Podcast appearances and mentions of tim houlihan

What role does experimentation play in making big life and creative decisions? What lessons can podcasters teach us about effective communication in business?Show Summary To answer these questions, in this festive episode, I'm thrilled to welcome back two friends of the show, two of my favorite podcasters, Tim Houlihan and Kurt Nelson, co-hosts of the Behavioral Grooves podcast.Known for their brilliance in behavioral science and knack for experimentation, Tim and Kurt bring unique insights into podcasting, creativity, and decision-making. Together, we dive into their individual projects and collective experiments that push the boundaries of podcasting.Tim shares his personal behavioral experiment—searching for a new home through a disciplined, satisficing approach. He reveals the challenges and joys of balancing criteria while navigating the stress of decision-making. Meanwhile, Kurt and Tim reflect on their podcasting journey, exploring creative formats like episodic series and Groove Jams.They also discuss how podcasting can be a powerful tool for internal corporate communication, offering insights into storytelling and audience engagement.This conversation is packed with reflections on experimentation, the value of adaptability, and how behavioral science can improve our personal and professional lives.Whether you're a fan of behaviorual science, a podcast enthusiast, or someone looking for fresh perspectives, this episode will inspire and entertain.Guest BiographiesTim Houlihan is a seasoned behavioral science communicator. He brings years of expertise in applying behavioral insights to real-world challenges, focusing on decision-making, innovation, and communication.Kurt Nelson is a behavioral scientist with a passion for leveraging psychology to inspire better outcomes in business and life. Known for his engaging storytelling, Kurt brings deep knowledge of behavioral principles to both podcasting and corporate consulting.Both of them co-host the fabulous BeSci podcast, Behavioral Grooves, has become a go-to resource for exploring behavioral science concepts through fascinating interviews and creative formats. With over 450 episodes, they continue to redefine the podcasting space.AI-Generated Timestamped Summary(02:00) - Tim's Behavioural Science Experiment of where he should live(11:32) - Decision-Making and Satisfaction in Housing(17:26) - Navigating Choices (21:21) - The Power of Corporate Podcasting(35:01) - Effective Communication in Organizations(47:08) - Exploring the Evolution of Behavioural Science Podcast Mini-series(55:47) - Selecting Podcast Guests(59:18) - Building Genuine Connections Through Podcasting(01:07:23) - Future Plans for Behavioral Grooves Podcast(01:13:24) - Behavior Shift with an 'f'(01:22:53) - Impact of Behavioural Science ApplicationsLinksBehavioral Grooves podcast: https://behavioralgrooves.com/Their first ever Groove Jam with me! https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/historys-biggest-what-ifs/Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-houlihan-b-e/Kurt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwnelson/Hartmut Rosa's book Resonance - https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=resonance-a-sociology-of-our-relationship-to-the-world--9781509519897Google's Notebook LLM whcih produces an AI-generated 'podcast' summary of documents: https://notebooklm.google/

Send us a Text Message.We are really excited to bring you this episode with Dr Kurt Nelson and Tim Houlihan of the Behavioral Grooves podcast fame! Apologies for the lateness of the show, but this one is a great one! Hearing about themany guests that have been interviewed on the Behavioral Grooves podcast, as well as delving into the excellent 'They Thought We Were Ridiculous' series, was so much fun and really enlightening. You can find it here: Ridiculous-podcast.com We hope you enjoy the show and look forward to hearing from you for new ideas for the show and who you want to hear interviewed in the future. You can reach Tim and Kurt on Linked In and check out their websites: Lanterngroup.com behavioralgrooves.combehaviorshift.shop

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer and special guest Tim Houlihan open a window into the intriguing world of motivation and incentives. This thought-provoking discussion sheds light on the unexpected triumphs of non-monetary rewards over cash, offering compelling evidence from the frontline of employee engagement.  As they share personal tales and professional insights, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the nuanced ways in which we can all reach our goals more effectively. They challenge traditional wisdom, advocating thoughtful goal-setting and emphasizing the impact of non-monetary recognition on loyalty and drive. This episode invites listeners to rethink what motivates them and provides practical guidance on setting personalized goals. Perfect for anyone interested in applying behavioral science in practical settings, this conversation could change how you approach motivation in both personal and professional landscapes. Tune in for an enlightening exploration of human behavior that will leave you both informed and inspired. In this episode: Understand the Power of Motivation and Incentives in the Workplace: Explore the impact of effective motivation and incentives on employee engagement and performance. Harness the Influence of Non-Monetary Rewards on Employee Motivation: Discover how non-monetary rewards can drive employee motivation and lead to improved workplace dynamics. Utilize Behavioral Science to Set Effective Goals: Learn how to apply behavioral science principles to set goals that drive employee productivity and satisfaction. Evaluate the Impact of Incentives on Employee Performance: Gain insight into how incentives can influence and enhance overall employee performance within an organization. Develop Strategies for Personal and Business Goal Setting: Acquire practical strategies for setting impactful personal and business goals that drive success and fulfillment. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction Melina introduces the episode and guest Tim Houlihan, discussing the focus on motivation and incentives in behavioral science. 00:05:38 - Setting BHAGs and Breaking Them Down Tim and Melina discuss setting big, hairy, audacious goals (BHAGs) and breaking them down into smaller, actionable parts called "bricks." 00:09:08 - Importance of Self-Selected Goals Tim emphasizes the importance of self-selected goals and the role of visualization in achieving them, discussing the impact of shifting perspectives on goals. 00:11:32 - Virtual Runs and Motivation Melina shares her experience with virtual runs and the shift in perspective on goal achievement, highlighting the impact of social media on goal commitment and achievement. 00:13:12 - Deadlines and Choice Architecture Tim and Melina discuss the effectiveness of deadlines in goal achievement and the role of choice architecture in setting specific final objectives while allowing flexibility in execution. 00:15:26 - Individualized Performance Rewards Rewards were individualized based on performance, leading to a significant 43% improvement in performance compared to general guidelines. 00:16:09 - Penalty for Underachieving A separate group faced penalties for underachieving and no benefits for overachieving, leading to a more calculative mindset and lack of intrinsic motivation. 00:17:07 - Call Center Environment The conversation delves into a call center environment, revealing how different personalities approach goals and the impact of choice architecture on performance. 00:19:19 - Context Shaping Decisions The context, including payment rates and communication of objectives, can shape individuals' decisions and mindset, impacting their approach to achieving goals. 00:23:16 - Time-Sensitive and Measurable Goals Setting time-sensitive and measurable goals, with a focus on achievable short-term objectives, increases the likelihood of achievement and provides a dopamine spurt for motivation. 00:29:55 - The Importance of Participatory Goal Setting Tim and Melina discuss the benefits of having a buddy or coworker to challenge and set goals with. They highlight the differences in goal setting between knowledge workers and other segments of the population. 00:31:37 - The Conundrum of Incentives The conversation shifts to the counterintuitive nature of incentives, using the example of a daycare's late pick-up fee. They emphasize the importance of non-monetary incentives in the corporate world. 00:33:50 - Engaging Emotions with Non-Monetary Incentives Tim and Melina delve into the effectiveness of non-monetary incentives in engaging emotions and increasing effort. They share success stories of using non-cash rewards to motivate employees. 00:35:49 - Reconsuming Achievements and Memories The discussion turns to the psychological impact of non-monetary rewards, such as designer handbags or trips, in reinforcing positive memories. They highlight the subconscious loyalty and motivation that results from reconsuming achievements. 00:40:22 - Individualized Engagement and Surprising Delights Tim shares a story of a senior sales leader's desire to win a watch as a prize rather than buying it. Melina emphasizes the importance of individualized engagement and surprising delights in motivating teams. 00:44:24 - Introduction to Behavioral Grooves and Music Tim discusses his love for the podcast Behavioral Grooves and how it combines his favorite things. Melina shares her excitement about the show and Tim's playlist. 00:44:59 - Framing and Fancy Playlists Tim talks about curating his playlist on Pandora and how framing works. Melina acknowledges the importance of framing and the impact it has on incentives. 00:45:17 - Conclusion What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Tim: Behavioral Grooves Tim on LinkedIn Tim on Twitter Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: A More Beautiful Question, by Warren Berger What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict, by Karin Hurt and David Dye Mixed Signals, by Uri Gneezy Getting Along, by Amy Gallo Top Recommended Next Episode: Cobra Effect (ep 220) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Anchoring & Adjustment (ep 11) Kurt Nelson Interview (ep 187) Reciprocity (ep 238) Uri Gneezy Interview (ep 273) Framing (ep 296) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Behavioral Grooves Episode

Kurt Nelson and Tim Houlihan are the co-hosts of the Behavioral Grooves podcast and heavy hitters in the behavioral sciences. In this episode, the three of us trade notes on what we've learned from years of podcasting and behavioral coaching and how it impacts our ability to work with our own behavior challenges. (Yup, we still have them!) Key TakeawaysCuriosity allows for both open-mindedness and critical thinking.Trusted sources are a valuable short-cut but can't completely replace our own judgement. Building a bigger toolkit is great but you still need to know which tool to pick upLife is a series of experiments with an awful lot of uncontrolled variables. The wonderful/awful thing about asking for feedback is that you might get itWho do you want on your behavior change team?Mentioned Behavioral Grooves podcastThey thought we were ridiculous: The unlikely story of behavioral economicsBrain/Shift JournalNutrition GPA appChange Academy #134: Why behavioral economics shouldn't be the only tool in the toolboxChange Academy #123: How to build the circle that supports your best workChange Academy #50: Motivation and Accountability ★ Support this podcast ★

Feeling indecisive? Ever wondered what it takes to master the art of decision-making? Join us on a thrilling journey with Elspeth Kirkman, the brilliant mind behind the groundbreaking book 'Decision Scape: The Art of Getting Perspective.'  In this episode, Kurt and Tim dive deep into the captivating world of decision-making as Kirkman takes us on an adventure through the intricacies of perspective. What if decision-making was more than just a process – what if it was an art form? Prepare to be captivated as we explore the four pillars of perspective – distance, viewpoint, composition, and frame – and uncover their essential role in navigating life's choices.  Buckle up and get ready to challenge your perceptions as we delve into the profound influence of language, culture, and even the power of voice in shaping our decisions. Are you ready to embrace multiple perspectives and unlock the secrets to making informed choices? Kirkman's insights offer a fresh and dynamic approach to decision-making, empowering listeners to navigate life's complexities with newfound clarity and introspection. So, what are you waiting for? Make the right decision and tune in! And don't forget to stay tuned to Behavioral Grooves for exciting upcoming announcements! Like, share, and follow us on social media for more exciting updates on our new, limited series  They Thought We Were Ridiculous coming out later in February! © 2024 Behavioral Grooves Topics  (0:50) Important Behavioral Grooves announcement! (6:17) Introduction and speed round (12:19) The relationship between decision-making and art (18:38) The importance of perspective (26:31) Language's impact on decision-making (36:26) Taboo words, culture, and anxiety (43:52) Music preferences and writing habits (50:05) Grooving Session: Decision-making and creativity (1:15:19) “Another Orion” by Tim Houlihan © 2024 Behavioral Grooves Links Decision Scape: The Art of Getting Perspective by Elspeth Kirkman The Statue of David by Michelangelo Behave by Robert Sapolsky "They Thought We Were Ridiculous": Five-part series on the history of behavioral economics - Coming Soon! Music Links  Tim Houlihan "Another Orion" Smashing Pumpkins "1979" Lucinda Williams "Can't Let Go"

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, you'll hear an insightful conversation between host Melina Palmer and guest Ayelet Fishbach, a professor and researcher in behavioral science at the University of Chicago. The episode focuses on the topic of goal setting and motivation. Ayelet shares her expertise in understanding the psychology behind setting and achieving goals, emphasizing the importance of intrinsic motivation and finding joy in the journey.  She provides practical strategies for overcoming obstacles, reframing goals, and maintaining motivation over time. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their goal-setting skills and increase their chances of successfully achieving their goals. Ayelet's research-backed insights will inspire you to approach goal setting in a more thoughtful and effective way. So, if you're looking to enhance your motivation and achieve your goals, tune in to this episode. In this episode: Explore the science behind goal setting and motivation to uncover strategies for increased success. Overcome obstacles and anticipate temptations in order to stay focused on achieving your goals. Discover the importance of intrinsic motivation and how it can drive you towards sustainable success. Learn the power of reframing goals and shifting your focus to the process, rather than just the end result. Gain insights into planning for long-term goals and developing a more thoughtful approach to achieving them. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Episode Melina introduces the purpose of refreshing this episode and mentions the upcoming conversation with Vishal George, who references Ayelet's work. 00:02:04 - Setting Goals and Motivation Listeners are encouraged to think about their goals, especially related to money and financial stability. Melina teases the upcoming conversation with Ayelet Fishbach and encourages listeners to keep their goals in mind during the discussion. 00:02:53 - Interview with Ayelet Fishbach Ayelet Fishbach discusses her background in motivation science and goal setting. She explains how she became interested in studying motivation and self-control and discusses her early research on anticipating temptation. The importance of planning and thinking about obstacles is highlighted. 00:09:19 - Overcoming Fantasies and Intuition Ayelet emphasizes the importance of thinking beyond fantasies and focusing on potential obstacles. She discusses how fantasies are less effective than considering the challenges that may arise. The importance of questioning intuition and challenging common beliefs is also mentioned. 00:11:18 - Intuition and Counterintuitive Findings Ayelet discusses the importance of questioning intuition and presents examples of counterintuitive findings. She highlights the need to challenge common beliefs and assumptions, such as opposites attract or consistent reinforcement for behavior. 00:16:50 - The Power of Goals, The conversation begins by discussing the power of setting goals and the inspiration they provide. The example of Mount Everest is used to highlight the allure and intrinsic motivation behind achieving a specific goal. 00:19:33 - Choosing the Right Goal, The discussion emphasizes the importance of choosing the right goal, as not all goals are in our best interest. The example of climbers on Mount Everest who persist despite dangerous conditions is used to illustrate the potential pitfalls of misguided goals. 00:22:20 - Increasing Goal Adherence, The conversation addresses the issue of people giving up on their New Year's resolutions. The key factor in goal adherence is intrinsically motivating resolutions that provide immediate pleasure or growth. The importance of enjoying the path towards the goal is emphasized. 00:24:35 - Setting Pleasurable Goals, The discussion highlights the significance of setting goals that are pleasurable to pursue. Examples include enjoying healthier foods, finding fun ways to exercise, and creating rewarding work tasks. Emphasis is placed on the need to find pleasure in the process rather than solely focusing on the end result. 00:29:10 - Mistakes in Goal Setting, The conversation explores the common mistake of setting resolutions based on an idealized version of oneself. The concept of hyperbolic time discounting is mentioned as a factor that hinders long-term commitment. The speaker advises setting goals based on one's present self, acknowledging personal limitations, and planning accordingly. 00:34:52 - The Problem with Avoidance Goals, Avoidance goals, such as not being a couch potato or not eating junk food, are less likely to be successful because they bring to mind the very thing we are trying to avoid. Approach goals, on the other hand, like catching Pokemon, are more exciting and motivating. 00:36:10 - Why Avoidance Goals Don't Work, Avoidance goals may seem urgent in the short term, but they are not effective for long-term success. Instead of focusing on what not to do, it is more productive to think about what we should do. For example, setting a goal to have healthy snacks instead of avoiding junk food. 00:37:07 - Reframing Avoidance Goals, Reframing avoidance goals involves shifting the focus from what we should not do to what we should do. For example, instead of setting a goal to stop eating junk food, we can set a goal to eat healthy snacks. This reframing makes the goal more positive and motivating. 00:39:24 - Changing Perceptions of Healthy Food, Many people have a negative perception of healthy food, associating it with being tasteless. However, this perception can be changed by framing healthy food in a more positive and tasty way. When healthy food is seen as delicious, people are more likely to choose and enjoy it. 00:51:22 - Reaching Goals and Making Little Changes, Melina discusses the importance of regularly taking action towards goals instead of only focusing on the long term. Little changes and choices made today can have a significant impact in the future, such as planning for retirement. Being thoughtful and proactive is key. 00:52:03 -  Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Connect with Ayelet: AYELET'S WEBSITE AYELET ON TWITTER AYELET ON LINKEDIN Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Get It Done, by Ayelet Fishbach How To Change, by Katy Milkman The Power of Us, by Dominic Packer and Jay Van Bavel Good Habits, Bad Habits, by Wendy Wood Mixed Signals, by Uri Gneezy Top Recommended Next Episode: Have Your Best Year Ever, with Cassie Holmes and Ayelet Fishbach (ep 249) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Temptation Bundling (ep 250) Priming (ep 252) D.O.S.E. Brain Chemicals (ep 123) How To Change, with Katy Milkman (ep 151) The Power of Us with Dominic Packer (ep 304) Framing (ep 296) How to Set, Achieve & Exceed Brainy Goals (ep 70) Good Habits, Bad Habits, with Wendy Wood (ep 127) Expect Error: The “E” in NUDGES (ep 39) Give Feedback: The “G” in NUDGES (ep 40) Resolutions and Keeping Commitments (ep 29) Time Discounting (ep 328) The Overwhelmed Brain and Its Impact on Decision Making (ep 32) How to Get (and Stay) Motivated (ep 67) Secrets of Motivation and Incentives, with Tim Houlihan (ep 109) Motivation and Incentives at Work, with Kurt Nelson (ep 187) Happier Hour, with Cassie Holmes (ep 257) Changing Health with the EATS Model (ep 217) 5 Years. 299 episodes. Here Are Your Favorites. (ep 299) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Texas A&M Self-Control Research Could Help You Stick With Your New Year's Resolutions University of Chicago, Chicago Booth School of Business Faculty Directory: Ayelet Fishbach

“Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life.” Are you tired of that ditty? We are. How are you supposed to know what you love if we don't 100% know who we are? “Know thyself” is a maxim that has been central to Western civilization for the last 2500 years. It has been pervasive in philosophy over the ages and more recently in psychology. Who are we? Who am I? These questions blend nicely with understanding why we do what we do, a foundational question in behavioral science. And it is with this curiosity that cohosts Kurt Nelson, PhD and Tim Houlihan delve into the mysteries of who we think we are. More importantly, this episode is interested in honest self-discovery: the answer to the question: who am I? To help you answer that, we humbly submit a series of questions and reflections for your consideration, for the purpose of having a clearer sense of who I am. (At least at the moment.) We use three sets of reflections for you to consider: 1.) Identify where in your life you find energy, joy, and satisfaction. These questions and reflections allow us to target the ideals and desires we have in our lives. These are enhancers. 2.) Identify what aspects of our lives are not going the way we want them to. These questions help us clarify what is not working for us. These are detractors. 3.) Identify what requirements we have to live in this world. In others, what obligations, relationships, and financial requirements, among other things, are commitments we must live by? These are necessities.  We also talk about the nature of memories, the present moment, and ways our future aspirations influence who we are. We even discuss Dr. Bryan Lowry's idea that who we are is largely influenced by the people around us. (Talk about mind-bending!) By reflecting on these questions and our general discussion, we hope that Groovers can discover a clearer picture of who you are and that these reflections will lead you to a more perfect version of knowing thyself, as Socrates might say. © 2023 Behavioral Grooves, LLC Links Behavioral Grooves Website: www.behavioralgrooves.com  Ethan Hawke TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/ethan_hawke_give_yourself_permission_to_be_creative?language=en  Bhagavad Gita: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita  Hal Hershfield Episode 369: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/your-future-self-hal-hershfield/  Brené Brown: https://brenebrown.com/  Brian Lowry Episode 312: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/meaning-in-life-brian-lowery/  Self-Serving Bias: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-serving_bias  Fundamental Attribution Error: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_attribution_error  Motivated Reasoning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motivated_reasoning  Confirmation Bias: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias  Intention-Action Gap: https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/psychology/intention-action-gap  Know Thyself Questions:  Finding Energy and Satisfaction Questions (Enhancers: What You Love To Do) What activities or experiences make me feel the most fulfilled and content?  When do I feel the most authentic and genuine?  What aspects of life are non-negotiable for me?   What principles am I unwilling to compromise?  What kind of person do I want to be remembered?  What causes or issues do I feel most passionate about?  What qualities do I admire most in others?  What decisions or situations have made me feel proud or satisfied with myself?  What kind of person do I want to be remembered as?   Avoiding Negative Emotion Questions (Detractors: What You Hate To Do) What has been my lowest point in the past 5 years?  What situations or people drain my energy and leave me feeling exhausted?  What triggers my negative emotions such as anger, sadness, or anxiety?  Where do I feel regret for things I've done or for things I haven't done?   What do I stress over the most?   What negative self-talk or inner critic do I struggle with?  What are some common sources of conflict or tension in my relationships?  What do I fear?    What decisions or situations have made me feel guilty or uncomfortable?  Living in this World Questions (Necessities: What You Have To Do) Am I honoring your relationship? Do I have what I need to provide for my basic necessities?   Where do I compromise to ensure that I have positive relationships?   Am I being responsible? Am I honoring my commitments to others, to my job, and to other aspects of my life?   What are the pressures that the world places upon me?  Your responses and reflections should be as honest and truthful as possible. Try your best to not be tainted by your biases. A clearer picture will help you identify the key areas that drive you.  Examine your self through the lens of what you love to do, what you hate to do, and what you have to do.    Write out a 7-word value statement that defines who you are at the core.      Topics (0:07) Understanding “Know Thyself” through history.  (5:00) Personal growth throughout history.  (11:28) Understanding one's true identity.  (19:33) Understanding one's biases.  (25:03) Self-awareness and personal growth.  (31:50) Finding your groove.    © 2023 Behavioral Grooves, LLC

Volunteering improves psychological well-being. Team Rubicon has researched this positive effect, not just on the communities it serves, but also on the well-being of its 170,000 volunteers. The organization applies military expertise and speed to provide fast response and social support to those who have suffered a disaster. We learn from David Burke and Patti Norberg about the many benefits they have found with volunteering.   David Burke is the Chief Program Officer at Team Rubicon, an organization that was founded by US armed forces veterans in 2010 with the purpose of voluntarily joining together to work on missions in the aid of regular citizens who are suffering because of natural disasters. Patti Norberg PhD is a Professor of Marketing at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, and also a good friend of Tim Houlihan.   Team Rubicon is a veteran led humanitarian organization that serves people before, during and after disasters and crises. It's a movement of thousands of people that work domestically and internationally from mitigating the effects of fires, floods and natural disasters. They are instrumental in missions to rebuild people's homes, surge medical capacity and provide clean water.    From the offset, the purpose of Team Rubicon was not just to help disaster survivors, but also to support veterans' well-being after leaving the military. And Team Rubicon goes one step further by actually researching the effects on well-being and mental health. Kurt and Tim discuss the findings from this research and how it is shaping the ongoing work of Team Rubicon.   Topics  (4:37) Welcome and speed round questions. (6:56) What is Team Rubicon? (8:53) How does a military background help Team Rubicon volunteers? (11:01) What makes Team Rubicon different from other volunteer organizations? (18:00) How Team Rubicon takes care of the mental health of its volunteers. (21:33) The social connection that comes from volunteering. (28:36) How volunteering helps make you feel significant. (31:47) The next studies on psychological well-being with Team Rubicon. (35:19) What's next for Team Rubicon? (39:31) Grooving Session with Kurt and Tim on volunteering.   © 2023 Behavioral Grooves   Links  Team Rubicon: https://teamrubiconusa.org/  “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” by Dr Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf  Carol Ryff's, Psychological Well-Being Scales: https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/resources/questionnaires-researchers/psychological-well-being-scales#:~:text=WHAT%20THE%20QUESTIONNAIRE%20MEASURES,in%20life%2C%20self%2Dacceptance.  Behavioral Grooves Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves 

This podcast will give you the tools and techniques to foster a learning culture in your organization. Whether you work at a junior level or are an executive, Sarah's guidelines can equip you to utilize leadership, AI, context and habit formation to incorporate learning into your routine. Learning is like exercise. Once you develop a healthy habit, you need to keep going! But how do you foster a learning culture in your organization? In this interview, Sarah joins Kurt Nelson and Tim Houlihan to talk about her book "Learning Habits Drive a Learning Culture to Improve Employee and Business Performance". Sarah discusses how organizations can establish a learning culture by focusing on learning habits.  Based around the famous habit cycle of cue, routine and reward, Sarah adds in the important 4th element of context. Leaning on the excellent work of Wendy Wood, Sarah emphasizes the importance of creating an environment in which your desired habits are supported as a much more effective tool than relying on willpower alone. Learning in an organization is driven by leadership. By modeling learning behaviors and setting the expectations for a learning culture, leaders can elevate the productivity of their team. She discusses how team meetings, one-on-one conversations and social media can all be leveraged to encourage learning habits. But one thing particularly stands out about Sarah's work is that she incorporates concepts from behavioral science like social proof, cues and rewards that can help make learning automatic and habitual.  If you want to keep learning from people like Sarah Nicholl on Behavioral Grooves Podcast, please support our work by contributing on Patreon. Thank you to all our listeners who already do.   Topics  (2:48) Welcome and speed round questions. (6:16) Learning habits that contribute most to healthy organizations. (9:03) Using learning to change behavior. (11:19) How to incorporate learning into the team meeting. (13:24) Context matters! (15:16) How do you create a learning culture? (19:01) What is the LEARN model? (22:42) The impact of generative AI on learning. (27:42) The value of social proof for learning. (31:07) How behavioral science plays a part in learning. (33:24) What Sarah learnt herself from writing the book. (34:21) What music would Sarah take to a desert island? (36:16) Grooving Session on learning.   © 2023 Behavioral Grooves Links  Sarah Nicholl's book, "Learning Habits: Drive a Learning Culture to Improve Employee and Business Performance": https://amzn.to/3E8oyQX Meryl Streep: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meryl_Streep The Laundromat: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Laundromat_(2019_film) BJ Fogg, "Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything": https://amzn.to/3D4hiFi  Wendy Wood, "Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick": https://amzn.to/3NHv31p   Episode 31, Leaving the Matrix: Annie Duke and Insights into how you can improve your thinking!: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/leaving-the-matrix-annie-duke-and-insights-into-how-you-can-improve-your-thinking/  MINDSPACE Framework: https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/neuroscience/mindspace-framework#:~:text=MINDSPACE%3A%20A%20mnemonic%20for%20the,affect%2C%20commitments%2C%20and%20ego.  Episode 41, From MINDSPACE to EAST with Michael Hallsworth: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/michael-hallsworth-from-mindspace-to-east/ Daniel Kahneman “Thinking Fast and Slow”: https://amzn.to/3NDph0V  James Clear, "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones": https://amzn.to/3O2HAhd  Behavioral Grooves Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves    Musical Links  Shania Twain “That Don't Impress Me Much”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqFLXayD6e8  James Taylor “You've Got A Friend”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jgh6h6eYLk 

In this episode, explore the fascinating concept of loss aversion and its implications in business. Yes, it applies to marketing and sales strategies, but loss aversion is more than that. Loss aversion is the tendency for individuals to prefer avoiding losses rather than acquiring gains. This cognitive bias can be harnessed to increase customer engagement and conversion rates. Throughout the episode, host Melina Palmer delves into various examples and case studies to illustrate how businesses can leverage loss aversion to influence decision-making. From offering money-back guarantees to triggering the fear of regret, the key is to focus on avoiding losses rather than promoting gains. (Don't worry, it doesn't have to be negative.) By framing offers and rewards as something that has already been gained and must be maintained through specific actions, businesses can tap into the deep-rooted fear of loss within our subconscious brains. For business owners and marketers seeking to improve their marketing and sales strategies, this episode is a must-listen. Understanding the science behind loss aversion and learning how to apply it in your marketing efforts can significantly impact your bottom line. By appealing to people's fear of loss, you can increase engagement, drive conversions, and ultimately achieve greater success in your business. Throughout the episode, you'll hear real-world examples and case studies to demonstrate how businesses can leverage loss aversion to influence consumer behavior. In this episode: Gain insights into the persuasive power of loss aversion in business. Identify how diverse fields such as consulting, tax, and real estate harness loss aversion. Experience how loss aversion can work within the wedding industry. Harness the potential of digital sales by applying loss aversion through creative messaging and pop-up interventions. Understand how your own loss aversion can be used to help you get more done with Melina's "Loss Aversion Jar" and more. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Introduction to the episode and the importance of loss aversion in understanding consumer behavior–regardless of industry or role. 00:03:12 - Loss Aversion Defined, Loss aversion is the concept of valuing losses more than gains. People are more averse to losing something than gaining something. Research has found again and again that it takes double the joy felt by a gain to equal the pain felt by a loss. So, if you lose $20 you need to gain $40 to feel whole. 00:06:01 - The Power of Loss, Our brains are wired to avoid losses, and this behavior is deeply ingrained. Traditional economic models that focus on gains overlook the power of loss aversion. 00:10:26 - Practical Applications, Flipping the messaging from potential gain to potential loss can be a powerful motivator. Examples include financial institutions offering money upfront and entrepreneurs using regular check-ins to hold clients accountable. 00:13:59 - Long-Term Goals and Commitments, Loss aversion can be leveraged to help clients stay committed to long-term goals. Regular check-ins and accountability help prevent procrastination and maintain focus. 00:17:07 - Loss Aversion Jar, Melina's loss aversion jar technique and how it can help people keep themselves and their clients on track. 00:18:14 - Applied Example for Accountants, Melina explains how people are more motivated to seek help with taxes if they anticipate owing money rather than expecting a refund. Highlights the fear of being audited and suggests messaging that emphasizes reducing the amount owed instead of the potential return someone might receive. 00:20:21 - Visualizing Product Ownership, Melina explores the concept of perceived ownership and loss aversion in relation to physical products. She recommends strategies such as allowing customers to touch and interact with products to increase their attachment and desire to own them. 00:23:33 - Applied Examples from the Wedding Industry, When Melina bought her wedding dress, there was an ingenious loss aversion technique that helped her to buy her dress (and feel great about it) on the first visit to the first shop she went to. This was a big win for all involved. Learn how they did it and what this might look like in your business. 00:26:25 - Over-the-Top Online Sales Tactics, Melina critiques an extreme example of using loss aversion in online sales, where customers are presented with a long and exaggerated paragraph highlighting the potential loss of not purchasing. She emphasizes the importance of subtlety and avoiding tactics that may turn customers away. 00:33:43 - Overcoming the Fear of Change, Melina encourages listeners to embrace change and work to let go of their own loss aversion, familiarity bias, and status quo bias. Taking risks and trying new things can lead to growth and success. 00:34:39 - Embracing Change for Growth, Melina emphasizes the importance of making space for new opportunities by letting go of things that no longer serve us. She invites listeners to share their experiences and changes with her. 00:35:10 - Feedback and Continuous Improvement, Melina values listener feedback and wants to know what resonates with them. She mentions the need for businesses to adapt and evolve to stay successful. 00:36:24 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Subtract, by Leidy Klotz Alchemy, by Rory Sutherland What Your Customer Wants and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo Top Recommended Next Episode: Framing (ep 296) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Priming (ep 252) Herding (ep 264) Mixed Signals, with Uri Gneezy (ep 273) Unlocking Employee Motivation with Kurt Nelson (ep 295) Secrets of Incentives and Motivation, with Tim Houlihan (ep 109) Why Less is Not a Loss, with Leidy Klotz (ep 162) The Power of Touch (ep 302) Booms, Bubbles, and Busts (ep 30) Status Quo Bias (ep 142) Endowment Effect (ep 139) How To Set, Achieve, and Exceed Brainy Goals (ep 70) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Econometrica What Is Loss Aversion? What Is Loss Aversion? Losses attract more attention than comparable gains. Loss aversion These Are the People Who Are Most Likely to Get Audited

Humans have limited information processing abilities and cannot possibly evaluate all possible options when making a decision. However, describing people merely as irrational paints an inaccurate picture. There can be benefits to the biases we hold.  Author of Optimally Irrational: The Good Reasons We Behave the Way We Do Lionel Page PhD, joins Kurt Nelson and Tim Houlihan on Behavioral Grooves Podcast to talk about his book. Lionel is a French-born economist who is currently working as the Director of the Behavioural and Economic Science Cluster at the University of Queensland in Australia.  Among the topics Lionel discusses is the hedonic treadmill and how happiness is always just ahead of us. Our subjective satisfaction system is designed to keep us motivated by focusing on future goals. However, once we achieve those goals, we move on to the next. Anticipated utility and loss aversion become a powerful motivational combination. Our motivations for decisions are complex. But intentionality can help make up for some of the inconsistencies in our decision making. Topics  (1:51) Speed round questions. (3:13) Is overconfidence beneficial or not beneficial? (6:06) What is rational and irrational behavior? (11:34) Why it is so important to define a field of work. (14:09) Why is it so difficult for us to ask for what we want? (17:31) Completeness helps us to find missing points. (22:38) Happiness is actually connected to loss aversion. (32:37) The benefits of anticipated utility.   © 2023 Behavioral Grooves   Links  Lionel Page PhD: https://economics.uq.edu.au/profile/9755/lionel-page  Lionel's book, “Optimally Irrational: The Good Reasons We Behave the Way We Do”: https://amzn.to/46RoYIH Episode 333, How Game Theory Can Be Used To Explain Human Behavior | Erez Yoeli: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/game-theory-to-explain-behavior/   Episode 171, Self Control, Belonging, and Why Your Most Dedicated Employees Are the Ones To Watch Out For with Roy Baumeister: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/self-control-belonging-and-why-your-most-dedicated-employees-are-the-ones-to-watch-out-for-with-roy-baumeister/  Prospect theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospect_theory  Episode 276, How To Stay Motivated So You Exceed Your Goals | Ayelet Fishbach PhD: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/motivation-to-exceed-your-goals/  Behavioral Grooves Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves   

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, host Melina Palmer is joined by Dr. Tessa West, a renowned expert in social psychology and communication. They dive deep into the topic of workplace jerks, exploring the different types of jerky behaviors that exist and providing valuable insights on how to address and prevent these behaviors. Throughout the conversation, Melina and Tessa discuss the complexities of workplace dynamics, highlighting the structural issues that enable jerky behaviors to flourish. They emphasize the importance of recognizing these underlying systems and structures, rather than only viewing jerky behaviors as isolated incidents caused by individual bad apples. By understanding the systemic factors that contribute to such behaviors, individuals and organizations can take proactive steps to create a healthier work environment.  Tessa also shares practical tips for individuals to identify red flags during the job interview process and early on in a new job. By being aware of the organizational structures and systems that may contribute to jerky behaviors, individuals can make informed decisions about their long-term job satisfaction. Overall, this episode offers valuable insights and advice for both managers and employees dealing with workplace jerks. It provides a fresh perspective on the topic, emphasizing the importance of addressing structural issues and fostering a healthy work environment to improve overall workplace dynamics. Recognize markers of negative characters in your workplace and their potential effects. Master techniques to dissolve issues arising from uneasy workplace interactions. Appreciate how our use of language subtly influences our perspective and behavior. Identify the link between empathy and successful communication, charting a path for stronger relationships. Understand how stereotypes maneuver personal and team performance and the ways to buffer their influence. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Host Melina Palmer welcomes Dr. Tessa West. Tessa discusses her background as a social psychology professor and her research on uncomfortable social interactions. 00:03:07 - Uncomfortable Social Interactions, Dr. West explains her research focus on uncomfortable social interactions and how she measures discomfort using physiological responses. She discusses the prevalence of discomfort in the workplace and the lack of effective strategies for handling it. 00:06:07 - Freezing and Rationalizing Discomfort, The tendency to freeze and rationalize discomfort in the workplace is discussed. Tessa emphasizes the need to address small discomforts before they accumulate and cause stress-related health issues. She offers tips on handling discomfort without confrontation. 00:08:24 - Cumulative Discomfort and Health, Dr. West explains how cumulative discomfort in the workplace can lead to stress-related health issues. She highlights the importance of addressing small discomforts and offers strategies for managing them effectively. 00:11:42 - Tell Us About Your Dissertation, Tessa briefly discusses her dissertation on interpersonal accuracy and the motivation to be inaccurate when accuracy threatens relationships. She shares an unpublished study on how threat affects individuals' perception of their partner's attractiveness. 00:14:26 - "Introduction and Funny Dissertation Stories", Melina shares a humorous anecdote from a Friends episode and Tessa jokes she could have just cited that instead of doing her dissertation. They discuss the interesting process of doing a dissertation and how it shapes one's work. 00:15:11 - "Types of Jerks at Work", Tessa breaks down the different types of jerks at work featured in her book, starting with the "kiss up kick downer" who impresses the boss but treats colleagues poorly. She also discusses the "credit stealer," "bulldozer," "free rider," "micromanager," "neglectful boss," and the more manipulative "gaslighter." 00:19:10 - "Micromanagers and Neglectful Bosses", Tessa delves deeper into the micromanager, who tends to have control issues and struggles with balancing their old job and new management role. She also discusses the neglectful boss, who oscillates between micromanagement and neglect, causing stress and instability. 00:20:56 - "Gaslighters at Work", Tessa explains the manipulative tactics of gaslighters, who lie to create a false reality and often have power and status. Gaslighters can make it difficult for their victims to fight back due to their strategic manipulation and the victims' own involvement in potentially unethical actions. 00:28:18 - Understanding the Root of Workplace Problems, Tessa West advises people to look beyond individual "bad apples" and consider the structural issues within their workplace that breed toxic behavior. By examining the systems and incentives that allow these behaviors to occur, individuals can make more informed decisions about their work environment. 00:29:27 - Red Flags to Look for in a New Workplace, Tessa suggests paying attention to red flags during the interview process or when starting a new job. She recommends looking for signs of a workplace that values certain behaviors, such as promotions based on sales rather than training and development. Identifying these red flags can help prevent future toxic behavior. 00:30:47 - Longevity of a Job and Workplace Dynamics, Tessa emphasizes the importance of considering the longevity of a job and how workplace dynamics can change over time. Just because a workplace seems great initially doesn't mean it will remain that way. A few bad hires or a workplace that fosters toxic behavior can quickly turn a positive environment into a negative one. 00:31:43 - Advice for Small Business Owners, Tessa offers advice for small to mid-sized business owners who may feel overworked and stressed, leading to toxic behavior. She suggests that uncertainty is often a trigger for “work jerkery.” By addressing uncertainty and creating a psychologically safe environment, business owners can prevent themselves from micromanaging or neglecting their team. 00:36:12 - Identifying if You're the Jerk at Work, Tessa discusses ways that the listener can determine if they are the “jerk” as well as what to do when you realize you have been a jerk (it happens!) 00:42:10 - Show Notes and Resources, Melina reminds listeners to check the show notes for links to past episodes and books mentioned in the conversation, including Jerks at Work, The Power of Us, How Minds Change, Getting Along, and The Microstress Effect. 00:42:39 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Jerks at Work, by Tessa West The Power of Us, by Dominic Packer and Jay Van Bavel How Minds Change, by David McRaney Getting Along, by Amy Gallo The Microstress Effect, by Rob Cross and Karen Dillon Connect with Tessa:  Follow Tessa on LinkedIn Tessa on Twitter Tessa's website Top Recommended Next Episode: Getting Along, with Amy Gallo (ep 269) Already Heard That One? Try These:  How To Change, with David McRaney (ep 210) A More Just Future, with Dolly Chugh (ep 247) The Power of Us with Dominic Packer (ep 304) Fundamental Attribution Error (ep 268) Reciprocity (ep 238) Unity (ep 216) Vulnerability Loops (ep 229) Focusing Illusion (ep 89) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) Mixed Signals, with Uri Gneezy (ep 273) Unlocking Employee Motivation with Kurt Nelson (ep 295) Secrets of Incentives and Motivation, with Tim Houlihan (ep 109) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Tessa West's lab

It is common for organizations to say they want to remove all bias from their workplace or to become a completely unbiased organization. Unfortunately, that isn't possible because our brains run on bias in order to make decisions. Instead of trying to eliminate bias, it is best to understand and work with it. When we know what tendencies the brain will try to use and when/where they come into play, there is an opportunity to reframe and turn those biases into an engine for moving forward. This episode from Melina Palmer is an introduction to the many biases we have toward others who are not like us, including groups, to start you thinking about and understanding which biases exist and figuring out how to start navigating them in your life and organization. In this episode: Hear a little bit about a lot of biases we humans have toward others. This includes both how we look at groups and how we perform inside them.  Understand how those biases impact you and those in your life and work.  Get some tips for starting to think about how to navigate these biases (since they can't be eliminated). Reframe your brain from “removing” bias, to leveraging and working with it.  Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, In this episode, Melina Palmer introduces the topic of biases toward others, including groups. She mentions that this episode is a refresh of a previous episode and hints at an upcoming interview with Dr. Tessa West on dealing with difficult people at work. 00:03:16 - Groupthink, Groupthink occurs when people in a group make irrational decisions to maintain harmony or avoid conflict. This can lead to poor decision-making and a lack of critical evaluation of different options or viewpoints. Melina shares an example of Amazon's approach to combating groupthink by implementing a silent start to meetings. 00:06:29 - Shared Information Bias, Shared information bias occurs when a group spends more time discussing topics that all members are familiar with, neglecting unshared information. This can hinder progress and prevent important topics from being addressed. Melina suggests encouraging group members to discuss difficult topics and avoid rehashing the same information. 00:07:36 - Bandwagon Effect, The bandwagon effect refers to the tendency to do or say things just because everyone else is doing or saying them. This bias influences decisions such as following people on social media, listening to podcasts with positive reviews, or choosing restaurants with high ratings. Melina emphasizes the importance of building a social presence and gaining followers, even though the number of followers does not necessarily indicate quality. 00:09:48 - Cheerleader Effect, The cheerleader effect is the tendency to think that a group looks more “attractive” (including its ideas) when there is a group than those individuals might appear on their own. This can also impact how someone feels about challenging or approaching a group instead of individuals. 00:16:18 - Stereotypes and Implicit Association, Melina discusses how stereotypes and implicit association play a role in our thinking and decision-making process, particularly in relation to gender and job titles. She shares about some research being done at Texas A&M University in the Human Behavior Laboratory. 00:18:00 - Cognitive Bias and Prejudice, Explores how cognitive bias and association can lead to prejudices, even when we are not consciously aware of them, and the potential impact this can have in various situations, including in HR scenarios. 00:20:07 - Fundamental Attribution Error, Explores the concept of the fundamental attribution error, where we tend to attribute others' behavior to their personality while attributing our own behavior to external factors, and the importance of considering different perspectives and giving the benefit of the doubt. 00:21:51 - Group Attribution Error, This is where we tend to generalize the characteristics of one person to the entire group and assume that a group's decision reflects the preferences of everyone in the group, highlighting the need to challenge these biases and consider individual differences. 00:23:10 - Halo Effect, This is where one positive or negative quality of a person influences our perception of their other qualities, and the importance of avoiding generalizations and considering individuals as multidimensional beings. 00:33:15 - Biases in Interacting with Robots, Due to form function attribution bias, people make systematic errors when interacting with robots, possibly due to intimidation or assuming robots think quicker. Biases and assumptions don't reflect the function of the robot. Be aware of biases towards robots, animals, and others. 00:34:08 - Identifying Biases, Spot biases in your life by identifying where you anthropomorphize or unfairly judge others. Consider if these biases are right or serving you, and who you may be inadvertently holding back or should give the benefit of the doubt. 00:36:24 - Avoiding Jerk Breeding Environments, In Friday's upcoming episode, Tessa West will discuss her book Jerks at Work, providing insights into different types of toxic coworkers and how to work better with them. She will also give tips for entrepreneurs to avoid creating a jerk breeding environment and talk about the role of incentives. 00:37:56 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Jerks at Work, by Tessa West Getting Along, by Amy Gallo Both/And Thinking, by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis Drive, by Dan Pink A More Just Future, by Dolly Chugh  Top Recommended Next Episode: Fundamental Attribution Error (ep 268) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) Herding (ep 264) Social Proof (ep 87) Mixed Signals, with Uri Gneezy (ep 273) Unlocking Employee Motivation with Kurt Nelson (ep 295) Secrets of Incentives and Motivation, with Tim Houlihan (ep 109) An Overview of Personal Biases (ep 45) Inside the Texas A&M Human Behavior Lab (ep 33) The Power of Us with Dominic Packer (ep 304) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter ‘Silent Start': The Brilliant (and Surprising) Meeting Method From Amazon Hostile Attribution Bias 21 Things You Didn't Know About Bronies Brony Herd Census & State of the Herd Report Moral Credentialing and the Rationalization of Misconduct Susan Boyle Audition HD – FULL Top 10 Professions Dominated by Women University of Phoenix: Red Socks Marketing Myopia Do Dogs Smile? The Science Behind the Looks We Get From a Happy Dog

Mentorship is a critical component of personal and professional growth. A supportive mentor enables mentees to develop critical skills, make better decisions, and achieve their goals faster by providing guidance, perspective, and encouragement along their journey. Furthermore, mentors benefit by expanding their network, reinforcing their knowledge, and deriving satisfaction from contributing to the success of others. Mentorship is a valuable, reciprocal relationship that fosters learning, development, and change for both the mentor and mentee. In the podcast, Scott Miller shares his insight into how mentorship can impact individuals in various aspects of life. He offers personal stories and experiences, highlighting the importance of recognizing the potential mentorship opportunities that exist beyond traditional boundaries. By emphasizing the powerful and transformative effects of mentorship, Miller encourages listeners to actively pursue mentoring relationships that enrich personal and professional lives, and explains the 13 roles mentors play, based on information in his book The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship. In this episode: Unveil the importance of mentorship and why anyone can be a mentor. Decode the 13 essential roles of mentors in guiding their mentees. Realize the value of genuine feedback and vulnerability in fostering strong mentor-mentee connections. Examine the lifelong benefits that mentorship can provide for you and your career. Identify how everything from setting boundaries to celebrating matters in the mentor-mentee relationship (and some language to help you along your way!) Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Scott Miller is a multi best-selling author, special advisor on thought leadership for the Franklin Covey Company, and a globally celebrated keynote speaker. He has previously been a guest on The Brainy Business podcast to discuss his books Marketing Mess to Brand Success and Management Mess to Leadership Success. In today's episode, he talks about his new book, The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship. 00:06:42 - Importance of Mentorship, Mentorship is a key part of companies' employee development plans. However, most people don't know what to do as a mentor. Scott wrote The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship to help people become better mentors. The book outlines 13 roles that all mentors can play, which will help them ask better questions, be more patient, and be more thoughtful. 00:10:16 - Informal Mentorship, Scott shares the story of how Bruce Williams, a radio host who has since passed away, became a mentor to him without ever knowing it. This highlights the importance of informal mentorship and how people can redefine what mentorship looks like. For example, by following favorite bloggers or podcasts, those thought leaders can be a mentor to you (even if you never talk to them and they don't know your name). 00:14:21 - The Power of Mentorship, Scott and Melina discuss the impact of mentorship on individuals and society, highlighting the importance of having a framework for effective mentorship. Scott introduces his book, The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship, and introduces the 13 roles a mentor can play. 00:17:32 - The 13 Roles of Great Mentorship, Scott discusses the 13 roles a mentor can play outlined in his book, emphasizing that a mentor may not necessarily play all 13 roles and why they need to adapt their role depending on the mentee's situation (you aren't just one “type” of mentor, you need to wear multiple hats during your time as a mentor). He highlights the importance of having an awareness of these roles and how they can be used to support a mentee effectively. 00:21:01 - The Importance of Validation in Mentorship, Scott shares his personal story of being validated by a stranger at a young age, which had a profound impact on his life. He emphasizes the role of the Validator in mentorship and the power of validating a mentee's genius, skill, and talent. He provides tips for how to effectively validate a mentee and how this can be a transition point for them to move towards more effective mindsets. 00:23:05 - Scott's Six-Step Closing Process, Scott introduces his six-step closing process, which includes naming what has been learned from the mentee, validating their genius, and setting them on their way. He emphasizes the importance of taking away something from each mentor session and using it to improve oneself. 00:28:34 - Caution for the Validator, The Validator role in mentoring should be used with care. Rather than validating mentees for small actions, acknowledge their genius, and give them lifelong courage to retrieve it when they need it. 00:32:41 - The Flagger Role, The Flagger is the challenger on steroids, who stops a conversation in its tracks to challenge an idea. Diplomatically flagging issues prevents potential conflict in the future. 00:37:57 - The Boundary Setter, Setting boundaries is an uncomfortable yet essential conversation that every mentor needs to have. Mismatched or unfulfilled expectations cause most conflicts in life, and setting clear boundaries is key to avoiding any potential issues. Scott provides some sample language the listener can use in their own mentoring sessions immediately. 00:41:24 - Honing in on Boundaries, It's important to have a clear understanding of each other's boundaries in mentorship. Starting with an uncomfortable conversation about boundaries can prevent future awkwardness and allow for a more productive relationship. 00:42:53 - Importance of Situational Mentorship, Scott emphasizes the importance of situational mentorship and tailoring conversations to the mentee's needs. He suggests checking out greatmentorship.com for videos and tools, and invites people to connect with him on social media. 00:44:27 - Scott's Impact on Melina, Melina thanks Scott for being a mentor to her, and Scott reflects on how anyone can be a mentor (with or without realizing it). They encourage listeners to reflect on who has impacted their lives and consider sharing their gratitude with them. 00:45:00 - What is Mentorship?, Melina and Scott discuss the meaning of mentorship and how it can be informal and brief. They encourage listeners to reflect on the mentors in their lives and consider sharing their impact with them. 00:46:19 - Reflecting on Impactful Moments, Melina encourages listeners to reflect on small or big moments that were impactful and consider who was part of them. She suggests telling mentors how they have impacted their lives and invites listeners to connect with her and Scott on social media. 00:46:30 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship, by Scott Miller Management Mess to Leadership Success, by Scott Miller Marketing Mess to Brand Success, by Scott Miller Fierce Conversations, by Susan Scott What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Connect with Scott:  Scott on Instagram Follow Scott on LinkedIn Scott's Website Top Recommended Next Episode: Management Mess to Leadership Success, with Scott Miller (ep 69) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Marketing Mess to Brand Success, with Scott Miller (ep 156) Overcoming Imposter Syndrome (ep 306) Change Management: It's Not About The Cookie (ep 226) Anchoring and Adjustment (ep 11) Relativity (ep 12) On-Air Coaching Call with Mariel Court (ep 10) Secrets of Motivation and Incentives with Tim Houlihan (ep 109) The IKEA Effect (ep 112) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) The Brainy Benefits of Gratitude (ep 248) Celebrate! It's More Important Than You Think (ep 236) Stressed and Overcommitted? Tips to Overcome Planning Fallacy (ep 114) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Scott's Site: GreatMentorship.com

As with any business, success results from the behavioral changes that can be made by those who work in it. Whether you're working in a service, manufacturing, or retail industry, changing behavior can lead to increased sales, customer satisfaction, and productivity. In order to make the most of these behavioral changes, managers must clearly understand what motivates people and how to push them to make these changes. One of the best ways is to identify the individual desires of the employees and what they think about themselves. Know and put them in teams according to their natural gifts and motivate them to express their potential. Learn more insights on how you can harness the power of behavioral science to drive the desired change you want to see in your business. Kurt Nelson joins us to share expert tips. Kurt is a sought-after consultant, speaker, and recognized leader in human motivation and behavior change. For over 20 years, Kurt has worked with global companies to apply behavioral science principles to drive change in their organizations. He is the founder and president of The Lantern Group, a behavioral change and communication agency. He also is the co-founder, with Tim Houlihan, of the Behavioral Grooves podcast, where they interview leading academic and business executives from around the world and explore how they apply behavioral science to their work and lives. All his work focuses on understanding ways to influence how people behave positively. Kurt has his MBA from the University of Iowa and his Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Capella University.In this podcast episode, we talk about how to motivate yourself and, more importantly, how to motivate your employees and colleagues.Key Highlights from the Show[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest, Kurt Nelson[01:31] You have to be responsible for the person you want to be[02:34] A bit about Kurt and how he got into behavioral change[13:58] What is behavior, and how is it developed?[15:38] Is it possible to change something you do unconsciously?[18:36] Changing your eating habits to achieve your diet goals[22:44] The limits of willpower and how we can reframe our lives to not rely on willpower[31:57] Best ways to trigger the start of behavior you want[34:27] How to instill the ownership mentality in your employees[41:25] Kurt's views on doing employee motivation package surveys using your employees[45:19] What Kurt has witnessed people not doing right to create a behavioral change they want[49:12] The one thing Kurt wishes to have put more resources into when starting his entrepreneurship journey[50:13] Best ways to reach out and connect with Kurt NelsonNotable QuotesA behavior is taking one step forward and using it to move toward some result. [04:15]Willpower will stop you from doing something. But removing the temptation is much easier and more effective. [21:27]Willpower is like a muscle because if you start working on it and training it over time, you can build its strength. [23:47]Often times we use extrinsic rewards in order to jumpstart intrinsic motivation. [32:18]Connect with Kurt NelsonWebsite: https://lanterngroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwnelson/Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhatMotivatesThank you for listening to FROM MD ToThank you for listening to FROM MD To Entrepreneur PodcastTune in every Wednesday, 5 AM PST. Follow Us on our socials Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/frommdpodcast/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-md-to-entrepreneur/ Website - https://www.frommd.com/episodes/

To build authentic brand connections with customers, it is essential for marketing professionals to understand the unique cultural context within which their target audience exists. This encompasses not only the cultural values and beliefs of the intended market but also the broader societal context within which these individuals reside. By accurately identifying their congregation (NOT target market) and their specific cultural attributes, marketers can create tailored messaging that communicates more effectively with the intended consumer base. In the podcast, Dr. Marcus Collins discusses his experience working with various brands, such as Beyoncé, Budweiser, and the Brooklyn Nets, that have built authentic connections with their customers by leveraging behavioral science. As a marketing professor and industry professional, Collins emphasizes the importance of finding a "congregation" of like-minded individuals who share the same beliefs, values, and attitudes as the brand. By focusing on these shared attributes, companies can create more genuine and meaningful relationships with their customers, fostering loyalty and a sense of real connection. In this episode, you will: Understand the significance of culture in crafting effective marketing campaigns. Realize the potential of focusing on a congregation over a target market for greater influence. Grasp the art of blending brand values with cultural norms to create authentic connections. Appreciate the benefits of a humble approach in navigating the ever-changing societal landscape. Analyze successful implementations of cultural marketing by leading companies. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Host Melina Palmer introduces Dr. Marcus Collins, an award-winning marketer, cultural translator, and author of For the Culture. 00:02:21 - Dr. Marcus Collins' Background, Dr. Collins talks about his background, growing up in Detroit, studying engineering, and his journey into marketing, including working at Apple and running digital strategy for Beyoncé. 00:06:29 - Importance of Culture, Dr. Collins explains the importance of culture and how it influences people's behavior and decision-making. He believes that understanding and respecting culture is crucial for businesses to effectively connect with their audiences. 00:09:40 - Learning About People, Marcus shares a pivotal moment in his career when he realized that his understanding of social media was limited because he didn't understand people. This realization led him to study human behavior and psychology, which has been instrumental in his work as a marketer. 00:14:13 - Marketing to Diverse Audiences, Dr. Collins discusses the importance of marketing to diverse audiences and the challenges that come with it. He emphasizes the need for businesses to go beyond surface-level diversity and truly understand different cultures and communities. 00:14:22 - The Power of Influence, Marcus Collins talks about the power of influence and how he became a better practitioner by studying network theory and the social sciences. He also shares how theory helped him launch campaigns for the Brooklyn Nets and Budweiser. 00:15:45 - Career Journey, Marcus Collins shares his journey from wanting to study musical theater to becoming a marketer and eventually pursuing a doctoral degree in sociology. He also talks about the importance of having mentors. 00:19:13 - Learning from Dan Ariely, Marcus shares his experience of being connected to Dan Ariely. Melina also shares about the kind nature of Dan. They collectively agree on the power of asking questions and being generous with others. 00:22:06 - Consumer Culture Theory, Marcus Collins talks about his doctoral research on consumer culture theory and how he became interested in the role of culture in understanding consumer behavior. He also discusses the evolution of marketing, from using psychology to sociology to culture to better understand people. 00:27:21 - Find a Congregation, Marcus discusses the importance of finding a congregation – or a group of people who share your values and beliefs – rather than a generic target market. He emphasizes the need for brands to focus on building a community and connecting with their audience on a deeper level. 00:28:37 - Understanding People and Business, People are at the core of business. Culture is anchored in our identity, and our identity is the character in the story we tell ourselves. Therefore, companies should target people who see the world the way they do, and those people will not only consume but also tell other people like them. 00:31:23 - Finding the Congregation, The biggest cheat code for understanding the underlying physics of humanity is behavioral sciences. Consumption is a cultural act, and our consumption is a product of our cultural subscription. Therefore, companies should focus on finding the congregation of people who see the world the way they do, and those people will do the marketing and communication for them. 00:35:01 - Relating it to Nike's Core Belief, Nike believes that every human body is an athlete, and they exist to help people realize their best athletic self. Nike talks to athletes, not people who just buy sneakers. They preach the gospel to their congregation, which is made up of many tribes who see the world the way they do. And those people not only consume but also share the gospel with other people. 00:38:55 - Consumption is a Cultural Act, Understanding the underlying physics of humanity is the biggest cheat code for any profession, whether you're an accountant, finance person, marketer, HR, leader, or C-suite. Consumption is a cultural act, and our consumption is a product of our cultural subscription. Therefore, companies should leverage the behavioral sciences to segment, target, and activate the market. 00:44:06 - Theoretical vs. Practical, Marcus Collins discusses how everything is theoretical in social sciences and how he spends more time contextualizing his explanations than teaching theories. He talks about how he breaks down complex ideas for students, and this approach has helped him socialize thinking within organizations. 00:45:16 - Humility in Academia, Collins talks about approaching academia from a humble place and realizing that everything is based on what is known at present. He believes that looking at the world from a more humble state has helped him be a better corporate citizen and partner. 00:47:53 - Melina's Closing Thoughts, Palmer discusses the idea of building a congregation of listeners and how understanding identities and tribalism can help businesses connect with consumers. She encourages listeners to consider what their brand could do to embrace culture and create a mutual benefit for everyone involved. 00:49:20 - Conclusion, Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: For The Culture, by Marcus Collins Predictably Irrational, by Dan Ariely Thinking Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman Influence, by Robert Cialdini What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Connect with Marcus:  Marcus on Twitter Follow Marcus on LinkedIn Marcus' Website Top Recommended Next Episode: Dan Ariely – What is Shapa? (ep 101) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Social Proof (ep 87)  Neuroscience and Psychology in business, with Matt Johnson (ep 160) Branding That Means Business, with Matt Johnson (ep 231) Why We Like The Things We Like, with Prince Ghuman (ep 172) Secrets of Motivation and Incentives with Tim Houlihan (ep 109) Habits (ep 256) Dr. Robert Cialdini and the (Now!) 7 Principles of Persuasion (episode 157) The Network Effect (ep 262) The Endowment Effect (ep 139) The IKEA Effect (ep 112) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 296) Using Semiotics in Retail, with Rachel Lawes (ep 191) What is Cognitive Semiotics? With Sarah Thompson (ep 259) Multinarrative Storytelling, with Troy Campbell (ep 293) The Life-Saving Skill of Story, with Michelle Auerbach (ep 288) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter

Saying yes to tasks that we want to say no to is a common problem. But how do we decide which requests to turn down? Dr Vanessa Patrick PhD strategically breaks down asks into 4 useful categories. Learn to say yes to requests that align with your identity and how to communicate an empowered refusal.    “A no that stems from your identity is a much more empowered no”   Dr Vanessa Patrick PhD is a Professor of Marketing and the Associate Dean for Research at the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston. Her recent book “The Power of Saying No: The New Science of How to Say No That Puts You in Charge of Your Life” is an extremely practical guide in how to turn down the requests that don't align with your identity.   While Vanessa's academic research is rigorous and interesting, it is her poetic ability to translate her findings into useful frameworks and practical advice that makes her work resonate so powerfully. Her analogy of persistent askers being like a walnut tree evokes beautiful imagery that helps illustrate her point. And Tim's favorite quote from the conversation is “we leak power through our nonverbal skills.” Join our discussion to learn how this elegant nugget of wisdom can help us overcome our communication weaknesses.   Producer of Behavioral Grooves, Mary Kaliff, joins regular host Tim Houlihan on this podcast episode to ask Vanessa the questions that will help you communicate empowered refusals. We figure out how to say no to tasks that don't align with our identity and our personal priorities. But we also delve into some areas that Vanessa doesn't address in the book, such as the social norms in individualistic and collective societies, and of course, the musical influences that have shaped Vanessa's life.   And for regular listeners, you'll be relieved to know that while Kurt Nelson sadly missed the interview with Vanessa, he joins Tim and Mary in the Grooving Session to summarize and develop the key points from the discussion.   Topics  (2:56) Welcome and speed round questions. (5:13) Should we frame a refusal with “I can't” or “I don't”? (6:37) Saying no to a complete stranger compared to friends & family. (7:28) What is an empowered refusal? (10:30) Should we sometimes say yes? (12:44) How to overcome the flattery of being asked. (15:07) Why women are at much greater risk of saying yes. (16:59) How to break down asks into 4 categories. (20:26) Why you don't want to be walnut tree! (23:44) Why it's harder to say no to more powerful people. (25:07) What is compassionate self control? (30:41) The difference with empowered refusal in collective vs individualistic societies. (32:46) The 3 competencies of empowered refusal. (35:46) Life choices that have influenced Vanessa's musical choices. (41:13) Grooving Session with Tim, Mary and Kurt on saying no!   © 2023 Behavioral Grooves   Links  Vanessa's book, “The Power of Saying No: The New Science of How to Say No That Puts You in Charge of Your Life”: https://amzn.to/42N3cm1  Episode 277, No Regrets? Really? Why Regrets Actually Bring Us Hope with Daniel H. Pink: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/why-regrets-bring-us-hope/  Episode 350, How One Small Word Can Transform Our Motivation, Success And Relationships with Jonah Berger: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/words-can-transform-jonah-berger/  Episode 278, How Can Smart, Kind People Harness Their Influence? Zoe Chance: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/harness-influence-zoe-chance/  Episode 325, Can You Unlearn History And Still Love Your Country? With Dolly Chugh: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/dolly-chugh/  Episode 18, Stars – Cores – Laggards – Better Incentives for Your Sales Reps featuring Dr. Michael Ahearne: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/stars-cores-laggards-better-incentives-for-your-sales-reps-featuring-dr-michael-ahearne/  Patrick, Vanessa & Hagtvedt, Henrik. (2012). “I Don't” versus “I Can't”: When Empowered Refusal Motivates Goal-Directed Behavior. Journal of Consumer Research: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239810645_I_Don't_versus_I_Can't_When_Empowered_Refusal_Motivates_Goal-Directed_Behavior  Patrick, Vanessa and Mead, Nicole (2016) , The taming of desire: Unspecific postponement reduces desire for and consumption of postponed temptations: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3602254 The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz: https://amzn.to/3NdIHcw  Behavioral Grooves Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves   Musical Links  Phantom of the Opera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGb4hj-EXt0  Elvis Presley “Hound Dog”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNYWl13IWhY 

Understanding how we think can change our thinking. From confirmation biases, to uncertainty, to overconfidence, we are all blessed with the same thinking patterns that affect our decision making. Yale professor, Dr Woo-kyoung Ahn walks us through the latest cognitive research on “thinking problems”, and most importantly, how we can overcome them.   Woo-kyoung Ahn is a psychology professor and the director of the Thinking Lab at Yale University. Recently she wrote a riveting book titled “Thinking 101: How to Reason Better to Live Better.” On this episode of Behavioral Grooves, she joins Tim Houlihan and producer Mary Kaliff to make the case that there are some good reasons behind our ways of thinking. For example, confirmation bias can save us energy and help bring consistency to our lives.    Dr Ahn illustrates her book and this discussion with many relatable, personal stories that illustrate our patterns of thinking. Our favorite is that she recently updated her lecture notes for her class at Yale on the planning fallacy. She had optimistically estimated it would take her 3 days. Ironically, it took her 3 weeks!   As always, the most useful part of the conversation on Behavioral Grooves are the practical tips that we can use in our everyday life. And Woo-kyoung offers us plenty of useful ways we change our perspective and improve our lives. Join Tim and Mary for further discussion in the Grooving Session on how to apply Woo-kyoung's work.   Topics  (3:16) Welcome and speed round questions. (6:26) Who is Thinking 101 written for? (9:58) What are “thinking problems” and what exactly is confirmation bias? (12:29) What is the link between maximizing, satisficing and confirmation bias? (18:09) Should we change people's minds or change our perspective? (20:33) Why are we overconfident about what others are thinking? (23:22) Why is confirmation bias hardwired in us? (26:25) Why are highly educated women biased against other highly educated women? (28:38) What can we do about confirmation bias in job selection? (31:43) How do collective societies vs individualistic societies affect our identity? (34:18) The difference between emotional theory of mind and cognitive theory of mind. (35:42) How to combat the planning fallacy. (41:40) How uncertainty affects our decision making. (46:11) What music would Woo-kyoung take to a desert island? (47:49) Grooving Session with Tim and Mary about uncertainty and decision making.   © 2023 Behavioral Grooves   Links  Woo-kyoung Ahn: https://wkahn.com/about  Thinking 101: How to Reason Better to Live Better: https://amzn.to/3MW7dQH  Episode 300, You Can Change Someone's Mind But Are You Sure You Want To? | David McRaney: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/changing-minds-david-mcraney/  Episode 31, Leaving the Matrix: Annie Duke and Insights into how you can improve your thinking! https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/leaving-the-matrix-annie-duke-and-insights-into-how-you-can-improve-your-thinking/  Episode 345, The Tools You Need To Embrace Uncertainty | Nathan and Susannah Harmon Furr: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/tools-to-embrace-uncertainty/  Behavioral Grooves Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves   Musical Links  YoYo Ma playing J.S. Bach's Cello Suite No.1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObSD2fXWU0I   BTS “ Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXpOEzNZ8hQ&ab_channel=HYBELABELS

Dr. Kurt Nelson is a behavioral scientist and founder of the Lantern Group. His expertise involves helping businesses align incentives and motivation to improve sales, productivity, and employee happiness. With a strong focus on incorporating behavioral science principles into goal-setting and motivation strategies, Kurt offers valuable insights for individuals and organizations seeking to enhance their overall success. During the podcast, Melina and Kurt discuss the Great Resignation, Quiet Quitting, keystone goals, incentives, priming, framing, and so much more. Want to reduce turnover rates in your organization? Kurt explains why this requires a holistic approach that addresses multiple aspects of employee engagement and satisfaction. These might include clear communication of goals and expectations, a strong organizational vision, appropriate incentives, a psychologically safe environment, and acknowledging employee contributions. Implementing these elements effectively within the organization can result in a considerable reduction in turnover rates and a more motivated workforce. He shares a case study of a client company that initially had a 42% turnover rate, which is now under 5%. They achieved this by improving communication and creating a clear vision, which involved offering incentives designed to promote desired behaviors rather than instilling fear. Regular town hall meetings and a national employee meeting facilitated better communication and helped everyone stay informed. Additionally, they worked with managers to enhance their communication skills and foster better relationships with their teams. Learn all about this fascinating example and more in this episode, including: Elevate employee engagement through comprehensive strategies for lasting retention. Manage workload effectively and prioritize tasks to minimize burnout. Infuse meaning, purpose, and creativity into your work culture for a thriving environment. Enhance communication, vision, and incentives to diminish staff turnover. Employ behavioral science techniques for successful goal-setting and motivation. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction, Dr. Kurt Nelson, co-host of Behavioral Grooves and CEO of the Lantern Group, discusses his expertise in employee incentives and motivation in the workplace. 00:03:35 - Employee Experience, Organizations are refocusing on the employee experience and how they can ensure they are doing right by their employees to increase engagement and motivation. 00:08:34 - Human Complexity, Organizations need to understand that humans are complex and are driven by various factors, such as their external environment, social environment, and managerial challenges at work. Employees want a psychologically safe environment where they feel respected and fulfilled. 00:11:23 - Quiet Quitting, Employees are pushing back against the expectation to give 150% effort every day. Organizations should not expect employees to go above and beyond all the time, but they need to create jobs that allow employees to be creative and bring passion into their work. 00:14:22 - Full Self in Work, Employees who bring their full selves into work find more meaning and purpose in their jobs. Organizations need to make sure they are creating an environment that allows employees to find fulfillment at work. 00:15:58 - The Importance of Frontline Managers, Frontline managers are often promoted for their individual job skills rather than their ability to manage. This can lead to a lack of understanding of how to engage and work with employees, causing turnover and "quiet quitting." 00:18:23 - Case Study: Decreasing Turnover Rates, Working with a company that had a 42% turnover rate, Kurt and his team's focus was on improving communication from executive leadership to employees, setting a clear vision and incentives, and training managers on how to communicate and engage with their team. The result was a decrease in salesforce turnover rate to under 5%. 00:22:23 - Priming and Framing, Changing 12 words in an email to incorporate qualified achievement words increased performance by 15% and decreased the need for escalation by 30%. Framing incentives in a gain or loss context can also impact behavior. Psychological safety is important for employees to feel valued and heard. 00:28:46 - How to Be a Better Organization, Align incentives with desired behaviors, create a psychologically safe environment where employees feel valued and heard, and provide tools for managers and employees to break down goals and understand how to engage and motivate teams. Changing behavior is key to achieving success, and incentives are key to that. 00:30:29 - Summary, To decrease turnover rates and create a better organization, focus on aligning incentives, creating a psychologically safe environment, and providing tools for managers and employees. Changing behavior is key to achieving success. 00:31:03 - Lantern Group's Tools, Dr Kurt Nelson talks about the Lantern Group's tools that help employees set and achieve their goals. He introduces the Brain/Shift Journal, a 13-week guided journal with daily prompts based on behavioral science insights. The journal helps users create keystone goals, break them down into milestones, track progress, and cultivate gratitude. 00:32:46 - Keystone Goals, Keystone goals are those that have a larger-than-life impact, which align with keystone habits. The journal helps users determine the right goal and break it down into milestones. It includes prompts like priming, gratitude, and progress tracking to keep users motivated and on track. 00:35:02 - Conclusion Melina's top insights from the conversation. What stuck with you while listening to the episode? What are you going to try? Come share it with Melina on social media -- you'll find her as @thebrainybiz everywhere and as Melina Palmer on LinkedIn. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  I hope you love everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or other compensation. Let's connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube Join the BE Thoughtful Revolution – our free behavioral economics community, and keep the conversation going! Learn and Support The Brainy Business: Check out and get your copies of Melina's Books.  Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this Episode: Influence, by Robert Cialdini What Your Employees Need and Can't Tell You, by Melina Palmer Mixed Signals, by Uri Gneezy Getting Along, by Amy Gallo Both/And Thinking, by Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis Connect with Kurt:  Kurt on Twitter Lantern Group's Website Kurt on LinkedIn Top Recommended Next Episode: Secrets of Motivation and Incentives, with Tim Houlihan (ep 109) Already Heard That One? Try These:  Influence, with Robert Cialdini (ep 157) Nudges and Choice Architecture (ep 35) Priming (ep 252) Framing (ep 16) iNcentives: The “N” in NUDGES (ep 272) Mixed Signals, with Uri Gneezy (ep 273) The Human Experience, with John Sills (ep 277) Getting Along, with Amy Gallo (ep 269) Both/And Thinking, with Wendy Smith (ep 261) The Microstress Effect, with Rob Cross (ep 287) I Human, with Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic (ep 267) Cobra Effect (ep 220) Inequity Aversion (ep 224) Avoiding Everyday Disasters at Work, with Gleb Tsipursky (ep 111) Motivation and Incentives at Work, with Kurt Nelson (ep 187) Other Important Links:  Brainy Bites - Melina's LinkedIn Newsletter Smart Behavioral Economics Secrets Every Marketer Needs, with Melina Palmer Using Behavioral Economics to Help Businesses, with Melina Palmer

Between setting your goals and reaching your goals, there is a void that we assume willpower can fill. But to achieve success, it takes more than willpower alone. Thankfully there are some well researched tools that we can set in place to help us flourish. Hosts of Behavioral Grooves Kurt Nelson and Tim Houlihan sit down for a succinct Groove Track episode summarizing the myths about willpower, what other factors are at play when striving for our goals, and the tools we can use to help us succeed.    Key takeaways: Willpower is not enough on its own. Your environment - both your physical and social contexts - influence your behavior. Routines can help you achieve your goals. And routines work best when they: Fit into our lifestyle. Focus on the steps to the goal. Fuel consistency. Provide intrinsic or extrinsic reward. And tools are useful to: Help remind and motivate.  Assist with planning and strategizing. Track and measure our progress.   © 2023 Behavioral Grooves   Links Mazuch & Rona (2005), “Creating healing environments: humanistic architecture and therapeutic design”: https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/creating-healing-environments-humanistic/docview/212385610/se-2  McMains & Kastner (2011), “Interactions of top-down and bottom-up mechanisms in human visual cortex”: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21228167/  Wendy Wood, “Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick”: https://amzn.to/3LTMlYl  Katy Milkman, “How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be”: https://amzn.to/3pzBb3t  The Brain/Shift Journal - Scientifically Proven Guided Journal for Goal Setting and Achieving: A 13-Week Undated Planner, Organizer, and Notebook for Personal Productivity: https://amzn.to/42rjilP 

With curiosity we can figure out what we actually want. Sometimes what we desire makes us feel uncomfortable, and as a therapist, our guest Charlotte Fox Weber makes space for that discomfort. Join us as she highlights her observations from the therapist's chair. “I think curiosity is a life force. It engages us, it galvanizes us, it's inspiring, and it gets us to pay attention.” ~ Charlotte Fox Weber Many people see a therapist to help them work through psychological issues. But have you ever considered what the dynamic is like from the point of view of the therapist? If you were a fly on the wall, what would you observe behind the closed doors?  Charlotte Fox Weber brings a unique perspective to the therapist-client relationship. Her new book “Tell Me What You Want: A Therapist and Her Clients Explore Our 12 Deepest Desires”: https://amzn.to/3ZJ9XUl, expertly pulls out recurring themes from her years as a therapist which are beautifully illustrated with captivating stories. According to Charlotte, we each have 12 fundamental psychological needs that we all share but often hide. These universal desires are: to love and be loved; understanding, power, attention, freedom; to create, to belong, to win, to connect, to control; and to want what we shouldn't. With her experience as a therapist, Charlotte is aiming to help us navigate our desires through curiosity and authenticity. If we can more accurately acknowledge what we actually want, we can live a more fulfilled life. “The 12 desires I describe, all have to do with recognition.” ~ Charlotte Fox Weber Our interview with Charlotte was recorded a few weeks ago when Tim Houlihan was unwell, so our producer Mary Kaliff joins Kurt on this episode as co-host of the show. But you'll be pleased to know that Tim is doing much better now and you'll be hearing his familiar voice on all upcoming episodes again!   Topics  (1:56) Welcome and speed round questions. (4:09) Why is it so hard for us to say what we want? (8:14) Why curiosity is so important in therapy. (11:37) The 12 desires that we each experience. (13:27) Do we have desires that stay consistent throughout our life? (18:22) How do we reconcile all of our identities? (20:14) Why do we struggle holding two truths simultaneously? (25:42) How jazz music helps us appreciate the notes unplayed. (29:50) Of the 12 desires, which one makes us most uncomfortable? (33:53) The cost of giving or paying attention. (36:39) Grooving session with Kurt and Mary.   © 2023 Behavioral Grooves   Links  Charlotte Fox Weber: https://charlottefoxweber.com/  Charlotte's book: “Tell Me What You Want: A Therapist and Her Clients Explore Our 12 Deepest Desires”: https://amzn.to/3ZJ9XUl  Shankar Vedantam TED Talk “You don't actually know what your future self wants”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtfaccGmCCs  Episode 325, Can You Unlearn History And Still Love Your Country? With Dolly Chugh: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/dolly-chugh/  Episode 178, Kwame Christian: On Compassionate Curiosity, Social Justice Conversations, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/kwame-christian-on-compassionate-curiosity-social-justice-conversations-and-cinnamon-toast-crunch/  Episode 344, How To Frame Incentives To Drive The Desired Behavior with James Castello: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/incentives-to-drive-behavior/  Episode 237, Attention: How to Capture It and Keep It with Ben Parr: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/attention-with-ben-parr/  Episode 303, From Distracted To Focused: Nir Eyal's Secrets On How To Be Indistractable: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/nir-eyal-how-to-be-indistractable/  Behavioral Grooves Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves   Musical Links  Nina Simone “Feeling Good”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHRNrgDIJfo

As with any business, success results from the behavioral changes that can be made by those who work in it. Whether you're working in a service, manufacturing, or retail industry, changing behavior can lead to increased sales, customer satisfaction, and productivity. In order to make the most of these behavioral changes, managers must clearly understand what motivates people and how to push them to make these changes. One of the best ways is to identify the individual desires of the employees and what they think about themselves. Know and put them in teams according to their natural gifts and motivate them to express their potential. Learn more insights on how you can harness the power of behavioral science to drive the desired change you want to see in your business. Kurt Nelson joins us to share expert tips. Kurt is a sought-after consultant, speaker, and recognized leader in human motivation and behavior change. For over 20 years, Kurt has worked with global companies to apply behavioral science principles to drive change in their organizations. He is the founder and president of The Lantern Group, a behavioral change and communication agency. He also is the co-founder, with Tim Houlihan, of the Behavioral Grooves podcast, where they interview leading academic and business executives from around the world and explore how they apply behavioral science to their work and lives. All his work focuses on understanding ways to influence how people behave positively. Kurt has his MBA from the University of Iowa and his Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Capella University.In this podcast episode, we talk about how to motivate yourself and, more importantly, how to motivate your employees and colleagues.Key Highlights from the Show[00:01] Episode intro and a quick bio of the guest, Kurt Nelson[01:31] You have to be responsible for the person you want to be[02:34] A bit about Kurt and how he got into behavioral change[13:58] What is behavior, and how is it developed? [15:38] Is it possible to change something you do unconsciously? [18:36] Changing your eating habits to achieve your diet goals[22:44] The limits of willpower and how we can reframe our lives to not rely on willpower[31:57] Best ways to trigger the start of behavior you want[34:27] How to instill the ownership mentality in your employees[41:25] Kurt's views on doing employee motivation package surveys using your employees[45:19] What Kurt has witnessed people not doing right to create a behavioral change they want [49:12] The one thing Kurt wishes to have put more resources into when starting his entrepreneurship journey[50:13] Best ways to reach out and connect with Kurt NelsonNotable QuotesA behavior is taking one step forward and using it to move toward some result. [04:15]Willpower will stop you from doing something. But removing the temptation is much easier and more effective. [21:27]Willpower is like a muscle because if you start working on it and training it over time, you can build its strength. [23:47]Often times we use extrinsic rewards in order to jumpstart intrinsic motivation. [32:18]Connect with Kurt NelsonWebsite: https://lanterngroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwnelson/Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhatMotivatesThank you for listening to FROM MD To Entrepreneur PodcastTune in every Wednesday, 5 AM PST. Follow Us on our socials Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/frommdpodcast/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-md-to-entrepreneur/ Website - https://www.frommd.com/episodes/

Working and parenting often feel like being pulled in two different directions. But what if we could reframe our thinking and actually appreciate that our experiences in one role can enhance the quality of life in the other. We explore the ways you can reframe your mindset with author and podcaster Yael Schonbrun. “If we're able to see that there are opportunities for our roles to feed each other, then we're more likely to to access those experiences and benefit more from them.” ~ Yael Schonbrun, Episode 346 Yael Schonbrun is an assistant professor of psychology at Brown University, a family therapist, and co-host of the podcast Psychologists Off the Clock. In her new book Work, Parent, Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection (When Everything Feels Like Too Much) Yael offers practical strategies from clinical psychology and social science to better manage the conflict and enhance enrichment in work, parenting, and the balance of these meaningful roles.  Regular listeners will have noticed that co-host of the show, Tim Houlihan is unfortunately off sick for a few episodes of Behavioral Grooves. So on this episode, producer of the show, Mary Kaliff, joins Kurt Nelson for the discussion with Yael. Listeners can jump on social media (Twitter: @THoulihan or LinkedIn) and wish Tim a speedy recovery. We hope this episode provides you with some practical tools to help you work, parent and thrive. If you do enjoy Behavioral Grooves, please write a short review of the show on your podcast player. Just sharing a short sentence about why you like the show can make it easier for other people to find the podcast.   Topics  (3:32) Welcome and speed round questions. (8:33) Why parenting is difficult even for experts. (12:07) How a mindset shift can change how we view our parenting and our work. (16:00) The questions you can ask yourself to change your mindset. (19:22) How Yael tapped into her own personal values during a difficult time. (24:46) Pains live right alongside gains. (29:32) How Jewish kibbutz communities raised children. (32:42) Why we need to quit the things that aren't working. (36:36) How to nurture more independence in our children.  (40:03) The 3 components of self compassion. (45:34) Modeling the behavior that you want your kids to develop. (46:54) What music would Yael take to a desert island? (48:54) Grooving Session with Kurt and Mary on working, parenting and thriving.   © 2023 Behavioral Grooves   Links  Yael Schonbrun: https://yaelschonbrun.com/  Yael's book, “Work, Parent, Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection (When Everything Feels Like Too Much)”: https://amzn.to/3IVEzNk  Growth mindset, Carol Dweck: “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success”: https://amzn.to/3J7V9tD  Episode 327, A Proven Way Expectations Can Unlock A More Positive Life | David Robson: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/expectations-and-a-positive-life/  Episode 345, The Tools You Need To Embrace Uncertainty | Nathan and Susannah Harmon Furr: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/tools-to-embrace-uncertainty/  Episode 342: Why Resilience Is More Than Just Bouncing Back | Gabriella Rosen Kellerman MD: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/resilience-more-than-bouncing-back/    Musical Links  Weird Al Yankovic “Another One Rides The Bus”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79QxturUolo  Taylor Swift “Midnight Rain”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odh9ddPUkEY 

We all face uncertainty at some point in our lives. But do we embrace it or resist it? Our thoughts about uncertainty and ambiguity shape the actions we take when we are faced with change. If we reframe how we view uncertainty, we can rewrite the story we tell ourselves. “The way we describe something to ourselves and others, shapes how we think, decide and act.” Our guests on this episode are the most delightful husband and wife team, Nathan Furr and Susannah Harmon Furr who have written a fantastic book together, “The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown”. Ironically recording this episode has been plagued with uncertainty. Our first attempt, last summer, was bugged with audio issues, and since then we have faced a number of technical glitches. When we finally got a chance to sit down and re-record an interview with them recently, it unfortunately fell at a time that our own Tim Houlihan was unable to join the conversation due to illness. So Kurt Nelson embraced the uncertainty and flew solo on this interview! We learn from Nathan and Susannah about the types of uncertainty and some of the tools that they have devised to overcome those periods of our lives when everything seems unsure. We know you'll take away a lot from this discussion, and we encourage you to also read their book which is packed full of useful advice. One thing we are certain about at Behavioral Grooves is how much we appreciate and rely on the support of you, our wonderful listeners. If you feel able, please join our growing community of Patreon supporters.   Topics (2:25) Welcome and speed round questions. (8:20) How achievers step into uncertainty. (11:05) Planned uncertainty vs. unplanned uncertainty.  (14:30) Uncertainty and possibility are two sides of the same coin. (21:32) Some of the tools to overcome uncertainty. (27:54) The possibility quotient.  (33:22) How do uncertainty balancers counteract the unknown?  (36:09) Why we should take more risks with options that inspire us. (39:32) Breaking down big uncertainties into small steps. (44:31) Don't wait until all the pieces are in place. (47:36) The sustaining tools to help when you need a boost. (50:38) How emotional hygiene can help you face the ups and downs of uncertainty. (52:43) The UP School. (55:13) The musical experience that changed Nathan's life. (1:00:54) Grooving Session with Kurt on grabbling with uncertainty.   © 2023 Behavioral Grooves   Links  Nathan and Susannah's book “The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown”: https://amzn.to/3ZiuXBv  UP: https://www.theupsideofuncertainty.com/  UP School: https://www.theupsideofuncertainty.com/learn  Buckminster Fuller: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckminster_Fuller  Reconstructed Living Labs (RLabs): https://rlabs.org/  Guy Winch, emotional hygiene: https://www.ted.com/talks/guy_winch_why_we_all_need_to_practice_emotional_first_aid?language=en    Musical Links Vincenzo Lamagna's adaption of Giselle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27lgUp_FboE&ab_channel=VariousArtists-Topic 

Finding your groove - ever wondered what that actually means? And why is this podcast really called Behavioral Grooves?! Kurt and Tim explain what it means to get in your groove and the 3 foundational steps that will help you get there. If you need to find your groove again in 2023, listen to this expert advice.   It's a long running joke on the podcast, that when settling on the name “Behavioral Grooves” for the show it meant two different things to hosts Kurt and Tim. While getting “in the groove” has parallels to being in a state of flow or routine, musical Tim equates it to being absorbed in a melodic rhythm. While finding your groove in your work, and getting your musical “groove on” could be seen as two opposing interpretations of the phrase, Kurt and Tim expertly weave them together in this episode.    “Our life is made up of a playlist of many, many songs with many different keys and many different rhythms and many different tempos.” ~ Tim Houlihan, Episode 337   After identifying what finding your groove actually means, we discuss the three factors that help us get there: Mindset Rhythm Environment   In a refreshing exchange which veers away from our normal New Year episode on setting goals and forming new habits, Kurt and Tim will help you find your groove in 2023. How appropriate that the first Grooving Session of the year is on how to get your groove back!

How do our expectations impact our experiences? More than you might think. On this very special episode of the Human Risk podcast, I'm speaking with David Robson, author of ‘The Expectation Effect'.Joining me in that are two of my favourite podcasters, Kurt Nelson and Tim Houlihan of the Behavioral Grooves podcast. They, like me, were in London for a gathering od Behavioural Science practitioners and so we thought we should mark the occasion by recording a few shows together at an iconic location. And were better to do that, than the Abbey Road studios where artists — most famously the Beatles — recorded some classic albums.All three of us were intrigued by David's writings about Expectation. In The Expectation Effect, he takes us on a tour of the cutting-edge research that reveals the many profound ways that our expectations shape our experience. Bringing together fascinating case studies and evidence-based science, The Expectation Effect uncovers new techniques that we can all use to improve our fitness, productivity, intelligence, health and happinesFor more on David and his book The Expectation Effect: https://davidrobson.me/books/the-expectation-effect/To find out more about the Behavioral Grooves podcast visit https://behavioralgrooves.com/I first appeared on Tim & Kurt's show here: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/christian-hunt-mitigating-human-risk-and-the-algorithmic-mind/They also invited me back to talk about Human Risk under COVID: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/c-19-dont-outsource-your-critical-thinking-with-christian-hunt/Tim & Kurt appeared on this show here: https://www.humanriskpodcast.com/tim-houlihan-and-dr-kurt/

It's hard enough to recognize that you need to change your behaviors and then to do so. How are you supposed to do it when it relates to your divorce? Kurt is a sought-after behavioral scientist and recognized leader in human motivation and behavior change. For over 20 years, Kurt has worked with global companies to apply behavioral science principles to drive change in their organizations. Today, Kurt joins Seth and Pete to talk about the challenges of behavioral change during the divorce process – and why it's important.Sometimes, it's a behavioral change that happened during the marriage that's actually leading to the divorce. Sometimes, it's recognizing a change in yourself that you need to make in order to work through issues you have that led to the divorce. And sometimes, it's changes you need to make during the divorce process that just might make the process easier. But change is hard. We all know that. So Pete and Seth talk with Kurt about how to recognize changes you might need to make, changes your ex made that you now have to deal with, and more. How do you find your own autonomy so you can make the behavioral changes you need to make? How do you deal with different dynamics? What about when child support or co-parenting is involved in the behavioral changes you need to make? And how do you deal with the challenges of what you plan versus the reality? It all involves learning to change your behavior during a period of potential great fear, loss, anger, grief, and other intense emotions. We hope in this episode that you'll find some advice as to how you can start taking those first steps.About KurtKurt is a sought-after behavioral scientist and recognized leader in human motivation and behavior change. For over 20 years, Kurt has worked with global companies to apply behavioral science principles to drive change in their organizations.He is founder and president of The Lantern Group, a communication and behavioral design agency which uses behavioral science insights to improve employee engagement and motivation. He also is the co-founder, with Tim Houlihan, of the Behavioral Grooves podcast, where they interview leading academic and business executives from around the world and explore how they apply behavioral science to their work and lives. All his work focuses on understanding ways to positively influence how people behave.Show LinksThe Lantern GroupKurt on LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTubeKurt's Podcast Behavioral Grooves (00:00) - Welcome to How to Split a Toaster (00:26) - Meet Kurt Nelson (03:23) - Behavioral Change in Divorce (06:06) - Finding Your Autonomy (10:16) - When You Don't Want the Divorce (12:17) - Ultimatum Game (13:50) - Hot Psychological Situation (17:23) - Mediation (19:13) - Different Dynamics (22:54) - Child Support Guidelines (26:07) - Sponsor: Soberlink (28:06) - Intentionally Irrational Math Language (32:27) - Plans vs. Reality (35:27) - How to Prepare Yourself (37:27) - Getting the Ball Rolling (38:58) - Managing Fear and Loss (43:00) - Moving Forward (49:48) - Kurt's Podcasts (52:13) - Wrap Up

EPISODE 150 - Kurt Nelson is a sought-after speaker and recognized leader in human motivation and behavior change. For over 20 years, Kurt has worked with global companies to apply behavioral science principles to drive change in their organizations. He is founder and president of The Lantern Group, a communication and behavioral design agency which uses behavioral science insights to improve employee engagement and motivation. He also is the co-founder, with Tim Houlihan, of the Behavioral Grooves podcast, where they interview leading academic and business executives from around the world and explore how they apply behavioral science to their work and lives. All his work focuses on understanding ways to positively influence how people behave. In the episode, Kurt explains how a rudimentary understanding of behavioral science can improve our habits, relationships, and careers; why “friction” is especially critical for habit change; behavior biases that are keeping us from reaching our full potential…and more! EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/150 P.S. – If you're liking The Health Investment Podcast, be sure to hit “subscribe/follow” so that you never miss an episode

Tim Houlihan and Kurt Nelson are the hosts of Behavioral Grooves, which is a wonderful weekly podcast featuring interviews with behavioral scientists and practitioners. For #HotSciCommSummer, I wanted to learn more about how they started their podcast journey, what advice they have for budding podcasters, and what advice they have for academics who are going to be interviewed about their work. This episode is part of a special podcast series on science communication. You can find more info and episodes here: http://opinionsciencepodcast.com/hot-scicomm-summer/Learn more about Opinion Science at http://opinionsciencepodcast.com/ and follow @OpinionSciPod on Twitter.

Tune in to hear:- If Tim could personify himself as a guitar, what type of guitar would he be?- Tim thinks that engagement, performance and persuasion all begin with behavioral science and that behavioral science begins with the unconscious. What does this mean from a scientific perspective and how can we tap into these unconscious motivations?- The unconscious is pretty intensely guarded, and sometimes for good reason - how can we push through this and access information below the deck that is useful for behavioral change?- What is the EAST framework for thinking and what does this acronym stand for?- What does Tim consider to be the three keys to making something easy?- Sometimes needlessly complicating a process can lead people to esteem it more highly - how can we decipher when this principle is going to be more persuasive or if ease will be more persuasive?- How do we make something like finance, which is so fear inducing, more attractive to people?- How can we use social cues to help herd people in a positive direction rather than one with selfish or malicious intent?- How can we make our behavioral interventions more timely?https://www.behavioralchemy.comhttps://behavioralgrooves.comCompliance Code: 1019-OAS-6/13/2022

Need some respite from the work day grind? Join the fun on this episode for a light-hearted take on workplace humor. Dan Hill delivers a real tongue-in-cheek take on the corporate lingo and jargon that infiltrates our workplaces. But with every joke he makes, there is a pang of truth: “emojis; the feelings you would be having at work if they were allowed.” Dan's new book; “Blah, Blah, Blah: A Snarky Guide to Office Lingo” (https://amzn.to/3nB3hYB) is written in collaboration with over 50 contributors from across the world (including our one and only Tim Houlihan!) who have collectively provided almost 600 definitions of how the workplace really operates. Our conversation with Dan is not just hilariously funny, he also cracks open the truth on workplace humor being an effective way of tackling serious goals. With this "snarky" book Dan wants to bring the issues of bullying and inequality in the workplace to the forefront of peoples minds. So why use humor to address such momentous issues? In Dan's own words, humor can open your eyes: “A good cartoon, a good joke, I think really captures the essence of a situation, and it does open you up, it's got that aha, twist and turn to a phrase a concept. When we're surprised our eyes go wider, our mouth drops open and means we shut up and we notice the world around us. So I am trying for that element of surprise.” Welcoming Dan back to Behavioral Grooves in this episode was simply a barrel of laughs for us. But please note, that our discussion contains some language you might not want your kids to hear. We really do have a lot of fun creating the Behavioral Grooves Podcast, but like Dan said “having fun IS hard work!”. If you'd like to chip in with our work, please consider becoming a monthly contributor at our Patreon site: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves. Becoming a special Behavioral Grooves Patreon will open up some exclusive show content just for you! Topics (4:32) Welcome and speed round questions. (11:20) Addressing the fact that 20-25% of managers are bullies. (14:43) Dan reads entries from his snarky book! (15:47) What is the devil's dictionary?  (17:59) Using humor to open people's eyes. (21:30) How Dan is tackling inequality in the workplace with humor. (29:11) Grooving with Tim and Kurt on what funny things we learnt from Dan's interview. © 2021 Behavioral Grooves Links  “Blah, Blah, Blah: A Snarky Guide to Office Lingo” by Dan Hill, Howard Moskowitz, James Monroe: https://amzn.to/3nB3hYB  “Emotionomics: Leveraging Emotions for Business Success” by Dan Hill: https://amzn.to/3FONtbb  “Famous Faces Decoded: A Guidebook for Reading Others” by Dan Hill: https://amzn.to/3nL5eli  Dan Hill, Episode 151: On the Facial Coding of Trump, Hendrix, Prince, Gretzky and the Beatles: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/facial-coding-of-trump/ Dan Hill's EQ Spotlight Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dan-hills-eq-spotlight/id1519669707  John McEnroe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McEnroe  The Devil's Dictionary : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil%27s_Dictionary Vanessa Bohns, Episode 253. Why You Don‘t Need to be Powerful to be Influential: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/influence-vanessa-bohns/ Patreon Site for Behavioral Grooves: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves Musical Links Bob Dylan “The Times are A-Changin'”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90WD_ats6eE  The Beatles “Hard Days Night”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjyj8qnqkYI 

Employee burnout, The Great Resignation, Office Covid Regulations; these are all major concerns for leaders in the workplace right now. But how can managers successfully navigate these stresses, while still maintaining productivity among staff? At the start of the pandemic, Behavioral Grooves began a series of podcasts with researchers and practitioners to understand the organizational shifts we were seeing. Over the course of our interviews, we discovered big changes in the way business was being conducted and that managers, specifically, were really caught off guard. They didn't have a coach or a guide to help them through all the changes. We decided to change that. And so, we created Leading Human™. In this Grooving Session with Kurt Nelson PhD and Tim Houlihan, they sit down to discuss the following topics about Leading Human™: What is Leading Human™? Who is Leading Human™ going to benefit?  Why did the Behavioral Grooves team feel inspired to write Leading Human™? While Leading Human™ was initiated by the pandemic, it goes well beyond the current workplace dynamics and delves into the core of how work will happen in the future.  Ultimately Leading Human™ focuses on four key areas:  Creating Psychological Safety;  Building a Team Charter; Implementing Human-Centered Routines; Charting a Clear Path Forward. Together, these can make a significant difference in employees' emotional connection to the company and successful re-entry to the workplace. Leading Human™ is full of practical tips and exercises to implement. Where to Get More Info on Leading Human™: Leading Human™ Workbook and Playbook: https://www.behavioralgrooves-store.com/products/copy-of-the-leading-human-playbook-workbook-package Leading Human™, Free Whitepaper Download: https://www.behavioralgrooves-store.com/collections/leading-human/products/human-centered-workplace-checklist Leading Human™ Workshop on Nov 2nd, 2021 (more dates to be added soon): https://www.behavioralgrooves-store.com/collections/leading-human/products/leading-human-workshop Promo Code: GROOVERS to receive $20 off (limited time offer for listeners).

TO FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR:  For details of the discussion, links to people and resources mentioned, time stamped show notes and QOTD go to: https://www.myhomevitality.com/tim-houlihan-dr-kurt-nelson-behavioural-science-83/   For the most important skills you never learned in school - https://mhvpath.com/shop   For the video version: https://youtu.be/kqtNXvprCHA    To ask questions of future guests: https://bit.ly/2n2M4ay  CONNECT WITH US:  Website: https://www.myhomevitality.com/  YouTube: https://bit.ly/2n2M4ay  FB, Insta & Twitter: @myhomevitality Email: info@myhomevitality.com 

How can we create better connections with other people to help us meet our objectives? On this episode, I'm speaking to a Behavioural Scientist that was introduced to me by my good friends Tim Houlihan and Kurt Nelson, hosts of the Behavioral Grooves podcast. If you're not familiar with their show, do check it out - https://behavioralgrooves.com/The reason I mention that is because it's highly relevant to the topic I'm going to be covering on this episode. That topic is influence and the ways in which human connection, trust and community can help us meet our personal objectives. My guest Jon Levy is a Behavioural Scientist who has just written a book called 'You're Invited: The Art & Science of Cultivating Influence'. In it, he explores the factors that allow us to build connections with others and how we can make those work in our favour. By following simple steps – and by adopting behaviours that might at first seem counter-intuitive - we can develop much more effective relationships with others. Jon knows what he's talking about. More than a decade ago, he founded The Influencers Dinner, a secret dining experience for industry leaders ranging from Nobel laureates, Olympians, celebrities, and executives, to artists and musicians. It's got a particular quirk that Jon explains in our discussion.As you'll hear from the opening, Jon is a lot of fun and the conversation took us to some amazingly unexpected places. If you're at all curious about what builds a connection with people, then you're going to learn a lot. If you're not, then you're going to learn why you absolutely should be. To find our more about Jon and 'You're Invited' and see his excellent TED Talk visit https://www.jonlevytlb.com/ And remember, when it comes to this podcast and reading Jon's book: You're Invited.

Kurt is a sought-after speaker and recognized leader in human motivation and behavior change. For over 20 years, Kurt has worked with global companies to apply behavioral science principles to drive change in their organizations. He is founder and president of The Lantern Group, a communication and behavioral design agency.  He also is the co-founder, with Tim Houlihan, of the Behavioral Grooves podcast, where they interview leading academic and business executives from around the world and explore how they apply behavioral science to their work and lives. All his work focuses on understanding ways to positively influence how people behave.

In this Live Event with Tim Houlihan we are going to focus on the biases and mental shortcuts we use to make simple decisions in a complex world. Let's discuss the way our behaviours are largely framed by our circumstances and how large a role context plays in answering the why-do-we-do-what-we-do question. Tim is enthusiastic and upbeat and I think you’ll find his ideas practical for enhancing work life and home life. Tim Houlihan is the co-founder of the award-winning podcast, Behavioral Grooves, and the founder of the consultancy BehaviorAlchemy. Tim’s worked with academic researchers at universities in the United States, Europe, Singapore, and India, and has also been applying behavioural science in product development, product marketing, UX, CX, HR and sales for nearly 20 years. His podcast, with co-host Kurt Nelson, PhD, has published more than 200 episodes and has listeners in more than 120 countries. Get Notified: https://sendfox.com/redrisks

Kurt Nelson is a sought-after behavioral scientist, speaker, and recognized leader in human motivation and behavior change. For over 20 years, Kurt has worked with global companies to apply behavioral science principles to drive change in their organizations. He is founder and president of The Lantern Group, a communication and behavioral change agency. Kurt also is the co-founder, with Tim Houlihan, of the award-winning Behavioral Grooves podcast, where they interview leading academic and business executives from around the world and explore how they apply behavioral science to their work and lives.    in this episode Kurt talks about the various ways in which human beings think and process things. In a typical sense, we would think that reasoning should prevail, but often we can be quite unreasonable. Also, the forming and creation of habits is discussed as well.  Philip Sharp does not have an essay segment this week due to the length of the interview. 

Why do people do what they do? This fascinating question is the foundation of behavioral science, and in this episode, we speak about exactly that with behavioral scientist Dr. Kurt Nelson. Kurt has a Ph.D. in Industrial & Organizational Psychology and is the founder of The Lantern Group, which uses behavioral science to help optimize companies and organizations. He is also the co-host of the podcast Behavioral Grooves where he—along with his co-host Tim Houlihan—interview experts in psychology and behavioral science. So in this episode of Exploring Kodawari, we used Kurt's expertise to have a conversation about human behavior and psychology. We speak about the psychology of quarantine, mask-wearing, and other aspects of COVID-19 life. We also speak about stress, psychological priming, cognitive biases, the subconscious, and weird ways that the brain lies to itself. And finally, we speak about a really important issue of modern life, the effect that social media is having on our psychology. While both Yankı and I have noticed for years how social media negatively affects our psychology, watching the recent Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma confirmed for us just how messed up social media can be. Overall, it was a really great conversation and we're so happy that Kurt was able to join us. Enjoy! Timestamps:coming soon! Links:https://behavioralgrooves.com/ (Behavioral Grooves Podcast) https://lanterngroup.com/ (The Lantern Group) https://twitter.com/motivationguru (Kurt's Twitter) https://youtu.be/uaaC57tcci0 (The Social Dilemma) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594205078/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_7ZBY3WMSM514SREZ12Y9 (Behave: The Biology of Humans At Our Best And Worst) by Robert Sapolsky Support Us:You can always support us by leaving a rating or review in your podcasting app. You can also share our episodes with friends on social media. But it does take a lot of time to put together a podcast, maintain a website, and write new content every week. So if you would like to support us in a more substantial way, consider making a donation through the PayPal buttons on our website: https://exploringkodawari.blog/donation/ (https://exploringkodawari.blog/donation/) Follow Us:https://exploringkodawari.blog/ (Our Website/Blog) https://exploringkodawari.blog/newsletter/ (Newsletter) Twitter: https://twitter.com/EKodawari (@EKodawari) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exploringkodawari/ (@exploringkodawari) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExploringKodawari/ (facebook.com/ExploringKodawari) Support this podcast

If you’re like the rest of us, your new year’s resolutions don’t last beyond St. Valentine’s Day. That’s okay – it’s normal. The trouble is it’s not what you want. If you WANT success with your resolutions – to accomplish your goals – then listen to this podcast. We’ve broken down the best behavioral science advice into 4 easy-to-follow tips that will help you achieve what it is you’re passionately committed to at the start of the year. We’ve incorporated research from some of the best work in the field is combined with the real-life experiences of our hosts, Kurt Nelson, PhD, and Tim Houlihan. Enjoy and please join us in saying “So long!” to 2020 with our last episode of the year. If you like our work, please give us a super quick rating or take a luxurious minute while you’re waiting for the oven to heat up for your holiday bake and give us a short review. Thank you and we look forward to a better year ahead. © 2020 Behavioral Grooves  

This episode is a fun two for one as it's a conversation with me and the wonderful duo, Kurt Nelson and Tim Houlihan.You're likely to recognize their voices as they host the popular Behavioral Grooves podcast where they explore the “why we do what we... --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/behavioral-design-podcast/message

Tim Houlihan from the BehaviorAlchemy joins me to discuss why being a virtual leader or manager means you need to learn and adapt to new skills in a virtual world. We will discuss the importance of emotional intelligence and advocacy in leadership in today's world!https://www.behavioralchemy.com

The Iowa Idea: Tim Houlihan “We don't know our own motivations very well.” In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I sit down with Tim Houlihan. Tim is intensely curious about why people do what they do. His understanding of human behavior and his applied experience help policy makers, marketers, human resource executives, and […]

Sarah Bowen and Merle van den Akker invite Tim and Kurt (the hosts of the Behavioral Grooves podcast), to discuss the life and origins of the Behavioral Grooves podcast, the perks of behavioural science podcasting, and the future of behavioural science!Tim Houlihan is the founder and chief behavioural strategist at BehaviorAlchemy, and a musician in his free time. Kurt Nelson is founder and president of the Lantern Group. Both have vast experience in applying behavioural insights and together they host the Behavioral Grooves Podcast. For anyone new to Behavioural Grooves, why not start with a couple of Kurt and Tim’s self-confessed favourite guests:Annie Duke on re-thinking your thinking (ep. 31) https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/leaving-the-matrix-annie-duke-and-insights-into-how-you-can-improve-your-thinking/George Lowenstein on Boredom (ep.67) https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/george-loewenstein-on-a-functional-theory-of-boredom/Keep up to date with Behavioural Grooves here:Twitter (@behavioralgroov): https://twitter.com/behavioralgroov?lang=enWebsite: https://behavioralgrooves.com/Tim’s twitter (@THoulihan): https://twitter.com/THoulihanKurt’s twitter (@WhatMotivates): https://twitter.com/WhatMotivates Questioning Behaviour Socials: Facebook: @QBpodcast (https://www.facebook.com/QBPodcast) Insta: @questioningbehaviour (https://www.instagram.com/questioning...)Twitter: @QB_podcast (https://twitter.com/QB_Podcast) LinkedIn: @Questioning Behaviour (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8928118/) Music: Derek Clegg “You’re the Dummy” https://derekclegg.bandcamp.com/

Don’t look now – it’s a crossover episode! No, not Alf meets Gilligan’s Island, or The Simpsons meets Family Guy. It’s Behavioral Grooves meets Action Design Radio!   Kurt Nelson is the founder of The Lantern Group, a behavioral design and communication agency, and Tim Houlihan is the founder of the BehaviorAlchemy consultancy. Together, they also team up to host the Behavioral Grooves podcast, where they interview top practitioners and researchers in the various fields of behavioral science, and mix things up with their passion for music.    In today’s episode, they discuss with Erik and Zarak their origin story for how Behavioral Grooves was born, favorite episodes, the evolution of behavioral science in general over the 20+ years they’ve both been working in the field, and its infinite applications. The endless quest for knowledge and a passion for satisfying their curiosity is what keeps them coming back with such enthusiasm for these topics after so many years and 160 episodes across their two podcasts.   Other topics include: "Accidental" behavioral scientists – the bicycle store owner who implements choice architecture, or the manager of a nonprofit organization in Africa who uses social proof to improve public health They may not have sophisticated data or use behavioral language, but they’re running experiments and putting the right tools into action just like behavioral scientists would Understanding failures and how to learn from them Replication issues Yet another plug for Zarak’s favorite beard product, Cowboy Magic – official sponsorship here we come? And of course, what music everyone is groovin’ on these days

On today’s behavioral economics foundations episode we are going to be talking about survivorship bias. I decided on this episode when Kurt Nelson (cohost of Behavioral Grooves with Tim Houlihan--last week’s guest) shared a comic of the concept on LinkedIn. After some conversation with Benjamin Granlund (the artist from the Lantern Group who created the comic) I learned this is part of their new 100 Behaviors project. They’re sharing (you guessed it!) 100 different behaviors/BE concepts on the socials through these fun little cartoons. One of the early ones is on survivorship bias, and I have linked to their Instagram so you can follow along as well. So, what is survivorship bias? It may sound like it is only a life or death thing…and while that is part of how it was discovered it is more than just about surviving. And, like all the biases you hear me talk about on the show, your brain is using this one all the time, and it can absolutely impact the decisions you make in your business.  Survivorship bias impacts entrepreneurs for sure, but it is also leading people astray in all sorts of businesses. Understanding this concept and being on the lookout for it can help you make better decisions on what to invest in—money and time, make your calculations and predictions of your work more accurate, and generally increase the likelihood that your endeavors are more successful.  Let’s start with the story of how this bias was discovered, which will require us to journey back to the days of WWII...  Show Notes: [03:19] Survivorship bias impacts entrepreneurs for sure, but it is also leading people astray in all sorts of businesses.  [03:49] Melina shares the story of how this bias was discovered, which requires us to journey back to the days of WWII. In a war, the slightest edge can be the difference between success and failure. [05:52] The problem with reinforcing the spots on the planes that have received the most bullets, is that it doesn’t account for a very large and important part of the data set (the planes that didn’t make it back). This conclusion is missing what’s missing. [06:46] In fact, those blank spots are where you want to reinforce the planes. It will make them stronger in those places so they can take some fire there and not go down. [07:39] One common example of survivorship bias is when you seek advice on how to be successful. [09:11] 2 million of the students who start college each year will drop out before graduating. [10:04] If you only look at the successful people and ignore those who failed you aren’t getting the true picture. [10:53] We just see the few who win and it makes it seem like those stories are more common than they really are. [11:24] As we look back on our own lives, we see choices that we think got us to where we are, but those on their own are not the answer.  [13:15] There are lots of other factors that determine success. If you do exactly the same thing year after year you will not always have the same end result. [13:51] Survivorship bias was making them only look at what they did and assume that it is the winning formula no matter what, but it just isn’t the whole picture. [15:10] Just because two things are seen at the same time doesn’t mean that one caused the other to occur. This is the difference between correlation and causation.  [16:07] Just because two data sets appear to go together doesn’t mean one actually caused the other to happen. [16:59] Even if there is causation it doesn’t mean that it is the only thing that is causing that particular outcome to occur.  [18:12] For every 1 popular book out there, one million unsuccessful books and their authors are the other side of this survivorship bias phenomenon. [18:41] There isn’t a magic pill or silver bullet to “win.” It takes trial and error and a lot of hard work.  [19:28] Being ready to invest and do the hard work (which includes looking at your goals and problems from all angles and taking the tendency of survivorship bias into account) will put you miles ahead of your competitors and make it more likely that you will succeed too. [19:46] Some other areas where survivorship bias can cause us problems is when we say things like, “I will win because I have a better product or service than they do.” [20:30] The lesson here is to look at all the possible data points and not focus on one single aspect. [20:48] Another place where survivorship bias comes into play is on customer satisfaction surveys and other questions you are asking of your current customer base. [22:31] Across the board, if you aren’t considering the full data set of people, your results (and consequently the actions you take based on those results) will be biased. [23:00] A good rule of thumb is to stop, take a breath and ask, “What about everyone else?” or “Who have we not thought of?” “Who else is there?” [25:29] Taking the time to slow down and consider what might be missing, what the data could look like from another angle and reframing your question to see how the results and insights change, can make a huge difference. [25:44] Look at the survivors, winners and success stories, but don’t forget about everyone else. Their lessons can keep you grounded and help you to become your own winning success story. Thanks for listening. Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  Let’s connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube More from The Brainy Business: Master Your Mindset Mini-Course Brainy Mindset Course - use code BRAINY to save 10% BE Thoughtful Revolution - use code BRAINY to save 10% Get Your FREE ebook Brainy Pricing Course - use code BRAINY to save 10% Melina’s John Mayer Pandora Station! Listen to what she listens to while working Articles and Past Episodes: What Every Founder Needs to Know About Survivorship Bias Why It's So Hard To Succeed - The Survivorship Bias You are missing something! - Survivorship bias 7 Lessons on Survivorship Bias that Will Help You Make Better Decisions How the Survivor Bias Distorts Reality Survivorship Bias: The Tale of Forgotten Failures 100Behaviors on Instagram Lantern Group Missing what’s missing: How survivorship bias skews our perception The College Dropout Problem Hilarious Graphs Prove That Correlation Isn’t Causation The 10 Most Bizarre Correlations Alchemy: The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life Tim Houlihan Interview Availability Focusing Illusion Optimism Bias How To Start and Grow a Successful Podcast Surprise and Delight Peak-End Rule Framing: How You Say Things Matter More Than What You’re Saying

Today features an interview with Tim Houlihan, cohost of Behavioral Grooves podcast and the Weekly Grooves podcast, also the founder of Behavior Alchemy. Behavior Alchemy is a consultancy helping companies to incorporate behavioral economics into their businesses, we will talk about some of his work and past projects – including one with Dan Ariely. In life, I think it is important to find joy and humor in the small things. So when there was an opportunity for some with this episode, we took it. You see, I was a guest on the Behavioral Grooves podcast for episode 109 of their show, and even though this was recorded several weeks ago, Tim and I agreed it was worth holding onto for a bit so we could have this crossover episode of sorts be the same number. In our conversation, Tim and I focus on goals. Something you have heard covered a lot on the show, and while he has some similarly aligned tips, the stories and studies he references are mostly going to be new to the show. And in my opinion, reinforcing tips is important to help you find the right way to achieve more of your own goals. It is a good thing to revisit in as many ways as we can so everyone can find the thing that resonates with them specifically. I am sure you will find some interesting and useful tips and tidbits in this conversation with Tim. Show Notes: [01:32] Habit Weekly shared their top behavioral science content of 2020 so far. There were only 4 podcast episodes included, and my interview with Dan Ariely on the Shapa numberless scale (ep 101) was one of them! Thank you Habit Weekly!  [02:51] In life, I think it is important to find joy and humor in the small things and so when there was an opportunity for some with this episode,we took it... [04:37] 20 some years ago, Tim got involved in a business designing incentives and employee engagement programs, rules and rewards. That led him down a path of falling in love with behavioral sciences.  [05:59] They use the Behavioral Grooves podcast to expand their own learning and it has become a public service about application of behavioral science at work and life.  [06:20] On the Behavioral Grooves podcast they talk to researchers, practitioners, and “accidental behavioral scientists.”  [08:26] Think as big as possible when you are setting your goals and vision. When you are looking at actually moving forward, you want to go as small as possible, especially when executing.  [09:29] Tim uses Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs). These light up our prefrontal cortex which gets our imagination engaged.  [10:18] If you don’t break those big goals down into small bricks you can’t build the cathedral.  [10:29] The articulation of the plan is most important in any goal development.  [11:27] Self-selected goals are the richest kind of goals we can have.  [13:01] Since the half marathon Melina has been training for is pivoting to a virtual half marathon she is having to revisit and reshape her vision based on what the world will allow.  [15:21] Social media is going to help people to stick to their commitments and achieve their goals.  [17:12] If people are not given due dates they often procrastinate and struggle to meet the goal.  [20:03] Many people would do the bare minimum to hit their goals at the call center.  [21:39] The environment and context was shaping their decisions.  [23:42] A More Beautiful Question talks about using questions instead of answers and some schools that have come up with alternative models to teaching.  [25:03] Tim recommends the fewer the goals the better and no more than three goals at one time. (Matching Melina’s advice! Narrow down to your three goals with the free Master Your Mindset Mini Course) [25:46] Goals need to be time specific and time manageable. Tim suggests month long goals or quarterly goals.  [26:25] The shorter the goals, the more likely you are to achieve them. We rely on achievement to propel us to take on the next goal.  [27:41] We can do so many things to contribute to our goal if we are thoughtful of our goal, our daily activities, and have a plan. Failing to plan is planning to fail. A goal also needs to be measurable.  [30:39] Start small with something that is totally achievable.  [31:34] When you set up your to-do list with 35 things and you only get 3 done you feel like you failed.  [34:36] Everything we think should work tends to backfire and often make things worse. Melina shares the example about the day care.  [34:49] Tim is a big fan of using non-monetary incentives in the corporate world.  [36:10] The best way to motivate team members is with their emotions and that is a non-monetary incentive.  [37:21] The group that was given gifts worked 30% more and delivered more effort, and created better results than the group that received cash.  [39:02] Every time you reconsume the gift it takes you right back to that great feeling of winning the item the first time.  [41:29] If you have employees and you are giving things away and you can retrigger the memory it increases motivation and draws out extra effort.  [43:16] Even if we buy something, it wouldn’t mean nearly as much if we win it in a contest.  [46:07] Tim’s band is back in songwriting and recording mode in their individual houses (now you get where the “grooves” of Behavioral Grooves podcast comes from!)  [48:19] Want to listen to what Melina is listening to while she is working? Check out her carefully curated “John Mayer Pandora Station” here: https://pandora.app.link/UrWQ28B6l3 .  Thanks for listening. Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.  Let’s connect: Melina@TheBrainyBusiness.com The Brainy Business® on Facebook The Brainy Business on Twitter The Brainy Business on Instagram The Brainy Business on LinkedIn Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube More from Tim Houlihan: Behavioral Grooves Behavior Alchemy Tim on LinkedIn Tim on Twitter More from The Brainy Business: Master Your Mindset Mini-Course Brainy Mindset Course - use code BRAINY to save 10% BE Thoughtful Revolution - use code BRAINY to save 10% The 10 Behavioral Economics Concepts You Need To Know (and how to apply them) ebook Brainy Pricing Course - use code BRAINY to save 10% Melina’s John Mayer Pandora Station! Listen to what she listens to while working Articles and Past Episodes: Podcast editing and show notes by Pro Podcast Solutions Melina Palmer: Using Behavioral Economics to Help Businesses Anchoring & Adjustment Framing: How You Say Things Matter More Than What You’re Saying Dan Ariely Interview Loss Aversion Questions or Answers Bikeshedding Relativity  Reciprocity Discussion With Samuel Salzer Lead Magnets Incentives Surprise and Delight Motivation A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas

When you get angry, count to ten. You can't change your spouse. Use "I" statements. These are things we hear constantly hear, but how do they work? What's the science behind it? In this episode, Kurt Nelson, PhD shows us how humans work, why we behave in certain ways, and what we can do to make the change we really want. Kurt Nelson, PhD., is a sought-after consultant, speaker, and recognized leader in human motivation and behavior change. For over 20 years, Kurt has worked with global companies to apply behavioral science principles to drive change in their organizations. He is the founder and president of The Lantern Group, a behavioral change, and communication agency. He also is the co-founder, with Tim Houlihan, of the Behavioral Grooves and Weekly Grooves podcasts, where they interview leading academic and business executives from around the world and explore how they apply behavioral science to their work and lives. All his work focuses on understanding ways to positively influence how people behave. Kurt's recent work has focused on understanding how people make a purposeful change. He is one of the leading experts in the world on the 4-Drive Model of Motivation and how it is implemented inside organizations. Specifically, his focus has been on understanding the drivers of change, increasing the effectiveness of reward programs for sales representatives, maximizing the impact of extrinsic rewards, and developing behavioral effectiveness blueprints that align behaviors with strategy. Although much of his work has focused on the pharmaceutical industry, he has vast experience in medical device, telecommunications, finance, non-profits, and automotive as well as working with a large number of different companies from around the world. He has spoken at conferences around the world including Malaysia, Kuwait, Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. on topics ranging from the psychology of gamification to increase employee engagement, to driving behavior change. Kurt grew up in the midwest and earned his undergraduate and MBA from the University of Iowa and his Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Capella University. Kurt geeks out about reading (behavioral economics, history, psychology, and fantasy genres), traveling (every state in the US — now working on countries), biking, canoeing, skiing and spending time with family and friends at their cabin. You can reach Kurt at kurt@lanterngroup.com or on twitter @whatmotivates www.behavioralgrooves.com www.weeklygrooves.com www.lanterngroup.com Get the GeniusRelationship Online Course at GeniusRelationships.com

Kurt Nelson is a recognized leader in human motivation and behavior change. For 20 years, he has worked with global companies to apply behavioral science principles to drive change in their organizations. He is founder of The Lantern Group, a behavioral design and communication agency, and also co-founder, with Tim Houlihan, of the Behavioral Grooves podcast, where they interview leading business executives from around the world and explore how they apply behavioral science to their work and lives.

In this HCI Podcast episode, Dr. Westover talks with Kurt Nelson about behavioral sciences and how interdisciplinary frameworks and expertise can be used to motivate workers and successfully lead organizations. See the video here: https://youtu.be/j7FTlZ9BXBY. Dr. Kurt Nelson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwnelson/) is a sought-after consultant, speaker and recognized leader in human motivation and behavior change. For over 20 years, Kurt has worked with global companies to apply behavioral science principles to drive change in their organizations. He is founder and president of The Lantern Group, a behavioral change and communication agency.  He also is the co-founder, with Tim Houlihan, of the Behavioral Grooves podcast, where they interview leading academic and business executives from around the world and explore how they apply behavioral science to their work and lives. All his work focuses on understanding ways to positively influence how people behave. Kurt has his MBA from the University of Iowa and his Ph.D.in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Capella University.

“Context Matters.” In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I sit down with Kurt Nelson, PhD. Kurt earned his bachelor's degree and his MBA at The University of Iowa. He is a business owner and co-founder, along with Tim Houlihan, of Behavioral Grooves, one of the world's top podcasts on behavioral science. In honor […]

Why Your Brain Lies To You: Cash Is NOT The Best Motivator   Although money is one of the indicators of growth and success, it's not necessarily the best motivator when it comes to incentivizing a sales team.   Tim Houlihan and Dr. Kurt Nelson are consultants who have spent more than 20 years working with companies to design incentives that will increase productivity within sales teams.  Just a few years ago, they started a podcast that provides practical applications in the real world. One of their topics, motivation through incentivizing, is especially helpful for sales managers.    People tend to make decisions based on an emotional gut response, even though we mistakenly think these choices are made based on rational thought. Emotion and motivation come from the same root making it difficult to distinguish one from the other. Money has less of an emotional connection than we realize and because motivation is tied to our emotions, money can be a poor incentive for a sales team.    Human beings as emotional creatures Daniel Kahneman won a Nobel Prize in 2002 for his idea about the one thinking vs two thinking, an automatic response versus one's cognitive reflective thinking. Human beings respond quickly to a number of situations because that's how we survive.    The brain takes only 3% of our body weight but it consumes 20% of the energy used. The brain then tries to conserve energy with the speed of decision making. When we make emotion-based decisions, non-rational judgements are made.    The illusion of motivation  Because we think we know our own motivation, we think we can analyze what motivates others.  While we can be sympathetic, knowing what others think has too many variables for us to make a consistent, accurate assessment.  If we focus on someone's emotions, instead of assuming what they're thinking, it is far more effective to ask directly.   Cash is a required component Cash isn't bad as an inventive. It's a required component in any business and it's needed to pay the bills, mortgage, buy food, go on vacation etc. However, once those needs are met, incentives that are more material or experiential in nature move people into greater effort.   Tim did research with Dan Ariely from Duke University, the author of the book called Predictably Irrational. For their study, Tim and Dan took several call center reps and broke them into four groups, each getting a different reward. They found that the people who were rewarded with prizes such as bicycles, cockpots, and other non-cash items performed 30% higher than their counterparts who received cash.   Motivation and Emotion  When we evaluate the value of an incentive, a cash reward is easily calculated against the effort it takes to get it.  When a non-cash reward is offered, it's harder to estimate. The thought process then goes to the level of desire for the prize and the motivation becomes emotion-based rather than calculative.    The Four Drive Model, developed by Paul Lawrence and Nitin Nohria, illustrates the different ways people can be motivated.    The four drive models:  Acquire and achieve:  Reward System Bonding and belonging: Organization's Culture Challenge and creating: Job and Organizational Structure Defending and defining: Vision/Reputation and their Performance Management System   Competition as a motivator When Tim begins his lectures,  he asks the students to raise their hands as high as they can. He then asks them to raise their hands even more.  About 30-40% of them will continue to stretch a bit more which means they weren't raising their hands as high as they could. They always had a little incremental effort reserved.    Tim would then say that whomever raised his/her hand the highest would get the candy bar in he was holding. Invariably, there would be people who stood on their chairs to get the candybar.  In this scenario, the motivation wasn't the prize.  It was the competition.     The same is true for the sales reps.    Tim and Kurt often hear sales reps say that their whole lives revolve around money.  Was this true? Tim and Kurt decided to team up with a global automobile manufacturer in Saudi Arabia to test the dealer owners. These were extraordinarily wealthy men so cash was not a good incentive.   Instead, they were offered lunch with Nelson Mandela who was still alive then and living in South Africa. They then added another element of competition and told them they would get to land their private jets at the Johannesburg Airport in the order that they finish the contest. The team set up a big tent on the tarmac and received them as they landed. Each owner in the competition worked extra hard to not be the last one to land.   They didn't need more money but they sold more cars in order to achieve something that would elevate them above their peers, a prize they couldn't get on their own.   The hedonic component The hedonic component speaks to a prize being perceived as a luxury.. When we get cash, we tend to assign its function such as education, bills, mortgage, and other necessities. As a result, the mind has already spent the money.   However, if  the prize is a $5,000 trip to Hawaii you take it as it is. Our brain doesn't spend that value the same way it does a cash reward. The trip to Hawaii will be an experience that you get to remember far into the future.   Money becomes a less motivational tool because a cash prize isn't likely something you will share with friends or social media. A trip to Hawaii, a bicycle, and other non-monetary prizes come with a story you're happy to share.     Cash incentives tend to be allocated to needs. Merchandise and trips have a luxury component. #SalesTruths   The pinnacle of happiness  There's research that says $70,000 is what it takes for a person to be happy and above that, happiness flattens out. The reality is we don't have a good understanding of what is going to make us happy. For salespeople, they believe they will be happier if they're paid more. This isn't necessarily false because money can increase performance and motivation. However, money doesn't really make us happier. Sales managers have to be mindful of relativity. Relativity occurs when salespeople see other sales reps doing the same things they do but are paid more. This is a big demotivator as they begin to compare themselves to others.   Stack ranking  Stack ranking is another misnomer in sales. A lot of sales managers say that peer pressure is good and believe people are motivated to greater action when compared to others.   This can backfire when middle tier performers are asked to compete with the highest performers.  The middle tiers may work hard but just not enough to be among the highest.  This can be very discouraging.    It's far better to allow the same levels of people to compete against each other so they all have the same equal opportunity to win.   Take it one step at a time People want to be accepted so they remain content with the status quo.  Sales managers, however, can veer the incentive system toward a non-monetary reward.  When this is done, it's important for sales managers to ensure they take into account perceived value. To illustrate, there's an emotional difference between gaining $100 and losing $100. Even with the same amount, the idea of losing over gaining bears a much bigger emotional impact. The best way to make incremental change is by not taking away anything from the cash plan but do add a non-cash reward. You need to make changes from cash to non-cash in a very slow and incremental fashion.  Give your sales reps the time to adjust to the new system until they're ready for a non-cash reward. Do not take away their X just to give them Y when Y is much less than X's perceived value.    Examples of non-cash rewards The most powerful example of the non-cash reward that Keith has seen is a group travel reward. The award was by the sales district and winners all got to travel together with their spouses to places within 300-400 miles. It gave the winners a close-knit bond with each other, as well as their spouses.   Back in 2008, Tim was working with an insurance client that was declining at 35% annually. When Tim suggested the company use prizes that were non-monetary but equivalent to their commission, the business went flat instead of declining.    Structuring your incentive system There are a variety of ways you can set up incentive systems and Tim and Kurt can help define what's best for your company. They work with the sales team to understand the psychological factors that motivate the team to increase sales.   “Why Your Brain Lies To You: Cash Is NOT The Best Motivator” episode resources  There's always an emotional aspect to every decision but we don't always react rationally. We need to understand how our brain reacts to emotional responses.  This episode is brought to you in part by Crmble, the easy-peasy CRM for Trello that helps you manage your contacts and leads without investing in complicated solutions, sync all your data, manage custom fields, and get powerful reporting on your sales. Try Crmble for free now at www.crmble.com/tse. Connect with Kurt Nelson and Tim Houlihan on Twitter. They also do their own podcast that you can check out.  If you are interested in more sales stories, you can talk to Donald directly. Reach him via these channels: LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook about any sales concerns.  This episode is brought to you in part  by TSE Certified Sales Training Program. It's a course designed to help new and struggling sellers to master the fundamentals of sales and close more deals. It will help them elevate their sales game. Sign up now and get the first two modules for free! You can go and visit www.thesalesevangelist.com/closemoredeals also call us at (561) 570-5077.  We'd love for you to join us for our next episodes so tune in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can also leave comments, suggestions, and ratings to every episode you listen to.  You can also read more about sales or listen to audiobooks on Audible and explore this huge online library. Register now to get a free book and a 30-day free trial.  Audio provided by Free SFX and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.

In this special edition, bestselling author and Forbes contributor, Rodd Wagner, organized a question-and-answer session with Kurt and Tim in front of a live audience to discuss whether behavioral sciences could be applied to corporate environments in ways that allow leaders to manipulate their employees. And, if so, where does that land on the ethical spectrum? Rodd has grown increasingly intrigued and sometimes concerned that behavioral science has reached a point of refinement and adoption that it could create an unprecedented and unfair imbalance in the social contract between companies and the people who work at them. For example, IBM claims it can predict with 95 percent accuracy whether someone is about to resign and some companies are experimenting with selection systems in which candidates interact first with robots. Rodd, Kurt, and Tim are joined by John Harris, currently the Lead UX Design Researcher in the Healthcare Business Group at 3M and was recently a Projects Director at ideas42, a premiere pro-social non-profit organization. John started his career at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and continues to maintain a very pro-social mindset. Some of the issues covered in our conversation included:  What if corporate leaders can keep their employee satisfaction scores the same by giving employees water bottles rather than raises? What if the “client” was the rank and file of the firm, rather than the leaders?  If nudges are aggregated, do they necessarily become manipulative? Is there a single ethical code that should be applied to every situation? We hope you join us for this non-traditional approach to our podcast.   Kurt Nelson, PhD: @WhatMotivates Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan   Sponsored by: Lantern Group: http://lanterngroup.com/ BehaviorAlchemy: https://www.behavioralchemy.com/ © 2020 Behavioral Grooves   Links Rodd Wagner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roddwagner/ John Harris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnharrisiv/ Kurt Nelson, PhD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwnelson/ Tim Houlihan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-houlihan-b-e/ Azul Seven: https://azulseven.com/ Rodd Wagner Episode: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/rodd-wagner-this-episode-could-save-your-life/ Steve Sisler Episode: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/steven-sisler-seeing-people-as-we-are/ Katie Milkman, PhD Episode: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/katy-milkman-behavior-change-for-good/ Cristina Bicchieri, PhD Episode: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/cristina-bicchieri-social-norms-are-bundles-of-expectations/ Victoria Shaffer, PhD Episode: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/victoria-schaffer-end-of-life-decision-tools/ Patricia Norberg, PhD: https://directory.qu.edu/Profile/27981 Magical Thinking, Eric Oliver, PhD: https://voices.uchicago.edu/religionsinamerica/2018/01/26/21-workshop-measuring-an-intuitionist-worldview-by-professor-eric-oliver/ Behavioural Insights Team: https://www.bi.team/ Doug Burgum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Burgum Great Plains Software (now Microsoft Dynamics): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Dynamics_GP Casuistry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casuistry

We host a debate between Tim Houlihan and Keren Godwin.

In this grooving session, Kurt and Tim share how to conduct a behavioral diagnosis. A behavioral diagnosis is a tool we use to uncover the underlying drivers of behavior inside an organization to bring about meaningful change, all with the use of applied behavioral science. Kurt and Tim have been conducting behavioral diagnoses for many years and have found that leaders often don’t understand why their employees behave the way they do – particularly when it comes to employees response to changes in the workplace.  Leaders all too often expect announcements of corporate changes will be met by rational responses from the employees. However, people are not always rational, and to make things more difficult, don’t understand their own motivational drives. This renders surveys and employee satisfaction studies irrelevant because theses tools don’t get to the heart of the behavioral beast. In order understand the drivers of employee behavior, you must go below the surface. That’s where the behavioral diagnosis comes in. The process of a behavioral diagnostic varies from situation to situation, but typically begins with identifying the key strategic objectives through interview key stakeholders (leadership, typically). Then we research the status quo: what is the culture, what programs are in place, what are the current behaviors of the employees and why are they doing those things? Next we conduct interviews and/or focus groups to get at the underlying motivational drives of the employees. After a complete analysis of trends and available data, Kurt and Tim make recommendations to the leaders and develop interventions to bring about change. If you’re interested in learning more about a Behavioral Diagnosis for your organization, please contact us so we can start a conversation. © 2020 Behavioral Grooves Kurt Nelson: @WhatMotivates Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan Links “A Battle Between Sales & Marketing” by Tim Houlihan: https://www.behavioralchemy.com/the-battle-between-sales-and-marketing

Weekly Grooves is the podcast where we explore topical issues through the lens of behavioral science. Tim Houlihan and Kurt Nelson, PhD have worked in the world of behavioral interventions for more than 20 years and we each run our own consultancies. In Weekly Grooves, we view the headlines through the lenses of behavioral science.The Iowa caucuses are on February 3, 2020, and the media is abuzz with who will win Iowa and take the “front runner lead” for the Democrats. So while we’re interested in the politics of this, we’re actually more interested in the psychology of being the “front runner” and what that entails.There are a number of behavioral factors that make the front-runner a great position:  The Bandwagon Effect – people want to be part of the winning team. The Availability Bias where the front runner gets more media exposure, making them more immediate in memory. The Mere Exposure Effect is how we tend to develop a preference for things merely because we are familiar with them. The Hot Hand Fallacy could also positively impact the person who wins – or even who beats expectations.  But being the front runner does not always lead to victory. In this episode, we’ll discuss how these play a role in our behaviors.© 2020 Weekly GroovesKurt Nelson, PhD: @whatmotivatesTim Houlihan: @THoulihanLinksAll Biases and Heuristics: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XHpBr0VFcaT8wIUpr-9zMIb79dFMgOVFRxIZRybiftI/edit#Importance of being inspiring: http://www.leadershipchallenge.com/resource/inspire-a-shared-vision-how-important-is-inspiring.aspx

This is Weekly Grooves' inaugural episode where we explore topical issues through the lens of behavioral science. Tim Houlihan and Kurt Nelson, PhD have worked in the world of behavioral interventions for more than 20 years and we each run our own consultancies. In Weekly Grooves, we view the headlines through the lenses of behavioral science.We are not good at keeping resolutions. January 17th is the Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day – the day that it is attributed with having the most people abandoned their New Year’s resolutions. It is often a day of celebration, and among some people, it’s even considered a holiday. But according to a study conducted by US clinical psychologist Joseph Luciani, PhD, around 80 percent fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions.What can be done? We have some ideas and we urge you to get re-engaged in your resolutions with tips in our super-fast episode on habits.© 2020 Weekly GroovesKurt Nelson: @whatmotivatesTim Houlihan: @THoulihanLinks“A theory of goal setting & task performance.” Locke & Latham: https://tinyurl.com/trx5tg4“Goal commitment and the goal-setting process: Problems, prospects, and proposals for future research.” John Hollenbeck, Howard Klein: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1987-26774-001“Immediate Rewards Predict Adherence to Long-Term Goals” Kaitlin Woolley, Ayelet Fishbach: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167216676480?journalCode=pspc“Wishful Seeing: More Desired Objects Are Seen as Closer” Emily Balcetis and David Dunning: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797609356283“Executive function and the frontal lobes: a meta-analytic review.” Julie Alvarez, Eugene Emory: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16794878“Writing Down Goals: Does It Actually Improve Performance?” Robert Weinberg, Deanna Morrison, Megan Loftin, Thelma Horn, Elizabeth Goodwin, Emily Wright, and Carly Block: https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/tsp/33/1/article-p35.xmlBenjamin Gardner, PhD: https://www.nirandfar.com/goal-setting-hack/Bryan, Gharad, Dean Karlan, and Scott Nelson. "Commitment Devices." Annual Review of Economics 2.1 (2010): 671-98. https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.economics.102308.124324https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/ditch-new-years-resolutions-day/https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/ditch-new-years-resolution-dayhttps://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/2015-12-29/why-80-percent-of-new-years-resolutions-failhttps://bestlifeonline.com/new-years-resolutions-ditch-date/https://www.nirandfar.com/habits/https://nesslabs.com/habits-routines-ritualshttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180208120923.htmhttps://www.stickk.com/

Weekly Grooves is the podcast where we explore topical issues through the lens of behavioral science. Tim Houlihan and Kurt Nelson, PhD have worked in the world of behavioral interventions for more than 20 years and we each run our own consultancies. In Weekly Grooves, we view the headlines through the lenses of behavioral science.This week, we were struck by the way people were talking about Kobe Bryant after his sudden death in a helicopter crash in which he and eight other people perished, including his 13-year old daughter, Gianna. Kobe was only 41 years old.And while his life is abundant with great accomplishments, both on and off the basketball court, he spent some time in the headlines for not-so-nice things. And what Kurt and I want to look at today is how we remember them after they’ve died or how we think of people as they grow old.© 2020 Weekly GroovesKurt Nelson, PhD: @whatmotivatesTim Houlihan: @THoulihanLinksKobe Bryant Achievements: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Kobe_BryantKobe Bryant Sexual Assault Case: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant_sexual_assault_caseHuman Memory, a book by Gabriel A. Radvansky. Third edition published in 2016. https://books.google.com/books/about/Human_Memory.html?id=AjglDwAAQBAJ“Chapter 17 - The Amygdala and Emotional Arousal Effects on Object Recognition Memory” by Benno Roozendaal, Areg Barsegyan, Yanfen Chen. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128120125000173 “Praise is Fleeting, but Brickbats We Recall,” by Alina Tugend, The New York Times, March 23, 2012. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/your-money/why-people-remember-negative-events-more-than-positive-ones.html 

In this episode, I welcome two of my favourite podcasters onto the show. Tim Houlihan and Kurt Nelson are the hosts of the fabulous Behavioral Grooves podcast, which you'll find wherever you get your quality audio content. And also right here: https://behavioralgrooves.com/Not only are they accomplished BeSci podcasters, with some wonderful stories to tell about their show, but they're also experienced BeSci practitioners in their own right. Tim founded a consultancy in applied behavioral sciences built on more than a dozen years of working with academic partners from Carnegie Mellon, Duke, Columbia, Quinnipiac, Monmouth, University of Houston, and the University of St. Thomas to name a few.Kurt earned his doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology and founded his own consultancy more than 20 years ago to focus on the application of behavioral science in corporate settings. His clients are a who's who of Fortune 500 companiesIn this wide-ranging discussion, we talk about HR (Human Resources, rather than Human Risk!) and explore how organisations can improve the way they manage human capital and therefore reduce Human Risk. We end the show with joint commitments: mine was to release this epsiode before the end of January. To find out what theirs was, have a listen!To contact Tim or Kurt you can visit the www.behavioralgrooves.com website or directly using the details below.Kurt Nelson: @motivationguru or https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwnelson/ or kurt@lanterngroup.comTim Houlihan: @THoulihan or https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-houlihan-b-e/ or tim@behavioralchemy.com

Imagine that the two drawings below are called Kiki and Bouba in some alien language.  If you had to guess which one was Kiki and which one was Bouba - without any other information, which one would be Kiki, and which one would be Bouba?   If you are like most people, the sharp angular shape (on the left) would be named Kiki while the curvier rounded shape (on the right) would be named Bouba.  This effect is called the Bouba/Kiki effect which highlights how we map sounds to visual shapes and was first observed by Wolfgang Kohler in the late 1920s and then refined in the early 2000s by Vilayanure Ramachandran and Edward Hubbard.   In experiments, over 95% of respondents selected the curvy shape as Bouba and the jagged one as Kiki.  The effect shows that words that have softer, rounded sounds (i.e., oo’s and ah’s) are associated with rounder shapes, while sounds that have more angular, sharp sounds (i.e., k’s and I’s) are associated with more pointed shapes.  While this effect focused on speech and visuals, my colleague and co-host of Behavioral Grooves, Tim Houlihan and I have started to use it as a way to describe how we think.  Some of us think with a “Kiki” like a brain.  Others of us think with a “Bouba” like a brain.  While not perfect, it does help in understanding the differences in how our brains process, retain, and regurgitate information.  For instance, a “Kiki brain” is precise and sharp and can remember specific names, dates, and titles.  While a more “Bouba brain” retains information about the general concepts and impacts but is less precise and more holistic in the combination of ideas and thoughts.   So while Tim can typically recall the name of a behavioral science study, the year it was published, and the author(s) (very much a Kiki brain), Kurt can usually only recall the concept that the study explored, how that concept can be applied, and how it interacts with other behavioral science concepts (more of a Bouba brain).    Often times during the podcast, my Bouba mind will be at a loss for the name of a study or a particular researcher, however, Tim’s Kiki brain will have those names readily available.  On the other side of the coin, Tim will be reciting a specific study and my Bouba brain will instantly go to the nuances of the application of how this works and implications for the people involved.  Of course, like most other ways of describing ourselves, this is not an either/or situation.  I would argue that we all have aspects of Kiki thinking AND Bouba thinking depending on the topic, situation, and other factors (i.e., how much sleep we had the night before).  And no brain is just Kiki or Bouba – we shift between the two on a regular basis.  Like personalities, these descriptions are just the tendencies for the way we think.  For instance, I’m not always at a loss for remembering a study name or researcher nor do I not understand the subtleties or connections from those studies that I do remember.  We fluctuate on a continuum and we often move easily between the thinking styles.  In general, my notion is that Kiki brains are more admired.  Those are the people that I don’t like getting into debates with, because they will bring in facts and figures and names at lightning speed and I’m just trying to stay up and connect the dots.   I need to be on my phone looking up references and facts, while they are seemingly pulling them out of the air.  People with KikI brains come across as smarter and more informed – because they can recall these details whereas people with Bouba brains are left talking about the general proposition.  Kiki brains are not fumbling to remember people’s names, the exact figure for the organization’s budget or the year that the Challenger exploded.  At this point, there is no research that is on this or supports this crazy theory.  However, by naming these types of thinking styles, I think we can better interact with each other and contribute to our work.  The power of this is in helping us understand how we communicate with others and understanding how we process and remember information.       Notes Image:  Monochrome version 1 June 2007 by Bendž Vectorized with Inkscape  Maurer, Pathman, and Modloch (2006), The shape of Boubas: sound-shape correspondences in toddlers and adults.  Developmental Science. Ramachandran, V.S. & Hubbard, E.M. (2001). "Synaesthesia: A window into perception, thought and language" (PDF). Journal of Consciousness Studies.   © 2019 Behavioral Grooves

Victoria Shaffer is a researcher and professor at the University of Missouri. Victoria focuses on applying decision psychology and behavioral economics to medical decision making. In particular, she is researching judgment and decision making and how they impact the design of patient decision support tools. Tim and Victoria met working on a field research project with Dan Ariely, PhD because of her work on non-monetary rewards with Scott Jeffrey, PhD. She was pushing back on common sense preferences, such as money is the best motivator, just as she is today with her work in the medical field. Our conversation with Victoria began on familiar ground: the preference for cash as a reward and how it’s actually less effective than non-monetary rewards in incentive schemes. But we soon turned to the very personal journey of how she and her mother dealt with decisions surrounding her father’s diagnosis with cancer. Her personal journey became the foundation for important research to help patients, their loved ones and the caregivers communicate more effectively through stories.  It’s a fascinating discussion and we hope you enjoy it.    Links Victoria Shaffer: https://psychology.missouri.edu/people/shaffer Shelly Taylor on Biases and Mental Health: http://humancond.org/_media/papers/taylor_brown_88_illusion_and_well_being.pdf Hal Arkes: https://psychology.osu.edu/people/arkes.1 Decision Support Tools: https://www.healthit.gov/topic/safety/clinical-decision-support “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande: http://atulgawande.com/book/being-mortal/ MD Anderson Cancer Center: https://www.mdanderson.org/ Advance Directives: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/advance-care-planning-healthcare-directives Palliative Care: https://getpalliativecare.org/whatis/ Peter Ubel – Duke: https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/faculty/peter-ubel Affective Forecasting Errors: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affective_forecasting Columbia Records: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Records Dan Gilbert: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Gilbert_(psychologist)   Kurt Nelson, PhD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwnelson/ Tim Houlihan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-houlihan-b-e/   Music Van Halen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X6e7uctAww Black Sabbath: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s7_WbiR79E Ozzy Osbourne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtHEN518VCM Styx:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XcKBmdfpWs Depeche Mode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diT3FvDHMyo The Cure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXCKLJGLENs Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ9NaqjeDGU James Taylor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWGK_fWKb4U

In this episode, we spoke with Nurit Nobel, who is living in Stockholm, Sweden where she’s working on her PhD. Nurit is a co-founder of Impactually, along with one of our favorite guests, Christina Gravert, PhD. Impactually is a behavioral science consultancy that is firmly grounded in both academic rigor and real-world experience. Nurit, who is related by marriage to the family associated with the Nobel Prize, talked about Impactually’s BOOST model, which is a practical tool for behavior change. The majority of our conversation was focused on a client case study about de-biasing the recruitment and hiring processes. Her client’s intentions were all in the right places; however, the firm still ended up hiring new employees that were fundamentally the same as the existing employees. The research Nurit relied on to de-bias the hiring process was originally conducted by Iris Bohnet at Harvard, and it is focused on modifying the process in order to overrule our natural biases. Nurit and her team put the research to good use and our discussion dove into the nitty gritty of the issues they dealt with as well as the results they’re getting under the new process. We also talked about the Lindy Hop, a pre-World War II dance developed in Harlem, and Sweden’s fascinating revival of it. We hope you enjoy our conversation with Nurit Links  Nurit Nobel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nnobel/ Twitter: @nuritnobel Impactually: http://impactually.se and https://impactually.teachable.com/ for the BOOST online course Iris Bohnet, PhD, Harvard University: https://scholar.harvard.edu/iris_bohnet/home Kahneman & Levav on judges after lunch: https://www.theguardian.com/law/2011/apr/11/judges-lenient-break Christina Gravert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cgravert/ South by Southwest (SXSW): https://www.sxsw.com/attend/ Richard Thaler: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Thaler Dan Ariely: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Ariely April Seifert, PhD: https://www.aprilseifert.com/ Laurie Santos and the GI Joe Effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GimHHAID_P0 Brexit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brexit  Muzak: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzak Lindy Hop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7KO7b9qbfU Frankie Manning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankie_Manning “Sonic Boom,” by Joel Beckerman: https://thesonicboom.joelbeckerman.com/ Tim Houlihan, “Washington Square”: https://soundcloud.com/timhoulihan/washington-square Kurt Nelson: @motivationguru and https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwnelson/ Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan and https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-houlihan-b-e/ Check out the Behavioral Grooves website: https://behavioralgrooves.com/

Imagine a company where 100% of the employees are rebels – would it be chaotic or wonderful? Our guest from the Harvard Business School, Francesca Gino PhD, argues that rebels are not just essential, but they can improve corporate effectiveness. Francesca is a professor and researcher at Harvard Business School who describes herself as a curious behavioral scientist, passionate about teaching and helping leaders make wiser decisions that can improve their lives and those of the people around them. She’s the author of dozens of peer-reviewed articles on decision making and her books include Sidetracked (2013), and more recently, Rebel Talent, that covers a body of research findings highlighting why the most successful people break the rules, and how rebellion brings joy and meaning into our lives. Our discussion revealed that Francesca isn’t the kind of person who just doles out good advice, she often tests it out first on herself, her husband and children, her students and colleagues and even the business leaders she consults with! She’s a rebel thinker and doer and her drive to discover answers to the why-we-do-what-we-do question is without limits. Her findings reveal key methods that companies can use to help employees remain curious and to steer employees clear of the day-to-day ruts that are so easy to fall into. In the grooving session that follows our discussion with Francesca, we dig deeper into the application of curiosity, psychological safety and extremely powerful (and portable) conversation too, “Yes, and…” Kurt and Tim share ways in which we’ve seen “yes, and…” is applied successfully in workshops, brainstorming sessions, corporate meetings, and presentations in the corporate world. We hope you enjoy our conversation with the rebel Francesca Gino. If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t hesitate to give us a positive rating on your favorite podcatching service. © 2019/2020 Behavioral Grooves Links Francesca Gino: http://francescagino.com Rebel Talent: https://www.rebeltalents.org Sidetracked: http://francescagino.com/sidetracked After the episode, Francesca told us that she listened to Youngblood’s version of 5 Seconds of Summer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqs5EaAaueA Julia Minson, PhD at the Kennedy School at Harvard: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty/julia-minson Pixar Animation Studios: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixar The Ballad of Lucinda (by Tim Houlihan): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jzM2wLgNc8 Blog Post on PADI certification (by Ben Granlund): http://blog.lanterngroup.com/behavioral-science-beneath-the-surface-the-power-of-rational-thoughts-in-an-unnatural-environment St. Vincent (on sounds): https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/10/10-times-st-vincent-gave-no-fucks/ Blasphemous Rumors (by Depeche Mode): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3EAzf5fDpY Kurt Nelson: @motivationguru and https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtwnelson/ Tim Houlihan: @THoulihan and https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-houlihan-b-e/   Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves: https://behavioralgrooves.podbean.com/

Bernardo Nunes, PhD believes that applying behavioral sciences to startups is the fastest way to get entrepreneurs up and running in a fast-changing world. At Growth Academy in Amsterdam, the students work in small teams over three months to build a company with the help of sophisticated machine learning tools as well as knowledgeable coaches and teachers.  In our conversation with Bernardo, we spoke at length about the ethics and regulations surrounding data privacy, how an article in The New York Times featuring David Laibson, PhD got Bernardo started down this path and how Frank Zappa's 3-song "Hot Rats" album would be his go-to for desert island listening. We had an important discussion about the interplay between policy and marketing and how they influence each other.  There is some background noise occasionally but we don't think it inhibits the quality of the interview. We hope you enjoy it. Music: Theme song "Everywhere You Go" by Tim Houlihan and transitional music "Transfiguration" by Jon James. Used by permission. 

Charlotte Blank, Chief Behavioral Officer at Maritz, says her job is 'selling science.' In this interview, held immediately before our meetup gathering in Minneapolis in February 2018, Charlotte describes research she conducted with Leslie John, Tami Kim, and Kate Barasz to create a recent HBR article titled "Ads That Don't Overstep." Their work yielded two very simple and important messages about communication: 1. Don't talk behind someone's back,  2. Don't make assumptions. In the world of big data, machine learning and algorithm-driven communication, marketers need to pay close attention to these. An early part of our discussion was on Charlotte's fascination with Franz DeWaal's work with monkeys, bonobos and the mysterious octopus! This led to a discussion about fairness as a key principle in program design and if you're not familiar with DeWaal's seminal work with capuchin monkeys, check it out here.  We discussed the now-famous Target advertising case where the company promoted pregnancy-related products to young women based on their buying habits and in one case, neither the woman nor her parents knew she was pregnant. There's a line to pay attention to and it has to do with the two guidelines noted above.  Charlotte also mentioned a couple of excellent books that she's recently read: Melissa Dahl, publisher of Science of Us, has a new book called "Cringeworthy, A Theory of Awkwardness" and Seth Stephens-Davidowitz's new book called "Everybody Lies" are top picks for those curious about human behavior.  The theme music in this episode, like all the other Behavioral Grooves music, is composed and played by Tim Houlihan. We are grateful to Jon James allowing us to use his work "Transfiguration" during intro and outro of the interview.  

In the Behavioral Grooves first podcast, Kurt Nelson, PhD and Tim Houlihan interview James Heyman, PhD, a professor and researcher at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Heyman's research has led him to collaborate with renowned behavioral economists including Dan Ariely, PhD, and focuses on decision making in a world with too much irrelevant information. The interview with Dr. Heyman runs from the beginning of the podcast through 38:00 minutes. At 38:00 minutes, Kurt and Tim have their Grooving Session where they discuss topics from the interview, from the Behavioral Grooves session that month and other random things that pop into their heads.