Frontiers

How subtle factors like familiarity, cognitive ease, and self-serving biases can sway our choices without us realising it. Learn how to bring these to the surface to help you make better decisions.Özgün Atasoy is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Warwick Business School. Professor Atasoy is an expert on consumer decision-making, particularly in consumer-technology interactions, consumer choice, and financial decisions.Music credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Learn how to influence others regardless of your position, gender or background.Connson Chou Locke is a Professor in Management at the London School of Economics (LSE) where she teaches Leadership, Organisational Behaviour, and Negotiation and Decision Making.Music credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

We like to think we’re making decisions, but we are not. We’re often just rationalising pre-existing biases. The decision is already made.Vincent Mak is Professor of Marketing and Decision Sciences and a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Cambridge Judge Business School.Music credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Sarah Hall is Professor of Geography and Fellow of St John’s College at the University of Cambridge. Professor Hall is a public economic geographer whose work focuses on the uneven impacts of profound economic change, including Brexit, the changing economic position of China internationally, and the rise of finance-led capitalism.SummaryProfessor Hall discusses the uneven impacts of profound economic changes such as the 2007-2008 financial crisis, Brexit, and the rise of China. She explains how economic change affects different regions differently based on their economic history, labour market, and regulatory regime. She also highlights the regenerative capacities of cities like London, which have the ability to respond to crises by innovating in new markets. The conversation explores the changing economic order due to China's growth and its impact on global finance. Additionally, the discussion touches on the pressing economic issues of regional inequality in the UK and the changing relationship between the US and China.TakeawaysEconomic change affects different regions differently based on their economic history, labour market, and regulatory regime.Cities like London have regenerative capacities that allow them to respond to crises by innovating in new markets.China's growth is reshaping the global economic order, particularly in the realm of finance.Regional inequality is a pressing economic issue in the UK, with lower productivity in large cities outside of London.The changing relationship between the US and China has significant implications for global trade and geopolitics.Key Moments02:25 The Role of an Economic Geographer08:04 The Impact of Economic Change on Geographies15:12 Research on the 2007-2008 Financial Crisis45:10 Pressing Economic Issues in the UK and GloballyMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Alixandra Barasch is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Colorado. Having earned her Ph.D. in Marketing from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, she was previously an Assistant Professor at New York University and a Visiting Associate Professor at INSEAD. Alix studies how new technologies are fundamentally reshaping consumer behaviour and well-being.SummaryProfessor Barasch discusses why humans engage in social media and the psychological motives behind sharing information online. She explores self-focused motives, such as impression management and emotion regulation, and other-focused motives, such as sharing useful content and finding common ground. The research suggests that authenticity and empathy are crucial in how others perceive pro-social behaviour online.TakeawaysPeople share information on social media for both self-focused and other-focused motives.Self-focused motives include impression management and emotion regulation, while other-focused motives involve sharing useful content and finding common ground.Sharing good deeds on social media can be perceived as authentic pro-social behaviour if it conveys empathy and emotions.The order and context of sharing information on social media can influence how others perceive the motives behind the behaviour.Authenticity and empathy are key factors in shaping the perception of pro-social behaviour online. Impression management plays a significant role in our online presence, and there are trade-offs between authenticity and polish.Photo sharing can enhance enjoyment and immersion in positive experiences, but the goal and context of the photos matter.Phone addiction is a real concern, especially in terms of social interactions and well-being.Key Moments01:47 Exploring the Psychological Motives Behind Social Media Engagement05:15 Understanding the Reasons for Sharing Information Online10:27 Exploring the Motivations for Doing Good Deeds29:12 Impression Management in the Online Space39:45 The Effects of Photo Taking47:19 Addressing Phone Addiction51:22 Considering Others in Technology Use55:15 Nuances and Trade-Offs of TechnologyMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Dr. James B. Rieley is an advisor to CEOs and senior leadership teams in both Europe and America. Dr. Rieley, who has an earned doctorate degree in Organisational Effectiveness, additionally has a B.S. in Business Administration, and was the president of a successful plastics manufacturing company for over 20 years. After selling his company in 1987, he began to work with organisations in the area of decision-making and realising personal and collective organisational potential.SummaryDr. Rieley discusses the attributes of effective leaders and the importance of creating an environment where individuals and organisations can realise their potential. He emphasises the shift from efficiency to effectiveness and the need for leaders to focus on thinking, influencing, achieving, and leading. Dr. Rieley also highlights the value of systems thinking in understanding the cause and effect relationships within organisations. Additionally, he advises influencing others and driving cultural change within an organisation. In this conversation, Dr. James Rieley discusses the importance of understanding mental models and how they impact decision-making and behavior. He explains that mental models are the key to making fundamental changes in a cultural environment and that they have a greater impact than strategy or market share. He emphasises the need for leaders to embrace change and think long-term, as well as the importance of understanding the future of work and being flexible in organisational structures.TakeawaysLeadership is about creating an environment for individuals and organisations to realise their potential.Effective leaders focus on thinking, influencing, achieving, and leading.Systems thinking helps understand cause and effect relationships within organisations.Asking questions is a powerful way to influence others.Cultural change requires addressing policies, procedures, and mental models. Understanding mental models is crucial for making fundamental changes in a cultural environment.Mental models have a greater impact on decision-making and behaviour than strategy or market share.Unpacking and analysing mental models can be done by identifying variables and their connections through cause and effect relationships.Leaders need to embrace change and think long-term, considering the future of work and being flexible in organisational structures.Key Moments05:18 Creating an Environment for Potential33:36 Influencing Through Questions44:37 Long-Term Thinking and Better Decisions53:57 The Future of Work and AdaptabilityMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Sir Geoff Mulgan CBE is Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation at University College London (UCL). Prior to that he was Chief Executive of Nesta, the UK’s innovation foundation. Between 1997 and 2004, Geoff had roles in the UK government, including director of the Government’s Strategy Unit and head of policy in the Prime Minister’s office. From 2004 to 2011, he was the first Chief Executive of The Young Foundation. He was the first director of the think-tank Demos and has been a reporter on BBC TV and radio.SummaryProfessor Sir Geoff Mulgan discusses the concept of collective intelligence and its importance in solving complex problems. He shares his diverse career journey and emphasises the value of being useful and working with intelligent pioneers. The definition of intelligence is explored, highlighting the capacity to make choices and the various functions and capacities that contribute to intelligence. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in collective intelligence is discussed, with AI being effective in certain tasks but lacking creativity, judgment, and wisdom. It also delves into the discussion around education and work, highlighting the importance of preparing individuals for the future job market and the shortcomings of current education systems. The conversation emphasises the need for education systems to become more collectively intelligent and adaptive to the changing needs of the workforce. It concludes with advice for young people to cultivate deep knowledge in a specific field while also developing a wide range of skills and engaging with the arts.TakeawaysCollective intelligence is intelligence at a large scale and is crucial for solving complex problems.Intelligence is the capacity to make choices and encompasses functions such as memory, observation, creativity, judgment, and wisdom.Artificial intelligence (AI) is effective in tasks like observation, prediction, and memory, but lacks creativity, judgment, and wisdom.The combination of human and machine intelligence is often more effective than relying solely on AI.Replicating human wisdom in AI is challenging due to the ability to understand context and relate knowledge to specific situations. Incorporating wisdom into AI systems is a challenge that requires engaging with the lessons of wisdom and considering ethics, long-term perspectives, and the ability to make judgments.Education systems need to adapt to the changing needs of the future job market and focus on developing both technical and generic skills such as communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity.Education systems should aim to become more collectively intelligent by using data, evidence, and experimentation to improve teaching methods and navigate the complexities of the future.Individuals should cultivate deep knowledge in a specific field while also developing a wide range of skills and engaging with the arts to stay relevant and adaptable in a rapidly changing world.Optimism and positive imagination are important for envisioning and working towards a better future, despite the challenges and pessimism that exist.Key Moments08:20 Exploring the Definition of Intelligence16:16 The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Collective Intelligence30:07 Adapting Education Systems for the Future Job Market36:20 Cultivating Deep Knowledge and Wide Skills for Success52:02 Embracing Optimism and Positive Imagination for the FutureMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Catherine Barnard is a leading Professor in EU law and Employment law at the University of Cambridge, author of three of the primary textbooks in the field, deputy director of UK in a Changing Europe, a non-partisan think-tank looking at the implications of Brexit and its aftermath.SummaryThis episode is a wake-up call. It explores the experiences of EU migrant workers in the UK, focusing on their living conditions, challenges, integration into local communities, and the impact of Brexit. The conversation highlights the exploitation and poor treatment faced by migrant workers, including the withholding of passports and deductions from their income. It also discusses the lack of support and resources for migrant workers, such as limited access to healthcare and language barriers. The episode emphasises the need for better integration efforts and addresses the potential future challenges posed by an ageing population of migrant workers.TakeawaysEU migrant workers in the UK often face exploitative living conditions and poor treatment, including the withholding of passports and deductions from their income.There is a lack of support and resources for migrant workers, such as limited access to healthcare and language barriers.Integration into local communities is challenging due to long working hours, exhaustion, and language barriers.The impact of migration and lack of integration played a significant role in the Brexit vote, with some communities feeling left behind and experiencing a changing identity.The ageing population of EU migrant workers poses future challenges, including increased healthcare needs.Key Moments02:03 Living Conditions and Exploitation06:32 Challenges Faced by EU Migrant Workers12:28 UK's Decision to Allow Unrestricted Access14:54 Living Conditions and Slavery-like Practices24:18 Access to Healthcare27:11 Integration into Local Communities34:14 Impact of Lack of Integration on Brexit37:11 Migration and the Decision to Move41:50 Future Challenges and Aging PopulationMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic