Resilience at Google

After a mass experiment in working from home over the past two years, companies are embarking on a new chapter of hybrid work. Teams are once again connecting at the office, turning virtual “water-cooler” chats into in-person conversations. But there are new stressors and uncertainties, like striking a sustainable balance between valuable face-to-face interactions and the flexibility of working from home. So how do we design a hybrid work experience optimized for our teams and our goals that also honors our individual wellbeing and needs? In this episode, Kendall Kazor of Google’s People Development Team speaks to Dr. Nicholas Bloom, a professor of economics at Stanford and a leading global expert on remote and hybrid work. He provides the latest research on the future of work, and how to maximize our productivity while maintaining team cohesion and wellbeing in the hybrid environment. Clinical sports psychologist Dr. Adam O’Neil joins Bloom in the conversation, offering insight on how we can pair empathy and compassion to successfully navigate this transition. Follow Nicholas on Twitter @I_Am_NickBloom and check out his research at the Productivity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Program of the National Bureau of Economic Research. Learn more about Adam’s work and his psychology practice, Atlas Psychology. Full Transcript: https://bit.ly/3doY2Zk DISCLAIMER: The views or opinions expressed by the guest speakers are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Google, Inc. Google does not endorse any products or technology presented by the guest speakers.

We live in the era of teamwork. Collaboration is celebrated as the solution to most of our challenges, helping us channel diverse perspectives and move the ball forward on difficult tasks. But research reveals that over-collaboration might be hurting us more than it’s helping, particularly in the hybrid workspace. Google People Development Team’s Kendall Kazor asks Dr. Rob Cross, a professor of global leadership at Babson College and author of “Beyond Collaboration Overload,” about the potential pitfalls of over-collaboration. Rob is joined by Dr. Kensa Gunter, a clinical sports psychologist who provides perspective about the collaborative footprints and costs on the very teammates we are hoping to help. Together, Rob and Kensa teach us how we can maximize our time and efforts and be energizers for our co-workers, our families, and ourselves. Follow Rob on Twitter @RobCrossNetwork, get a copy of his book Beyond Collaboration Overload, and learn more about his organizational network analysis method that helps leaders design hybrid work norms. Follow Kensa on Twitter @DrKensa. Full Transcript: https://bit.ly/3QpD3UW DISCLAIMER: The views or opinions expressed by the guest speakers are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Google, Inc. Google does not endorse any products or technology presented by the guest speakers.

Sometimes it seems our focus is everywhere except where we need it to be, and with the many demands on our attention in the office and at home, it can be difficult to decide where and how to direct our limited energies. How do we hone our attention skills to improve productivity and relish the present moment — all at once? In this episode, Kendall Kazor, part of Google’s People Development team, interviews Dr. Amishi Jha, a psychology professor and director of the Contemplative Neuroscience UMindfulness Initiative at the University of Miami and a leading expert on focus and attention. They’re joined by mental performance coach Lauren Johnson. Together, they discuss key takeaways from Jha’s bestselling book “Peak Mind,” and teach us how to train our awareness for peak performance. Follow Amishi on Twitter @amishijha and get a copy of her book Peak Mind, and learn more about her latest research at amishi.com Follow Lauren on Twitter @_laurenjohnson_ and sign up for her Mid-Week Mindset Newsletter. Full Transcript: https://bit.ly/3QB1I9m DISCLAIMER: The views or opinions expressed by the guest speakers are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Google, Inc. Google does not endorse any products or technology presented by the guest speakers.

Why do some of our best ideas come to us when we’re not sitting in front of a screen? And why are we our most productive after taking a break? The answers lie in the power of rest and recovery, and also pose new questions about how to better structure our work-life balance to recharge our productivity and creativity, instead of depleting them.   The host of this season’s Resilience at Google podcast, Kendall Kazor, part of Google’s People Development team, introduces a conversation on how to best support “productive creatives” in a hybrid work environment. Google’s Head of Resilience, Dr. Lauren Whitt, speaks to Rahaf Harfoush — adjunct professor at Sciences Po Paris, anthropologist, and author of the bestselling book “Hustle and Float” — as well as Dr. Mustafa Sarkar, a professor of sports and performance psychology at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. Together, they explain why creativity and productivity are not mutually exclusive, and how balancing periods of hustle with restorative periods of “float” can improve our work performance and our personal wellbeing.   Follow Rahaf on Twitter @rahafharfoush and get a copy of her book Hustle and Float: Reclaim Your Creativity and Thrive in a World Obsessed with Work.   Follow Mustafa on Twitter @MusSarkar.   Full Transcript: https://bit.ly/3do9rsn   DISCLAIMER: The views or opinions expressed by the guest speakers are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Google, Inc. Google does not endorse any products or technology presented by the guest speakers.

Sometimes, we all need a fresh start. But a New Year’s resolution isn’t the only time to take that first step towards a positive change. We have unique opportunities all the time in our ever-changing world to introduce new habits and routines and set ambitious goals for our work and personal lives.  Google’s Head of Global Resilience, Dr. Lauren Whitt, discusses fresh starts with Dr. Katy Milkman, an award-winning behavior change expert and economist at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and Justin Su’a, coach and Head of Mental Performance for the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team. They discuss Katy’s bestselling book “How to Change,” and Justin shares what we can learn from how elite athletes set and meet goals. Katy and Justin provide strategies to build effective routines when the only constant is change, and how to keep going when we drop the ball.   Together, they provide new insights on the optimal times and approaches to fresh starts to help us meet the moments that matter the most to us.   Follow Katy on Twitter @katy_milkman, check out her podcast Choiceology, and get a copy of her book How To Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. Follow Justin on Twitter @justinsua and check out his podcast Increase Your Impact.    Full Transcript: https://bit.ly/37qIvG2   DISCLAIMER: The views or opinions expressed by the guest speakers are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Google, Inc. Google does not endorse any products or technology presented by the guest speakers.

Some of the most powerful conversations we have everyday are with ourselves. But sometimes, your inner coach can sound a lot more like your inner critic.    In this episode, Google’s Head of Global Resilience, Dr. Lauren Whitt, leads a discussion with Dr. Ethan Kross, author of the best-selling book “Chatter,” award-winning neuroscientist and experimental psychologist at the University of Michigan, and expert on controlling the conscious mind.    Together with Lauren Johnson, a mental performance coach and consultant for world-class athletes and corporate leaders, they discuss how to turn down the volume on distractions and tune into your peak performance.    Follow Ethan on Twitter at @ethan_kross, and get a copy of his book, Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It.   Follow Lauren on Twitter @_laurenjohnson.   Full Transcript: https://bit.ly/3EIcrK1 DISCLAIMER: The views or opinions expressed by the guest speakers are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Google, Inc. Google does not endorse any products or technology presented by the guest speakers.

The human brain is hardwired to crave connection, but building a sense of belonging can be a challenge when team members are physically distanced. Scientists and performance coaches have learned a lot during the pandemic period about how to more intentionally and equitably build the bonds on our team, whether working at home or across the globe.   In this episode, Google’s Head of Global Resilience, Dr. Lauren Whitt, talks to a leading expert on connection, Vanessa Druskat, an applied social psychologist from the University of New Hampshire. Joining them is Brian Miles, a mental performance coach who’s worked closely with the U.S. military and professional baseball teams.    Their connection-building strategies can help our teams be more effective and productive, and create a greater sense of belonging, value, and purpose at work.  Follow Vanessa on LinkedIn.    Follow Brian on Twitter @BrianCmiles.   Full Transcript: https://bit.ly/3vtG3qe DISCLAIMER: The views or opinions expressed by the guest speakers are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Google, Inc. Google does not endorse any products or technology presented by the guest speakers.

Anxiety can be a debilitating clinical condition. But what if the everyday nerves and stress we feel could be helpful? What if embracing and reframing anxiety made us more productive? What if anxiety was…good? Google’s Head of Global Resilience, Dr. Lauren Whitt, talks to Dr. Wendy Suzuki, neuroscientist and author of “Good Anxiety,” and Dr. Kensa Gunter, a clinical and sports psychologist who works with professional athletes and corporate executives. Wendy explains how anxiety evolved to protect us from threats and finding what she describes as the “sweet spot of good anxiety.” Kensa gives perspective on the importance of rest and recovery and tips on how to channel your thinking for productive action at challenging moments. Their discussion provides strategies on how to harness our stress and reach that next level of high performance.   Follow Wendy on Twitter @wasuzuki, and get a copy of her book Good Anxiety: Harnessing the Power of the Most Misunderstood Emotion.    Follow Kensa on Twitter @DrKensa.   Full transcript: https://bit.ly/3MlgQFf   DISCLAIMER: The views or opinions expressed by the guest speakers are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Google, Inc. Google does not endorse any products or technology presented by the guest speakers.

Throughout all the changes of the past two years — from working from home to a return to office and transitioning to a hybrid environment — one thing has become clear. The future of work is being written right now. Lauren Whitt, Google’s Head of Global Resilience, introduces a new podcast series interviewing the world’s top neuroscientists, behavioral researchers, and mental performance coaches about how to navigate stress and uncertainty during dynamic times. Drawing on data-driven research from Google’s People Innovation Lab and questions from Googlers themselves, each episode will provide answers and tips to help us perform our best, and show up in the moments that matter the most to us, at work and in our personal lives.