If/Then: Research findings to help us navigate complex issues in business, leadership, and society

Behind every lesson lies a journey of discovery. In this special episode of If/Then [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/if-then], we step into the classrooms of Stanford Graduate School of Business to uncover the human stories driving extraordinary insights. Christian Wheeler, professor of marketing at Stanford GSB, challenges our fear of failure, reframing it as the sharp edge where growth truly happens. “Be comfortable being uncomfortable,” he says, urging leaders to embrace the anxiety of pushing limits to unlock their peak potential. Michele Gelfand, a professor of organizational behavior, takes us into the intricate world of cultural intelligence. “Negotiating across cultures isn’t just about competence—it’s about curiosity,” she explains, showing how understanding diverse perspectives can transform deadlock into breakthrough. And Jesper Sørensen, professor of organizational behavior, redefines what it means to lead. “Strategy isn’t a blueprint; it’s a living process,” he reflects, advocating for leaders to connect the dots, not just assign tasks, and to see uncertainty as a gateway to discovery. These faculty members remind us that leadership is as much about understanding ourselves as it is about guiding others. Whether it's failure, negotiation, or strategy, this episode showcases how curiosity and humanity are integral to leadership. Key Takeaways: * Strategy is dynamic, not static: Leaders must explain the "why" to align their teams. * Fear of failure can hinder growth: Growth requires embracing discomfort and using storytelling to connect and lead. * Metaphors as tool for negotiation: Use metaphors to guide your goals and assess your success in the negotiation process.  More Resources: * Christian Wheeler, faculty profile [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/s-christian-wheeler] * Jesper Sørensen, faculty profile [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/jesper-b-sorensen] * Michele Gelfand, faculty profile [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/michele-j-gelfand] * Class Takeaways [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/class-takeaways] This episode of If/Then uses previously recorded audio and is repackaged in a new way. It features faculty talking about their research and the goal is to share more about faculty, while also keeping the If/Then podcast feed producing thought-provoking, research-backed content for our audiences.  Chapters:  (00:00:00) Introduction Kevin Cool introduces the episode featuring clips from the Class Takeaways series. (00:00:55) Embracing Failure Professor Christian Wheeler discusses how embracing failure can lead to growth. (00:03:55) Strategy as a Dynamic Process Professor Jesper Sørensen redefines strategy as an evolving course of action, not a static plan. (00:08:00) Cultural Intelligence in Negotiation Professor Michele Gelfand explains how cultural intelligence is key to negotiation. (00:12:31) Conclusion See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

As leaders rise and hierarchies shift, Stanford GSB organizational behavior professor Deborah Gruenfeld [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/deborah-h-gruenfeld], guest in season one of If/Then [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/if-then], reminds us that power is not just about authority—it’s about presence. In this special feed drop from Pfeffer on Power [https://jeffreypfeffer.com/pfeffer-on-power/], Gruenfeld, author of Acting With Power, revisits topics featured in her If/Then episode, exploring how body language and mindset can shape perceptions of influence. “We’re all playing roles,” she explains, whether as CEOs, professors, or professionals navigating high-stakes environments. The key, she says, lies in mastering both "inside-out" techniques—such as reframing internal narratives—and "outside-in" strategies, like commanding physical space to exude confidence. Host Jeffrey Pfeffer [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/jeffrey-pfeffer], professor of organizational behavior at the GSB, and Gruenfeld discuss how power dynamics transcend culture and context, offering universal lessons for anyone looking to lead with impact. “Don’t leave power to the bad guys,” Gruenfeld advises, urging listeners to embrace their own potential for influence. This episode provides actionable insights to help you show up powerfully in any room, especially when the stakes are high. As the conversation unfolds, Pfeffer and Gruenfeld challenge us to think differently about power—not as a privilege, but as a responsibility to shape better outcomes for ourselves and others. Jeffrey Pfeffer will be a guest on the second season of If/Then.  Pfeffer on Power is Produced by University FM. For a full transcript of this episode, visit the Pfeffer on Power’s website. [https://jeffreypfeffer.com/pfeffer-on-power/] More Resources: * Deborah Gruenfeld, faculty profile [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/deborah-h-gruenfeld] * Deborah’s Book: Acting with Power [https://actingwithpower.com/]  * Pfeffer on Power [https://jeffreypfeffer.com/pfeffer-on-power/]  Chapters:  (00:00:00) Introduction Host Jeffrey Pfeffer introduces guest Professor Deborah Gruenfeld from Stanford GSB. (00:01:45) First Impressions and Body Language How people make snap judgments based on appearance and nonverbal cues. (00:03:25) Change How You Show Up The possibility of reframing behavior to project more confidence and authority. (00:06:33) Showing Up with Power Two approaches for appearing more authoritative and powerful. (00:08:53) Inside-Out Power Reframing internal narratives to project power, even in moments of insecurity. (00:11:32) Outside-In Power Techniques for using body language to command authority. (00:14:00) Physical and Social Dynamics How occupying space communicates dominance and influence. (00:17:06) Unconscious Reactions to Power  Whether power dynamics are consistent across cultures and time. (00:20:32) Ambivalence Toward Power Why some individuals are reluctant to embrace power. (00:24:47) Ethical Leaders in Power The importance of ethical individuals embracing power to prevent its misuse by others. (00:28:14) Conclusion See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

In this episode of If/Then [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/if-then], we're diving into insights from three GSB experts featured on Think Fast, Talk Smart [https://www.fastersmarter.io/]. Join us as professor of organizational behavior Michele Gelfand explains her "tight and loose" cultural framework, revealing how societal structures impact everything from crime rates to creativity. We also hear from marketing professor Jonathan Levav, who explores decision fatigue in judicial settings, shedding light on how mental depletion influences choices. Finally, marketing professor Szu-chi Huang discusses the role of motivation and emotionality in decision-making, drawing from her experiences in advertising and academia. Together, these discussions provide a multifaceted view of the elements influencing our choices and interactions. Key Takeaways: * Switch between “tight” and “loose” mindsets: Individuals can code switch between “tight” and “loose” mindsets depending on the setting. You can shape your environment to help promote certain mindsets. * Take mental breaks: Decision fatigue causes individuals to make the easier decision, not necessarily better ones. Taking breaks can help replenish your mental energy to think through decisions properly. * Target your audience’s emotional needs: Emotion drives decision making. Messaging that meets emotional needs is more impactful. More Resources: * Michele Gelfand, faculty profile [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/michele-j-gelfand] * Jonathan Levav, faculty profile [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/jonathan-levav] * Szu-chi Huang, faculty profile [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/szu-chi-huang] * Think Fast Talk Smart [https://www.fastersmarter.io/]  If/Then is a podcast from Stanford Graduate School of Business that examines research findings that can help us navigate the complex issues we face in business, leadership, and society. For a full transcript of this episode, visit our podcast’s website. Chapters:  (00:00:00) Introduction Kevin Cool introduces the episode featuring GSB faculty discussing their research on the Think Fast, Talk Smart podcast. (00:00:35) Cultural Tightness vs. Looseness The benefits of "tight" versus "loose" culture. (00:03:47) Adjusting to Different Cultural Norms Whether individuals can adapt to cultural tightness or looseness. (00:05:24) Decision Fatigue in Court Settings A study on how decision fatigue affects parole rulings over time. (00:07:29) Communication to Combat Decision Fatigue Insights into overcoming decision fatigue and enhancing communication. (00:09:48) The Roots of Motivation The transition from advertising to studying motivation in academia. (00:11:13) Needs and Emotions in Decision-Making The influence of needs and emotions in effective decision-making. (00:13:43) Conclusion See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Artificial intelligence could fundamentally transform democracy for better or worse. In this bonus episode of If/Then: Business, Leadership, Society [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/if-then], Professor Andrew B. Hall of Stanford Graduate School of Business explores AI's potential to disrupt our electoral system. With the 2024 presidential election approaching, Hall warns that AI-generated misinformation could sway voters and erode trust in democratic processes. Yet he also sees AI's potential to solve political challenges. If we want to maintain a healthy democracy, then it’s crucial to understand AI's impact on our political landscape in the upcoming election and beyond. Key Takeaways: * AI's potential for misinformation: Professor Hall warns that AI-generated content misinform voters, potentially influencing election outcomes. * Threat to democratic integrity: The possibility of AI-driven misinformation could erode trust in the fairness and integrity of democratic processes, leading to decreased acceptance of election outcomes. * AI's dual nature in politics: While AI poses significant risks, Hall also thinks it could provide solutions to existing political problems, suggesting it will have a complex, double-edged impact on democracy. More Resources: * Andrew Hall, faculty profile [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/andrew-b-hall] * White Paper: Preparing for Generative AI in the 2024 Election: Recommendations and Best Practices Based on Academic Research [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/publications/preparing-generative-ai-2024-election-recommendations-best-practices], By Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, Brandice Canes-Wrone, Andrew B. Hall, Kristian Lum, Gregory J. Martin, Yamil Ricardo Velez, Stanford Graduate School of Business and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, November 2023 If/Then is a podcast from Stanford Graduate School of Business that examines research findings that can help us navigate the complex issues we face in business, leadership, and society. For a full transcript of this episode, visit our podcast’s website. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

One underappreciated fact about the explosion in genetic databases, like consumer sites that provide information about ancestry and health, is that they unlock valuable insights not only into an individual’s past and future, but also for that individual’s entire family. This raises serious concerns about privacy for people who have never submitted their genetic information for analysis, yet share much the same code as one who did. This week on If/Then [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/business-podcasts/if-then], we’re sharing an interview from The Future of Everything [https://engineering.stanford.edu/news/collection/future-everything-podcast]with Stanford GSB Professor Kuang Xu [https://profiles.stanford.edu/kuang-xu]. Xu is an expert in how genetic information can and should be used. He says that the DNA problem weighs heavily on privacy experts in fields ranging from law and engineering to public health and criminal justice.  The fundamental question is: Can we create methods for accessing genetic data while maximizing the privacy of all involved? The Future of Everything is Produced by Stanford Engineering. For a full transcript of this episode, visit The Future of Everything’s website. [https://engineering.stanford.edu/news/kuang-xu-how-make-and-keep-genetic-data-private] Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Host Kevin Cool introduces an episode featuring The Future of Everything podcast with host Russ Altman and guest Kuang Xu, a professor at the GSB.  (00:03:24) Genetic Technology and Privacy Risks The key ideas and methodology behind making genetic searches more private. (00:06:23) Social Network and Genealogy in Genetic Searches How a genealogy network functions as a social network in genetic searches. (00:09:23) Technical Aspects of Securing Genetic Data The difference between sequential and static methods for genetic searches. (00:11:19) Practical Application of Sequential Methods Ways the sequential search method could be applied without compromising privacy. (00:12:43) First Steps in Sequential Search What the first steps would look like when using the sequential search method. (00:14:41) Balancing Accuracy and Privacy Whether the new privacy methods compromise accuracy in identifying individuals. (00:15:22) Applications in Genetic Research How privacy methods can apply to genetic research for disease prediction and beyond. (00:18:22) Insights During Research Surprise findings from Kuang’s research on genetic privacy. (00:21:28) Privacy Beyond Genetics The possibility of applying these privacy techniques to other sensitive datasets. (00:22:58) Commercial Interest in Privacy Solutions The interest from companies in adopting these privacy innovations. (00:24:09) Genetics and Business School Connection Kuang’s work at Stanford’s School of Business and how it connects to genetics and privacy. (00:25:30) Emergency Room Waiting Times Research related to reducing waiting times in emergency rooms. (00:26:57) In-Person Voting and COVID-19 Spread Overview of data collected during in-person voting during COVID-19. (00:27:54) Conclusion See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].