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PODCAST

The Mammoth in the Room

Nicolas Pokorny, PhD, MBA

Can leaders learn how to harness the evolutionary foundations of human behavior to create better business outcomes? How much do evolutionary forces shape our own individual behaviors, decisions, and group dynamics? In each episode, multinational executive leader and author Nicolas Pokorny shares practical, research-based strategies, and stories about how to align humans around common goals and lead them effectively through ever-changing markets and times. The Mammoth in the Room is an engaging

business careers

All Episodes

12:04

How Kodak, Blockbuster, and Microsoft Lost Billions...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/03/20

What if I told you the biggest threat to your business isn’t the competition but your brain? Leaders make costly decisions daily because of one mind trap— the status quo bias. It’s the reason billion-dollar companies collapse, why once-great leaders fail to adapt, and why you might be unknowingly sabotaging your success.So, today, I take you inside the shocking failures of Kodak, Blockbuster, and Microsoft— companies that refused to adapt, believing that what worked yesterday would work forever

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09:43

How The Anchoring Bias Hijacks Your Business...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/03/13

Ever wondered why smart business leaders, even the best of the best, fall for irrational decisions? It’s not lack of intelligence—it’s the unseen mental shortcuts, like anchoring bias, that subtly shape their decisions. This deceptive cognitive trap influences everything from negotiations and pricing to hiring decisions, shaping your choices without you even realizing it.So, today we are exploring how the anchoring bias manipulates your perception, sometimes to genius effect, sometimes to disastrous

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10:49

STOP Letting Your Brain Fool You! The Truth About...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/03/06

As leaders, we like to think we’re in control, but millennia of evolution have wired us to react on instinct, often leading us straight into decision-making traps. In this episode, we expose the hidden biases that can derail even the smartest leaders and share three powerful strategies to outthink your own brain.From the anchoring trap that skews salary negotiations to the status quo bias that made Blockbuster ignore Netflix, we break down how these cognitive biases play out in real business

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24:19

Evolutionary Truths That Make You An Outstanding...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/02/28

What if the key to becoming a better leader wasn’t found in boardrooms or business schools—but in the survival instincts of our ancestors? In this episode, we explore The Mammoth in the Room by Nicolas Pokorny, a groundbreaking look at how evolutionary psychology shapes modern leadership. We break down the fundamental drivers of human behavior—self-interest and collaboration—and how they shape company culture.Pokorny’s leadership-followership matrix will help you assess your influence, while his

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10:48

How a 'Failed' President Became One of the Most...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/02/20

Some leaders leave office and fade into history—others redefine what leadership means long after their tenure ends. In today’s episode, we explore the legacy of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, a leader who proved that true influence isn’t confined to a title.From his bold honesty during his presidency to his post-office humanitarian work that nearly eradicated Guinea worm disease, Carter demonstrated that true leadership is measured by the lives we touch, not just the

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07:58

Does Your Team Secretly Call You...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/02/13

Most leaders obsess over their own abilities, but the real magic happens when you unlock what your team can do. Here's the truth. The best leaders don't create clones; they cultivate champions by recognizing and amplifying individual strengths. So today, we’re exploring why every team member is already a champion—and how you can help them prove it.We’ll break down the evolutionary psychology behind why appreciation fuels performance, how great leaders like Oprah Winfrey and Satya Nadella built

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10:26

Never Ask Your Team to Collect Wood— Inspire Them to...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/02/06

Imagine leading a team that’s fully engaged, motivated, and driven by a shared purpose. The secret? It’s not about assigning tasks or managing checklists—it’s about igniting a deep desire for the mission. Today, we explore why the most effective leaders don’t just tell people what to do; they inspire them with a vision that fuels action.Drawing from historical moments, neuroscience, and business insights, we uncover how great leaders—from Eisenhower to NASA’s janitor—created cultures of commitment,

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12:44

What Today’s Business Leaders Can Learn from Ancient...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/01/30

Today we explore the powerful legacies of Ancient Rome’s most influential leaders. From resilience under pressure to bold decision-making, the strategies these leaders used are as relevant now as they were centuries ago.Their stories offer powerful insights into how vision, adaptability, and even humility can drive sustainable success in business. But they also highlight the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of ethical decision-making.We’ll also explore the risks of nepotism, the

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14:43

What Today’s Leaders Can Learn From Ancient China’s...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/01/23

In today’s episode, I take you on a journey into the dynastic era of ancient China, uncovering the leadership strategies of its most remarkable figures. From adaptability to moral integrity, we explore how these timeless principles still resonate in modern organizations. Trust me, the lessons, including what NOT to do, are as relevant now as they were thousands of years ago.I rank the top five leaders of ancient China, delving into their achievements, failures, and the transformative power of their

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11:21

Challenge and Be Challenged: Lessons from Microsoft’s...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/01/16

Are you brave enough to let your team challenge you? What if the greatest threat to your team’s success isn’t the market, competition, or economy—but you? Today, we’ll uncover why the most transformative leaders don’t just embrace challenges—they actively invite them, even when it means questioning their own ideas.Through compelling stories of leaders like Satya Nadella of Microsoft and cautionary tales like Adam Neumann of WeWork, we’ll explore why fostering a culture of open dialogue is the

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13:08

How to Foster Growth and Create High-Performing Teams

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/01/09

What if the key to unlocking your team’s full potential isn’t driving results but investing in their growth? Today, I dive deep into what it truly means to be a leader who inspires individual and team growth from day one.Together, we’ll explore how investing in individual development creates a ripple effect of motivation, engagement, and innovation. You’ll learn why prioritizing regular feedback, offering tailored learning opportunities, and celebrating milestones are game-changers for any

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13:16

Know Your People: The Secret to Leadership Success

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/01/02

Do you really “know” your team? Effective leadership isn’t about issuing directives or setting goals—it’s about understanding the unique individuals who make up your team. In this episode, I reveal why knowing your people on a deeper level is the key to unlocking loyalty, creativity, and high performance.Drawing from real-world examples, I share how tailoring your approach to each team member’s strengths and motivations can transform your leadership style. From crafting personalized feedback to

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12:17

Walking Your Talk: How Authentic Leadership Builds...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2024/12/26

What does it truly mean to "walk your talk" as a leader? Today, I’m exploring one of the most foundational principles of authentic leadership: aligning your actions with the values you preach. You’ll understand why consistency and authenticity are non-negotiable when building high-performing teams.Drawing from neuroscientific and evolutionary insights, I’m sharing practical strategies to embody effective leadership in your everyday actions. From work-life balance to timely communication, I reveal

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21:58

6 Practical Steps to Manage Fear, Stress, and Anxiety...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2024/12/19

Did you know that nearly 31% of U.S. adults will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime? That’s a significant portion of any workforce. Hence, as leaders, we must understand how fear and anxiety shape our teams and directly impact innovation, productivity, and trust.In this episode, I explain the key differences between stress, fear, and anxiety—terms we often use interchangeably but that have very distinct roles. You’ll learn about the real-world consequences of unmanaged fear in the

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19:12

How To Manage Fear And Anxiety In The Corporate Context

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2024/12/12

Fear is a powerful force that drives both individual and social behavior. Good leaders understand and manage fear effectively to foster optimal team performance. Today, we explore the science of fear and anxiety, exploring their evolutionary roots and the role they play in modern organizations.We’ll discuss the neurobiology of fear, highlighting the dual pathways in the brain that govern our responses to both immediate and distant threats. You’ll understand how uncertainty amplifies fear and how

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13:00

The Leadership Mistakes that Demotivate Employees

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2024/12/05

Many companies struggle with employee motivation and job satisfaction despite their best efforts. Drawing on Frederic Herzberg's Motivation Hygiene Theory, we explore the critical difference between hygiene factors, like salary and working conditions, which prevent dissatisfaction, and true motivators, such as autonomy and recognition, which drive engagement and performance.We’ll talk about how management often burdens employees with fixing systemic issues like bureaucracy, which only worsens the

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17:58

The Biggest Myth in Leadership: Can You Really...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2024/11/28

Grab your copy of Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room, here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/We continue our discussion on motivation and tackle one of the most persistent myths in leadership: the idea that leaders can directly motivate others. We’ll explore the science and psychology of motivation to understand why leaders can’t truly motivate others but instead must focus on creating environments where people motivate themselves.We’ll explore the difference between intrinsic

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12:25

Practical Tips Every Leader Needs to Build Lasting...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2024/11/21

Grab your copy of Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room, here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/Motivation strategies are essential for any leader looking to build a productive, engaged team—without depending on bonuses or promotions. In today’s episode, we will explore intrinsic motivation and how you, as a leader, can foster it within your team.Drawing on research by Ayelet Fishbach and Kaitlin Woolley, we will discuss why intrinsic motivation—doing work for the sheer joy it brings

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13:41

7 Tips to Adhere to Build a Team That’s Truly Yours

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2024/11/14

Grab your copy of Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/Stepping into a new leadership role often means leading an inherited team, which brings its own unique set of challenges. Acceptance and respect isn’t instant. You need to foster trust, develop relationships, and understand your team’s development needs. Today’s episode will guide you on this journey.We’ll cover seven essential steps to building a team that feels like your own. You’ll learn how

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16:06

How to Manage Your Energy in a New Leadership Role to...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2024/11/07

Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room, is available now!Grab your copy here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/Corporate leadership involves endless meetings, presentations, customer interactions, and travel, which require energy. Hence, you must prioritize managing your physical, mental, and emotional energy rather than just focusing on time management to avoid burnout.Today, we’ll explore research-backed strategies for maintaining peak performance through physical fitness, balanced

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75 results

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