Understanding Human Behavior for Effective Leadership With Dr. Nicolas Pokorny

Understanding Human Behavior for Effective Leadership With Dr. Nicolas Pokorny

What if leadership wasn’t just an art—but a science rooted in human biology?

In this conversation, Dr. Nicolas Pokorny, neuroscientist, leadership expert, and author of The Mammoth in the Room, explores the intersection of neuroscience, human behavior, and leadership. He explains why understanding what truly motivates people is the key to building trust, inspiring performance, and driving lasting organizational transformation.

We discuss:

✅ Why people are motivated by personal goals before corporate objectives
✅ How leaders can balance competition and collaboration
✅ The science of trust and its impact on engagement
✅ Intelligent risk-taking and innovation
✅ Why resistance to change is natural—and how to rewire it
✅ How to evolve leadership styles for today’s challenges

This episode blends neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and practical leadership strategies into a playbook for anyone leading teams in a rapidly changing world.

Full Podcast Episode

https://shows.acast.com/themasonducha...

Chapters

00:00 The Intersection of Neuroscience and Leadership
03:30 Understanding Human Behavior in Leadership
10:04 The Importance of Individual Understanding in Teams
17:02 Navigating Competition and Collaboration in Teams
21:52 Universal Behaviors of Top Performers
24:03 Balancing Performance and Well-being
26:22 Fostering Unity in a Polarized World
31:04 Intelligent Risk-Taking in Leadership
34:41 Rewiring Resistance to Change
38:34 Evolving Leadership Styles for Modern Challenges

About This Channel

I’m Mason Duchatschek, business consultant, bestselling author, and host of The Mason Duchatschek Show.

On this channel, I bring you powerful conversations with CEOs, authors, and thought leaders who share strategies to:

Recruit and retain top talent

Build stronger workplace cultures

Improve leadership effectiveness

Scale businesses sustainably

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