Work Better

Work Better

The Work Better Podcast by Steelcase brings you the latest trends and research shaping the ways people work, today and in the future. Each episode invites leading thinkers in the world of work to share their insights on what’s driving change and ideas for how to make it better. Learn how to improve employee engagement, wellbeing, and productivity by creating workplaces that work better. Stay-up-to-date on design, insights and research to help people work better at steelcase.com/subscribe.

Episodes

December 9, 2025 33 mins
Novel ideas often hinge on the right relationships. Research shows that if we lean on the wrong connections – or work alone when collaboration is needed – we can derail creativity before it ever takes off. On this episode of the Work Better podcast, Jill Perry‑Smith reveals why our weakest ties, those acquaintances we barely know, may be the strongest source of fresh perspectives and breakthrough innovation. Jill Perry Smith is a ...
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Job postings that include the word “curiosity” have grown by 90% year over year. But curiosity isn’t just a personal trait -- it’s becoming a business imperative. As Stefaan van Hooydonk shared on the Steelcase Work Better podcast, organizations that embrace curiosity empower people to learn faster, foster psychological safety, and spark innovation. This episode explores how leaders can create space for curiosity and why it’s the k...
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We think we know what our coworkers want – but we’re often wrong. In this episode of Work Better, behavioral scientist Nick Epley reveals why we misread even those closest to us, and how asking deeper questions can unlock trust, connection, and better collaboration. Epley challenges us to rethink small talk, lean into hard conversations, and design spaces that make connection the default – not the exception. Nick Epley is a leading...
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Listening is hardest when it matters most – and many of us are doing it wrong. In this Work Better episode, researcher Jeff Yip reveals the five mistakes that sabotage our ability to truly hear others. Find out what they are, and learn why listening is the key to connection, engagement, and leadership – and how to start doing it better. Jeffrey Yip, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Management at Simon Fraser University and the fo...
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94% of people say they’re more productive when they feel connected. In this episode of Work Better, Erica Keswin explains why great leaders act more like cruise directors -- curating connection, not just managing tasks. Tune in for insights on building human workplaces that boost engagement, retention, and the bottom line. Erica Keswin is a workplace strategist, speaker, and bestselling author dedicated to helping organizations bu...
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Most people want to feel like what they do matters -- but too often, they’re expected to care without being shown that they’re cared for. In this episode of Work Better, host Chris Congdon continues her conversation with researcher and author Zach Mercurio about the power of mattering. Discover how leaders can build cultures of significance by noticing, affirming, and showing people they’re needed. It’s not just about soft skills -...
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Most people want to feel like what they do matters – but too often, they’re expected to care without being shown that they’re cared for. In this episode of Work Better, host Chris Congdon talks with Zach Mercurio, researcher and author of The Power of Mattering, about why feeling valued is essential to adding value. Learn how leaders can build cultures of significance that reduce loneliness, boost engagement, and help people thrive...
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Most people want more from their work than just a paycheck. They want to feel like what they do matters. And that shift isn’t just a trend — it’s a call to action for today’s leaders. This special episode of the Work Better podcast (Recorded live at the American Society of Interior Designers National Conference in Atlanta) features Wes Adams, a positive psychology researcher at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Meaningfu...
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Are you ‘indistractable?’ Probably not. Distractions constantly barrage us. How we choose to focus can profoundly impact our mental health, physical wellbeing and our closest relationships. As author Nir Eyal says, “Choosing your attention is truly how we choose our lives.” On this episode, Eyal sheds light on the root causes of distraction and shares actionable tips to make being ‘indistractable’ your superpower. Nir Eyal is a be...
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Sustainability isn’t relegated to just one team anymore. For many organizations, it's becoming intertwined with everything they do – and this elevated focus on sustainability is changing how many people work. In this episode of the Work Better podcast, workplace transformation and real estate experts Joaquina Garrido and Susana Quintas discuss the impact of workplace culture on sustainability and how creating sustainable office env...
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Could this meeting have been an email? We ask it every week. Employees have long held a love-hate relationship with the traditional office meet-up. However, Dr. Steven Rogelberg, an expert in organizational psychology, believes meetings can go from mundane to magnificent. He joins host Chris Congdon on the Work Better podcast to share insights and practical tips on overcoming common challenges, the impact of virtual and hybrid meet...
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AI is revolutionizing productivity in the workplace. Economist Chad Syverson joins the Work Better podcast to share fascinating insights on AI's transformative potential and explain how this technology can enhance efficiency and drive innovation across business functions. Tune in to the Work Better podcast to learn how embracing AI could unlock unprecedented productivity. Chad Syverson is the George C. Tiao Distinguished Service P...
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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, exp...
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Starting Your Relationship with AI with Mike Pell (S6E3) by Steelcase
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In today's demanding work environment, understanding the impact of languishing at work – and how to overcome it – is vital. On the Work Better podcast, host Chris Congdon and guest Corey Keyes, a renowned author and sociologist, delve into how languishing at work affects our lives and how fostering a sense of belonging, community, purpose and meaning can significantly enhance our mental health. Corey Keyes is a bestselling author,...
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In an era where trust is increasingly scarce, redefining it within the workplace can be a cultural game-changer. On the Work Better podcast, host Chris Congdon and guest Minda Harts, a bestselling author and workplace consultant, explore innovative strategies to rebuild trust. Learn how to cultivate trust, even in remote work settings, and address trust issues with colleagues and managers. Minda Harts is a bestselling author, work...
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Many people say they feel ‘burned out’ at work, but how do they really know? How is ‘burnout defined? Or measured? And could other factors be at play? McKinsey researcher Jacqui Brassey joins the Work Better podcast to dive deeper into feeling ‘burned out’ and gives perspective on how our work can influence and even improve our holistic health in new ways. Jacqui Brassey is a Senior Fellow and Director of Research Science at the M...
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Why the Office Needs Social Infrastructure with Eric Klinenberg (S5:E8) by Steelcase
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Seven in 10 employees have experienced disruptive change in the past year. Gallup’s Ben Wigert joins the Work Better podcast to identify three challenging trends happening at work and why ‘people-first’ change is urgently needed. Wigert is the Lead Researcher for Gallup’s workplace management practice, specializing in human capital management and performance optimization. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology a...
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It’s no longer a question – AI is changing how we work, and it’s happening rapidly. A technical renaissance of sorts, AI is mainly driven by employees. But as Humanova founder Sean Gallagher tells us, leaders should act now – even if all the kinks haven’t been worked out – before their organizations are left behind. Gallagher is the founder of Humanova and a leading expert on the future of work in Australia. He focuses on how tech...
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