Managing Up, One Conversation at a Time

Managing Up, One Conversation at a Time

Author: Harvard Business Review June 2, 2025 Duration: 37:32
Have you ever realized, mid-project, that you and your boss weren’t aligned on what success looked like or how to get there? Executive coach Melody Wilding explains why getting clear on goals and understanding each other’s working styles is essential, even when you’re already in a leadership role. They share advice on how to start these conversations in a way that feels natural and constructive, break down common style mismatches, and offer guidance for adapting without losing your authenticity.

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
We Answer Questions from Early Career Listeners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:15
We talk through questions from listeners seeking advice on the challenges they’re facing early in their career — from being excluded from meetings to how to be more assertive.
Welcome Back to Remote Work, New Moms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:05
Coming back to work after parental leave, after having a baby during a pandemic, when you and your colleagues are still working remotely — is complicated. Our colleague describes how she’s approaching remote reentry, and…
When You Need Time Off for Health Reasons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:37
After a team member of ours faced a serious medical problem, we recognized how little guidance there was for communicating a health crisis or chronic illness. We talk through common decisions, fears, and conversations.
Has Anything Changed for Black Women at Work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:41
As we wait for company leaders to make good on the anti-racism commitments they made earlier this year, we check in with four Black women about how their work lives have and haven’t changed. Then we talk with an expert w…
When You’re Ready for a Big Career Move [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:31
Sometimes you want to make a career change, like a big one. We hear from a woman who is in the process of navigating a bold transition. Then we talk with an expert about how to clarify your goals and ask for what you nee…
Let’s Take Our Side Gigs Off the Back-Burner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:21
With the help of an expert in side gigs, Emily confronts the hobbies, projects, and pursuits that she’s neglected, in hopes of helping herself and others invest in interests outside of a full-time job.
Now Is a Good Time to Take Care of Ourselves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:42
We’re wiped out and finding it tough to stay focused, present, and optimistic. So we decided to revisit conversations that explore how and why we get worn out and that have advice for building ourselves back up.
How Women Who’ve Lost Work Are Coping [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:13
Three women who’ve lost work because of the pandemic open up about how they’re processing what's happened and finding a way forward
Going Back to the Office [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:54
As offices — including HBR’s — carefully reopen after being closed for months because of the pandemic, we describe what it’s like there and discuss the risks and rewards of being back in person.

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