The Paradox of Leadership: Balancing People and Performance with Nick Hobson, PhD

Can leaders truly balance the drive for high performance with the human need for purpose and connection in the workplace?

This week I'm talking with Nick Hobson, a PhD and Managing Director of North America for Influence at Work. We delve into the intricacies of behavioral science and its practical applications in the workplace.

It's a discussion on the evolution of work and the human desire for purpose, autonomy, and collaboration, a deep dive into understanding human behavior and motivation.

A key theme is the research and science behind paradoxical leadership, balancing people and performance, and the necessity of self-awareness and reflection for leaders. This puts to bed the false dichotomy between focusing on people or performance, advocating for a both-and approach to leadership.

Our conversation also touches on the research-backed benefits of diverse and inclusive teams, the power of pausing to gain perspective, and the potential of experimentation within organizations.

This conversation will be valuable for any leader seeking to navigate the complexities of the modern workforce balancing both satisfaction and productivity.

Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction

14:37 - Rise of Behavioral Science

19:12 - Evolution of Work & Human Behavior

27:12 - False Dichotomy of Performance & People

34:16 - Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivators

45:21 - Balancing Performance & People

52:04 - The Power of Pause

1:04:09 - Importance of Experimentation