly inching themselves into the corporate world and[...]
In Season 1 of Secrets of the Most Productive People, we examined why people found it so difficult to focus in an open office. This week, we try to figure out how beat the distractions that make open office work so hard. Fast Company editorial assistant, Talib Visram, tried out three different methods to combat[...]
On this bonus episode of Secrets of the Most Productive People, Fast Company assistant editor, Pavithra Mohan, and Fast Company staff editor, Julia Herbst, break down the pros and cons of where we get our work done. Open offices have become common place in many industries. While they may give you an opportunity to collaborate[...]
On this episode of Secrets of the Most Produtive People, Scott Mebus, VP of video and podcasts for Fast Company and Inc., shires his longtime battle with getting enough sleep with co-host Anisa Purbasari-Horton. Some of his issues include a long commute, having a son who is an early riser, and the day-to-day stress of[...]
Winning a Formula 1 race is about more than pure speed. Drivers, pit crews, and team managers need to make hundreds of decisions in the blink of an eye, all while flying around a winding track at speeds up to 200 miles per hour. For decades, those decisions were driven by instinct and experience. But[...]
Secrets of the Most Productive People returns in February 2020 with Season 4. In the meantime, make sure to catch up on episodes you might have missed on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or wherever you get your podcasts.
This week's episode is all about YOU. On this bonus episode of Secrets of the Most Productive People, Kate and Anisa answer your most pressing questions about your career, the workplace, and all those other awkward job-related topics. Subscribe to Secrets of the Most Productive People on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or[...]
Doctors and nurses have to remain productive under pressure. Their decisions are quite literally life-and-death, and quick access to patient data is vital to making informed decisions about patient needs. For years, that data was managed on pen and paper, but the recent revolution in healthcare data has fueled a technology-driven revolution in how healthcare[...]
If you've ever attempted to meet an ambitious goal, you're probably familiar with just how difficult it is to change your habits. You're also probably aware of how much influence the mind has in determining whether or not you'll be successful in that endeavor. Some days, it feels like your brain corresponds with your body[...]
Productivity and creativity have always been talked about as if they’re two sides of the same coin. You could only be creative if you didn’t have to think about productivity and vice versa. Joe Brown, senior portfolio director at legendary design firm IDEO, thinks that conventional wisdom is faulty. Brown has spent years not only[...]
Once revered as a magical work-perk, unlimited vacation has become a polarizing debate among office dwellers. The concept that an individual worker can choose how much vacation they are allowed to claim has inspired passionate opinions on what’s appropriate for workers to expect, what a company hopes for in offering something so elusive, and why[...]
After years of fighting tooth and nail for it, the labor movement in America finally won the battle for the 40-hour work week. Workers were no longer expected to work day and night without fair compensation. It was a victory that changed the way we think about work, and the modern work week was born. [...]
Of all the decisions that you'll have to make over the course of your career, one of the biggest is when it's the right time to leave a job? Like many career decisions, the answer isn't straightforward. As we discuss in this week's episode of Secrets Of The Most Productive People, some signs are more[...]
Once upon a time, putting your head down, doing good work, and staying loyal to a company may have been enough to get a promotion. But these days, that's no longer the case. In today's constantly changing workforce, companies reward employees who can bring results and aren't afraid to be vocal about it. It's often[...]
We are sharing an episode from another Fast Company podcast, Creative Conversation. As an editor and writer for Fast Company magazine, Kc Ifeanyi covers some of the most creative minds in film, television, business and beyond. In this podcast, he unpacks the most frustrating parts of the creative process by talking to psychologists, scholars, and[...]
On the long list of crucial job skills that you aren't taught in school, how to manage up ranks high. You may enter the workforce with the belief that your boss is there to manage your performance, and their management style is something you have no control over. Learning the best way to manage your[...]
Reporting to a boss keeps many employees focused and productive. But how do you stay accountable to your goals when you are your own boss? Chris Denson, host of Innovation Crush and innovation consultant, shares his strategies for getting things done. If you have a problem in your career or on the job hunt, tell[...]
Starting a new job is stressful for anyone. Not only do you have to get used to new people, new environment, and maybe a new commute. You also have to figure what the unwritten rules and etiquettes are, and who you should talk to for specific questions. Then there's the challenge of actually doing good[...]
On this mini episode, marketing expert Dorie Clark is back on the show to answer a listener’s question. This listener recently moved to a new city and asks if his presence online is hurting his chances while job hunting. When you google his name, you get pages and pages of results about an internationally known[...]
Talking about money can be really uncomfortable. No matter how you frame the conversation there is a lot of potential for missteps. Which is why on this episode of Secrets of the Most Productive People, the cohosts break down how exactly what to frame your ask and the common minefields to avoid (hint: don't mention[...]
On this episode we’re answering an intern’s question about overtime. How do you approach your manager when you’re working overtime and not getting paid for it? Donna Morris, the Chief Human Resources Officer of Adobe, offers advice. This is the first episode of a series called Work Smarter Wednesdays—expert advice for your most challenging[...]
For many people the entire job interview process can feel like blind dating: Do you like them? Do they like you? Is there a future? And just like with dating, even if that first meeting went well, it's totally possible to screw it up if you follow up in the wrong way. With job interviews[...]
(Presented by Citrix) When Nicole Wolfe, director of partnerships at ClassPass, first started her career, wellness was defined by numbers. There were weight loss goals, daily step counts, weekly activity goals. But wellness has undergone a sea change in the last decade, with both people and firms understanding that health goes way beyond counting calories[...]
On this episode of Secrets of the Most Productive People, co-hosts Kate and Anisa help listeners figure out exactly what to say (and what to avoid) in sticky situations. How do you answer some tricky questions such as “What are you weaknesses?” “What questions do you ask at the end of an interview?” Here are[...]
(Presented by Citrix) For decades, the image of the American office was a grim one. Endless rows of cubicles; harsh, humming, fluorescent lighting; stiff task chairs that make your back ache just looking at them. Recently, though, there’s been a shift, with employers injecting best practices from the wellness industry into the workplace and seeing[...]
Not so long ago, most people didn’t have to worry about their online presence or personal brand. Unless you were a celebrity, politician, or prominent CEO or entrepreneur in a public-facing company, doing well in your career involved doing good work and making in-person connections. Applying for a job meant mailing (or physically dropping) off[...]
No one likes writing them, and recruiters just skim them. Is it finally time for cover letters to die? Not so fast. On this episode, cohosts Kate and Anisa share why this tool is still crucial in a job search. They talk to Jamie Hichens, a senior talent acquisition programs manager at Glassdoor. She reviews[...]
(Presented by Citrix) Whether we see it as a threat or a practical productivity booster, artificial intelligence is shifting the way we work. Embracing AI at work and harnessing its power to find efficiencies can open up a new realm of possibilities. AI allows people to focus more on distinctly human tasks like creativity, empathy[...]
This season of Secrets of the Most Productive People dives deep into all things career-related, starting with the most basic tool to get your foot in the door: your resume. What are some resume mistakes you should stay away from? Are there common advice you’ve unknowingly follow that hiring managers and recruiters actually hate? The[...]
(Presented by Citrix) If you check emails by phone on-the-go or work from home occasionally, you’re part of the remote workforce. Cutting-edge technology and a new generation of entrepreneurs and managers are transforming the concept of the 9 to 5. In today’s always-on work culture, employees who want flexibility in their schedule, location, and commute[...]
New Episodes of Secrets of the Most Productive People start June 12. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
There’s a reason why so many successful people are intentional about how they start their day. On the final episode of season 2 of Secrets of the Most Productive People, the cohosts talk to Benjamin Spall–coauthor of My Morning Routine: How Successful People Start Every Day Inspired–about what successful people have in common when it[...]
Fast Company deputy editor Kate Davis and assistant editor Anisa Purbasari Horton speaks to Intern Queen CEO and founder Lauren Berger about seeing failure as part of the journey to success.
There are many misconceptions about introverts and extroverts--introverts are shy, extroverts are not. The reality is that shyness has nothing to do with introversion or extraversion. Whether you're one or the other depends on how you draw your energy source. Do you recharge by being alone, or would you prefer to be surrounded with people?[...]
The creative process is long and messy. When you need to come up with a novel solution to a thorny problem is precisely when your brain seems to shut down. As Anisa Purbasari Horton and Kate Davis found out on this week’s episode of Secrets Of The Most Productive People, often our journey to creativity[...]
We spend most of our lives “in our heads,” processing the world and other people though our own beliefs and biases. Yet, most of us understand very little about how our brains really work, and what they are actually capable of. On this week’s episode of Secrets of the Most Productive People, We spoke to[...]
Chronic stress and burnout are common occurrences in today’s workplace. About one in five “highly-engaged” U.S. workers reported experiencing some sort of burnout, according to a 2018 study conducted at the Yale Center of Emotional Intelligence. This week, we spoke to former lawyer turned burnout and resilience expert Paula Davis-Laack about why our work and[...]
In today's modern environment, it's impractical to live a completely digital-free life. But as Newport points out, you can keep your smartphone and stay sane at the same time. The key is to practice digital minimalism, and spend your online time "on a small number of carefully selected activities that strongly support things you value,[...]
When it comes to one of productivity's most basic elements, the to-do list, everyone has their own approach. So in this episode of "Secrets of the Most Productive People" we talked to the creator of the popular bullet journal about how to figure out what system works for you.
Shorter workweeks can improve productivity and boost morale. But while a 3-day weekend sounds great, American work culture and expectations aren't there yet. We talk to CEO and founder of FlexJobs, Sara Sutton, about the pros and cons of a 4 day workweek.
So many of us (close to half of all Americans) make New Year's resolutions. The bad news is that just 8% of us will actually keep them all year.
New Episodes of Secrets of the Most Productive People start January 2nd with "How Can You Keep Your New Year's Resolutions?" Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Are morning people more productive than night owls? Do successful people have to give up work-life balance? Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman and time management expert Laura Vanderkam busted some of the biggest productivity myths at the Fast Company Innovation Festival.
In our always-connected universe, achieving work-life balance can seem impossible. In this final episode of season one, Tiffany Dufu insists that to feel at peace, we need to learn to let go of our high expectations, and forgive ourselves from falling short from time to time.
When it comes to making or breaking habits–there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Learn what some habit-building strategies might be, along with why certain personality types don’t do well with accountability partners.
Telling someone you're "busy" is a surefire way to shut down the conversation. This is how you can change the way you look at your time and your life.
Researchers have long debated whether or not our willpower and decision-making capacity is finite. One thing is clear, though–not all decisions are created equal–and some will require more brain juice than others. Decision-making expert Sheena Iyengar joins Kate and Anisa to tell us about how we can train ourselves and structure our lives to to[...]
Some of us are not just that productive in the morning and forcing us to concentrate at a 9 a.m. meeting is a recipe for a wasted day. Fortunately, there are ways to get around this dilemma if you don't have complete control of your schedule.
You probably spend many of your working hours multitasking--whether you realize it or not. Does working with multiple tabs open (guilty) or eating your lunch in front of your screen (guilty again!) really cause your productivity to suffer?
Taking a vacation is not a given in our work culture and if you do, it's likely that you'll check a few work emails here and there. But not taking the time to disconnect can actually make you less productive.
There are two types of people in the world: those who have hundreds or even thousands of unread emails, and those who break out in hives just thinking about that first group.
In this episode, senior editor Kate Davis and editorial assistant Anisa Purbasari Horton talk about their struggles with working in an open-office, and the workarounds that work for them.
In this first episode of Secrets of the Most Productive People, senior editor Kate Davis and Editorial Assistant Anisa Purbasari Horton dive into what's ruining their sleep (anxious mind and toddler, respectively) and then are joined by expert Gary Zammit, Executive Director of the Sleep Disorders Institute who offers some solutions.
Join Fast Company editors Kate Davis and Anisa Purbasari-Horton as they try to figure out how to get it all done. In this bi-weekly podcast they’ll sort out fact from fiction on things like multi-tasking, sleep, and email and get expert advice on how to work smarter instead of harder.

Fast Company deputy editor Kathleen Davis takes listeners on a journey through the changing landscape of our work lives. Each episode explores the future of work, including the state of remote and hybrid work amid the return-to-office battle; how AI will change the way we do our jobs; the status of gender equity and DEI efforts; rethinking career ladders and ambition; motivation and what makes work meaningful; and the progress on mental health and disability issues at work. And as if all that isn’t enough, she also shares practical advice for interviews, r’sum’s, and salary negotiations, as well as the latest office jargon, just how useful personality tests really are, and more.

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