Women are frequently told that they ought to be more confident at work. Confidence is offered as a silver bullet of sorts for all and every challenge women encounter in their careers.

But do women actually 'lack confidence' at work - or is it simply a convenient way to ignore structural issues? Is it an individual barrier that must be overcome - or are there more useful actions available?

This episode, Lara Pecis talks about her recent paper, co-authored with Elisabeth Kelan, "Fix Thyself: Un/Doing Confidence in Women's Entrepreneurship". In it, confidence as an individualized women's issue is analyzed and evidence-based solutions are recommended. We discuss discourse on confidence, what it means and how it shapes exclusions and potentials. We talk about individualization are its outcomes, and actions for real change - such as collective care practices.

• Pecis, L. (2022) Case Study. Inclusive innovation: Sustaining productivity and socio-economic inclusion through innovation centres, hubs and districts. Available at: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/media/lancaster-university/content-assets/documents/lums/research/Case-Study-Inclusive-Innovation.pdf
• Pecis, L. and Banerjee, A. (2020). Inclusive innovation: sustaining productivity and socio-economic inclusion through innovation centre, hubs and districts. Report for ESRC Productivity Insight Network. Available at: https://productivityinsightsnetwork.co.uk/app/uploads/2020/02/PecisBanerjee_InclusiveInnovation_February2020.pdf
• Policy Impact: work cited in ‘Female entrepreneurship’, Women and Equality Committee (WEC), UK Government, Published on 22 October 2025, available at: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cmselect/cmwomeq/711/report.html
• Written evidence for the Women and Equalities Committee, UK Parliament, published on 25/03/2025, Available at: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/139229/pdf/

Do you have a career calling? What does it mean and where does it come from? How is it shaped by our work environments? Is it always positive, or is there also a dark side?

This episode, I talk with Sophie Gerdel about the concept of a career calling. We discuss what it means, how it can be of use, and its potentials in the Future of Work.

Follow Sophie and her work on her LinkedIn. Also, consider taking her short assessment on Calling to reflect on your current role!

For more of my work, visit my blog.

Further Reading

LSE Business Review article: The Many Ways to Make a Meaningful Career Out of a Calling

Gerdel, S., Bergner, S., & Vianello, M. (2025). Fostering calling in the leader–member exchange: individual and team-level effects. Career Development International, 30(3), 309–325. https://doi.org/10.1108/cdi-12-2023-0446

Zhou, S., Aitken, J. A., & Kuykendall, L. (2023). Callings can take different shapes: Scope, proximity and duration as new complexifications of calling. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 97(1), 27–46. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12459

Are humanoids the future of work?

Will humans be replaced by robots in the next decade?

Is AI something that ought to be thought of as a colleague?

These are some of the questions for my guest today as we discuss the future of robots at work!

I talk to Professor Tiziana C. Callari from the University of Turin who pursues these themes in her research.

In an effort to separate hype from reality, we discuss what the Future of Work actually looks like based on her years of research and insights. Our conversation covers themes like: Industry 5.0, human-robot integration, meaningful work, re-skilling, craftsmanship, and so much more!

Share this episode and follow this podcast for future conversations with scholars who study various aspects of work.

Find my work > Professional Development Designs