When we think of risk, it is usually in the context of 'risk-taking'; in other words, an active decision to do something. But it is equally possible to take risk by doing nothing; passive risk. What differentiates the two and is passive risk really a risk?That's what my guest this time Dr Johannes Lohse has been researching. In our discussion, we explore a recent paper he published with Dr Christian König-Kersting & Dr Anna Louisa Merkel on this very topic. You can find that here: https://ideas.repec.org/p/inn/wpaper/2020-04.htmlThis subject is highly relevant to Human Risk, which I define as "the risk of people doing things they shouldn't, or not doing things they should". In other words, both active and passive risk-taking by people. You can find out more about Johannes' work here: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/business/lohse-johannes.aspx

As academic establishments continue to adjust from face to face teaching to being primarily online experiences, how are academics adjusting? That's the start point for my discussion in this episode with Dr Andrew Ishak. Having seen this article: https://www.chronicle.com/article/how-to-curate-your-zoom-backdrop-and-why-you-shouldhe responded with this video to help his academic colleagues seem more 'professorial' during their online sessions:https://vimeo.com/447645552That forms the start point of my wide-ranging discussion with Andrew covering both his specialism of Communication and his area of research into how teams perform in high-pressure situations. We explore everything from how sports talk radio deliberately confects debates, to how we can train firefighters to be able to deal with situations that it would be too dangerous to allow them to rehearse in. We cover sport, risk management under COVID and the importance of Communication. As regular listeners will know, the podcast doesn't follow a strict format, and this episode is no exception.For more on Andrew and his research, visit his faculty page: https://www.scu.edu/cas/communication/faculty/andrew-ishak/ and personal website: http://www.andrewishak.com/I also refer to the Compliance Communications Toolkit & the Human Risk Newsletter. More details on those are here: www.human-risk.com

What do you think of when you read the phrase 'Compliance Training'? Something dull that you're either forced to give (if you're in Compliance) or endure (if you're not)? If so, you're not alone. But it doesn't have to be like that. As my guest this time, Travis Waugh, explores in his book Fully Compliant.Travis is a Learning & Development expert who came to Compliance Training and thought there was a better way to do things. Which is what we explore in this episode of the podcast. So whether you're responsible for Compiance Training, or simply have to go along to it and don't get much out of it, this is the episode for you. Find out why and then help change things in your organization.For more on Travis' book visit: https://www.td.org/books/fully-compliant

Why do even the smartest and most savvy business people make mistakes? It's not because they're stupid. Instead, it's because of the way our brains work. That's what Professor Olivier Sibony, my guest on this episode, explores in his latest book "You're About To Make A Terrible Mistake". In that book, he highlights how cognitive biases that underpin our thinking, can lead us to make terrible mistakes. Using fascinating case studies, he explores how we can fall into what he calls decision-making traps and how we can mitigate those. Not by re-programming ourselves, but rather by using collective thinking.In our discussion, we explore the ideas in his book, and we look ahead to his next book 'Noise' which he's writing with Daniel Kahneman and Cass Sunstein.For more on Olivier see his website: https://www.hec.edu/en/faculty-research/faculty-directory/faculty-member/sibony-olivierYou'll find details of his book here in English: https://oliviersibony.com/books/youre-about-to-make-a-terrible-mistake/For articles, presentations and videos, see here: https://oliviersibony.com/articles-presentations/

On this episode, I explore the concept of denial; something we know is bad on an individual level. But what happens when denial takes place on an industrial scale? That's literally what my guest on this episode Barbara Freese, explores in her new book Industrial Strength Denial.Barbara is an environmental attorney who explores some high profile cases of where corporations have done things that are harmful. Yet faced with proof that they are hurting people or the planet, they deny evidence, blame the victims, complain of witch hunts, attack their critics’ motives, and otherwise rationalize their harmful activities. Denial campaigns have let corporations continue dangerous practices that cause widespread suffering, death, and environmental destruction. And, as Barbara goes on to explore, the fact that they undermine social trust in science and government, means that corporate denial has made it harder for our democracy to function.During our discussion we explore some fo the stories Barbara has researched and written about and look at some of the underlying dynamics; what drives these organisations to denial and what can we do to solve the problem?You can find out more about Barbara's book here: https://www.barbarafreese.com/industrialstrength-denial

How can we use creativity to solve complex business problems?That's what Kelly Peters, my guest on this episode does.Kelly is the CEO and co-founder of BEWorks, a purpose-driven company whose goal is to transform society and the economy through scientific thinking. In simple terms, to use behavioral science to get better business outcomes. BEWorks supports Fortune 100 companies and governments to solve strategic challenges, through creative thinking.On the show, we talk about how Kelly came to set up the company, the kinds of problems they help solve and how they go about it. We also explore the impact COVID is having on business and business models. During our discussion, we talk about:Dan Ariely - https://danariely.com/VCRs - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videocassette_recorderDVDs - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVDFor more on BEWorks visit their website: www.beworks.com. You'll find Kelly on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kellybeworks

Why do things often not turn out the way we planned them? That's what my guest, Paul Orlando is interested in discovering. In his blog 👉https://unintendedconsequenc.es/ Paul explores Unintended Consequences and what he calls Second-Order Thinking.In other words, a failure to think about the second-order implications of events. Looking at topics as wide-ranging as autonomous vehicles and shoplifting, Paul explores this key aspect of failure in human decision-making. On this episode, we dive into Paul's interest in Unintended Consequences and explore some of the key things he's discovered in his research.As you'll discover, Paul is thoughtful, thought-proking and brings some wonderful insights.

"Why Can't We All Just Get Along?" is a question that we've probably all asked at some point in recent times. And it's one that my guest on this episode, Iain Dale, seeks to answer in his brand new book which has that as its title.Iain is an award-winning radio presenter on the UK station LBC (www.lbc.co.uk). He's had a fascinating career, as a political candidate, a publisher and a host of other things. In our discussion, we talk about Iain's experiences on radio and what that's taught him about people and how they think. He's got some wonderful stories, which he tells with warmth and in an engagingly self-deprecating style. In his book, which is part autobiographical, part explorative, Iain covers a number of topics relating to Human Risk, and we talk about many of them on the show.Listener warning: one of the topics we talk about, is the words that you're not allowed to say on UK radio. But you can say them on a podcast. So we do. If you're easily offended, then be warned.Iain's book is out now published by Harper Collins and is available through all good independent bookshops. You can also order signed copies directly from him at https://bit.ly/3iV5FV6You can find out more about him on his website.https://www.iaindale.com/For Iain's LBC radio show, which is on 7pm - 10pm UK time Monday to Thursday and 10am - 12pm Sunday, visit www.lbc.co.uk

What would you do if someone made false allegations online about your home city? Would you go into battle on social media? You would if you're my guest on this episode. Dan Kaszeta was so annoyed by the suggestions that his adopted city of London had 'no go' zones, that he disproved it and then took on others who, with no basis, suggested he was wrong. Dan isn't just an internet troll hunter, he's also a world expert in nerve agents, which form the subject of his latest book.I like having an eclectic mix of guests on the show and Dan is precisely that. Learn about his background working in the highest level of the US government and his various and varying areas of expertise. The newspaper article that featured Dan's tweet on the (not a) 'No Go Zone' of Tower Hamlets is here: https://metro.co.uk/2018/02/05/fearless-security-expert-risks-life-venturing-london-sharia-no-go-zone-7288616/You can find him on Twitter @dankaszetaTo read Dan's amazing biography visit: http://strongpointsecurity.co.uk/about/staff-bio/For more on his book Toxic visit his website: http://strongpointsecurity.co.uk/toxic/In the episode, Dan compares himself to Fred Dibnah. For the uninitiated, here's who Fred was: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Dibnah

In industries where human error can be the difference between life & death, how can we manage Human Risk?The answer is Human Factors, a specialism that blends Behavioural Science & Psychology into operating processes, to ensure that Human Risk is mitigated by design. My guest on this episode Neil Clark, is the founder of IHF - Integrated Human Factors. He came to my attention because of this project that he was working on in Edinburgh: https://www.insider.co.uk/special-reports/how-fighter-pilot-technology-best-22083132Having invited him on to talk about that, we ended up having a fascinating conversation about Neil’s background and his work in a number of areas.You can find out more about Neil’s company on their website - www.ihf.co.uk which also contains some really interesting case studies.