Linda Babcock

In this engaging discussion, Linda Babcock, a Professor emerita of economics at Carnegie Mellon and co-author of 'The No Club,' dives into the complexities of gender dynamics in the workplace. She highlights how women often bear a disproportionate burden of non-promotable tasks and offers insights on setting boundaries. Together with Adam Grant, they share personal anecdotes on the struggle of saying no, explore the impact of societal expectations, and propose effective strategies to reclaim time and prioritize work that truly matters.

Linda Babcock, a renowned economics professor at Carnegie Mellon and co-author of 'The No Club,' dives into the complex dynamics of workplace commitments. She highlights how women disproportionately take on non-promotable tasks and shares insights on setting effective boundaries. The conversation touches on the significance of collective support in asserting 'no,' navigating the pitfalls of overcommitment, and innovative strategies for time management. Babcock's research encourages listeners to prioritize their time and redefine their professional relationships.

Linda Babcock, professor who researches how women end up doing dead-end workplace tasks. Sunita Sa, physician-turned-organizational psychologist who studies speaking up and defiance. They discuss why we’re wired to comply and how tension can signal the need to act. They outline learnable steps to say no and show how unequal task expectations hurt careers and organizations.