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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...