The Science of Personality Podcast

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne and Blake are joined by Zsolt Feher, Hogan's vice president of business development, to talk about charisma in politics. For centuries, charismatic politicians have had a significant advantage when it comes to assuming leadership roles. They enamor us with their confidence and the ability to tell us exactly what we want to hear. In this episode, we’ll talk about some of the more notable charismatic politicians throughout history, what personality characteristics they have in common, and whether they actually are effective leaders. 

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne and Blake are joined by Douglas Kenrick, PhD, professor of psychology at Arizona State University, to talk about evolutionary psychology. What are its primary concepts? What implications does it have? And why is it such a controversial topic to so many people? Dr. Kenrick has spent decades researching and lecturing on this topic and is viewed by his peers as one of the leading experts in this area. 

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne and Blake discuss a topic that everyone has at least been subjected to, if not been a victim of, and that is scammers. Whether by phone, email, or other means, scammers use a variety of methods to access sensitive data or to make a quick buck. So, the question is: why do people fall for these schemes? What makes us so vulnerable to these vultures who seem to seek us out on an almost daily basis? 

In a fascinating discussion, Adrian Furnham, a world-renowned personality psychologist, delves into why many prefer working from home post-pandemic. He examines how personality traits influence these preferences and the dynamic shifts in remote work culture. The conversation also touches on innovative initiatives like Tulsa's relocation bonus to attract remote workers, and the challenges organizations face in measuring productivity. Furnham highlights how trust-based work environments may lead to enhanced employee satisfaction and performance.

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne and Blake are joined by Allan Church, PhD, cofounder and managing partner at Maestro Consulting and former SVP of global talent management at PepsiCo, to talk about the impact of personality on careers. A legend in the field of I-O Psychology, Allan has seen the impact of personality on literally thousands of workers throughout his prestigious career.

The hosts dive into the 2024's top derailers, analyzing traits like 'excitable' and 'skeptical' in leadership, referencing current political figures. They highlight the dilemmas of reserved behavior and give the 'Derailer of the Year' award to Bashar al-Assad for his controversial actions. The discussion also touches on rivalries in hip-hop and the playful diversion provided by a viral baby hippo. Innovations in space travel and reflections on the evolving political landscape add depth to the conversation, showcasing the intricate links between personality and behavior.

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne and Blake are joined by Krista Pederson, Hogan's managing director of Asia Pacific, to talk about the recent launch of Hogan’s Global Leadership Effectiveness Study, a groundbreaking research study aimed at identifying the characteristics shared among effective leaders. Are these characteristics the same regardless of geographic or cultural differences? Are any of the characteristics shared among emergent leaders? We  explore all of that and so much more in this episode.Learn more about Hogan's Global Leadership Effectiveness Study here: https://hubs.ly/Q02-ySm30

Explore how social interactions dictate behaviors and decisions in fascinating ways. Discover the psychological triggers behind conformity, compliance, and obedience through classic studies. Learn about techniques like the 'foot-in-the-door' strategy and the power of reciprocity in getting others to cooperate. Delve into the unexpected tendencies of obedience in authority contexts and the consequences of resisting social pressure. Uncover how context shapes our responses and the delicate balance between fitting in and staying true to oneself.

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne and Blake are joined by Ty Wiggins, PhD, the lead of Russell Reynolds Associates’ CEO & Transitions Practice, to talk about CEO transitions and his latest book, The New CEO. Although there might be numerous people out there who might consider themselves experts on this topic, Ty is one of only a handful of people globally who actually has a PhD in senior leadership transitions. So, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone with more knowledge and expertise on this particular subject.Order The New CEO here: https://www.russellreynolds.com/en/microsite/the-new-ceo/order

In the latest episode of The Science of Personality, Ryne and Blake are joined by Larry Martinez, PhD, associate professor of psychology and the A. Dale Thompson Endowed Chair of Leadership at the University of Texas at Arlington, to talk about the psychology behind the Salem Witch Trials. For those in the US and beyond, this is probably something you’re somewhat aware of, but did you know that it’s highly likely that those accused of and executed for crimes of witchcraft in early American history actually weren’t witches at all? So, what happened? What was going on in the psyche of early-day American settlers that led them to believe the “offenders” were witches? We cover this and so much more in the second and final spooky season episode of 2024.