Women at Work

Young women are entering the workforce full of potential–they graduate with degrees and confidence–but they don’t always have the interpersonal skills they need to succeed and advance. They may not  know how to speak up in meetings, collaborate with people in charge, or ask for what they need. And that’s not just their problem; it’s ours too. If professors, mentors, managers, and parents don’t support young women, we risk losing talented future leaders before they even get started. In this live conversation from SXSW EDU in Austin, Amy Gallo talks with Neda Norouzi, an architecture professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Aimee Laun, director of the Career Connections Center at Texas Woman’s University. They discuss the gap between what colleges teach and what workplaces expect, and the role educators, managers, and mentors can play in bridging it. Resources: * “Sponsorship: Defining the Relationship [https://hbr.org/podcast/2019/10/sponsorship-defining-the-relationship],” from Women at Work * “A Better Approach to Mentorship [https://hbr.org/2023/06/a-better-approach-to-mentorship],” by Christopher “CJ” Gross * “Men Can Improve How They Mentor Women. Here’s How. [https://hbr.org/2016/12/men-can-improve-how-they-mentor-women-heres-how]” by David G. Smith and W. Brad Johnson * “Investing in the Development of Young, Remote Employees [https://hbr.org/2024/02/investing-in-the-development-of-young-remote-employees],” by Octavia Goredema * “The Key to Retaining Young Workers? Better Onboarding. [https://hbr.org/2022/05/the-key-to-retaining-young-workers-better-onboarding]” by Donald Tomaskovic-Devey and Reyna Orellana * “Academics Can Only Take Students So Far [https://hbsp.harvard.edu/inspiring-minds/4-ways-to-incorporate-life-skills-learning-into-your-undergraduate-courses],” from Inspiring Minds Sign up for the Women at Work newsletter [https://hbr.org/email-newsletters?movetile=womenatwork]. Email us: womenatwork@hbr.org [womenatwork@hbr.org]

Imagine having a direct report who sobs every time you give them feedback. Or leading a team of people who’ve told your boss that they don’t trust you. Or taking on your first management position with no training or guidance–and having 43 direct reports! What then? The Amys offer advice to listeners for getting through these real situations. And not just advice, but actual language for asserting your needs, earning trust, setting boundaries, and holding your ground even when emotions run high. Other listener questions they respond to: * How can I push for career growth after maternity leave when senior leaders suggest I slow down? * What should I do when my manager seems to be holding me back from advancing in my career? * How can I succeed in a new role under an unsupportive manager who ignores my neurodivergence and offers vague, unhelpful feedback? Resources: * “When You Work in a Male-Dominated Industry,” [https://hbr.org/podcast/2019/12/when-you-work-in-a-male-dominated-industry] from Women at Work * “The Essentials: Building and Repairing Trust,” [https://hbr.org/podcast/2024/03/the-essentials-building-and-repairing-trust] from Women at Work * “How to Earn Respect as a First Time Manager,” [https://hbr.org/podcast/2025/03/how-to-earn-respect-as-a-first-time-manager] from HBR On Leadership * “What to Do When Your Boss Is Blocking Your Career Growth,” [https://hbr.org/2022/08/what-to-do-when-your-boss-is-blocking-your-career-growth] by Shirley Davis * “How to Succeed When You’re Not the Boss’s Favorite,” [https://hbr.org/2024/03/how-to-succeed-when-youre-not-the-bosss-favorite] by Dina Denham Smith * “Building Social Capital When You Work Remotely,” [https://hbr.org/2023/05/building-social-capital-when-you-work-remotely] by Aliza Licht * “What to Say When Someone Cries at Work,” [https://hbr.org/2020/06/what-to-say-when-someone-cries-at-work] by Deborah Grayson Riegel * “Bad Bosses: Our Favorite Reads,” [https://hbr.org/2021/09/bad-bosses-our-favorite-reads] by Paige Cohen Sign up for the Women at Work newsletter [https://hbr.org/email-newsletters?movetile=womenatwork]. Email us: womenatwork@hbr.org

Asking questions at work isn’t just about getting answers. Sure, you need the information you’re requesting, but you’re also showing your colleagues and leaders how you think. When your questions are strategic, clear, and well-timed, they can show that you’re insightful and committed to moving the work forward while also demonstrating you have leadership potential. Amy G talks with a program manager who wants to get better at asking questions that show executive presence. They’re joined by Harvard Business School professor Alison Wood Brooks, who shares research-backed advice on navigating the complexities of workplace conversations. Guest expert: Alison Wood Brooks is a professor at Harvard Business School and the author of TALK: The Science Of Conversation And The Art Of Being Ourselves [https://alisonwoodbrooks.com/conversation-book/]. Resources: * “The Surprising Power of Questions [https://hbr.org/2018/05/the-surprising-power-of-questions],” by Alison Wood Brooks and Leslie K. John * “Best of IdeaCast: To Build Stronger Teams, Ask Better Questions [https://hbr.org/podcast/2024/12/best-of-ideacast-to-build-stronger-teams-ask-better-questions?ab=at_art_pod_pb_1x4_s04],” by IdeaCast * “Why Asking for Advice Is More Effective Than Asking for Feedback [https://hbr.org/2019/09/why-asking-for-advice-is-more-effective-than-asking-for-feedback],” by Jaewon Yoon et al. * “The Essentials: Getting the Feedback You Need [https://hbr.org/podcast/2023/01/the-essentials-getting-the-feedback-you-need],” by Women at Work Sign up for the Women at Work newsletter [https://hbr.org/email-newsletters?movetile=womenatwork]. Email us: womenatwork@hbr.org [womenatwork@hbr.org]

Maria’s boss used to be a mentor—someone she admired, learned from, and enjoyed working with. But after a reorg, he changed. He became critical and dismissive, questioned her commitment to work, and started to undermine her instead of lifting her up. Now she’s struggling to maintain a productive working relationship with someone who is unsupportive at best and out to get her at worst. How should you handle a boss who’s turned against you? How do you protect your reputation and career while managing the stress? In this episode, Amy G speaks with Maria and suggests strategies, based on her book Getting Along [https://store.hbr.org/product/getting-along-how-to-work-with-anyone-even-difficult-people/10482], for navigating a difficult relationship with a boss whose insecurity has turned him into a tormentor. By the end of their conversation, Maria has a plan for moving forward, setting boundaries, and preserving her well-being. Resources: * Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) [https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Along-Anyone-Difficult-People/dp/1647821061/], by Amy Gallo * Speak Up, Speak Out [https://store.hbr.org/product/speak-up-speak-out-hbr-women-at-work-series/10524], from the HBR Women at Work Series [https://store.hbr.org/books/hbr-women-at-work-series] * “Research: Shifting the Power Balance with an Abusive Boss [https://hbr.org/2017/10/research-shifting-the-power-balance-with-an-abusive-boss],” by Hui Liao [https://hbr.org/search?term=hui%20liao] et al. * “What to Do When Your Boss Betrays You [https://hbr.org/2019/07/what-to-do-when-your-boss-betrays-you],” by Ron Carucci [https://hbr.org/search?term=ron%20carucci] * “Research: Insecure Managers Don’t Want Your Suggestions [https://hbr.org/2014/11/research-insecure-managers-dont-want-your-suggestions],” by Nathanael J. Fast et al. Sign up for the Women at Work newsletter [https://hbr.org/email-newsletters?movetile=womenatwork]. Email us: womenatwork@hbr.org [womenatwork@hbr.org]

After 10 seasons, Women at Work is changing things up for the better. We’re shifting to a new, year-round schedule, releasing a new episode every other Monday, starting March 10. That means more episodes that inspire reflection and growth, more practical advice, and more insights and stories that make you feel seen and supported in your career. We’ll continue The Essentials and Amy B’s How to Manage series. We’re relaunching Getting Along, where Amy G teaches us how to deal with different types of difficult people. Plus, every few months, we’ll dedicate an “Ask the Amys” episode to questions from you. So, follow the show now, and we’ll be back in your feed next Monday! Sign up for the Women at Work newsletter [https://hbr.org/email-newsletters?movetile=womenatwork]. Email us: womenatwork@hbr.org [womenatwork@hbr.org]