In this episode of the podcast, Brooke chairs a roundtable discussion at the intersection of risk, scenario planning and cybersecurity. His guests are Sanjay Khanna, Strategic Advisor and Foresight Expert, and Advisor to The Decision Lab; Alan Iny, Global Lead for Creativity and Scenarios at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and Michael Coden, Global Lead for BCG Platinion’s Cybersecurity Practice. Together they discuss the human and systemic vulnerabilities that expose us to cybersecurity risks, and how scenario planning and creative problem solving can help mitigate such threats. Drawing from countless real-world examples of major global crises, they argue that although our best thought-out plans may never materialize, the process of planning itself is invaluable. Some topics discussed include: The guests’ recent thought leadership on cybersecurity, including two potential future cybersecurity scenarios - one reflecting greater multi-stakeholder cooperation, the other reflecting a more fragmented, individualistic response. Balancing a need for individual awareness and responsibility around cybersecurity with a wider systematic approach to the challenge. If human error is the root cause of cybersecurity breaches, how can we help people avoid such errors? The case for scenario planning, not as a prediction tool, but as a mechanism to prepare for a range of plausible scenarios. Real-world examples of how scenario planning has enabled international organisations to prepare for risks that bear similarities to events such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode of The Decision Corner, Brooke is joined by James Danckert, professor of Psychology at the University of Waterloo and co-author of Out Of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom. They dive into the purpose of boredom and how we can make these dull moments important and meaningful. This podcast covers: Why boredom is so important for finding meaning in your life How the ‘Goldilocks Zone’ can help you get focused What Chris Hadfield, farming, and the myth of “only boring people get bored” all have in common Why COVID-19 has made us more bored than ever before How the “Dark Room Problem” means our brains can’t operate as predictive machines Why you should sometimes binge watch Keeping Up With the Kardashians

In this episode of The Decision Corner, Brooke is joined by Cary List, the past president and CEO of FP Canada, an organization designed to professionalize financial planning. Throughout this episode, he provides his expert perspective on the changing industry of financial planning. Zeroing in on the transformational power of technology, behavioral science, and improved professional standards, List paints a picture of a brighter future for the field of financial planning. Some specific topics of this episode include: The seismic shift in the financial planning industry from a sales first industry to a people-first industry How the pandemic impacted trust in the financial services companies The innovative digital techniques of fintech organizations, and how they may be falling behind the curve What roles human financial advisors will play in an increasingly automated world How Cary’s “3H model” can transform financial planning into a more holistic, human, and honest profession

In this episode of The Decision Corner, Brooke is joined by Sanjay Khanna, a strategic advisor and foresight expert. Sanjay’s job is to be ahead of the curve on wide-ranging issues, whether they be geopolitical, socioeconomic, sociocultural, psychosocial, technological, or ecological. This has led him to have a unique and interesting career, with his evidence-based insights informing scholarship, innovation and foresight practice at a global law firm, numerous businesses, governments and NGOs, including a senior advisor to Biden’s transition team. Drawing on his knowledge, this conversation focuses on issues such as converging crises, how to model plausible future scenarios, and how behavioral science can help us understand the future.

In this episode of the Decision Corner, Brooke speaks with Jonathan Haidt, the Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at the Stern School of Business NYU, and Alison Taylor, the executive director at Ethical Systems and an adjunct professor at NYU. In today’s episode, they discuss the role of ethics and values in business, including the challenges associated with Generation Z, and the workplace culture changes that have been fuelled by the evolution of social media and increasing polarization in countries like the United States. They talk about the challenge of hearing from all members of the workforce, and not just the most polarized who are shouting the loudest. If you’re curious about whether businesses should remain politically neutral, have an interest in business ethics and the changing landscape of modern corporate leadership, this episode is for you! Some of the topics discussed include: The challenges that come with leading a multi-generational and politically motivated workforce. Should businesses take a stance on social issues? Is neutrality a viable position? Business ethics as a way of conducting business, as opposed to being a safeguard against legal action or public outcry. Fostering a safe culture where employees feel comfortable expressing their opinions without fear of backlash from the public, or their co-workers. The role of behavioral science in business - beyond the marketing department.

In this episode of The Decision Corner, Brooke speaks with Jordan Ellenberg, best-selling author and Professor of Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Through his research and his books, which include How Not to be Wrong, and more recently, Shape, Jordan illustrates how abstract mathematical and geometric equations can be brought to life, and indeed used to address some of the major challenges facing the world today. In today's episode, Jordan and Brooke talk about: The different types of ‘games’ or problems that people and society in general face, and why they require different types of solutions. The interplay between human decision-making and AI or algorithmic approaches, and understanding which methods should take precedence in which situations. Gerrymandering, electoral system design and finding better ways to facilitate democracy. Understanding how AI can be an effective safeguard when we humans develop the rules of the game.

In this episode of The Decision Lab podcast, Brooke is joined by Olivier Sibony, co-author of Noise, and experienced consultant and researcher focused on how to improve the quality of decision-making. He is currently a professor at HEC Paris, and Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School at Oxford University. This episode explores the three categories of noise, and how they can affect our decision making in ways that can be incredibly difficult to detect. Olivier draws on real-life examples to illustrate this and proposes several strategies to mitigate and avoid noise when making important decisions. Some topics we discuss include: Biases versus noise: how they differ How to conceptualize a judgment and judgment error What the three different categories of noise look like, and how they can skew decision making Why companies that depend on the judgments of many people should conduct a noise audit Decision hygiene and preventative strategies to improve decision making Practical steps that can be integrated into organizations to optimize judgments and reduce noise

In this episode of The Decision Corner, Brooke sits down with Khan Bouba-Dalambaye, high school guidance counsellor, EDI consultant, and curriculum designer. Through counselling work, Bouba-Dalambaye’s clients have taught him that the pandemic has triggered a wide-spread dip in motivation, communication, and relationship maintenance. During this episode, he offers listeners tips on how to get more in touch with our own feelings and needs, and increase our motivation to meet our goals. His most important takeaway: start small. Some specific topics of this episode include: Intuitive (easy) versus intentional (effortful) communication and how our reliance on the latter impacts our mood The need to interact with others in creative ways How and why we are currently affected by a lack of motivation How communication through technology has played a role Specific coping strategies for the pandemic and WFH life How to “meaningfully engage with” - rather than “kill” - time

In this episode of the Decision Lab, Brook speaks with Wendy De La Rosa, co-founder of the Common Cents Lab, and host and creator of the new TED series; Your Money and Your Mind. Wendy was a founding member of Google’s behavioural economics unit, helping over 30 teams to optimize product strategy and design, customer engagement and retention, as well as revenue. In their discussion, Brooke and Wendy discuss the changes in the economy caused by the pandemic, as well as strategies and techniques that business and individuals can use to help improve their financial standing. Some of the topics include: The way we make financial decisions, and why more education is not necessarily the best solution to our financial difficulties. How to ensure your environment is set up for success. Removing the shame surrounding financial failure, and the benefits of having more open conversations about our finances. How employers can help support their teams’ productivity by taking some of the stress out of their financial situations through initiatives like Financial Health Days. The importance of discussing finances in our personal relationships.

In this episode of the Decision Corner, Brooke speaks with Paul Dolan, Professor of Behavioural Science at the London School of Economics. Paul is globally recognised for his work on the measurement of happiness, its causes and consequences, and its implications for public policy. His experience includes working with the British Office for National Statistics and the government's Behavioural Insights Team – also known as the 'nudge' unit. He is the author of two bestselling books, and has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles. In his conversation with Brooke, Paul discusses some of his most influential work on the topic of well-being and public policy. He gives his view on what’s needed to address some of the burning policy issues facing governments all around the world today. Some of the topics discussed include: Measuring well-being through a WELLBY - what it is, and how it can be used to help craft good policy. Why the idea of a universal ‘perfect life’ is a myth, and how we need to find our individual balance of purpose and pleasure, based on our own experiences. The difference between equity and equality. How inequality can be fair in some instances, but too much inequality is unjust, and the need for a general consensus around that point. An appeal for diversity in policymaking - how policy makers are generally from a specific age group or demographic, and why having a broader range of input into policies and decisions could help inspire greater public confidence. The different lenses through which people of different cultures and demographics see the world, and the need to accept and include diverse perspectives. The impossibility of certainty when it comes to policy making, taking the pandemic response as a real-time example. Why we should be wary of individuals who display blind certainty, and fail to accept uncertainty in decision-making.