Ask the Amys

Ask the Amys

Author: Harvard Business Review November 20, 2023 Duration: 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.

From the newsroom of the Harvard Business Review comes Women at Work, a conversation grounded in the daily realities of professional life. Hosted by HBR editors Amy Bernstein, Amy Gallo, and Emily Caulfield, this podcast moves beyond abstract theory to tackle the specific, often frustrating challenges women navigate in their careers. Each episode picks apart a knotty problem-like confronting a persistent wage gap, handling frequent interruptions in meetings, or managing disproportionate office housework-with a focus on practical strategies. The hosts bring in researchers, leadership coaches, and seasoned executives who offer evidence-based advice and share their own hard-won insights. Listening feels like joining a candid discussion among knowledgeable colleagues who aren’t afraid to name the awkward stuff. You’ll find a blend of personal stories, tactical guidance, and deeper analysis about systemic issues, all aimed at helping you strengthen your position and advance your ambitions. It’s a resource for anyone looking to build a more effective and equitable career, one concrete step at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Women at Work
Podcast Episodes
Season 8 Highlights — and a Host Reunion! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 ho…
How to Push for Policy Changes at Your Company [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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, orga…
Working While Managing Your Child’s Mental Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 ma…
When Your Partner Isn’t Giving You the Support You Need [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:19
The people we love have a great influence on our professional success. But when’s the last time you and your partner checked in about each other’s priorities and needs? Jennifer Petriglieri, an expert on dual-career coup…
Respect for Any Body Size [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:17
Two women who have studied weight bias at work help us understand the ways larger-bodied employees are stigmatized, as well as our role in reducing the stigma and creating a positive body culture.
Have You Started Thinking About Retirement? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:02
Once you’re ready to retire, you’ll need a plan for how to spend your time. And once your job title is gone, you’ll need to figure out who you are now, not to mention what brings you joy. Finding purpose and a new identi…
The Ups and Downs of Being a First-Time Manager [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:24
When managing other people for the first time, what should we expect, and how can we prepare? Three new managers describe their growing pains, reflect on what they find most rewarding, and talk through their latest chall…
Getting Along (Live in Boston) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:12
To cap off our Getting Along series, Amy Gallo shares advice, in front of a live audience, on how to deal with all different types of “difficult” coworkers — from the tormentor to the know-it-all.
Getting Along with an Insecure, Know-It-All Pessimist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:42
How do you bring about positive change — or just keep a workplace functional — when the person in charge won’t listen? Amy Gallo recommends tactics to try and phrases to use.
Getting Along with a Biased Tormentor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:27
How do you interact with a senior person who should be mentoring you but is instead giving you every reason not to trust them? Amy G recommends tactics to try and phrases to use.