I have become a junkie for podcasts and audio books. I’ve come across many good ones (NPR has several like How I Built This with Guy Raz as just one example), but there is one podcast in particular that is exceptional and I am recommending it for you to check out.
WorkLife with Adam Grant just finished its second season and it is publishing a couple of bonus episodes. You may have heard of Adam Grant. He is an organizational psychologist who teaches at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also the best-selling author of books like Give and Take and Originals.
This unique podcast combines Adam Grant and TED to share insights into innovative companies who take steps to make work better. The podcasts begin with Adam Grant describing his job as “I am an organizational psychologist. I study how to make work not suck”. The practices in the podcast often time introduce new skills including, “How to remember anything” and “How to love criticism”.
Grant also explores companies who have taken steps to do things differently. Some of these companies use direct feedback, others take stands on social issues, and some have even completely gotten rid of scheduled meetings to boost productivity. These case studies are useful to encourage us to challenge our assumptions about our own work place.
Many of us accept what has been given to us when it comes to work. Sometimes it can feel like we are living an episode of the TV show The Office or the movie Office Space. What I particularly enjoy about WorkLife is that Grant challenges the listeners to think differently about many of the practices at work that we may otherwise take for granted.
We should be constantly challenging our assumptions about how we work so that we can improve the work environment for our employees and also keep it current and productive. This podcast has been a helpful way to learn about what companies across several different industries are doing to stay fresh. I can’t wait for Season 3!
KEY TAKEAWAY: We should be constantly identifying and challenging our assumptions about work. By learning about other workplaces and understanding the ethos, not just the gimmicks, we can make our work lives happier and more productive.