Frances Frei is a Harvard Business professor. Anne Morriss is a CEO and best-selling author. Anne and Frances are two of the top leadership coaches in the world. Oh, did we mention they're also married to each other? Together, Anne and Frances move fast and fix stuff by talking to guest callers about their workplace issues and solving their problems – in 30 minutes or less. Both listeners and guests will receive actionable insights to create meaningful change in the workplace. From CEOs to nurses, the restaurant world to Silicon Valley, Frances and Anne have a plan for anyone hoping to improve their their workplace.
If you want to be on Fixable, call our hotline at 234-Fixable (that's 234-349-2253) to leave Anne and Frances a voicemail with your workplace problem, or email us at fixable@ted.com.
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Technologist Tristan Harris has an urgent question: What if the way we’re deploying the world’s most powerful technology — artificial intelligence — isn’t inevitable, but a choice? In this eye-opening talk, he calls on us to learn from the mistakes of social media’s catastrophic rollout and confront the predictable dangers of reckless AI development, offering a “narrow path” where power is matched with responsibility, foresight and wisdom. After the talk, Sherrell reflects on why it's wise to sl...
In this Quick Fixes episode, Anne and Frances work to solve three callers’ tricky work problems in under 30 minutes. One listener seeks advice on stepping into a leadership role for the first time, the next struggles with feeling powerless in a middle management position, and a final caller tries to regain the support of her team after receiving some difficult feedback. For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/fixable-transcripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
In this episode, hosts Anne Morriss and Frances Frei invite negotiation expert Deepak Malhotra to demystify the art and science of negotiation. Deepak highlights common mistakes, such as inadequate preparation and neglecting the other side's perspective, and offers actionable strategies for handling ultimatums and conditional demands. He emphasizes the critical importance of understanding underlying interests over stated positions, and being assertive on value while flexible on deal structure, illustrated through real-world examples like the WNBA's collective bargaining. The discussion concludes with insights into his new AI negotiation advisor, Kilmer, designed to democratize access to expert negotiation advice.
After the Minnesota Lynx were knocked out of the WNBA playoffs, star player Napheesa Collier used her exit interview to issue a scathing critique of the league’s leadership. In this installment of Unsolicited Advice, Anne and Frances coach the WNBA’s commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, on how to rebuild player trust, take full accountability for the league’s problems, and deliver an effective apology. They also address stalled progress in the players’ collective bargaining agreement and discuss what ...
Washington State drastically cut vehicle miles traveled by implementing a Commuter Trip Reduction program in 1991, mandating employers to provide transit options. This policy, born from environmental concerns and crafted with employer input, led to innovative solutions like telework, vanpools, and carpooling incentives. The episode highlights the program's challenges, its expansion of public transit, and how its success offers a blueprint for other regions seeking to reduce emissions and enhance community access.
Do you find yourself overwhelmed by too many Slack messages? Or unsure how to talk so that people will listen? In this episode, Anne and Frances help a caller who finds herself in the middle of a communication breakdown between her and her colleagues. Together, they explore the power of understanding your message deeply and communicating it simply. They also discuss the benefits of frequent, intentional repetition and the value of tools like video and AI to aid in company-wide communication. For...
In this special Quick Fixes episode, Anne and Frances are joined by Morra Aarons-Mele, workplace mental health expert and author of The Anxious Achiever, to help three different callers with their confidence conundrums. One listener feels awkward in-person after years of remote work, the next wants to prepare his team for his exit from the company, and a final caller struggles to keep her spirits high during a frustrating job search. Follow Hosts: Anne Morriss ( @annemorriss | LinkedIn: @anne-mo...
When negative feedback shakes your confidence, it can be difficult to get back to feeling like yourself at work. In this episode, Anne and Frances help a struggling listener who has spent years toning herself down in the workplace after being told that she was too assertive — now, she feels that her modest approach is holding her back. Together, they use Anne and Frances’s “trust triangle” framework to explore how empathy, authenticity, and logic can help you rebuild confidence and trust with yo...
Up to 80% of people experience impostor syndrome at some point in their lives—a feeling of inadequacy and anxiety about perceived flaws. In this episode, Anne and Frances break down exactly what impostor syndrome is, why we tell ourselves stories that distort reality, and how to break free from these harmful thought patterns. They also introduce some close relatives of impostor syndrome and discuss the pathway back to confidence and a clear-eyed relationship with our own abilities. For the full ...
Anne and Frances are back with a new season of Fixable to tackle a subject that impacts everyone’s experience of work: confidence. In this episode, the pair sit down with Master Fixer Ian Robertson, a professor of psychology at Trinity College Dublin and author of the new book How Confidence Works: The New Science of Self-Belief, to discuss where confidence comes from, how to inspire confidence in others, and how to deal with overconfident leaders. Ian also shares his confidence framework and ex...
What’s the best way to transition back to work after going on leave? Wren is a newly minted director at a fintech company who got promoted into the role just a few months before going on maternity leave–and now she’s returning as the mom of a child with health challenges. However, her job and team have changed dramatically in her absence, and Wren doesn’t feel like the same person she was before her baby, either. Not knowing how to go into the office again, Wren turns to Anne and Frances for hel...
We talk a lot about doing less to get more—but in practice, most organizations end up doing the opposite. When priorities pile up, and nothing gets removed or finished, the result is a familiar kind of chaos: too many projects, too little focus, and an endless loop of adding more in hopes of getting unstuck. This week, Rodney Evans and Sam Spurlin unpack one of the most common organizational dynamics they see: the “more-is-more” trap of priority overload. They dig into why deprioritizing anythin...
Criticism rarely comes wrapped in a shiny gift box, tied with a bow. As a trailblazing leader, one of Mellody Hobson’s gifts is finding the diamond in the rough. She and Adam unpack how to look for the grain of truth in any critique, when to discount feedback, and what it takes to be honest without being brutal. This episode originally aired on June 15, 2021. For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/fixable-transcripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
For over sixty years, Gloria Steinem has been at the center of American culture and political life, where she has been instrumental in shaping our ideas about feminism, humanity, and equal rights for all people. She joins to talk about her legendary career as an award-winning journalist, New York Times best-selling author, co-founder of one of the most significant magazines of the 21st century, and an activist whose work has impacted the place women and girls now have in the world. This episode ...
What if you could transform your anxiety into something you can actually use during your work day? This week, we're revisiting a talk by neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki, who shares two evidence-based activities — breathing and movement — that can soothe your nervous system and fuel creativity and connection. This episode originally aired on TED Health on July 9, 2024. For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/fixable-transcripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
This week, we’re bringing you an episode from the FT’s Behind the Money podcast: Every year, the Financial Times selects the most outstanding business book of the year. For 2023, the top pick is a book about failure. The FT’s senior business writer Andrew Hill sits down with the winner, Amy Edmondson, the author of Right Kind of Wrong and “the world’s most influential organisational psychologist”. Edmondson’s book explores the value in failure, what we can learn from it and what’s wrong with Sil...
There are 5 different generations in the workplace today, and strong views can lead to conflict between age groups. But are generational differences really the problem? In this episode, Adam investigates the root causes of age stereotypes, why they hold us all back, and how to overcome generational divides at work. Guests: journalist Nicole Smith and research scientist Jennifer Deal. For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/fixable-transcripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...
Why do so many of us get nervous when public speaking? Communication expert Lawrence Bernstein says the key to dealing with the pressure is as simple as having a casual chat. He introduces the "coffee shop test" as a way to help you overcome nerves, connect with your audience and deliver a message that truly resonates. After the talk, Modupe explains a similar approach in academia called the "Grandma test," and how public speaking can be as simple as a conversation with grandma. This talk origin...
The arrival of non-human intelligence is a very big deal, says former Google CEO and chairman Eric Schmidt. In a wide-ranging interview with technologist Bilawal Sidhu, Schmidt makes the case that AI is wildly underhyped, as near-constant breakthroughs give rise to systems capable of doing even the most complex tasks on their own. He explores the staggering opportunities, sobering challenges and urgent risks of AI, showing why everyone will need to engage with this technology in order to remain ...
Dawn Burrell is a celebrated long jumper, an Olympic athlete, and a chef’s whose cooking made her a semifinalist for a James Beard Award — and these are just a sampling of her many accolades. In this episode, Dawn talks about how she navigated the career shift from athlete to chef, redefining success for herself, and finding joy and fulfillment in the kitchen cooking for others. She and Chris also discuss ways to grow from failure, build confidence, and the creative process of starting something...
Are you feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, or burned out at work? In this special Unsolicited Advice episode, Anne and Frances are getting ready for summer by tackling the importance of rest and the power of intention. They offer unexpected tips and tricks for recovering from constant stress, owning what you need to feel alive and engaged, and creating an experience of work that unleashes your ambition. Follow Hosts: Anne Morriss ( @annemorriss | LinkedIn: @anne-morriss ), Frances Frei ( @francesx...
Most of us try to avoid conflict, particularly at work. But when done right, conflict can be a tool to strengthen interpersonal bonds and generate better results. In this episode, Anne and Frances team up with Amanda Ripley, global conflict journalist and author of the bestselling book High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out . They tackle the missteps teams often make when it comes to handling conflict and provide actionable alternatives to foster healthy conflict habits in any orga...
When your organization is bending under the weight of external pressures, it can be difficult to lead your team with strength and clarity. In this episode, Anne and Frances guide a caller who is grappling with burnout as she leads her LGBTQ+ organization through a challenging political climate. Together, they identify strategies for motivating a team with low morale, adapting to a changing environment, and creating opportunities for learning and growth. Follow Hosts: Anne Morriss ( @annemorriss ...
You might know Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey from their iconic roles as best friends Shane and Alice on The L Word—they’re best friends in real life, too! In this special episode, Anne and Frances talk with Kate and Leisha about their new book So Gay for You and uncover the story of their friendship and its critical role in their success as actors on the show (and beyond). They dig into the benefits and risks of working with your friends, discuss the importance of honest communication, and expl...
A good boss is a rare breed. That’s because running an organisation is hard. It means getting to grips with the world’s most baffling substance: people. The Economist ’s management columnist, Andrew Palmer, is here to help. With his trademark wit, he distills advice and experience from bosses across business and the public sector. Whether you manage people now or want to in the future; whether you’re in charge of a company or you dream of founding one; whether you want to build a culture or just...
In a world filled with requests, many of us are struggling to stay afloat. Even if you’re not a people-pleaser, the desire to maintain a positive reputation can make it hard to turn others down. In this episode, Adam explores the art and science of delivering an effective “no.” He highlights strategies for setting boundaries with others to create space for yourself—and healthier relationships with those around you. This episode originally aired April 29, 2025. For the full text transcript, visit...
Fixable receives calls and questions from listeners all over the world—including Antarctica! In this Quick Fixes episode, Anne and Frances work to solve three callers’ tricky work problems in under 30 minutes. One listener struggles to build trust within his constantly changing expedition team, the next has a creative idea to encourage healthy conflict, and a final caller finds themself caught in the middle between junior employees and senior leadership. For the full text transcript, visit ted.c...
Studies show that companies would benefit from having fewer and better meetings. So how can you turn your workplace gatherings from time-wasters to productivity boosters? In this episode, Anne and Frances are joined by Priya Parker—acclaimed speaker, facilitator, and best-selling author of The Art of Gathering—to unlock the true power of bringing people together. They brainstorm helpful tips for planning and facilitating great meetings, emphasize the importance of asking good questions, and expl...
Today, we’re bringing you a special episode from What It's Like To Be... a podcast from Dan Heath where he explores the world of work, one profession at a time, and interviews people who love what they do. Dan is speaking with Dr. Hindatu Mohammed, a veterinarian from Austin who opens up about the tough, yet crucial, decisions she helps pet owners make regarding their pets’ health care. It’s a fascinating look at how empathy and expertise come together in the world of veterinary medicine. You ca...
Looking for a job can be frustrating and exhausting. Unsolicited Advice is back and this time Anne and Frances are helping YOU find work you actually want to do. They share useful tips and tricks for anyone facing today's daunting job market — from navigating rejection burnout to standing out in interviews. They also give employers advice you didn’t ask for on how to find great candidates who will elevate your team. What problems are you dealing with at work right now? Call or text 234-FIXABLE o...
