Feel Less Overwhelmed at Work: Understanding Work Intensification with Melissa Swift

Have you ever felt that the moment you catch your breath, three new demands are already waiting? Organizational consultant Melissa Swift gives that feeling a name, work intensification, and explains what helps.

In this conversation, Lori and Melissa explore:

• How three years working in London showed Melissa that a shared language does not mean a shared cu
  lture
• What work intensification is: too many tasks in too little time, too many people involved in every decision, and too much emotion at work
• How AI can quietly erode trust at work, and why peer learning and thoughtful change management matter
• How to stand out in an AI-saturated job market by naming what you are genuinely good at in simple terms
• What high-stakes professions teach us about clear communication, and why the people who care most are often the ones who burn out

About Melissa: Melissa Swift is the founder and CEO of Anthrome Insight, an advisory firm helping organizations and individuals work more effectively in a fast-changing, technology-driven world. She has held consulting leadership roles at Capgemini, Mercer, Korn Ferry, and Deloitte, and is the author of Effective: How to Do Great Work in a Fast-Changing World (Wiley, 2026).

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome and introduction

01:27 What living in London taught Melissa about culture

03:50 Direct and indirect communication across cultures

06:42 More communication, less clarity

10:02 What work intensification is

12:49 Emotional regulation and leadership

17:45 AI and the erosion of trust

21:49 Learning AI with your peers

27:43 Change agility and staying power

32:09 Standing out in an AI resume era

38:17 Lessons from high-stakes work

43:37 Younger workers and the "unboiled frogs"

46:14 Burnout, boundaries, and agency

49:06 Where to find Melissa

Find Melissa Swift at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swiftmelissa

Website: https://www.anthromeinsight.com

Book: https://www.anthromeinsight.com/books

Join us for an exclusive bonus with Melissa on Patreon.

Want to see how your leadership shows up under pressure? Explore the VOICE diagnostic from Brava Global Advisory: https://www.bravaglobaladvisory.com/voice

Considering a move abroad for work like Melissa's years in London? Expatsi can help you plan the practical side. As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission.

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Lori Adams-Brown, Host & Executive Producer

A World of Difference Podcast