Meetings offer one of the clearest windows into an organization — who speaks, how decisions are made, and whether people feel included all reveal the real state of culture and performance. Our latest research shows that when leaders pay attention to these everyday dynamics, culture shifts from something abstract to a measurable driver of alignment, fairness, and better work. Hear more on the Work Better podcast, where Khalil Smith, Vice President of Inclusion, Diversity, and Engagement at Akamai Technologies, unpacks the gap between what leaders think people need at work and what employees actually say they need.

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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.

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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.

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