Curious Minds at Work

With few exceptions, we have digital footprints. And each time we scroll social media, run a Google search, or use a smartphone to navigate, we’re adding data to that footprint. While we gain a lot from our ability to do all these things, we also feed companies the data they need to target us. Sandra Matz is a computational social scientist and professor at Columbia Business School. Over the course of her career, she’s consulted with companies eager to profit from our data. In recent years, she’s intentionally shifted her consulting work in support of organizations that want to protect consumer data. In this interview, I talk to Matz about her book, Mindmasters: The Data-Driven Science of Predicting and Changing Human Behavior. We discuss the methods companies use to profile us and how that profiling puts all the power in their hands. We also discuss promising ideas for pushing back, including solutions to empower and unite us. Matz has written an accessible, highly readable book that anyone with a smartphone needs to read.  Episode Links Now Isn’t the Time to Give Users Control of Their Data Divided We Stand Interview with Eric Johnson on the Science of Decision-Making The Team Learn more about host, Gayle Allen, and producer, Rob Mancabelli, here. Support the Podcast If you like the show, please rate and review it on iTunes or wherever you subscribe, and tell a friend or family member about the show. Subscribe Click here and then scroll down to see a sample of sites where you can subscribe.

We go to the dentist, get our eyes checked, and get our cars inspected. These regularly scheduled health and safety audits let us know how we’re doing. But we rarely audit how we spend our time. Sure, most of us have a calendar. Yet few of us study how these calendar events impact our happiness. We rarely track the connection between what we spend our time doing and how well we’re flourishing. As a result, we can find ourselves feeling unhappy, frustrated, and what scientists call “time poor.” Researchers like Cassie Holmes want to change that. They’ve learned there’s a strong connection between how we spend our time and how happy we feel. In her book, Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most, she shares ways we can optimize our calendars for happiness, including ways to avoid distraction, extend joy, create a meaningful schedule, and avoid regret. Holmes’ tips on time tracking and time auditing are simple and powerful. As the year draws to a close, this may be just the book you’re looking for as we head into a new year. Episode Links Having Too Little or Too Much Time is Linked to Lower Subjective Well-being Our Flawed Pursuit of Happiness – and How to Get It Right A Valuable Lesson for a Happier Life (video) Trust by Hernan Diaz The Team Learn more about host, Gayle Allen, and producer, Rob Mancabelli, here. Support the Podcast If you like the show, please rate and review it on iTunes or wherever you subscribe, and tell a friend or family member about the show. Subscribe Click here and then scroll down to see a sample of sites where you can subscribe.

Alison Fragale, a psychology professor and author of "Likeable Badass," delves into the intersection of gender and workplace success. She discusses the critical role of status over mere power for women seeking advancement. Alison offers practical advice on crafting personal narratives and the art of self-promotion. She highlights the importance of strategic volunteering and diverse mentorship in boosting credibility. Listeners are encouraged to embrace authenticity and proactive relationship-building to navigate the complexities of professional environments.

In this engaging discussion, high-performance psychologist Michael Gervais, renowned for working with elite athletes and leaders, explores the crippling fear of other people's opinions, known as FOPO. He emphasizes the detrimental impact of social media on self-worth and shares empowering strategies for cultivating authenticity. Michael reveals how overcoming this fear can enhance performance and decision-making, while offering insights on finding purpose amidst chaos. His expertise inspires listeners to build a stronger internal narrative and embrace vulnerability for personal growth.

In this engaging conversation, Brian Lowery, a Stanford professor and social psychologist, shares insights from his book, *Selfless*. He argues that our identities are fluid and shaped by social relationships, challenging the myth of a constant self. Lowery emphasizes the role of community and culture in personal development, critiques the notion of meritocracy, and highlights how our neighborhoods influence success. His refreshing perspective invites us to embrace diverse thoughts and reconsider how we define ourselves in a constantly changing world.

Lorraine Besser, author of "The Art of the Interesting," explores the concept of psychological richness—mental stimulation gained through curiosity and wonder. She discusses how integrating pleasure and meaning is essential but often leaves us feeling incomplete. Besser highlights the importance of challenging experiences and unstructured thinking, urging listeners to redefine fulfillment and consider the power of friendships. She emphasizes that embracing curiosity and personal agency can lead to a deeper, more enriching life.

Emily Austin, a modern-day philosopher and author of "Living for Pleasure: An Epicurean Guide to Life," dives into the wisdom of Epicurus. She explores how ancient insights can help alleviate anxiety and enrich friendships. Austin challenges the myth of Epicurus as a mere hedonist, highlighting the three types of desires and their impacts on happiness. She emphasizes the importance of genuine connections over superficial ones, and comfort in confronting mortality, advocating for laughter as a tool for understanding ourselves. Discover how the past can illuminate our path to well-being.

Mary Anderson, a psychologist specializing in high-achievers and author of "The Happy High Achiever," uncovers the hidden anxieties behind success. She discusses the dangers of perfectionism, emphasizing healthier mindsets for personal growth. Anderson introduces strategies to combat burnout and self-doubt, including the importance of celebrating our victories. She also shares insights on the transformative power of gratitude and maintaining healthy relationships, helping listeners navigate their paths without the burden of stress.

Mithu Storoni, a knowledge worker focused on enhancing productivity through innovative solutions, dives into optimizing work habits. She compares brain function to a car engine, highlighting the importance of adapting work styles to align with our brain's natural rhythms. The discussion covers hyper efficiency, contrasting modern productivity with historical standards, and emphasizes the value of quality over quantity. Storoni offers strategies for overcoming mental fatigue and personalizing productivity to boost engagement and performance in today's fast-paced environment.

We like the idea of the lone genius, that one person who developed a game-changing innovation. But whether or not we realize it, research shows that creativity is collaborative. Yep. You heard that right. And we have lots of examples: the development of the airplane, the Internet, the mountain bike, and so many more. We’re schooled in the notion that creativity is an individual thing, yet research shows, again and again, that it’s not. Instead, it’s through connecting with others, then working alone, and then connecting again, that we innovate. Keith Sawyer has studied groups and creativity for decades. His book, Group Genius: The Creative Power of Collaboration, elucidates what group genius looks like, why it works, and what it takes to cultivate it, so we can develop game-changing innovations. This book changed how I see groups, creativity, and the connection between the two, and the research findings are fascinating. Episode Links Group Creativity and Collaboration Everyone Can Be More Creative – But Not Alone Being More Creative in Everyday Life is Simple Interview with Moshe Bar The Team Learn more about host, Gayle Allen, and producer, Rob Mancabelli, here. Support the Podcast If you like the show, please rate and review it on iTunes or wherever you subscribe, and tell a friend or family member about the show. Subscribe Click here and then scroll down to see a sample of sites where you can subscribe.