In a surprising experiment, children tended to copy actions of an adult demonstrator, even irrelevant steps, to get a reward, whereas chimpanzees disregarded useless steps to get to the food. Do we do things just because “that’s the way we’ve always done it”?
When we have a fully-formed idea in our mind, and try to communicate that to other people, it’s easy to overlook details that seem obvious to us. That perfect picture in our mind is still a black screen in the minds of others, waiting to be filled in with what we communicate. It’s important to confirm
Whether in the US or Thailand, tribalism & heated debate over politics has reached an epidemic level. But as much as we’d like to believe that our logical arguments should persuade anyone with a little common sense, it doesn’t appear that our brains are built to change belief on presentation of facts that don’t fit
It was a horrifying sight in a war filled with horrifying sights. But the other atrocities were just stories that 10-year-old Little Red had heard. This was real. A bloated corpse, barely recognizable as a Japanese sailor but for the anchor symbol on its sleeve and a scarf with Japanese characters pressing into its swollen
One early morning, I watched local fishermen tending their nets as the tide slowly retreated, following the setting moon. Fishermen understand the importance of timing. They take in many factors of nature to decide when to cast their nets. In persuading & influencing, we benefit from learning the right timing too. In Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way
It’s that time of year for thoughtful reflection & self-assessment. I often wish I were a faster reader…I started 2018 with a longer & different list of books to read, but time & circumstances took me to unexpected paths. Overall, though, it’s been a fruitful year of discovering: • fascinating views of cultural differences in
Overconfidence sets us up for a long fall if we’re not realistic about our limitations. We all have cognitive biases that contribute to being overconfident, but these can be overcome with 6 practical methods to make more successful decisions.
Upon entering the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs every June, basic cadets, called “doolies,” are given a small pocketbook of knowledge with quotes to memorize and repeat under stress. The quotes deal with self-discipline, airmanship, and especially leadership. Patton’s quote has been particularly influential in my life, and remains applicable for leaders
“Is that your final answer?” That famous phrase heard worldwide in different languages on the wildly popular game show “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?” meant that the time had come to make a final decision. Viewers sweated and felt the knotted stomach of emotional tension in the contestant. In my previous articles on decision-making,
Special days for appreciating and thanking mothers are celebrated around the world at different times in different cultures. In the United States, Mother’s Day is officially recognized on the 2nd Sunday of May. In honor of that tradition, here are some thoughts on what my mom taught me about leadership. Let’s start a conversation…Please share
