1138: Breaking Free from the Invisible Norms that Limit Our Best Work with Nilofer Merchant

1138: Breaking Free from the Invisible Norms that Limit Our Best Work with Nilofer Merchant

Author: How to be Awesome at Your Job March 19, 2026 Duration: 41:18
Nilofer Merchant debunks some of the pervasive beliefs and practices that keep us from succeeding at work. — YOU’LL LEARN —  1) Striking examples of how hidden norms limit us 2) Why you owe it to yourself to play office politics 3) The mindset that creates more win-win solutions Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1138 for clickable versions of the links below.  — ABOUT NILOFER —  Nilofer Merchant spent over 25 years leading technology companies (Apple, Autodesk, GoLive/Adobe) and personally launched over 100 products and services, netting $18 billion in revenues. She is ranked among the top 50 influential management thinkers in the world (one of her TED Talks has been referenced 300 million times). Our Best Work is her 4th book. • Book: The New How: Creating Business Solutions Through Collaborative Strategy • Book: Our Best Work: Break Free from the 24 Invisible Norms That Limit Us • Website: NiloferMerchant.com — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW —  • Book: Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver — THANK YOU SPONSORS! —  • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME. • Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIO • Shopify. Sign up for your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/better See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever feel like there's a gap between the work you're doing and the work you know you're capable of? That's the space where How to Be Awesome at Your Job lives. Hosted by Pete, this long-running podcast digs into the practical, often overlooked tactics that transform good performance into remarkable impact. Rather than abstract theory, each conversation with accomplished thought-leaders and results-getters focuses on extracting specific, actionable insights you can apply immediately. You'll hear real stories and candid advice that sharpen universal skills-like clear communication, strategic thinking, and effective collaboration-which are essential for any role that involves working with others and solving problems. With over 25 million downloads and recognition from places like The New York Times and Forbes, the podcast has become a trusted resource for professionals seeking more than just a checklist. It’s about cultivating a more fulfilling career, finding more meaning in your daily tasks, and yes, creating more wins and financial reward along the way. Tune in to discover how small shifts in approach can lead to significant gains in your performance, your well-being, and your overall enjoyment of the work you do.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

How to Be Awesome at Your Job
Podcast Episodes
1092: Transforming Stress into Your Superpower with Dr. Rebecca Heiss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:04
Dr. Rebecca Heiss shares powerful perspectives for reframing stress. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) Why stress fuels meaning and purpose 2) The formula that helps harness stress 3) The 6-minute practice that reframes stress Subscri…
1090: How to Get Recruiters to Compete for You with Madeline Mann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:53
Madeline Mann shares insider tips and strategies for landing exciting new career opportunities. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The resume mistake high achievers make 2) The simple tweak that dramatically nets you more inbound oppor…
1087: How Neurodivergent Professionals Thrive at Work with Shea Belsky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:29
Shea Belsky shares his top do’s and don’ts for managing neurodiversity in the workplace. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) Why neurodivergency is unavoidable at work 2) The unique strengths and struggles of autistic people 3) When and…
1086: How to Unlock Personal Power and Deep Confidence with Chris Lipp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:57
Chris Lipp reveals the key to owning the room and boosting your confidence. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) How to end self-consciousness 2) A 5-minute ritual to prime your power 3) Two behaviors that naturally earn you respect Subs…
1085: How to Find More Fun at Work Every Day with Bree Groff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:40
Bree Groff shares the simple but effective strategies for finding more fun at work. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The mind shift that helps us find more fun at work 2) The 5-minute team practice that drastically improves engagemen…
1084: How to Navigate Change and Encourage Innovation with Jeff DeGraff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:28
Jeff DeGraff shows you how to go from managing change to mastering it. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) Why facts don’t actually change minds—and what does 2) Why you should seek out constructive conflict 3) What to do when you’re ov…