Podcast
Psychology at Work | Career Success, Leadership, Communication Skills
Hosted by Melody Wilding, LMSW · EN
How do you nail that sweet spot of career success where confidence in yourself meets influence with others? That's what best-selling author, therapist, and executive coach Melody Wilding explores in every episode of Psychology at Work.
If you're a driven professional who's great at your job but knows that talent alone isn't enough to get ahead, this show is for you. Subscribe for insightful, practical advice on topics ranging from office politics, communication and executive presence, managing up, emotional intelligence, self-advocacy, and more.
Advance your career, strengthen your leadership, and feel calmer, clearer, and more in control while doing it.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
102. Executive Presence in the Public Sector: How One Government Leader Got a First-of-Its-Kind Initiative Approved FAST
1w ago00:33:21Tap to summarize📢DOORS CLOSING: Speak Like a Senior Leader™ gives you the system to become a crisp, clear, confident communicator and be handed dream opportunities before you ever ask for them. Secure your spot: https://speaklikeaseniorleader.comWork outside the traditional corporate or tech world and wonder how to apply executive level communication to YOUR world? This episode is for you. Speak Like a Senior Leader™ alumni, Roxanne – a leader in the government – shares how she went from feeling a constant and confusing disconnect between the strength of her work and how it was landing to finally getting buy-in for a first-of-its-kind initiative her organization had never attempted before.What You’ll Discover"I just need to find the right words." Wrong! Here's what's really standing between you and the buy-in you needThe #1 communication tweak that makes bureaucratic, risk-averse decision-makers lean in instead of stall (no, it’s not adding data)The question every senior stakeholder is silently asking while you're presenting — and how to answer it before they doSpeak Like a Senior Leader™Become a crisp, clear, confident communicator and be handed dream opportunities before you ever ask for them.speaklikeaseniorleader.comConnect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up
Transcribe →101. Become an Enterprise-Level Communicator: Speak Without Freezing Up (And Get Executives to Listen)
2w ago00:34:45Tap to summarize📢 DOORS OPEN: Speak Like a Senior Leader™ gives you the system to become a crisp, clear, confident communicator and be handed dream opportunities before you ever ask for them. Secure your spot: https://speaklikeaseniorleader.comBecoming an enterprise-level communicator goes far beyond commanding the room. It means translating complex work across functions, reading what different audiences actually need to hear, and driving alignment across stakeholders who all want different things — and most high performers have never been shown exactly how to do it. In this episode, Speak Like a Senior Leader™ alumni Daryl shares how he did it. What You’ll Discover: The communication habit that makes you look reactive (even when you're completely on top of your work)What executives are really asking when they say "can you bring me up to speed?" (it's almost never what you think)How Daryl went from dreading pushback to being the person who sets the tone for how the entire team navigates disagreementHow to bring stakeholders up to speed on changing priorities without sounding like you're making excusesSpeak Like a Senior Leader™Become a crisp, clear, confident communicator and be handed dream opportunities before you ever ask for them.speaklikeaseniorleader.comConnect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up
Transcribe →100. Effortless Executive Presence [FULL TRAINING]
2w ago01:34:52Tap to summarize👉 Doors for Speak Like a Senior Leader close May 15th, 2026. Apply by May 8th and you'll get a bonus: two personalized strategic communication reviews. The bonus expires Friday, May 8th at 11:59pm ET. In this replay of Effortless Executive Presence, I cover:Why you do NOT need to be a naturally gifted speaker to have charisma (and what actually creates it)A 3-second test that reveals whether you sound like a credible senior leader – or a lower-level executorThe exact swap a Chief People Officer used to go from hearing "I'm not sure you're competent" to earning a bonus worth 1.45x her salary. Same role. Same boss.The #1 thing you're not saying in status meetings that's keeping you stuck in promotion purgatoryApply to Speak Like a Senior Leader at https://www.speaklikeaseniorleader.com/.Speak Like a Senior Leader™Become a crisp, clear, confident communicator and be handed dream opportunities before you ever ask for them.speaklikeaseniorleader.comConnect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up
Transcribe →99. Why Some People Get Promoted Everywhere They Go (It's Not What You Think)
3w ago00:19:35Tap to summarizeThis episode is a wake-up call and it might be the most important one you hear this year. See, most people are passive passengers in their careers, waiting to be noticed, developed, and rewarded by an organization that was never designed to put them first. In this episode, Melody breaks down the #1 mindset shift separating true high performers from everyone else – one with the potential to completely change the way you think about your career, your skills, and what it actually means to own your professional future.What You’ll Discover:The "conveyor belt" career model your parents handed you (how it’s now costing you $100k+)What Gallup's latest research says about the "restless but immobile" workforce – and how to make sure that's not youThe six-letter word that instantly signals a passive career mindsetThe #1 thing professionals who thrive in any economy, at any company, all have in common (no, it’s not talent, tenure, hustle, or their network)Speak Like a Senior Leader™Become a crisp, clear, confident communicator and be handed dream opportunities before you ever ask for them.speaklikeaseniorleader.comConnect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up
Transcribe →98. STOP Getting Talked Over in Meetings. Here’s How
4w ago00:23:54Tap to summarizeGetting talked over in meetings is one of the most common (and most demoralizing) experiences professionals face at work. But what if there's something in your communication style that's unintentionally inviting interruptions? In this episode, Melody unpacks the REAL reasons you keep getting cut off – and none of them have anything to do with developing a thicker skin.What You’ll Discover: How a Senior Account Director went from getting derailed every meeting to being described as "in command"The #1 thing you should ask yourself before opening your mouth (99% of people get this wrong)Specific phrases to reclaim the conversation when someone talks over you, without looking defensiveSpeak Like a Senior Leader™Become a crisp, clear, confident communicator and be handed dream opportunities before you ever ask for them.speaklikeaseniorleader.comConnect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up
Transcribe →97. “You’re Too in the Weeds”: Fix Perception When Leadership Says You’re Too Detailed
Apr 1500:33:57Tap to summarize“You’re too detailed." "You’re too in the weeds." "You need to zoom out." You've heard the feedback, but nobody’s told you what to actually DO about it. Reshmi, a program manager at a major CPG company, was hearing this constantly despite being one of the most capable people on her team. In this conversation, she shares specific changes that turned "she's too tactical" into "I love how you framed that" feedback from executives.You’ll discover: Why "delegate more" is bad advice for the "too in the weeds" problemHow to stop over-preparing for every meeting and still sound intelligent and informedC-Suite goes on tangents? Here’s how to get the conversation back on trackSpeak Like a Senior Leader™Become a crisp, clear, confident communicator and be handed dream opportunities before you ever ask for them.speaklikeaseniorleader.comConnect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up
Transcribe →96. Why Working Women Can’t Have it All: Balancing Motherhood and Success with Dr. Corrine Low
Apr 800:38:55Tap to summarizeIf you're a working mom who feels like you're constantly falling short both in your career and at home, this episode will change how you think about why. Dr. Corinne Low joins Melody to discuss "the squeeze" — that period when caregiving demands and professional growth peak at the exact same time — and why so many women end up making permanent sacrifices to survive what's actually a temporary season. We also get into what you can do to redefine success during this period, from renegotiating the invisible labor in your household to thinking about your time like an economist.In this episode, you'll discover:The invisible iceberg beneath every "equal" partnership that most couples never talk aboutThink your career is over after 40? Here’s why your chance of promotion increases with ageAn economist's trick for figuring out which of your daily tasks you should stop doing entirelySpeak Like a Senior Leader™Become a crisp, clear, confident communicator and be handed dream opportunities before you ever ask for them.speaklikeaseniorleader.comConnect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up
Transcribe →95. No Willpower Needed: The Secret to Make Habits Stick (Even When You’re Overwhelmed) with Eric Zimmer
Apr 100:36:12Tap to summarizeIf you've ever tried to build a new habit, change how you show up at work, or break a pattern that isn't serving you, and then give up when it didn't stick, this episode is for you. Eric Zimmer, host of the 50-million-download podcast The One You Feed and author of How A Little Becomes A Lot, joins Melody to discuss how to make change stick when your busy, overwhelmed, and “not the disciplined type.” What You’ll Discover: How to stay motivated when progress feels painfully slowThe secret to breaking the cycle of going all in, falling off, and feeling like a failureA simple “equation” for reducing stress and suffering at work — even when you can't change the situationWays to recover when you fall off track with goals that don’t involve scrapping everything and starting overAbout Eric ZimmerEric Zimmer is an author, teacher, speaker, and the creator of The One You Feed podcast—an award-winning show with over 50 million downloads across 800+ conversations exploring meaningful living. Through his behavior coaching, workshops, and mentorship, he's guided thousands worldwide in creating sustainable habits that last—not through willpower or epiphany, but through steady change. His approach blends cutting-edge science with timeless wisdom, offering practical pathways to more integrity and deeper meaning. https://www.oneyoufeed.net/ Speak Like a Senior Leader™Become a crisp, clear, confident communicator and be handed dream opportunities before you ever ask for them.speaklikeaseniorleader.comConnect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up
Transcribe →94. How to Hold People Accountable (Without Them Hating You) with Ashley Herd of The Manager Method
Mar 2500:39:15Tap to summarizeHow do you hold your team accountable without becoming a micromanager? In this episode, I talk with Ashley Herd — employment lawyer turned HR leader and author of The Manager Method — about how to set clear expectations, follow up when things fall through the cracks, and have honest conversations about performance without it feeling punishing or personal.What You’ll Discover: Why agreement is not the same as accountability (and the one conversation most managers skip)How to delegate without ending up redoing everything at 10pm The real reason your team isn't following through (hint: it's probably not laziness)How to negotiate priorities upward so your boss's "urgent" request doesn't derail your team's weekAbout Ashley HerdAshley Herd is a former Chief People Officer and General Counsel , leadership speaker, and podcast host who has trained over 250,000 managers through LinkedIn Learning and live corporate trainings. Ashley has spent her career helping professionals navigate leadership challenges with clarity and confidence. Ashley built Manager Method after leading HR and Legal teams at McKinsey, Yum! Brands and Modern Luxury. She’s a top LinkedIn Learning instructor and co-host of the HR Besties podcast. As the CEO of Manager Method, Ashley works with organizations of all sizes to equip their managers with practical, proven tools that drive clarity, accountability and stronger teams - because better managers build better workplaces. https://www.managermethod.com/Speak Like a Senior Leader™Become a crisp, clear, confident communicator and be handed dream opportunities before you ever ask for them.speaklikeaseniorleader.comConnect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up
Transcribe →93. Re-Orgs are Your Best Chance to Get Ahead (But Avoid These 4 Mistakes)
Mar 1800:16:50Tap to summarize⏰ DOORS CLOSING: Apply for Lead from Within by March 20th: https://melodywilding.com/lfw Re-org fatigue is real. The constant waves of change – new bosses, shifting priorities, uncertainty about your future – can leave you feeling like you're just trying to keep your head above water. But what if you could use these moments to advance your career? In this episode, Melody shares the four mistakes you need to avoid if you want to come out of the next re-structure in a stronger position.Speak Like a Senior Leader™Become a crisp, clear, confident communicator and be handed dream opportunities before you ever ask for them.speaklikeaseniorleader.comConnect with Melody:FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work WeeklyGet on the Waitlist for Speak Like a Senior Leader™Get on the Waitlist for Lead from WithinGet Melody's new book, Managing Up
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