How to Be the Leader Everyone Remembers with Dr. Adam Galinsky

In this episode of Driving Change, Jeff Bloomfield welcomes renowned behavioral expert and Columbia Business School professor Dr. Adam Galinsky. From his surprising birth as a twin to his evolution from clinical researcher to bestselling author, Galinsky unpacks the experiences that shaped his work on leadership, influence, and emotional intelligence. Together, Adam and Jeff explore the balance between competition and cooperation, the importance of self-awareness in leadership, and the power of inspiring versus infuriating behaviors. Galinsky shares powerful, research-backed frameworks from his books Friend and Foe and Inspire, along with practical tips leaders can implement right away.

Why You Should Listen
If you've ever struggled to communicate more effectively, motivate others without micromanaging, or turn self-awareness into impactful leadership behavior, this episode delivers. Adam Galinsky blends deep academic insight with compelling real-world stories—giving listeners practical strategies to elevate their personal and professional influence.

🔟 Top 10 Takeaways
Origin of Curiosity – Galinsky’s early life as a surprise twin and son of two academics set the stage for his lifelong fascination with human behavior.

From Research to Practice – Practical application of research is what distinguishes meaningful work; Galinsky excels at this.

Friend vs. Foe – Human dynamics constantly balance cooperation and competition; recognizing this helps leaders avoid toxic extremes.

Inspiring vs. Infuriating Leaders – Traits that make a leader inspiring (visionary, exemplar, mentor) are universal across cultures.

Leader Amplification Effect – Everything a leader says or does is amplified, intentionally or not—making self-awareness vital.

Structural Interventions Beat Willpower – Setting up triggers, systems, and habits helps leaders manage emotional reactions better than willpower alone.

Feedback vs. Feedforward – Asking for advice rather than feedback leads to more constructive, forward-looking insights.

Preparation Wins – Like Andy Reid scripting plays, leaders who plan and script their communication perform better under pressure.

Guilt Enables Growth, Shame Hinders – Leaders should embrace guilt as a mechanism for course correction, while avoiding the paralysis of shame.

Elevating Others Elevates You – Regularly recognizing and praising others—through birthday notes or quick messages—builds trust, morale, and status.



Chapter Markings
00:00 – Origin Story & Family Influence

06:00 – Harvard, Getting Fired, & Pivoting to Social Psychology

09:30 – Cockpit Crews & Self-Correcting Units

12:00 – Cooperation vs. Competition Explained

17:45 – Marriage, Weddings & Competitive Spouses

20:00 – Leader Amplification Effect

24:30 – Self-Awareness & Emotional Regulation

29:00 – How to Give Better Feedback

36:00 – Preparation, Negotiation & Andy Reid’s Strategy

42:00 – Ethical Behavior, Motivation, & Rivalry

47:00 – What Inspired 'Inspire'

50:00 – Visionary, Exemplar, Mentor Model

54:00 – Three Takeaways for Leaders

57:00 – Sabbatical in Singapore & What’s Next





How to find out more about Adam.
Website: adamgalinsky.com

Book: Inspire: The Surprising Truth About What Inspires Us – available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Porchlight

TED Talk: How to Speak Up for Yourself (6M+ views)