What you might get wrong about progress - lessons for leaders: Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker

Renowned Harvard cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker studies the big questions facing human nature: Why do we fight? What helps us get along? How do we understand the world around us? His research has uncovered an insight we might not expect – that humanity is doing better than we might think. Despite host of major challenges that still exist, from geopolitical unrest to climate change, data shows that humans today live longer, face fewer wars, and live more comfortable lives than in preceding generations. He explains why a better understanding of progress and its uneven nature can help us better appreciate the unique moment of time in which we live, avoid decision-making blindspots and strengthen leaders’ confidence to solve the big complex problems we still face. This interview was recorded at the Annual Meeting in Davos Switzerland in January 2025. 

About this episode: Steven Pinker: https://stevenpinker.com/ Future of Jobs report: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/ Video podcast version of this interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2IJjZs4E7A Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/steven-pinker-harvard-humanity-doing-better Related Podcasts: Adam Grant: Future leaders won't succeed without this key trait https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buVVIpttzUA

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