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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

08:29

How Hard vs. Soft Power Affects Leadership Motivation...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/11/20

Leadership is often about influence, but how you wield power matters. In today’s episode, we explore the evolutionary psychology of leadership and the profound difference between hard and soft power, exploring how leaders can leverage their power to not only get results but also foster long-term motivation in their teams.From Florence Nightingale’s impact during the Crimean War to contemporary leadership models, we unpack why certain leadership styles inspire trust and innovation, while others only

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10:18

How to Stop Free Riders in Your Team (Without...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/11/13

Ever had a teammate show up just in time to take credit but rarely pitch in during the grind? In this episode, we confront a subtle yet corrosive leadership challenge: the piggyback rider. These are the team members who contribute little but expertly manage up, claiming wins and dodging accountability, all while morale takes a hit.We break down the evolutionary roots of this behavior, how modern work structures enable it, and why leaders often fall for the charm. More importantly, I share how you

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08:00

Hard vs Soft Power: Are You Using the Right Power in...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/11/06

Power is a multifaceted tool in leadership, not a single monolithic force. Join me as we kick off a brand new miniseries that will dissect the nuances of power, from its evolutionary origins to its modern-day application in leadership.We begin by examining the foundational elements of power, focusing on the distinctions between hard and soft power. Drawing on insights from social psychologists, we break down the various bases of power that underpin effective leadership strategies, which can make or

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10:52

How to Handle a Selfish Teammate Without Creating...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/10/30

A selfish team member is a common yet tricky issue that every leader faces. When a colleague hoards resources, withholds vital information, and prioritizes personal success over collective progress, it can undermine trust, morale, and ultimately, productivity. How should you respond to such behavior and turn things around?In today’s episode, we explore the roots of selfishness in teams, tracing it back to evolutionary psychology, where human survival depended on both cooperation and hoarding

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35:02

How to Build Trust as a New Leader (Without Forcing...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/10/23

Today, we kick off a new series, "Mammoth Encounters," with Anton Luchner, a seasoned leader with diverse expertise ranging from business to sports. We explore leadership from a raw, real perspective as Anton shares pivotal moments in his career where he faced hidden forces, or what we call the "mammoths," shaping his decisions and actions.Anton opens up about the challenges of transitioning from peer to leader, where emotional responses like fear and overconfidence from others can feel like

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10:45

How to Lead When One Team Member Dominates the Room

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/10/16

We’ve all been there. A team meeting is derailed by one person who can’t stop talking. The “gunner” who jumps in, interrupts others, and takes over the conversation. In this episode, we explore what’s really behind that behavior and how leaders can turn it from a frustration into a strength.Through the lens of evolutionary psychology, we uncover why some people seek dominance in groups and how our brains respond to unfairness. You’ll learn why these ancient instincts still shape today’s workplace

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09:25

The Ultimate Guide to Designing Effective Leadership...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/10/09

Powerful leadership doesn’t have to mean rigid hierarchies. We wrap up our hierarchy miniseries with a practical playbook on how to design effective and scalable hierarchies that lead to success. We’ll explore lessons learned from our evolution and how to adapt traditional structures to modern leadership needs, ensuring clarity, fairness, and transparency.We’ll show you how to create a system where prestige, not coercion, is the primary mode of leadership. You’ll also learn how to build an

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09:43

Why Prestige Is a More Powerful Leadership Tool Than...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/10/02

In this week’s episode, we explore the concept of prestige as a form of leadership influence. Unlike dominance, which compels obedience through fear, prestige attracts followership through admiration and respect. This distinction is crucial for modern leaders who wish to build lasting, trust-based influence that empowers others to excel.Through an exploration of evolutionary biology and historical context, we examine how prestige evolved as a way to coordinate around competence, fairness, and shared

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09:34

Fear vs Respect in Leadership: What Ancient China...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/09/25

Throughout history, leaders have relied on fear, intimidation, and punishment to compel obedience. But does dominance actually sustain power? In today’s episode, we explore the paradox of coercive leadership: why it works in moments of crisis yet almost always collapses over time.We’ll talk about the hidden costs of fear-based leadership, why dominance is so tempting to executives under pressure, and how business leaders can avoid its most dangerous traps.Don’t settle for short-term obedience fueled

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10:33

Why Every Flat Organization Eventually Turns Into a...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/09/18

In every growing business, there comes a breaking point when the flat, egalitarian model that once fueled creativity begins to collapse under its own weight. In this episode, we explore why hierarchies emerge as organizations scale and how leaders can use them not as power plays, but as vital tools for efficiency and clarity.Through history, research, and practical examples, we uncover how hierarchy reduces chaos, fosters specialization, and makes large groups manageable. From military structures to

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12:00

How Ancient Societies Solved the Problem Every...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/09/11

As your organization grows, you've probably experienced the moment when consensus-based decision-making starts breaking down. What worked for your startup team of 10 suddenly becomes chaos with 100 people. This isn't leadership failure; it's an evolutionary inevitability.In this episode, we explore how our ancestors faced this exact challenge thousands of years ago, and why understanding their solution is crucial for modern leaders navigating organizational growth. The transition from egalitarian

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12:11

Evolution of Leadership: Why Humans Traded Equality...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/09/04

Why do we follow leaders at all? Today, we kick off a new mini-series on the history of leadership from prehistoric campsites to the rise of kingdoms. As leaders and decision-makers, understanding why humans abandoned egalitarian structures for centralized authority helps us better grasp the hidden forces shaping organizations today.We’ll explore how early humans lived in remarkably flat social structures, where leadership was temporary and earned through respect, rather than dominance. But

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09:17

4 Simple Ways to Stop Overconfidence from Ruining...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/08/28

Overconfidence isn't just a leadership trait. Sometimes, it’s a strategic weapon for manipulation. But the very confidence that drives business leaders to the top can be their downfall when unchecked. Today, you’ll hear how figures like Elizabeth Holmes and Adam Neumann leveraged overconfidence to build empires that ultimately crumbled beneath them.When confidence overrides competence, it can create toxic cultures where hard questions go unasked, and risk is ignored. The dangerous dynamic can play

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07:58

How to Spot Overconfident Leaders Before They Destroy...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/08/21

Confidence is often a prized trait in leadership, but what happens when that confidence isn't backed by competence? In today’s episode, we discuss the allure of overconfidence, examining how it can cloud judgment, mislead hiring decisions, and distort organizational culture.Drawing on real-world examples from Silicon Valley and two high-profile leaders, we examine how unchecked overconfidence can lead to catastrophic outcomes for both individuals and organizations. You’ll learn to spot the signs of

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08:14

The “Better Than Average” Trap: The Leadership Bias...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/08/14

Today, we uncover yet another dangerous leadership blind spot: overplacement. I’m referring to the notion that we and our teams are superior to the competition. Using Kodak’s tragic downfall as a case study, we’ll discover how leaders can become too proud of past wins, too dismissive of rising threats, and too slow to adapt.We’ll also explore the science behind this bias and why it’s even more dangerous in high-performing leaders. I’ll share real-world examples and hard truths about what happens

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08:21

The Illusion of Control: How Overconfident Leaders...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/08/07

This week, we continue with our discussion on overconfidence and explore how even the most experienced leaders can fall prey to the illusion of control. From the Chernobyl disaster to modern-day boardrooms, we’ll talk about the subtle ways overconfidence can distort leadership judgment.Drawing on real-world examples such as the Deepwater Horizon incident and startup failures, we examine how success often breeds a false sense of certainty. We explore the planning fallacy, the inside view, and how

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09:57

Why Overconfidence Kills Leadership Success (And How...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/07/31

Overconfidence is often hailed as a strength in leadership, but what happens when that confidence blinds us to crucial risks? In today’s episode, we explore the dark side of overconfidence and its impact on leadership decisions.Using historical examples such as the Challenger disaster and the sinking of the Titanic, we’ll explore the dangers of unchecked certainty and the psychological forces at play that make this behavior so pervasive, even in the most capable individuals.Don’t let this

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09:43

Why Cooperation Beats Conflict: Leadership Lessons...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/07/24

What if the walls you've built for protection are actually keeping you trapped? In today's interconnected world, the ancient instincts that once kept our tribes safe now sabotage our global potential. So, today we explore the necessities of leadership evolution beyond retaliation in a world where cooperation isn't just nice—it's survival.Through the US-China trade war and the Marshall Plan, I reveal how visionary leaders can break free from primal escalation patterns. Evolution wired us for

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09:33

STOP Retaliating! The Counter-Intuitive Leadership...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/07/17

In today’s high-stakes business environment, many leaders unknowingly fall prey to a primal impulse: retaliation. It feels justified, even righteous. But the moment we act from status anxiety rather than strategy, we risk turning boardrooms into battlegrounds—and profits into collateral damage.In this episode, we examine two historical case studies that illustrate how short-term revenge can profoundly impact industries and undermine alliances for generations. We'll unpack the evolutionary wiring

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10:04

The Truth Behind Global Trade Wars: Leadership...

The Mammoth in the Room ·

2025/07/10

Why do leaders sometimes make unexpected or counterintuitive decisions in times of crisis? In today’s episode, we explore how deeply rooted human instincts can influence global leadership—particularly by adopting inward-looking trade and policy decisions.Drawing on two historical case studies, we examine well-intentioned efforts to protect local industries that ultimately led to unintended economic consequences. We also reflect on how similar patterns can emerge in today’s world, and how leaders can

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70 results

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