How to Be Awesome at Your Job

969: How to Make Better Decisions by Wisely Evaluating Claims with Alex Edmans

Jun 10, 2024

Alex Edmans, Professor of Finance, teaches listeners how to make better decisions by critically evaluating claims, tackling biases, distinguishing data from evidence, and embracing dissenting viewpoints for smarter thinking and decision-making. He emphasizes the importance of asking 'why' in success, minimizing distractions for deep work, and integrating purpose in business for long-term success.

48:40

Episode guests

Alex Edmans

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Question popular beliefs for a more authentic life.

Biased conclusions mislead on breastfeeding benefits.

Critically evaluate biases to avoid misinterpretations.

Deep dives

Being Extreme Over Rightness

To gain fame and impact, extremity, not accuracy, is critical. This insight from the podcast conversation emphasizes how questioning popular beliefs can lead to a more relaxed and authentic life.

Intro

3min

Recognizing and Addressing Cognitive Biases in Decision-Making

17min

The Power of 'Why' in Success and the Nuances of Achievement

4min

Distinguishing Data from Evidence

14min

Strategies for Smarter Thinking and Decision-Making in Organizations

5min

Importance of Research and Decision-Making

5min

Immersing in Deep Work and Purpose in Business

4min

Alex Edmans shows you how to think smarter, sharper, and more critically so you can make better decisions.

— YOU’LL LEARN —

1) How our biases are holding us back

2) The ladder of misinference that mucks up our thinking

3) Why we end up mistaking statements for facts

Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep969 for clickable versions of the links below.

— ABOUT ALEX —

Alex Edmans is Professor of Finance at London Business School. Alex has a PhD from MIT as a Fulbright Scholar, and was previously a tenured professor at Wharton and an investment banker at Morgan Stanley. Alex has spoken at the World Economic Forum in Davos, testified in the UK Parliament, and given TED/TEDx talks with a combined 2.8 million views. He was named Professor of the Year by Poets & Quants in 2021.

• Book: Grow the Pie: How Great Companies Deliver Both Purpose and Profit

• Book: May Contain Lies: How Stories, Statistics, and Studies Exploit Our Biases―And What We Can Do about It

• Book site: MayContainLies.com

• Linked: Alex Edmans

• TEDx Talk: The Pie-Growing Mindset | Alex Edmans | TEDxManchester

• Twitter/X: @aedmans

• Website: AlexEdmans.com

— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW —

• Article: “Addiction Rare in Patients Treated with Narcotics” by Jane Porter and Hershel Jick

• Book: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

• Book: Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

• Book: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth