In today's fast-paced world, balancing work and life can seem daunting. But building a life outside of work — establishing hobbies, cultivating a positive family life and engaging in community activities — can help create full, meaningful lives that translate to the workplace. On this episode of the Work Better podcast, host Chris Congdon and guest Danna Greenberg, an organizational psychologist and professor at Babson College, explore how elements of personal wellbeing can help us thrive professionally.

Danna Greenberg is a professor of organizational behavior at Babson College, a published author of several books including Maternal Optimism: Forging Positive Paths Through Work and Motherhood, is the Associate Editor for the Academy of Management Learning and Education, and has published in over 30 articles in leading journals. 

The Work Better podcast is produced with assistance from Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, Brandon Lacic, and Celeste Johnson. Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey provide creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

In today's fast-paced world, balancing work and life can seem daunting. But building a life outside of work — establishing hobbies, cultivating a positive family life and engaging in community activities — can help create full, meaningful lives that translate to the workplace. On this episode of the Work Better podcast, host Chris Congdon and guest Danna Greenberg, an organizational psychologist and professor at Babson College, explore how elements of personal wellbeing can help us thrive professionally. Danna Greenberg is a professor of organizational behavior at Babson College, a published author of several books including Maternal Optimism: Forging Positive Paths Through Work and Motherhood, is the Associate Editor for the Academy of Management Learning and Education, and has published in over 30 articles in leading journals. The Work Better podcast is produced with assistance from Katie Pace, Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, Brandon Lacic, and Celeste Johnson. Erin Ellison and Emily Cowdrey provide creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

The Myth of Work-Life Balance with Danna Greenberg (S6 Ep04)

Welcome to Work Better, the podcast where we think about work and ways to make it better.

Four overarching macro shifts are fundamentally changing work and will continue to alter the landscape for years to come. Some of these shifts have been building for years, while others seem to have happened all at once. It’s the magnitude of the change, along with the pace, that is uncharted territory.  First, we’re living on screen. We’re spending more time collaborating on-screen than in-person. We have more meetings than ever and most people stay at their desk for video calls instead of going to a room to connect in person. No wonder people are feeling more lonely and isolated.

We’re in the middle of an AI supercycle – a period of dramatic growth and change. People are learning how to make AI their new co-workers. It’s changing jobs and the skills we need at a dizzying pace. Sometimes that pace can be overwhelming.  

Meanwhile, the number of companies setting serious carbon reduction targets jumped 102% in one year. There’s a whole new mindset about sustainability. New types of jobs are being created, roles are changing, and people need new skills—essentially a culture change. It’s all good, but it’s a lot.

Another big shift is mental health, which is on everyone’s minds. For employers it’s even more top of mind than physical health. Gen Z is coming into the workforce with higher levels of anxiety and people of all ages feel like their work-life balance is getting worse. 

With all the change around us, we need workplaces to be more like thriving communities.  Because communities are both places and relationships. We need places that help us build  connection, trust and a sense of shared purpose. By understanding how these shifts change behavior, we can create more resilient workplaces that build community and help people perform and feel better.

This season on Work Better, we’re sharing ideas about how work is changing and why we need community more than ever. Help us spread these ideas by sharing an episode with a friend or a colleague.

Work Better is brought to you by Steelcase, a global design and thought leader in the world of work. We help people do their best work by creating places that work better. Stay-up-to-date on design, insights and research to help people work better at steelcase.com/subscribe.

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Welcome to Work Better, the podcast where we think about work and ways to make it better. Four overarching macro shifts are fundamentally changing work and will continue to alter the landscape for years to come. Some of these shifts have been building for years, while others seem to have happened all at once. It’s the magnitude of the change, along with the pace, that is uncharted territory. First, we’re living on screen. We’re spending more time collaborating on-screen than in-person. We have more meetings than ever and most people stay at their desk for video calls instead of going to a room to connect in person. No wonder people are feeling more lonely and isolated. We’re in the middle of an AI supercycle – a period of dramatic growth and change. People are learning how to make AI their new co-workers. It’s changing jobs and the skills we need at a dizzying pace. Sometimes that pace can be overwhelming. Meanwhile, the number of companies setting serious carbon reduction targets jumped 102% in one year. There’s a whole new mindset about sustainability. New types of jobs are being created, roles are changing, and people need new skills—essentially a culture change. It’s all good, but it’s a lot. Another big shift is mental health, which is on everyone’s minds. For employers it’s even more top of mind than physical health. Gen Z is coming into the workforce with higher levels of anxiety and people of all ages feel like their work-life balance is getting worse. With all the change around us, we need workplaces to be more like thriving communities. Because communities are both places and relationships. We need places that help us build connection, trust and a sense of shared purpose. By understanding how these shifts change behavior, we can create more resilient workplaces that build community and help people perform and feel better. This season on Work Better, we’re sharing ideas about how work is changing and why we need community more than ever. Help us spread these ideas by sharing an episode with a friend or a colleague. Work Better is brought to you by Steelcase, a global design and thought leader in the world of work. We help people do their best work by creating places that work better. Stay-up-to-date on design, insights and research to help people work better at steelcase.com/subscribe.

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The Myth of Work-Life Balance with Danna Greenberg (S6 Ep04)

The Myth of Work-Life Balance with Danna Greenberg (S6 Ep04)

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