The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy | Behavioral Economics Melina Palmer

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Nuala Walsh, CEO of Mind Equity Consulting, shares her extensive experience in advising on behavior change, culture, and communications for various organizations, including World Athletics and the Football Association. With a background in behavioral science and a focus on gender equality and diversity, Nuala provides valuable insights into the challenges of whistleblowing in the workplace. 
She emphasizes the reluctance of employees to report misconduct, highlighting the high costs involved, such as job loss and harassment. Nuala's research underscores the ineffectiveness of zero-tolerance policies and the need for organizations to create supportive environments where speaking up is encouraged and safe. Her discussion with host Melina Palmer delves into the significance of courage-based stories in inspiring employees to speak up and the importance of creating a culture of psychological safety. Nuala's expertise and practical insights make this episode essential for ethics and compliance professionals, offering strategies to foster a culture of ethical behavior and address whistleblowing challenges effectively.
In this episode:
Uncovering Workplace Whistleblowing Challenges: Learn to navigate and overcome the complexities of workplace whistleblowing for a culture of integrity. Embracing Cognitive Diversity in Decision-Making: Harness the power of diverse perspectives to enhance the quality of organizational decisions and problem-solving. Fostering Psychological Safety: Cultivate an environment where employees feel safe to express themselves and contribute to innovative solutions. Celebrating Courageous Actions in Organizations: Recognize and reward acts of courage that drive positive change and ethical conduct within the workplace. Addressing Barriers to Reporting Misconduct: Equip yourself with strategies to effectively identify and dismantle obstacles to reporting misconduct in the workplace. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction
Melina Palmer introduces the episode about whistleblowing at work and the reasons why so few people actually blow the whistle, even when they intend to or know something is wrong.

00:02:24 - Nuala Walsh's Work in Behavioral Science
Nuala shares her extensive experience in behavioral science, her roles in advising on behavior change, brand and reputation, culture and communications for private sector organizations, and her involvement in gender-based initiatives.

00:08:03 - Getting Involved in D&I
Nuala discusses her involvement with UN Women, World Athletics, and the Football Association, highlighting the challenges she observed in the male-dominated corporate world and her transition into the gender agenda and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

00:11:01 - Overcoming Familiarity Bias in Hiring
Nuala emphasizes the importance of cognitive diversity in board appointments, shares her experience with unconscious bias in executive search hires, and suggests listening to recruitment agencies to achieve diverse hiring at the top level.

00:15:32 - Overcoming Biases in Decision Making
Nuala emphasizes the importance of companies listening to independent groups to avoid falling prey to their own biases when making final decisions for roles.

00:16:09 - The Impact of Bias on Decision Making
The discussion delves into different biases such as confirmation bias, familiarity bias, status quo bias, and loss aversion, and their influence on decision-making processes.

00:17:14 - Encouraging Whistleblowing
Nuala discusses her research on whistleblowing and the challenges employees face in speaking up when they witness wrongdoing. She highlights the need for companies to encourage employees to speak up and the potential consequences whistleblowers may face.

00:18:32 - The Bystander Effect
Nuala shares her fascination with the bystander effect and its application to whistleblowing. She discusses the reluctance of bystanders to take act

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Huggy Rao, a distinguished professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, shares profound insights on the concept of workplace friction and its impact on organizational dynamics. Huggy's extensive research and expertise in organizational behavior and management bring a unique perspective to the discussion, emphasizing the critical role of leaders in managing workplace obstacles effectively. Throughout the episode, Huggy dissects the complexities of workplace friction, from the detrimental effects of time poverty on decision-making to the strategic implementation of good and bad obstacles in organizations. 
His compelling anecdotes and practical examples underscore the need for leaders to navigate obstacles thoughtfully and promote a balanced approach to friction management. By delving into the nuances of adding and subtracting friction in decision-making and problem-solving contexts, Huggy provides invaluable guidance for managers and leaders seeking to optimize employee engagement and drive organizational success. This episode is a must-listen for managers and leaders in organizations looking to enhance decision-making processes, foster a culture of curiosity and generosity, and strategically manage workplace friction for improved performance and employee well-being.
In this episode:
Analyze workplace friction to identify and overcome organizational obstacles, enhancing team productivity and efficiency. Improve decision-making by understanding the impact of time poverty and implementing effective time management strategies for enhanced productivity. Recognize the importance of both good and bad obstacles in the workplace, and learn how to leverage them to foster growth and innovation within the organization. Implement proven strategies for reducing workplace friction, leading to a more harmonious and collaborative work environment. Foster creativity by embracing and managing constructive friction in the workplace, unlocking the full potential of your team's innovative capabilities. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction,
Dr. Huggy Rao introduces the concept of friction in organizations and its impact on decision making and productivity. Explains the difference between bad friction and good friction.

00:02:28 - Impact of Friction on Decision Making
Huggy discusses the impact of time poverty and the addition bias on decision making in organizations. Emphasizes the importance of removing bad obstacles and introducing good obstacles to improve productivity.

00:12:36 - Importance of Addressing Small Friction
Huggy shares the example of reducing a single mouse click for nurses in hospitals and its significant impact on saving time. Emphasizes the importance of addressing small friction to gain momentum for addressing larger issues.

00:14:15 - Mowing the Lawn in Organizations
Huggy discusses the concept of "mowing the lawn" in organizations, addressing small issues that are often overlooked. Shares examples of companies saving significant time by focusing on small friction and giving the gift of time back to employees.

00:16:05 - Introducing Good Friction
Huggy discusses the importance of introducing good friction to prevent bad friction in organizations. Shares a case study of AstraZeneca saving 2 million hours to give the gift of time back to employees, resulting in improved productivity and service.

00:16:59 - Adding and Subtracting Friction
Huggy discusses the importance of adding constraints to combat the tendency to constantly add. He shares examples of how adding friction can be beneficial in decision-making, creativity, and complex tasks.

00:17:46 - The Value of Good Friction
Huggy highlights the value of good friction in decision-making, creative work, and complex tasks. He emphasizes the need to add obstacles to slow down decisions and foster deliberation in certain situations.

00:19:22 - Friction Forensics
The concept of friction fo

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer delves into the concept of sludge in business processes, shedding light on unnecessary barriers that hinder customers and internal operations. Drawing from her deep understanding of behavioral economics and cognitive psychology, Melina provides practical insights and real-world examples to demonstrate the impact of sludge on customer satisfaction, employee morale, and overall efficiency. 
With a focus on creating brain-friendly environments, she offers actionable strategies and resources for businesses to streamline processes and eliminate sludge, making it easier for people to engage with their products and services. Melina’s expertise and engaging approach make the complex topic of sludge accessible and applicable for business owners and managers seeking to enhance efficiency, reduce friction, and improve customer experience. This episode serves as a valuable resource for those looking to optimize decision-making processes and drive success within their organizations.
In this episode:
Understand how sludge in business processes impacts your bottom line. Improve customer satisfaction by eliminating bureaucratic hurdles in operations. Quantify the costs of unnecessary barriers and optimize your resources. Leverage behavioral economics to enhance efficiency and productivity in your business. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction
Melina introduces the concept of sludge and its impact on decision-making and processes in business and everyday life.

00:05:18 - Effects of Sludge
Melina explains the pervasive nature of sludge and its detrimental effects on economic growth, public health, education, and equality. She provides examples of sludge in various contexts, including financial aid, healthcare, and voting.

00:11:44 - Understanding Sludge
Melina delves into the characteristics of sludge, including waiting time, reporting burdens, administrative requirements, and transaction costs. She emphasizes that sludge is not always a negative force and can sometimes be necessary or beneficial.

00:12:29 - Quantifying Sludge
Melina discusses the challenges of quantifying sludge and differentiating it from other transaction costs and administrative burdens. She highlights the importance of understanding the real impact of sludge to effectively address and remove it in business processes.

00:14:18 - Importance of Removing Sludge
Melina explains the significance of removing sludge in business processes, using Amazon's one-click buying as an example of the value of reducing friction in the customer experience. She encourages businesses to assess the potential value of removing sludge from their processes.

00:15:29 - The Impact of Sludge in the Buying Process
In the buying process, extra fields and steps act as partitions that make people evaluate if it's worth it or not. Businesses often add unnecessary questions that lead to lost sales and missed opportunities.

00:17:38 - Focus on Micro Moments and Necessary Information
Focusing on each micro moment and asking only what's necessary can help remove sludge. For example, simplifying the discovery call form to just name and email can lead to more conversions.

00:19:32 - Examples of Sludge in Business Operations
Sludge is not just limited to customer interactions but can also be present in back-office operations. This can include complicated decisions, too many choices, and unnecessary procedures that waste time and money.

00:24:20 - Trust and Sludge in the Back Office
Trusting employees can reduce sludge and improve efficiency. When unnecessary procedures and processes are eliminated, more work gets done for less money. Trust and removing sludge go hand in hand in the back office.

00:25:11 - Quantifying the Cost of Sludge
Quantifying the cost of sludge can help justify the need for its removal. The example of TSA Precheck demonstrates how quantifying the time saved and its monetary value can

In the episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Dr. Michael Norton, a professor at Harvard Business School and author of The Ritual Effect, explores the significance of rituals in our lives. Michael delves into the distinctions between habits, routines, and rituals, emphasizing the emotional depth and purpose that rituals add to our actions. He shares insights into the role of rituals in various domains, from sports to work, family, and personal routines. Drawing from his interest sparked by unique mourning practices in the American Civil War, Michael discusses how rituals can serve as tools for coping, connection, and a sense of progress. 
His expertise and research on the subject make this episode a valuable resource for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of how rituals can enhance well-being and provide a sense of purpose in daily life. The episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the topic, making it a compelling listen for anyone looking to incorporate more meaning and connection into their everyday experiences.
In this episode:
Explore the Profound Impact of Rituals on Daily Well-being Discover the Power of Incorporating Rituals for Deeper Meaning and Connection Uncover the Role of Rituals in Fostering Stronger Team Dynamics and Communication Delve into the Importance of Rituals for Cultivating a Sense of Purpose in Daily Life Understand the Transformative Influence of Rituals on Personal and Professional Well-being Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction
Melina introduces Dr. Michael Norton, author of the Ritual Effect, and shares his background as a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School.

00:01:49 - The Difference Between Habits and Rituals
Michael explains the difference between a habit, a routine, and a ritual, using the example of daily behaviors like showering and toothbrushing. Habits are routine actions, while rituals have more emotional meaning and significance.

00:07:06 - The Origin of Interest in Rituals
Michael shares how his interest in rituals began with reading about grief rituals in the American Civil War and the individual, personal rituals people create to honor loved ones. The variety and personal nature of rituals sparked his curiosity.

00:10:55 - Research Process and Cultural Comparisons
Michael discusses the research process for studying rituals, including comparing and contrasting rituals across different cultures. He highlights how individual, private rituals play a significant role in people's lives, especially during times of grief.

00:13:08 - Rituals in Sports and Unconscious Rituals
The conversation explores how rituals are used in sports and how some rituals are performed unconsciously. Michael emphasizes the significance of both conscious and unconscious rituals in various aspects of life, from sports to personal routines.

00:13:42 - The Role of Rituals in Sports and Work
Michael discusses the significance of rituals in sports and work, highlighting how they offer a unique insight into human behavior and the acceptance of certain behaviors in different contexts.

00:16:01 - The Importance of Rituals
Michael delves into the importance of rituals and their role in various domains of life, such as performance, dining, family holidays, and grief. He emphasizes how rituals serve as coping mechanisms and tools to navigate different life situations.

00:17:59 - Rituals in the Workplace
The conversation shifts to the use of rituals in the workplace, from the start of the day to interactions within teams and the process of leaving work behind at the end of the day. Michael highlights how rituals permeate different aspects of work life.

00:20:07 - Transitioning to Remote Work and Rituals
Michael explores the adaptation of rituals in the context of remote work, citing examples of individuals creating new rituals to mark the transition between home and work environments. The discussion touches on the impact of collective experience

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Dr. Nick Hobson, a distinguished behavioral scientist specializing in social psychology and social neuroscience, joins host Melina Palmer for an insightful discussion on the intersection of psychology, philosophy, and behavioral science. Dr. Hobson's journey into the realm of rituals and moral emotions, shaped by collaborations with renowned behavioral scientists like Mike Norton and Francesca Gino, underscores his profound expertise in the field. 
The episode delves into the practical applications of psychology, emphasizing the interconnectedness of theoretical foundations and real-world practices in understanding human behavior. Nick's expertise in leveraging technology and behavioral science to analyze emotions and attitudes, exemplified by Emotive Technologies' product, Apex, offers valuable insights for businesses seeking to understand consumer actions. With a wealth of knowledge and expertise, Nick's perspective adds depth and practical relevance to the conversation, making this episode a must-listen for behavioral science researchers and practitioners.
In this episode:
Explore the profound impact of rituals on human behavior, shedding light on their significance in shaping daily actions and choices. Gain insights into the cognitive processes underlying decision-making behavior, illuminating the intricate mechanisms guiding individual choices and preferences. Delve into the realm of moral emotions through psychological research, uncovering the intricate interplay between emotions and moral decision-making. Uncover effective business strategies harnessing the power of behavioral science, offering valuable lessons for leveraging human behavior in organizational settings. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction,
Melina introduces the episode and the guest, Dr. Nick Hobson, a prominent behavioral scientist with a background in social psychology and neuroscience.

00:02:36 - Background and Research on Rituals
Nick discusses his research on the psychology and neuroscience of rituals, which was the focus of his dissertation.

00:05:31 - Philosophy and Science
The conversation delves into the value of philosophy in scientific research, emphasizing the importance of asking questions, running thought experiments, and thinking critically. Dr. Hobson highlights the blend between philosophy and computational cognitive science in the work of Daniel Dennett.

00:10:06 - Qualitative and Quantitative Research
The importance of embracing both qualitative and quantitative research methods is discussed. The conversation emphasizes the balance between asking big questions and curiosity (qualitative) and empirical methodological thinking (quantitative) in scientific research.

00:11:22 - The Role of Philosophy in Research
Nick reflects on the role of philosophy in research, advocating for a philosophical mindset to push the boundaries of scientific innovation. He emphasizes the tension between exploration and replication in scientific research and the value of philosophical thinking in curiosity and hypothesis testing.

00:15:19 - The Birth of Psychology
Nick discusses the marriage between philosophy and physiology in the late 19th century, which led to the birth of psychology. He highlights the influence of philosophers like William James on the founding of psychology.

00:17:04 - The Trolley Problem
Nick delves into the moral dilemma known as the trolley problem, where individuals must make a decision that reflects their moral philosophy. He explains the differences between utilitarianism and deontology in approaching ethical decisions.

00:20:30 - Emotive Technologies and Apex
Nick introduces Emotive Technologies and its product, Apex, which combines technology and behavioral science to uncover and track emotions and attitudes in audience relationships. He emphasizes the tool's ability to analyze consumer behaviors and provide strategic insights to clients.

00:23

In episode 381 of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer interviews Dr. Therese Huston, a cognitive scientist and author of Let's Talk: Make Effective Feedback Your Superpower. Therese's expertise in cognitive psychology and her personal experiences with feedback inspired her to provide insights into giving effective feedback in various contexts. She shares stories emphasizing the power dynamics and emotional impact of feedback, highlighting the need for thoughtfulness and empathy in delivering feedback. 
The episode delves into the importance of specific feedback, regular evaluation, and the positive impact feedback can have on employee development. Therese's discussion on the three types of feedback that employees need—appreciation, coaching, and evaluation—provides a valuable framework for managers and leaders to improve employee growth and performance. Her emphasis on the significance of being specific about feedback type and offering regular evaluation aligns with the audience's goal of enhancing workplace feedback practices. The episode offers practical advice and actionable strategies, making it essential listening for managers and leaders seeking to improve their feedback delivery skills.
In this episode:
Learn to deliver effective feedback for enhanced employee growth and performance. Understand the types of feedback crucial for driving employee development and success. Discover the significance of specific feedback in fostering employee improvement and motivation. Master the art of siding with individuals during feedback sessions for impactful communication. Explore the power of asking questions as a tool for guiding employees toward growth and proficiency. Show Notes: 00:00:00 - Introduction
Dr. Therese Huston is introduced as a cognitive scientist and author of Let's Talk. She shares her background and experience as a writer and cognitive scientist, as well as her interest in giving effective feedback.

00:03:08 - The Importance of Good Feedback
Therese shares a pivotal moment in her career where she received poorly delivered feedback, leading to her interest in helping others give better feedback. She highlights the impact of feedback on the receiver and the power dynamic between the giver and receiver of feedback.

00:10:25 - Impact of Framing and Setup
Melina shares a personal story about receiving a vague and anxiety-inducing message from her boss, highlighting the importance of the framing and setup of feedback conversations. The discussion emphasizes the impact of small thoughtful gestures in feedback delivery.

00:12:29 - Types of Feedback
Therese discusses the three types of feedback: appreciation, coaching, and evaluation, as outlined by Stone and Heen in their book Thanks for the Feedback. Each type of feedback is explained, focusing on the different purposes and challenges associated with giving each type.

00:14:03 - Evaluative Feedback
The conversation delves into evaluative feedback, the least often given type of feedback, and its importance in letting employees know where they stand in terms of performance and impact. The challenges and significance of delivering evaluative feedback are highlighted.

00:14:30 - Employee Feedback Needs
Therese discusses the three types of feedback employees need: appreciation, coaching, and evaluation. She emphasizes the importance of being specific about the type of feedback required.

00:16:39 - Asking for Feedback
Therese provides advice on how managers can gauge the type of feedback employees want, suggesting open-ended questions and scheduling dedicated feedback sessions.

00:21:02 - Importance of Feedback
Therese highlights the positive impact of giving employees feedback on where they stand relative to expectations, leading to career mentoring and a sense of reassurance.

00:24:40 - Me vs. We Strengths
Therese introduces the concept of "me strengths" and "we strengths," emphasizing the importance of acknowledging both t