1147: How to Optimize Your Space to Thrive with Leidy Klotz

1147: How to Optimize Your Space to Thrive with Leidy Klotz

Author: How to be Awesome at Your Job April 20, 2026 Duration: 33:45
Leidy Klotz shares simple shifts for creating more spaces that improve well-being. — YOU’LL LEARN —  1) The three core needs that well-designed spaces meet  2) How to feel in control of spaces you can’t control 3) How to harness the “home turf” advantage anywhere Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1147 for clickable versions of the links below.  — ABOUT LEIDY —  Leidy Klotz is a behavioral scientist and engineering professor at the University of Virginia who studies how and why humans design. He has written for the Washington Post, Fast Company, Scientific American, and Harvard Business Review; has published his work in top journals like Nature and Science; and has been interviewed on Hidden Brain, Freakonomics, Mindscape, and The Atlantic’s How to Build a Happy Life. Klotz has advised clients ranging from the Departments of Energy and Homeland Security to CapitalOne and Amazon. • Book: In a Good Place: How the Spaces Where We Live, Work, and Play Can Help Us Thrive • Website: LeidyKlotz.com — RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW —  • Study: “Location in negotiation: Is there a home field advantage?” by Graham Brown and Marcus Baer • Book: Shatterproof: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos (And Why Resilience Alone Isn’t Enough) by Tasha Eurich • Book: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo • Book: The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Chip Heat and Dan Heath • Past episode: 317: How to Form Habits the Smart Way with BJ Fogg, PhD • Past episode: 684: Achieving More by Tapping into the Science of Less with Leidy Klotz • Past episode: 1066: How to Thrive When Your Resilience Runs Out with Dr. Tasha Eurich — THANK YOU SPONSORS! —  • Narwhal. Treat your home to spotless, fresh floors with us.narwhal.com/pete. • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME. • Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll with gusto.com/AWESOME • Shopify. Sign up for your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/better • Vanguard. Give your clients consistent results year in and year out with vanguard.com/AUDIO 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
1081: How to Deal with Credit Stealers at Work with Andrew Palmer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
Andrew Palmer discusses what to do when others take credit for your ideas. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) Why no one benefits from credit stealing—including the stealer 2) The unintentional ways people steal credit 3) Why crediting…
1080: How to Say No When the World Demands Yes with Dr. Sunita Sah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:51
Dr. Sunita Sah reveals the dangers of compliance and offers strategies for building the skill of defiance. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The powerful force that makes saying no so difficult 2) How to disagree while still being a t…
1077: The Six Insights of Excellent Communicators with Ruth Milligan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:56
Ruth Milligan reveals the fundamental habits that drastically improve your speaking. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The best way to improve at speaking—and why most don’t do it 2) The foundational communication principles for bette…
1073: How to Cut Clutter and Distraction from Your Life with Shira Gill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:07
Shira Gill shares minimalist strategies for reducing both physical and mental clutter. — YOU’LL LEARN — 1) The hidden costs of clutter 2) Why organizing tools won’t help you—and what will 3) The easiest way to make your…