The Mammoth in the Room

Nicolas Pokorny, PhD, MBA
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History doesn’t repeat itself. Human behavior does. The Mammoth in the Room is a leadership podcast that guides listeners through pivotal historical moments, helping decipher the human instincts that shaped decisions, outcomes, and entire eras. These are the same forces shaping leaders and organizations today — inviting reflection, self-awareness, and more deliberate leadership in the present. In each episode, you’ll discover: - Why leaders gain (or lose) trust, authority, and influence - How teams behave under pressure and why they succeed or lose - The hidden incentives, instincts, and biases behind big decisions - What repeating patterns in history can teach today’s organizations Hosted by Nicolas Pokorny (multinational executive leader, neuroscientist, and author). If you lead people, teams, or change—this show will help you lead with more awareness, adaptability, and intent.

  1. 1D AGO

    Napoleon Bonaparte - The Quiet Transition of Power

    In this episode, Nicolas Pokorny explores the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte during a time of political instability in France. He discusses how the exhaustion of the Parisian population and the procedural transition of power allowed Napoleon to consolidate authority without overt violence. The conversation delves into the psychological aspects of leadership, the nature of authority, and the subtle dangers that arise during quiet transitions of power. Takeaways Napoleon is positioned as a trusted figure amidst instability.Leadership transitions can occur quietly and procedurally.Authority can solidify through collective relief rather than explicit consent.People often accept authority out of fatigue rather than conviction.Rationalization becomes adaptive in the face of coercion.Power stabilizes without violence through compliance and fatigue.The narrative around power can shift from coercive to necessary.Quiet transitions of power can be more dangerous than overt conflicts.

    15 min

  2. FEB 12

    Napoleon Bonaparte - From Crisis to Control

    This conversation explores the evolution of Napoleon's leadership during critical moments in history, particularly focusing on the 1795 crisis in France, his strategic decisions during the Egyptian campaign, and his eventual return to France. It highlights how Napoleon transitioned from a reactive leader to one who shaped narratives and seized opportunities, emphasizing the importance of timing and perception in leadership. Takeaways Napoleon's decisive actions during crises restored order quickly. Fear can lead to moral compromises in leadership decisions. Leadership evolves from crisis management to strategic planning. Success must be accompanied by meaning to inspire followership. Failure without visible consequences can distort a leader's perception. People gravitate towards recognizable competence in uncertain times. Power dynamics shift when leaders wait for the right moment to act.

    12 min

  3. FEB 5

    Napoleon Bonaparte - Leadership Born of Chaos

    Explore how Napoleon Bonaparte’s early decisions and the chaotic environment of revolutionary France shaped his leadership style. Discover key insights into human instincts and behavior, decision-making under pressure, and leadership evolution through history. Introduction to Napoleon's background: Corsican origins, outsider status, early discipline and focus.The chaos of revolutionary France: from political upheaval to societal collapse, and the need for fast action.How societal fracture creates a search for new leaders: Napoleon’s emergence from instability.Napoleon's ability to capitalize on moments of crisis by acting decisively—Toulon as a pivotal example.The psychology of decisiveness: risk-taking leads to recognition and promotion.Overconfidence rooted in success: how early victories reinforce belief in infallibility.The importance of conditions over greatness: Napoleon’s rise driven by need for stability and competence.Lessons on leadership and human behavior: chaos, uncertainty, and the power of decisive action under pressure.

    12 min

  4. FEB 5

    When Leadership Moves: Observing the Mammoth

    In this episode, Nicolas Pokorny explores the essence of leadership, emphasizing that it often manifests in moments of uncertainty and pressure rather than through theoretical frameworks. He introduces the concept of observing leadership in action, particularly through historical examples, starting with Napoleon Bonaparte. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding human behavior and instincts in leadership dynamics. Leadership shows up in moments under uncertainty and pressure.Understanding leadership is different from observing it unfold.Leadership lives in motion, not just in language.History provides a powerful laboratory for observing behavior.Human behavior is consistent across time, despite changing contexts.Confidence, fear, and ambition are key elements in leadership.Observing leadership can reveal patterns in organizations and individuals.The journey of leadership can be understood through historical figures.Napoleon Bonaparte's leadership journey serves as a case study.The invitation is to watch leadership happen, not just learn about it.

    6 min

  5. 12/25/2025

    How to Use Power in Leadership As a Tool, Not a Weapon

    The stakes for leaders today have never been higher. Power that’s applied indiscriminately can erode trust, lower morale, and damage a company’s culture. But leaders who master the art of flexible power use can navigate complex challenges with resilience and success. In this episode, we examine leadership power as a precision instrument. We explore how business leaders can move beyond traditional, blunt approaches to power and adopt a more adaptable, context-sensitive strategy.  Drawing from historical examples, we explore how the smartest leaders know when to exercise authority and when to lean on soft power for better outcomes. You’ll learn how to apply power strategically, balance hard and soft approaches, and lead with precision. In this episode: - Power as a precision instrument - Historical examples: Ashoka, Paul Polman, & Shackleton - Playbook for applying power with precision - Key takeaway and series wrap-up Resources Used in the Episode: French, J. R. P., & Raven, B. (1959). The bases of social power: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/215915730_The_bases_of_social_power    Keltner, D., Gruenfeld, D. H., & Anderson, C. (2003). Power, approach, and inhibition. Psychological Review, 110(2), 265–284: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2003-00307-004  Peyton, T., Zigarmi, D., & Fowler, S. (2020). Examining the Relationship Between Leaders' Power Use, Followers' Motivational Outlooks, and Followers' Work Intentions. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1070: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6367254/  Wisse, B., Rus, D., Keller, A., & Sleebos, E. (2019). Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it: The combined effects of leader fear of losing power and competitive climate on leader self-serving behavior. The Leadership Quarterly, 30(5), 101313: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334007112_Fear_of_losing_power_corrupts_those_who_wield_it_the_combined_effects_of_leader_fear_of_losing_power_and_competitive_climate_on_leader_self-serving_behavior  Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in Organizations (8th ed.). Pearson: https://nibmehub.com/opac-service/pdf/read/Leadership%20in%20Organizations%20by%20Gary%20Yukl.pdf Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/ Get in Touch:  Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny  a...

    11 min

  6. 12/18/2025

    How to Deal with a Blame Shifter in Your Team

    Picture a product launch gone wrong, with a team scrambling to point fingers rather than solve the problem. Instead of tackling the root cause, individuals deflect responsibility to others, poisoning team morale and trust.  In today’s episode, we dive into one of the most destructive patterns that can derail a team—blame shifting. We uncover why this behavior is common, how it sabotages learning and growth within organizations, and how leaders can address it effectively. By understanding this behavior, leaders can take proactive steps to model accountability and create an environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth rather than threats. Tune in for practical strategies to confront blame shifters and foster a more resilient, adaptive team. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction to blame shifting 01:52 Why blame shifting exists and its impact on teams 03:47 Real-world examples: Apollo 1 & Volkswagen emissions scandal 05:02 How leaders can counteract blame shifting 06:38 Conclusion and key takeaway Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/ Get in Touch:  Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny  YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

    8 min

  7. 12/11/2025

    3 Research-Backed Ways to Design Power That Drives Performance

    George Washington shocked the world by surrendering power after winning the Revolutionary War. That single decision didn’t just define a leader; it helped shape the foundations of modern democracy. It remains a powerful example of how intentional power design, not personal ambition, builds trust and resilience in organizations. In today’s episode, we explore what this means for today’s business leaders. Drawing on research and other real-world cases, we unpack the invisible levers that either keep power healthy or allow it to corrupt. You’ll hear how institutional structures, role design, and even evolutionary psychology determine whether leaders remain mission-focused or drift toward self-interest under pressure. If you’re leading a team, a company, or a culture, this discussion will arm you with three proven strategies to design power systems that support performance and safeguard against ego-driven misuse. We also share how to spot hidden risks before they derail your leadership and what to do about them. In this episode: - Why power design matters in leadership - Real-world examples: Washington, Lee Kuan Yew, & NASA - How to design power systems - Final takeaway: Design beats default power Resources Mentioned in the Episode: French, J. R. P., & Raven, B. (1959). The bases of social power. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1960-06701-004   Peyton, T., Zigarmi, D., & Fowler, S. (2020). The relationship of leader power use and follower motivational outlook and work intention. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30774619/    Wisse, B., Faber, N. R., van Vugt, M., & Evers, A. (2019). Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it: The combined effects of leader fear of losing power and competitive climate on leader self-serving behavior. https://www.scienceopen.com/document?vid=5b6d9055-a12a-425a-a6d0-c924189655f9   Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/ Get in Touch:  Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny  YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

    9 min

  8. 12/04/2025

    Why the Fear of Losing Power Makes Leaders Selfish (And How to Prevent It)

    When leaders feel their authority slipping, something ancient is triggered. Fear triggers an instinct not just to survive, but to protect status at all costs. In this episode, we uncover the evolutionary psychology behind power loss and explore how fear can quietly corrupt even the most principled leadership.  We explore groundbreaking research showing how perceived status threats cause leaders to act selfishly, even at the expense of their teams. You'll hear case studies from politics and business on how fear distorts decision-making under pressure.  When power feels unstable, you don't just risk poor choices. You risk becoming the very leader you vowed not to be. Join the conversation now and learn how to prevent power panic, stabilize legitimacy, and future-proof your leadership with science-backed strategies. In this episode: - Evolutionary roots of status threat and fight-or-flight - Research results on leadership insecurity - Real-world examples: Marcos, Kalanick, & middle managers - Three strategies to prevent power-loss panic - Key takeaway and conclusion Resources Mentioned in the Episode: French, J. R. P., & Raven, B. (1959). The bases of social power. Peyton, T., Zigarmi, D., & Fowler, S. (2020). The relationship of leader power use and follower motivational outlook and work intention. Wisse, B., Faber, N. R., van Vugt, M., & Evers, A. (2019). Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it: The combined effects of leader fear of losing power and competitive climate on leader self-serving behavior Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/ Get in Touch:  Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny  YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

    9 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

History doesn’t repeat itself. Human behavior does. The Mammoth in the Room is a leadership podcast that guides listeners through pivotal historical moments, helping decipher the human instincts that shaped decisions, outcomes, and entire eras. These are the same forces shaping leaders and organizations today — inviting reflection, self-awareness, and more deliberate leadership in the present. In each episode, you’ll discover: - Why leaders gain (or lose) trust, authority, and influence - How teams behave under pressure and why they succeed or lose - The hidden incentives, instincts, and biases behind big decisions - What repeating patterns in history can teach today’s organizations Hosted by Nicolas Pokorny (multinational executive leader, neuroscientist, and author). If you lead people, teams, or change—this show will help you lead with more awareness, adaptability, and intent.

Information

  • Creator
    Nicolas Pokorny, PhD, MBA
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Nicolas Pokorny, PhD, MBA
  • Show Website
    The Mammoth in the Room