In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Dr. Nilanjana (Buju) Dasgupta, author of the thought-provoking book, Change the Wallpaper. Buju, a prominent social psychologist and founding director of the Institute of Diversity Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, shares her insights on implicit bias and the cultural patterns that influence our behaviors and decisions.

Together, Melina and Buju explore the metaphor of "wallpaper" in our lives—the subtle, often unnoticed influences that shape our attitudes and beliefs. They discuss how these cultural patterns can create barriers for individuals, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, and the importance of creating interventions that foster inclusivity and positive change. Buju emphasizes the need to recognize and disrupt these patterns to build more just communities.

In this episode:

• Discover the concept of "wallpaper" and how it influences our perceptions and actions.
• Learn about implicit bias and its impact on personal and professional environments.
• Explore the four types of cultural wallpaper that affect our behaviors and opportunities.
• Gain insights into practical strategies for changing the wallpaper in your workplace and community.
• Understand the importance of storytelling in shaping perceptions and inspiring change.

Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/493.

Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further?

Learn With Us on our website.

Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites.

Let’s connect:

Send Us a Message

Follow Melina on LinkedIn

The Brainy Business on Youtube

The Brainy Business on Instagram

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer delves into the intriguing concept of functional fixedness—the mental block that limits our ability to see alternative uses for familiar objects. Drawing on the popular saying, "when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail," Melina illustrates how this phenomenon can hinder creativity and problem-solving in both personal and professional contexts.

Through engaging anecdotes, including the famous Apollo 13 mission, she highlights the importance of reframing our thinking to unlock innovative solutions. Melina emphasizes that by stepping outside our established mindsets, we can discover new opportunities and enhance collaboration within teams. Listeners will gain valuable insights into how functional fixedness manifests in everyday life and learn practical strategies to overcome it.

In this episode:

• Explore the concept of functional fixedness and its impact on decision-making.
• Learn how reframing problems can lead to innovative solutions.
• Discover the significance of divergent thinking and its role in creativity.
• Understand the consequences of being too narrowly focused in professional settings.
• Gain insights into practical exercises to enhance creative thinking in your work.

Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/492.

Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further?

Learn With Us on our website.

Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites.

Let’s connect:

Send Us a Message

Follow Melina on LinkedIn

The Brainy Business on Youtube

The Brainy Business on Instagram

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer sits down with Karen Eber, author of The Perfect Story, to explore the art of storytelling and its profound impact on communication in business. Karen, an award-winning author and CEO of Eber Leadership Group, shares her insights on how storytelling is not just an art but a crucial skill for leaders looking to connect with their teams and drive engagement.

Melina and Karen discuss the common misconceptions surrounding storytelling, including the idea that a story must be perfect or fully fleshed out to be effective. They explore the practical strategies for crafting compelling narratives, emphasizing the importance of context, conflict, and relatable characters. Karen provides valuable tips on how to gather and organize story ideas to ensure you are prepared when the moment arises to share a story that resonates.

In this episode:

• Discover why storytelling is essential for building understanding and connection in business.
• Learn how to identify and structure your stories for maximum impact.
• Explore the role of tension and conflict in storytelling and how to leverage them effectively.
• Understand the importance of audience perspective and how to tailor your stories accordingly.
• Gain insights into using storytelling to convey data and drive decision-making.

Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/491.

Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further?

Learn With Us on our website.

Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites.

Let’s connect:

Send Us a Message

Follow Melina on LinkedIn

The Brainy Business on Youtube

The Brainy Business on Instagram

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer dives deep into the compelling world of metaphors in branding with Malcolm and Hannibal Brooks from Olson Zaltman. Discover how metaphors shape our understanding and influence consumer behavior, and why they are crucial for effective communication in marketing.

Melina, Malcolm, and Hannibal discuss the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique (ZMET), a unique approach that uncovers the underlying emotions and perceptions consumers have about brands. The conversation highlights the importance of aligning metaphors with your target audience to enhance brand loyalty and drive sales. Through fascinating case studies, including Tropicana's successful rebranding campaign and Harvard's innovative donation strategies, they illustrate how the right metaphor can transform brand messaging and consumer engagement.

In this episode:

• Learn how metaphors influence our thoughts and behaviors, often without us realizing it.
• Discover the significance of the ZMET process in understanding consumer emotions and perceptions.
• Explore case studies demonstrating the power of metaphor in branding, from Tropicana to Harvard.
• Understand how to identify and leverage deep metaphors to connect with your audience effectively.
• Gain insights into the role of metaphors in creating compelling narratives and enhancing brand messaging.

Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/490.

Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further?

Learn With Us on our website.

Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites.

Let’s connect:

Send Us a Message

Follow Melina on LinkedIn

The Brainy Business on Youtube

The Brainy Business on Instagram

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Dr. Rosalind Chow, an associate professor of organizational behavior and theory at Carnegie Mellon University. Rosalind shares insights from her new book, The Doors You Can Open, where she distinguishes between mentorship and sponsorship, emphasizing the importance of actively creating opportunities for others.

Melina and Rosalind dive into the dynamics of power and status within organizations, discussing how social hierarchies can impact diversity and inclusion efforts. They explore practical strategies for individuals at any level to become effective sponsors, highlighting the significance of good listening and the power of positive connections. The conversation also touches on real-world examples, such as the story of Kim Ng and Derek Jeter, illustrating how sponsorship can lead to transformative career opportunities.

In this episode:

• Discover the key differences between mentorship and sponsorship, and why both are essential for career development.
• Learn how social hierarchies influence decision-making and the importance of understanding power dynamics.
• Explore the concept of "good gossip" and how it can be used to foster connections and support others.
• Understand the role of listening in effective sponsorship and how it can deepen relationships.
• Gain insights into actionable steps you can take today to become a sponsor for someone else.

Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/489.

Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further?

Learn With Us on our website.

Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites.

Let’s connect:

Send Us a Message

Follow Melina on LinkedIn

The Brainy Business on Youtube

The Brainy Business on Instagram

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Amy Gallo, a workplace expert and author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone, Even Difficult People. Amy shares her insights on navigating challenging interpersonal dynamics at work and offers practical strategies for improving communication and collaboration with even the most difficult colleagues.

Melina and Amy discuss the importance of emotional intelligence and the skills necessary to foster better relationships in the workplace. They explore the eight archetypes of difficult coworkers, including the pessimist, the know-it-all, and the passive-aggressive peer, and provide evidence-based tactics for addressing each type effectively. Amy emphasizes the significance of perspective-taking and how understanding the motivations behind others' behaviors can lead to more productive interactions.

In this episode:

• Learn about the eight archetypes of difficult coworkers and how to identify them in your workplace.
• Discover practical strategies for improving communication and collaboration with challenging colleagues.
• Understand the role of emotional intelligence in navigating workplace dynamics.
• Explore the concept of perspective-taking and how it can transform your interactions.
• Gain insights into the importance of agency and how to empower yourself and others in difficult situations.

Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/488.

Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further?

Learn With Us on our website.

Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites.

Let’s connect:

Send Us a Message

Follow Melina on LinkedIn

The Brainy Business on Youtube

The Brainy Business on Instagram

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Emily Falk, author of the insightful book, What We Value. Together, they dive deep into the concept of value, exploring its complex layers beyond monetary aspects and its profound impact on our relationships, society, and business practices.

Emily, a leading expert in behavior change and persuasion, shares her extensive research on how our brains calculate value and make decisions. She discusses the interplay between self-relevance and social relevance in our choices, illustrating how these factors influence not only personal behaviors but also the way ideas spread and are shared among individuals. With compelling examples, including the story of NBA player Ernie Grunfeld, Emily emphasizes the importance of framing and understanding what drives our decisions.

In this episode:

• Discover the intricacies of the value calculation and how it affects everyday choices.
• Learn about the role of self-relevance and social relevance in decision-making processes.
• Explore how framing messages can enhance the likelihood of sharing information.
• Gain insights into the psychological strategies that can help reduce defensiveness and enhance receptivity to new ideas.
• Understand the broader implications of value in business and personal relationships.

Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/487.

Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further?

• Learn With Us on our website.
• Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites.

Let’s connect:

• Send Us a Message
• Follow Melina on LinkedIn
• The Brainy Business on Youtube
• The Brainy Business on Instagram

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer is joined by Nikki Rausch, a sales coach and expert in making it easy for customers to do business with you. Drawing from her extensive experience in sales and Neuro Linguistic Programming, Nikki shares actionable insights on how to improve communication and streamline the sales process.

Together, Melina and Nikki discuss the importance of clarity in messaging and the impact of small adjustments in communication. They explore common pitfalls in email exchanges, such as the overuse of "I" statements and ineffective scheduling techniques that can inadvertently create barriers for potential clients. Nikki emphasizes the value of providing clear next steps and making the process as effortless as possible for the customer.

In this episode:

• Learn how to reframe your communication to focus on the customer rather than yourself.
• Discover effective techniques for scheduling meetings that respect your prospect's time.
• Understand the significance of reducing "I" statements in your messaging to enhance engagement.
• Gain insights into the "Go Fish" mentality and how to avoid it in client interactions.
• Explore Nikki's three times technique for more effective email communication.

Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/486.

Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further?

• Learn With Us on our website.
• Subscribe to Melina’s Newsletter Brainy Bites.

Let’s connect:

• Send Us a Message
• Follow Melina on LinkedIn
• The Brainy Business on Youtube
• The Brainy Business on Instagram