Five science-backed tips to become a better leader

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Nov 17, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Professor Adam Galinsky, a leadership authority from Columbia Business School and author of "Inspire," shares his top five science-backed tips for becoming a better leader. He emphasizes the importance of offering autonomy to employees, which boosts creativity and productivity. Galinsky also discusses how asking for advice enhances loyalty, and how phrasing proposals as requests shapes perceptions positively. He concludes with the value of acknowledging others to build respect and status within teams.

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ADVICE

Use Goldilocks Contracts

Write contracts that give structure but allow autonomy rather than overly specific rules.
Use general guidance (e.g., “about two hours”) to boost persistence and performance.

ADVICE

Let Teams Lead Short Meetings

Step back in short meetings and let employees lead discussions on goals and challenges.
High-involvement meetings raise productivity, satisfaction, and reduce quitting.

ADVICE

Give Two Equivalent Offers

Offer two equivalent options simultaneously in negotiations instead of a single offer.
Multiple equivalent simultaneous offers increase agreement likelihood and buyer satisfaction.

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My guest on today’s episode of Nudge has spent decades studying leaders.

I asked Prof. Adam Galinsky to share his top five (evidence-backed) leadership tips.

Want to become a better leader?

This is the episode for you.

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Watch the bonus episode: https://nudge.kit.com/a53ff22931

Read Adam’s book: https://amzn.to/4htZCGc

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew-22213187/

Watch Nudge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nudgepodcast/

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Chou, E. Y., Halevy, N., Galinsky, A. D., & Murnighan, J. K. (2017). The Goldilocks contract: The synergistic benefits of combining structure and autonomy for persistence, creativity, and cooperation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113(3), 393–412.

Hoff, M., Rucker, D. D., & Galinsky, A. D. (2025). The vicious cycle of status insecurity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 128(1), 101–122.

Leonardelli, G. J., Gu, J., McRuer, G., Medvec, V. H., & Galinsky, A. D. (2019). Multiple equivalent simultaneous offers (MESOs) reduce the negotiator dilemma: How a choice of first offers increases economic and relational outcomes. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 152, 64–82.

Liljenquist, K. A., & Galinsky, A. D. (2007). Turn your adversary into your advocate: Strategic requests for advice can transform disputes into amiable problem-solving ventures. Kellogg Insight. Northwestern University.

Majer, J. M., Trötschel, R., Galinsky, A. D., & Loschelder, D. D. (2020). Open to offers, but resisting requests: How the framing of anchors affects motivation and negotiated outcomes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 119(3), 582–599.

Wu, S. J., & Paluck, E. L. (2022). Having a voice in your group: Increasing productivity through group participation. Behavioural Public Policy, 9(1), 192–211.