The Decision Corner

Dr Rachel Carey is Chief Scientist at Zinc, a UK-based organisation that runs a venture-builder for mission-driven entrepreneurs, combining the best of creative design, scientific rigour, technological innovation and entrepreneurship. She leads Zinc’s Research & Development team, a growing, interdisciplinary team of applied scientists, committed to building a new approach to science-based innovation. She completed her PhD in psychology at the National University of Ireland, Galway, which examined the impact of threat-based persuasive communications on driver behavior. She spent several years as a postdoc at University College London, before joining a newly formed behavioural science team at Bupa. Since joining Zinc in 2017, she has helped to shape over 40 new mission-driven start-ups. Through an honorary role at UCL, she continues to be involved in a range of research and teaching - mainly centred around health behaviour change, safe and sustainable transport, and digital health. Dr. Carey has a wealth of knowledge about the differences between behavioral science academia and applied research, and is eager to share her experiences and ideas about how to bridge the two worlds. In today’s episode, she discusses these differences, as well as how behavioral science shows up in the world of entrepreneurship, and the need for certain elements of research culture - including public perception - to evolve. Some specific topics discussed include: The differences of applying and generating behavioral science in the academic versus startup worlds How these two worlds, particularly research and entrepreneurship, are bridged in practice How behavioral science projects and ventures are prioritized The risks of entrepreneurship, and the privilege required to take those risks Current public misconceptions regarding science and research, and how these misconceptions are shaped by a lack of public access and information The changing face of entrepreneurship, and the new potential garnered by including more diversity The trade-off between statistics and anecdotal evidence, and the motivating power of stories

In this episode of the Decision Corner, Brooke speaks with award-winning journalist Kimberly Seals Allers. Kimberly was formerly a senior editor at Essence and a writer at Fortune magazine. She now uses her decades of media experience as the founder of the IRTH app, which is specifically designed to help mothers of color rate their doctors for optimal health. She discusses the need for apps like IRTH, and how the tragedies that gave rise to the BLM movement last year impact the communities she serves. This episode is an important reminder of the realities that people of color face in both personal and professional environments. Some of the topics discussed include… The discrepancy of maternal and infant mortality for peoples of color, and the need for apps like IRTH. The struggle that professional people of color have with ‘dual identities’, where they must separate their cultural and professional selves. The trauma experienced by entire communities in response to the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd over the Spring and Summer of 2020. The additional challenges faced by minority innovators, especially when it comes to issues of racism and cyber-security Why society needs to acknowledge that people of color have different experiences in professional and personal environments, and how the ignorance and denial of racism is one of its root causes. The ongoing struggle and the difficult conversations that are needed to start bringing about meaningful change.

In this episode, Brooke speaks with Rachel Kiddell-Monroe - Founder and Executive Director at SeeChange Initiative, and board member at Médecins Sans Frontières. In their discussion, they examine the impact of COVID-19 on marginalized communities, as well as the lack of empathy exhibited by first world nations towards less developed countries. Rachel raises the question of whether the models and systems on which our societies are built actually serve the interests of all. From our colonial roots to our current education and healthcare systems, this episode examines many factors that shape our view of struggling communities. Some of the items discussed include: The legacy of colonial systems and how they persist all around the world, despite their weaknesses and inability to tackle the big challenges facing us. The need for both individual and community action to bring about real change, and how both relate to each other. When individuals and movements come together, the momentum and desire for change builds, as exhibited by the Black Lives Matter movement over the past year. Why a single visionary leader cannot solve all of our problems. Unless the whole society is ready to change, there will always be the need for such leaders to compromise and not be able to fully achieve the change they want to see. Now that we have been living with COVID for over a year, taking a step back and seeing it as a potential opportunity to drastically change some of the systems that are broken or no longer working. And not letting this opportunity pass us by as this pandemic (hopefully) starts to get under control.

As humans, we frequently think in absolute terms, which lead us to believe that extreme amounts of corporate profit - allowed in a capitalist economic system - also cause extreme damage. While this notion often holds, there are exceptions and caveats. On today’s episode of The Decision Corner, our host Dr. Brooke Struck sits down with Phillip Haid, CEO and founder of social impact marketing agency Public Inc. At Public Inc., Haid and his colleagues help major corporations make positive global impacts. Nowadays, consumers are more and more interested in buying from socially- and environmentally-conscious companies. In turn, major corporations are gaining intrinsic motivation to make positive impacts, since advertising them attracts consumers. For companies, then, profit and purpose seem to go hand in hand. In this episode, Brooke and his guest discuss: The false notion that profit is inherently evil The structure of a purpose-led economy, rather than a greed-led economy The importance of leadership in social impact Consumer views on social impact and why people care Tailoring company values to match consumer values Working with versus against competitors in the social impact market Conveying social and environmental impacts genuinely back to consumers

In this episode of the Decision Corner, Brooke speaks with Daniel Kaniewski, former Deputy Administrator for Resilience at FEMA and currently Managing Director, Public Sector at Marsh McLennan. Daniel has been involved in managing some of the worst disasters in American history, through various roles at the White House, with FEMA, and in the private sector. He draws from his experience to provide us with fascinating insights about government and individual decision-making in times of crisis. Surprisingly, human behavior is one of the more predictable elements of disaster management, so if you’re keen to learn more about how governments handle emergencies and mobilize their citizens to react appropriately, this episode is for you! Some of the things discussed include… The early phases of a disaster or emergency, how a response is mobilized and why salience and intensity play a big role in shaping our reaction. Communicating during an emergency, balancing a need for calm and reassurance while getting people to do what they need to do to stay safe. Practical ways that we as citizens can support emergency response, without getting in the way of the professionals. The ‘ramp-down’ and recovery phases of an emergency, and why they’re as, if not more important, than the initial response. How the COVID-19 pandemic is unlike any disaster we’ve faced before, but the lessons we’ve learned will stand to us in the future.

In this episode of the Decision Corner, Brooke speaks with Troy Campbell, Chief Scientist at On Your Feet -  an innovative consultancy that offers strategic guidance and behaviorally-informed training to some of the world’s most successful companies. Troy holds a PhD in behavioral science from Duke University and was previously a marketing professor at the University of Oregon. In their discussion, Brooke and Troy discuss how our shift to a mostly virtual work environment has disrupted the world of corporate knowledge acquisition and application. Troy gives an optimistic view of the many opportunities presented by virtual tools, and offers some practical advice to help improve our virtual interactions, as well as a compelling case for greater knowledge sharing within and between organisations. Some of the topics covered include; How remote working has accelerated the ‘flipped classroom model’ - and why knowledge acquisition is no longer confined to the classroom. Ways we can improve our virtual interactions, and optimize the time we do spend face-to-face. Why the shift to virtual delivery has made a lot of things more accessible and affordable for businesses - like cross-functionality and hiring skilled trainers. Inspirational versus educational content - seeing the difference between the two and knowing when they’re needed. Why engaging with outside experts is one of the best things a business can do, and the need for a carefully managed marketplace or ecosystem that businesses can go to for such specialised knowledge.

In this episode of The Decision Corner, Brooke is joined by Kelley Keehn, financial literacy advocate and best-selling author. Kelley has written over 10 books on topics related to personal finance, behavioural economics and financial empowerment. In their discussion, Brooke and Kelley explore why the lessons our parents taught us might not be so relevant today, the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on our financial trajectories, and how behavioural insights can be used to help overcome the crippling debt crisis faced by so many Canadians. Some of the topics discussed include; The unpredictability of financial upheaval. The financial wisdom handed down to us by older generations, and why it can’t always be applied in the times we’re living in. Personal debt, and why so many Canadians have a bad relationship with it. Social pressure, keeping up with the Jones’ and wanting what everyone else has. The difficulties people have when discussing their finances, especially when it comes to debt. Can behavioral insights help more debt-stricken Canadians help themselves? Why we need to ‘run for the cure’ and stop tip-toeing around our financial struggles.

Since the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 has changed virtually everything about our lives, from how we work to how we care for one another, and even how we spend our time and money. Behavioral science is keeping up. In this episode of The Decision Corner, we sit down with British psychologist and behavioral science advisor Susan Michie to tear apart some of the most complex causes and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Michie shows us how increased public engagement in behavioral science and health research can help us imagine a post-COVID world that is more equitable, environmental, and convenient than the one we left behind. Read more about her research, including the development of the behavior change wheel, here. Some topics discussed include: The operation of British scientific advisory group in emergencies (SAGE) The gap between scientific research and public policy—are governments really “following the science?” How a psychological look at problem framing can help change the way we talk about the pandemic Contributors to the pandemic, including weakening global ties and environmental degradation The need for increased public engagement in behavioral science research How behavioral science can inform a better future

From the proliferation of social comparisons to growing political extremism, we have come face to face with the rippling negative effects technology that technology has on our societal fabric. But can we create a future that looks different? One in which technology has our backs, and best interest at heart? On this episode of The Decision Corner, our host Brooke Struck is joined by Bob Suh, founder and CEO of OnCorps. OnCorps is an American company dedicated to elevating workplace performance outcomes through the use of artificial intelligence. By applying predictable algorithms to a variety of decisions and tasks, OnCorps reduces work, errors, and risk within the financial service industry. The organization provides cutting-edge solutions to an array of companies, with advisors from Yale, Harvard, and Oxford. Their innovative algorithms earned them the 2019 NOVA Award by NICSA and the 2019 Fintech Breakthrough Award for best banking infrastructure software. Bob Suh has also written for the Harvard Business Review about how efficient use of AI can lead to better decision making and forecasting. Find his work here. In this episode, Brooke and Bob discuss: The foundational behavioral science that applies to AI How the emotional intelligence of humans can be harnessed to benefit technology How our strong grip on data analytics can influence behavior that is inconsistent with truth and authenticity, as well as a saturation of advertising How we can mitigate some of these problems to use technology for positive choice architecture The monetization of current and future social platforms, and how it is changing The future of social and technological innovation: how technology is moving toward positive social outcomes

In this episode of The Decision Corner podcast, Brooke is lucky to be joined by Olivier Sibony. Olivier is a thoroughly experienced strategic consultant and a learned researcher on applied behavioral science at the most senior level. He has 25 years of experience at McKinsey and Co. that inform his investigation into successful practices and common pitfalls of organizational behaviour. This conversation brings Olivier’s insights to bear on the issue of decision-making in the C-suite. He draws out some essential guidelines, both from anecdotes and focused research, which culminate in applicable strategies to make any group better able to accomplish its goals. Some of the topics we discuss include: How countering individual cognitive biases may be the secret to a successful corporation Implicit guidelines in the social order of any organization Some apparent paradoxes in the patterns of risk aversion and risk-seeking behaviour in the business world Small vs big risks and how to engineer the right risks at the right times The all-consuming morass of corporate culture Searching for a portfolio approach towards risk: getting in front of the situations that dictate organizational success Which decisions are the important ones, and the case for bureaucracy