Happy heuristics: Shock-resistant leader routines and rules of thumb for a complex world.

Jeff Grimshaw & Jamie Flinchbaugh
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It's hard to be human. Our biology constrains our brains' computational power. We can only "chew" on so many decisions each day. That makes it tough to lead in complex environments. But if we're equipped with reliable heuristics (or "rules of thumb"), we can make good decisions about a whole bunch of stuff without having to think too hard about it. That frees up our finite brain power for the challenges and opportunities that require it most! Hosted by Jamie Flinchbaugh (author and co-founder JFlinch) and Jeff Grimshaw (author and principal at MGStrategy).

Episodes

  1. 06/06/2022

    Value for the money

    How much you deliver and what you charge for it: Two variables it's important to get right! What are some reliable heuristics to guide your decisions? In this episode, Jamie and Jeff tackle that question. Rough (automated) Transcript BTW, Jamie has a new book: People Solve Problems. Check it out! Find out more about Jeff Grimshaw here and MG Strategy here Find out more about Jamie Flinchbaugh here and JFlinch here

  2. 05/03/2022

    Gordon Gekko was half right

    Adam Smith, the father of free enterprise, wrote in The Wealth of Nations: "It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest." We may tell ourselves stories about our supposed altruism. But we all make decisions that we hope will "maximize future utility." The question is: What's our time horizon for calculating ROI? In this episode, Jeff and Jamie suggest heuristics that address this question. Rough (automated) Transcript Show notes Coming soon BTW, Jamie has a new book: People Solve Problems. Check it out! Find out more about Jeff Grimshaw here and MG Strategy here Find out more about Jamie Flinchbaugh here and JFlinch here

    Gordon Gekko was half right

  3. 04/04/2022

    Theory versus practice

    What's more important to you: That something works in THEORY or that it works in PRACTICE? In this episode, Jamie and Jeff reveal their answers with two new "heuristics" or rules of thumb for making choices in uncertainty. Rough (automated) Transcript Show notes Patriot's Point in South Carolina Nassim Taleb on the "Green Lumber Problem" The Manzo Derby cocktail with pepper Eric Ries: Lean Startup Principles The case for NFTs Ethereum founder makes the case for Bitcoin Maximalism BTW, Jamie has a new book: People Solve Problems. Check it out! Find out more about Jeff Grimshaw here and MG Strategy here Find out more about Jamie Flinchbaugh here and JFlinch here

  4. 03/01/2022

    Reserving the right to get smarter

    Nobody likes a "know-it-all." In this episode, Jamie and Jeff share reliable decision-making heuristics or "rules of thumb" for operating as a learn-it-all. Show notes [Coming soon] BTW, Jamie has a new book: People Solve Problems. Check it out! Find out more about Jeff Grimshaw here and MG Strategy here Find out more about Jamie Flinchbaugh here and JFlinch here Transcript [Coming soon]

  5. 02/01/2022

    Attention: Non-Urgent!

    Life's full of tradeoffs. In this episode, Jamie and Jeff share reliable decision-making heuristics or "rules of thumb" for optimizing your most valuable asset: Time. Show notes [Coming soon] BTW, Jamie has a new book: People Solve Problems. Check it out! Find out more about Jeff Grimshaw here and MG Strategy here Find out more about Jamie Flinchbaugh here and JFlinch here Transcript [Coming soon]

    Attention: Non-Urgent!

  6. 01/04/2022

    In praise of procrastination and flip-floppery

    Jamie and Jeff share reliable decision-making heuristics or "rules of thumb" for deciding WHEN to decide...and when to change your mind.

    In praise of procrastination and flip-floppery

  7. 12/06/2021

    Control freaks

    Jamie and Jeff share reliable decision-making heuristics or "rules of thumb" for deciding who ought to decide. Show notes Interested in learning more about the thought leaders and concepts referenced in this episode? Decoding the DNA of the Toyota Production System AntiFragile by Nassim Taleb Carl von Clausewitz: "Fog of War" Helmuth von Moltke the Elder Wikipedia on heuristics BTW, Jamie has a new book: People Solve Problems. Check it out! Find out more about Jeff Grimshaw here and MG Strategy here Find out more about Jamie Flinchbaugh here and JFlinch here Check out the transcript here

    Control freaks

  8. 11/05/2021

    Cheap insurance

    Jamie and Jeff consider decision-making heuristics or "rules of thumb" for reducing risk when the stakes are high. When do you slow down decision making and action? And how do you slow down without getting paralyzed? Show notes Interested in learning more about the thought leaders and concepts referenced in this episode? Precautionary principle Annie Duke, Thinking in Bets  44 heuristics from Nassim Taleb Wikipedia on heuristics BTW, Jamie has a new book: People Solve Problems. Check it out! Find out more about Jeff Grimshaw here and MG Strategy here Find out more about Jamie Flinchbaugh here and JFlinch here Check out the transcript here

    Cheap insurance

  9. Season 1 Trailer

    Happy Heuristics: Preview

    Jeff and Jamie answer three important questions:  Why the hell does the world need another podcast?  What the hell is a heuristic?  Why should you care? Check out this short preview of the podcast series and subscribe! About the hosts:  As the Founder of JFlinch, lean thought-leader Jamie Flinchbaugh helps teams lift performance. In 2006, he co-authored the lean bestseller, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Lean: Lessons from the Road, and he has worked with over 300 clients spanning manufacturing, healthcare, utilities, technology, government, and professional services, including Harley-Davidson, Intel, Mars, Amazon, Crayola, Fidelity, Whirlpool, among others. His next book, People Solve Problems, will be published this fall. Jeff Grimshaw has worked with senior leaders for more than 25 years. Along the way he’s helped hundreds of executives—across six continents—to align people, strategy, and culture in support of important business outcomes. Jeff is the co-author of Leadership Without Excuses: How to Create Accountability and High Performance (Instead of Just Talking about It) (McGraw-Hill) and Five Frequencies: Leadership Signals That Turn Culture into Competitive Advantage (Logos).

  • 1 Trailer
    8 Episodes

Trailer

About

It's hard to be human. Our biology constrains our brains' computational power. We can only "chew" on so many decisions each day. That makes it tough to lead in complex environments. But if we're equipped with reliable heuristics (or "rules of thumb"), we can make good decisions about a whole bunch of stuff without having to think too hard about it. That frees up our finite brain power for the challenges and opportunities that require it most! Hosted by Jamie Flinchbaugh (author and co-founder JFlinch) and Jeff Grimshaw (author and principal at MGStrategy).

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