The Human Risk Podcast

What can we learn from religion about ethics? After all, religions have had rules about what people should and shouldn't be doing since well before the advent of Compliance & Ethics functions. And they're also familiar with the fact that codified rules can lead to challenges when it comes to the letter vs the spirit fo the law.On this episode, my guest Rabbi Yonason Goldson, helps me explore this topic. Blending his knowledge of Scripture, with a fascinating life story, he brings fresh insight into how we can manage Ethics in the 21st Century. We may think we're living in unprecedented times, but previous generations have had to deal with similar issues; just in different contexts.What Yonasan has to say is insightful and thought-provoking.For more on him, visit his website: https://www.yonasongoldson.com/ where you'll also find details of his new book, Grappling With The Grey (https://www.yonasongoldson.com/books)

What are kleptocracies and how do they operate? How is dirty money laundered and why is it increasingly a global problem? These are the questions, my guest on this episode, Tom Burgis, sets out to answer in his book Kleptopia: How Dirty Money Is Conquering The World.Tom is an investigative journalist who writes for the Financial Times. In Kleptopia, he follows the trail left by a Compliance Officer, later turned regulator. What he discovers is an extraordinary tale of Human Risk, that impacts all of us. In our discussion, we explore how he came to explore the story and what lessons we can learn from it. If you work in Compliance, Regulation, Auditing or Law, you'll recognise some of the dynamics Tom is describing. Even if you don't, the impact of kleptocracy is significant for all of us.To see all the books recommended in this episode, including both of Tom's book, use these links to go to Bookshop.org. By buying from them, UK and US listeners can support their local independent bookshopUK Link - https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/kleptopia-podcast-recommendationsUS Link - https://bookshop.org/lists/kleptopia-podcast

How can we get people to be more honest? That's what my guest on this episode, Dr Benny Cheung, set out to discover. He was commissioned to do so research for the UK's Insurance Fraud Bureau and ran some experiments to see if it would be possible to reduce opportunistic fraud in insurance processes using Behavioural Science. The results suggest that it is.Given my personal experience with insurance hasn't always been positive, I thought this was worth exploring. So on this episode, I talk to Benny about his work and what we can learn from it. It's relevant to Human Risk, because if we can get people to change their behaviour when they're engaging with an industry they probably don't respect that much, then there are definitely lessons for Compliance, where the attitude may be somewhat similar. In our discussion, I explore what we can learn from Benny's research and the other insights he's gleaned in his work.For more on Benny and his company DecTech, visit https://www.dectech.co.uk/You can read about his experiment here: https://dectech.co.uk/insurance-fraud-prevention/In our conversation, we talk about Lemonade, an insurer that has a behaviourally-centric business model: www.lemonade.com

What is prejudice, why does it exist and why is it such a bad thing? That's what Economist Paul Donovan seeks to answer in his new book Profit & Prejudice. He explores it from an economic perspective, but prejudice is just as bad from a Human Risk perspective. Which is why he's the perfect guest for the Human Risk podcast.In our discussion, Paul explains how he came to write what is a fascinating and highly readable book. He highlights why prejudice exists, why it is so pernicious and what he has learned from the experience of writing the book. If you've heard Paul speak before, you'll know you're in for a treat. If you haven't, rest assured he's insightful and entertaining.For more on Profit & Prejudice visit the publishers' website: https://www.routledge.com/Profit-and-Prejudice-The-Luddites-of-the-Fourth-Industrial-Revolution/Donovan/p/book/9780367566777 Listeners who use the code HR25 will get 25% off the price.You can also find Paul on Twitter at @PDonovan_econ (https://twitter.com/PDonovan_econ)

Why is it so hard for us to admit mistakes? That's what my guest Stefan Gaillard & I explore in this episode. Stefan is the Editor of The Journal of Trial & Error, a project that seeks to promote the discussion of mistakes. Unlike traditional publications, The Journal actively seeks out things that have gone wrong is academic research, with the aim of learning from it. If we want to have innovation, we need to accept trial and error. What Stefan and his colleagues have identified is that errors are more commonplace than we might think and yet we don't want to talk about them. During our discussion, we explore the genesis of the Journal and his experiences in attempting to publish things that aren't normally published.It's a fascinating exploration fo a dynamic we all understand; the fact we're fallible and get things wrong. Yet we often don't want to talk about it. His experience is in academia, but it's highly relevant to all of us.For more on the Journal visit the website: https://www.jtrialerror.com/the-manifesto-for-trial-and-error-in-science/And if you're reading this before 30 November 2020, you can also join the launch party for the Journal here: https://bit.ly/36BvXa4

What can the military teach business? Much as companies often talk about 'wars' (most obviously when it comes to talent) and 'battles' (usually for market share), it's not obvious that the two have much in common. Yet, from personal experience, there are lots of former military personnel using the same skills they've developed in their early career, in their second career in business. As this Economist article highlights: https://www.economist.com/business/2020/10/24/what-the-armed-forces-can-teach-businessIn my ongoing quest to find interesting ideas in other contexts, I thought it would be a good idea to find out. So on this episode, I'm joined by two guests. One with a military background and one with a financial services background. Together, they provide some fascinating insights.My first guest, Stuart Tootal spent 20 years in the British Army, where he commanded a Parachute Regiment battalion, which formed the first UK battle group that was sent to southern Afghanistan in 2006.My second, Greg Davies, is a globally recognised expert in applied decision science, behavioural finance, and financial wellbeing, as well as a specialist in both the theory and practice of risk profiling. Together, they help me explore how military decision-making and processes can help reduce Human Risk. What they have in common, is something you'll have to listen to the show to find out. For more on Stuart visit - https://www.matero.co.uk/about/For more on Greg visit - https://oxfordrisk.com/about-us/greg-b-davies/During the show, I refer to other episodes of this podcast. You'll find them here:Rory Sutherland - https://www.podpage.com/the-human-risk-podcast/rory-sutherland-on-compliance/Matt Edwards - https://www.podpage.com/the-human-risk-podcast/matt-edwards-on-creative-risk-marketing/Jill McDevitt - https://www.podpage.com/the-human-risk-podcast/dr-jill-mcdevitt-on-sexology-condoms-masks/

If you were looking for a sector that had lots of examples of Human Risk, then you'd probably pick banking? And if you were trying to understand why some of the senior people within banking hadn't been prevented from taking bad decisions, you'd probably look at people who were specifically hired for that purpose; non-executives.That's what my guest this time, John Sutherland, explores in his new book Ensuring General Wisdom. John is a banking expert, who works as a Senior Adviser to one of the UK's Financial Services Regulators. While working for a UK Parliamentary Commission looking at the Banking Industry, John wondered whether what the role of the non-executives that Boards are required to have really is and whether it is reasonable for them to be expected to have an awareness of everything going on within the organisation.This led him to research the role of Non-Executives and Trustees and how best for people in those roles to fulfil their function. What emerges are some fascinating insights that are of relevance to those who are, or aspire to be Non-Executives and those with an interest in managing Human Risk at senior level within organisations. In our discussion, we explore how the book came about and John's thoughts on the banking industry and governance in general. For details on John's book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52558412-ensuring-general-wisdomYou can find John's lectures here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/jasvidcast-video-webcasts/id1513012881For more on the Banking Commission which prompted John's interest in the role of the non-executive: https://bit.ly/357WaxAFor more on the Three Lines of Defence model of Risk Management: https://bit.ly/2U3lmiu

What is ergodicity? If it's a new term to you, then listen to my guest Luca Dellanna explain why ergodic thinking is often at the heart of much of our flawed decision-making. This is Luca's second appearance on the show; in February he talked to me about COVID (https://www.spreaker.com/user/human-risk/luca-dellanna-podcast)His insights were so prescient that I wanted him back. And as he's about to publish a new book on Ergodicity, I thought I'd cover both topics. As ever with Luca, he offers phenomenal insights that make complex topics, easily comprehensible.For more on Luca visit his website: https://www.luca-dellanna.com/You can follow him on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/DellAnnaLucaTo subscribe to Luca's highly recommended newsletter: https://www.luca-dellanna.com/newsletter/For his new book on Ergodicity: https://gumroad.com/l/ergodicityIn our conversation, we refer to Roam, the note-taking website: https://roamresearch.com/

We often think of our body and our mind as being somehow distinct, yet there is a strong linkage between mental health and physical wellbeing. That's what I explore with my guest Leanne Spencer on this episode. Leanne is the founder of Bodyshot Performance, a company that helps organisations to have happy, healthy & resilient teams and individuals with their own well being.On the episode, we explore the links between mental and physical health and look at some of the techniques we can all use to manage it. We also explore how technology can help support us in that quest.In our discussion, we refer to:Leanne's company Bodyshot Performance - https://www.bodyshotperformance.com/Her book Remove The Guesswork - https://www.bodyshotperformance.com/resource/remove-the-guesswork/Leanne's podcast - https://www.bodyshotperformance.com/topic/podcasts/Giulia Enders book Gut - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23013953-gutThe Oura Ring - https://ouraring.com/Lost Connections by Johann Hari - https://thelostconnections.com/

On this episode, I'm exploring an industry whose product we all sample daily, but probably don't fully understand: music. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, my guest, Dr Glenn Medeiros, was a global pop star with several hit records, including Nothings Gonna Change My Love For You. Perhaps surprisingly given that start, he's now the CEO and President of Saint Louis School in Honolulu, Hawaii.In our discussion, we explore his experiences in the music industry and the lessons he's learned from it. Rest assured there's plenty of Human Risk there! We also look at how Glenn transitioned from music to education and what he's learned along the way.This is a fascinating, frank exploration of what it is like to be propelled to global stardom and then building a second career. Glenn is also fabulous company and has some lovely anecdotes to share. Whether you remember him as an artist or have never heard of him before, what he has to say is highly insightful.For more on Saint Louis School, where Glenn is President visit https://saintlouishawaii.org/To watch Glenn's videos, including the iconic 'Nothings Gonna Change My Love For You" one or listen to his music, use the links below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0bByarMN8ryEFQsRo6iCUN?si=8K584lWuSUueUVWMAigYEANothings Gonna Change My Love For You - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHUVtwUdHuEShe Ain't Worth It (duet with Bobby Brown) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-1vYnFHu2U