Traction Heroes

29:52

Tribal Psychology

Traction Heroes ·

2026/10/04

We explore how understanding human group behavior might inform AI safety — and how that might also make us better stewards of human groups. Show notes: How Minds Change by David McRaneyThe Righteous Mind by Jonathan HaidtThe One and the Ninety-nine by Luke BurgisWanting by Luke Burgis

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26:37

Learning Modes

Traction Heroes ·

2026/09/20

Different people have different ways of learning. Knowing how you and those you work with learn best will help you gain traction. Show notes: Managing Oneself by Peter DruckerStory by Robert McKeeDialogue by Robert McKeeTraining From the Back of the Room by Sharon L. BowmanRobert F. MagerThe Workshop Survival Guide by Rob Fitzpatrick and Devin HuntWrite Useful Books by Rob FitzpatrickPlease Understand Me by David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates

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28:44

WEIRD People

Traction Heroes ·

2026/09/06

Are you more of an analytical or a holistic thinker? The answer might depend on the culture in which you were raised — and understanding that can help you gain traction. Show notes: The WEIRDest People in the World by Joseph HenrichBeyond Culture by Edward T. HallThe Long Now FoundationWhat Your Machines Should Do by Stefanie HutkaThe Art of the Long View by Peter SchwartzCultures and Organizations by Geert HofstedeHofstede’s cultural dimensions theory

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25:38

Subsidiarity

Traction Heroes ·

2026/08/23

How do you delegate authority while maintaining coherence? One way is by establishing solid principles. Show notes: Becoming a Principle-Driven Leader by Charles and Chase KochGood Profit by Charles G. KochThe HP Way by David PackardIncorruptible by Eric RiesPrinciples by Ray DalioTraction Heroes Ep. 11: Gall’s LawTraction Heroes Ep. 16: OODA LoopsReading Notes: “Becoming a Principle-Driven Leader” by Jorge ArangoNormative

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27:35

Feedback

Traction Heroes ·

2026/08/09

Harry shares an important insight from a personal place: we must not just get better at giving feedback, but receiving it as well — and it can be especially difficult when feedback is part of your professional skillset. Show notes: Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone & Sheila HeenManagement of the Absurd by Richard FarsonNaïve realism

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27:24

Craft

Traction Heroes ·

2026/07/26

Jorge digs out an influential book from his past to discuss a critical issue in decision-making. Show notes: The Art of Computer Game Design by Chris Crawford (PDF)Finite and Infinite Games by James P. CarseUX Design Innovation: Challenges for Working with Machine Learning as a Design Material by Graham Dove, Kim Halskov, Jodi Forlizzi, and John Zimmerman (PDF)AlphaGo (Full movie)

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26:43

Agency

Traction Heroes ·

2026/07/12

It's easy to feel frustrated and powerless — but organizational leaders have more agency than they might think in today's world. Show notes: Incorruptible by Eric RiesSentient Design by Josh Clark and Veronica KindredJoseph Campbell and The Power of MythIncorruptible by Design — Eric Ries Long Now seminar

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26:35

Pace Layers

Traction Heroes ·

2026/06/28

AI gives us the ability to prototype faster than ever before — which is great, as long as we remember that there's underlying work to be done. Show notes: The Clock of the Long Now by Stewart BrandHow Buildings Learn by Stewart BrandMaintenance of Everything, Part One by Stewart BrandAntifragile by Nassim Nicholas TalebThinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanThe World as a Total System by Kenneth BouldingLiving in Information by Jorge ArangoLiquid Glass

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27:44

Checklists

Traction Heroes ·

2026/06/14

Many so-called accidents can be prevented with a bit of forethought. In this conversation, we explore ways to avoid bad outcomes by preparing beforehand. Show notes: There Are No Accidents, Only Collisions by Alan LevarTraction Heroes Ep. 2: UnprecedentedThe Checklist Manifesto by Atul GawandePass LabsFour Types of Problems by Art SmalleyDrift Into Failure by Sidney DekkerThe Problem Is Not the Problem by Harry Max (video)

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25:54

Legibility

Traction Heroes ·

2026/05/31

Determining what to track is essential for effective management. But focusing on just a few measures can lead us to miss important things. Show notes: Seeing Like a State by James C. ScottHow Buildings Learn by Stewart BrandPace layersStrategies for Learning from Failure by Amy C. Edmondson (HBR gift link)What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter

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28:56

Blind Spots

Traction Heroes ·

2026/05/17

A reading from a popular job search book prompts a discussion about our inability to accurately self-diagnose — and what to do about it. Show notes: Never Search Alone by Phyl Terry Phyl.orgThinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanNever Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl RazWhat Color is Your Parachute? by Richard BollesSo Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal NewportSocial Traps by John Cross and Melvin GuyerMistakes Were Made (bot Not By Me) by Caroll Tavris and Elliot AronsonConfidenti...

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25:54

Axis Thinking

Traction Heroes ·

2026/05/03

Jorge shares one of his core mental models — from an unexpected source. Show notes: Axis Thinking by Brian EnoA Year with Swollen Appendices by Brian EnoPolarity Management by Barry JohnsonThe Problem Is Not the Problem by Harry Max

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26:41

Automation Complacency

Traction Heroes ·

2026/04/19

On the risks of unquestioningly delegating sense-making to technology in general (and AI in particular.) Show notes: The Glass Cage by Nicholas Carr

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26:31

Perceptions

Traction Heroes ·

2026/04/05

Our perceptions of what someone else will say or do can influence what they actually end up saying or doing — leading to a dangerous vicious cycle. Show notes: Beyond Belief by Nir EyalLiminal Thinking by Dave GrayThe MatrixMistakes Were Mad (but Not By Me) by Caroll Tavris and Elliot Aronson

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26:19

MacGuffins

Traction Heroes ·

2026/03/22

Harry and Jorge discuss one of the latter's favorite means for gaining traction: the MacGuffin, a concept with a storied pedigree in cinema. Show notes: Dark Matter and Trojan Horses by Dan HillTrim tabThe New How by Nilofer MerchantHuman-Centered Security by Heidi TrostTempo by Venkatesh Rao

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25:08

Mindfulness

Traction Heroes ·

2026/03/08

On the importance of mindfulness for gaining traction — and how you can practice to become more mindful. Show notes: Original Love by Henry ShukmanThe Informed Life ep. 75: Hans Krueger on the Cycle of EmotionsThe Tim Ferriss Show ep. 531: Henry ShukmanThe Way AppWaking UpThe Ultimate Coach by Amy Hardison and Alan D. ThompsonBeing in the World

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30:22

Jobs To Be Done

Traction Heroes ·

2026/02/22

We tackle a key reading from a classic book to solve a perennial problem: how do we talk about what we do so we don't undersell our value? Show notes: Competing Against Luck by Clayton M. Christensen, Karen Dillon, Taddy Hall, and David S. Duncan Managing Priorities by Harry MaxMECE principlePositioning by Jack Trout and Al Ries

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26:50

Delusion

Traction Heroes ·

2026/02/08

A conversation about something that's emerging as a central theme in the podcast: how to avoid fooling yourself so you can achieve your goals by seeing more clearly. Show notes: The Art of Action by Stephen BungaySunset Boulevard (1950 film)John BoydTraction Heroes Ep. 6: Chesterton's FenceCrazy Time by Abigail Trafford

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23:43

Going Meta

Traction Heroes ·

2026/01/25

Is your business in service to the bottom line or something higher? Whichever you pick will influence the organization's culture. Show notes: Tim O’Reilly in a Nutshell by Tim O’ReillyRosenfeld MediaShai AgassiOODA loopThinking In Bets by Annie DukeThe Art of Action by Stephen BungayMakers and Takers by Rana Foroohar

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20:43

Eliciting Information

Traction Heroes ·

2026/01/11

How do you get useful information from people when the very act of asking might compromise the answer? Harry offers insights from a surprising source. Show notes: Confidential by John NolanClimbing the Ladder of Business Intelligence by James E. Cates, Sam S. Gill, and Natalie Zeituny Precision questioningEnlivenWork

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