Cooperation

What makes humanity unique?

Dr. Michael Muthukrishna is fascinated by why our species behaves the way it does. In his book, A Theory of Everyone, Michael seeks to answer some of the deepest questions humans have about ourselves and how our cultures came to be. Why do humans create culture? What do all our societies have in common? And how can this knowledge help us build a better future?

This...is A Bit of Optimism.

In our conversation, Michael references a paper published in Science titled "The Church, intensive kinship, and global psychological variation." You can read it here.

To learn more about Michael's work, check out:

michael.muthukrishna.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Sustainable development cannot happen without effective and genuine cooperation and co-creation. This is what the UN Sustainable development goal no 17 is all about. 

In this episode we want to explore more about this. What does it take to achieve the kind of co-creation which makes you reach huge and complex goals?

The Norwegian Vidar Top is working on his PhD thesis “Silence and Violence in the Boardroom” and he is an international capacity as he has trained 30,000+ people in 27 countries on behaviour change to improve results. His research focus the past 20 years has been on execution throughout teams and organizations, beginning in the boardroom. Vidar has authored books on topics related to corporate governance and leadership such as influence, questioning skills, rhetoric, change management, crucial conversations, and accountability. His PhD thesis is on "Silence and Violence in the Boardroom".

In the conversation with Vidar we touch upon several interesting issues: 

How does one build a strong professional network? Vidar explains how he systematically works with networking, and started many years ago. Some will be surprised by his way of doing it.

Then we talk about what is the formula for collaborating well with different people in various industries. The approach of asking questions turns out to play an important role. 

We talk about what are the most important values for teamwork and collaboration, including for the PhD journey. Vidar explains key skills, such as recapping what others just have said when we start expressing our own view, because we often fail to understand others.  Furthermore, we should pay respect to each others by asking questions after presentations have been given.

We ask Vidar to share some experiences when he would find it difficult to collaborate with others. How did he overcome it? Vidar explains that everybody will find yourself in conflicts as long as you involve yourself in projects and issues.

 Younger generations of students refer to triggers and glimmers—triggers being things or actions that bring about negative reactions, and glimmers being the opportunities and inspiration that bring about self-confidence and good feelings. Vidar gives an example from his life how he failed, how he brought a trigger which became very negative into the life of another person.

Vidar also explains one of his favourite glimmers, and explains why it is effective.

We talk about the concept of sustainable co-creation. How can a diverse group have sustainable co-creation processes? Vidar reflects about the question.

When we speak about the elements of time, space and place  -   how these factor play into the co-creation process, Vidar is concerned about timing and unformal surroundings.

At the end of the conversation, Vidar gives a very interesting and illustrative example about communicating a song. 

Read more about Vidar Top here:

https://www.usn.no/kontakt-oss/tilsette/vidar-top

This episode will also be part of a course about cooperation for phd students, a course developed by Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.

Dr. Jordan B Peterson sits down with Neuroendocrinology researcher and author of the upcoming book Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will, Robert Sapolsky. They discuss how Game Theory applies to human behavior across iterative rounds of play, the unexpected success of the tit-for-tat principle, the role of dopamine in the anticipation of the future, and the objective reality of transcendent structures within our biological routines.

Robert Sapolsky is an American Neuroendocrinology researcher, author, and communicator. He has spent decades studying primates in the wild, written numerous articles and books, as well as produced multiple video series on the subject. By the age of 12, Sapolsky was writing to well known primatologists as a fan, and had also begun teaching himself swahili with the early ambition of heading to Tanzanian, Mozambique, and Kenya in search of his own primates (Specifically Silverback Gorillas) to study. Not too much later, Sapolsky would make contact with a group of gorillas in Kenya, a group he would visit every year for 25 years, spending 4 months studying them at a time.  Sapolsky would go on to become the John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Professor at Stanford University, holding joint appointments in several departments, including Biological Sciences, Neurology & Neurological Sciences, and Neurosurgery.

- Links -

For Robert Sapolsky:

Determined (Book) https://www.amazon.com/Determined-Science-Life-without-Free/dp/B0BVNSX4CQ/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=QFjFx&content-id=amzn1.sym.579192ca-1482-4409-abe7-9e14f17ac827&pf_rd_p=579192ca-1482-4409-abe7-9e14f17ac827&pf_rd_r=138-5878495-9086964&pd_rd_wg=c78OT&pd_rd_r=59b94cd4-c046-4970-af71-a6cd4f439f77&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk

Behave (Book) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/592344/determined-by-robert-m-sapolsky/

Robert Sapolsky on X https://twitter.com/robot_sapolsky?lang=en

Minette's Bio:
Minette Norman focuses on developing transformational leaders who create inclusive working environments with a foundation of psychological safety. She is deeply committed to fostering workplace inclusion and is a sought-after speaker in psychological safety, inclusive cultures, radical empathy, and collaborative teams. Together with Karolin Heibig, they co-authored The Psychological Safety Playbook.

Links:
Website: https://www.minettenorman.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minettenorman/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minettenorman/

Quotes:
"You do not get to tap into the genius of the people you've hired and the diverse perspectives unless you have a strong foundation of psychological safety."

Episode Highlights:
Minette Norman grew up in California. Her dream was to become an actress. At some point, she realized how difficult it was to become an actress because of the numerous auditions and rejections. She decided to fall back to French and ended up securing a job at the French Trade Commission, New York.

She later moved back to California when Silicon Valley was getting started and became a technical writer for Photoshop version 1.0. This marked the beginning of her career in the software industry.

Childhood Incidents:
While growing up, Minette's mom was hospitalized with a mental illness, which impacted Minette greatly. She knew she couldn't be a problem in the household since there were other problems to be handled. Minette also knew there were things she had to do for herself. This experience shaped Minette to become someone who was relentlessly challenging the status quo.

How Karolin and Minette Met:
Karolin and Minette met in an online class in 2021 and have been working together for two years. One day, Minette was on a podcast with one of their classmates, and Karolin was listening. She expressed her interest in psychological safety beyond research and academia. Karoline resonated with it and wrote Minette an email with the reference, "Crazy Idea."

During a Zoom call, they discussed working on something small that would benefit their clients. What they originally envisioned as something small turned into a book. Their book comprises plays and moves for workplace safety. Karolin and Minette will meet for the first time in-person at the Search Inside Yourself Summit in Lisbon, Portugal.

The Essence of Vulnerability as a Leader:
Minette's company worked with a global team at some point, where they would meet one-on-one as a team for their quarterly meeting. One time, Minette decided to engage a facilitator because she felt they were struggling to work together as a team. The facilitator suggested they embrace their vulnerability and share something from their early years that made them who they are today. Minette shared her story, and she cried in front of her employees. A sense of empathy filled the room where her employees started opening up and they all got to know one another better.

Influential Groups:
Throughout her career, Minette looked at leaders and picked up all the good leadership traits and skills they had, while simultaneously pointing out — and avoiding — the traits that she wouldn't want to possess as a leader.

Soapbox Moment:
Minette invites us to buy their book, The Psychological Safety Playbook and download the free resources available on their website.

Tagline: Become a better leader by being more human.

>Join Jocko UNDERGROUND<

Developing Prejudice Against Others and Loyalty Toward Your Own. Eagles VS Rattlers.

Abusive BJJ Instructor? Or an instructor who is too laid back?

Dealing with a partner who's ego is getting in the way of your success.

Should 62 year old grandma start Jiu Jitsu?

A very effective body weight workout routine.

Can we truly be healthy if we see ourselves as separate from nature?

Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart.  Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.

Today’s clip is from episode 298 of the podcast with Dr Zach Bush.

Zach spent many years as a conventional medical doctor but, disillusioned with the state of Western medicine, he began taking an integrative approach, studying the body’s microbiomes in relation to health, disease and food systems. 

In this clip, we discuss why traits of ego, individualism and competition aren’t really human at all and how a practice of solitude can help us reconnect with our true nature.

Thanks to our sponsor https://www.drinkag1.com/livemore

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/298

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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. 

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Countries across the world are turning inward, embracing protectionism, subsidies and export controls. This threatens the global order that has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, and risks economic conflict. Ethiopia’s newfound peace looks fragile and uncertain. And Mexico’s ballads that critics claim glorify criminality, but fans argue celebrate loyalty, ingenuity and hard work.

For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer

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Bio for Sabra Saleh 

Sabra Saleh is a Communications/Public Affairs Specialist with Syncrude Canada Ltd.

Episode highlight

As a multilingual African-Arab, Sabra Saleh has always assimilated into the cultural groups, wherever she went. Listen in on how she establishes relationships using language and curiosity to support her.

Links

Email: sabrasal@gmail.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabramsaleh/

Twitter: @sabrasaleh

Quotes

“This is how I can be a part of any group - by connecting to certain people with language.”

“What would we need to do as an organization so you can come as your whole self to work?”

Takeaways

Childhood Incidents

When Sabra was in Grade 4 in Abu Dhabi, she used her language skills to make friends with groups of students who spoke different languages. 

She was encouraged by her mother to accept her hair texture as representative of the ethnic mixes in her blood and wear it with pride. 

Influential Groups 

From her African and Arab cultures, Sabra has learnt a sense of community and hospitality, making people feel welcome, comfortable, and approachable, both personally and professionally.

Her profession of communications has taught her patience towards changing circumstances and mistakes, and given her the flexibility to adapt when needed. 

Temperament and Personality Influences

Sabra claims that she has always shown patience and understanding in her personal and professional life, but that her politeness and courtesy often gets misunderstood as diplomacy. 

Cultural Epiphanies

When Sabra was at university in the USA, she was shocked that a student ordered a pizza in the common room, ate it by himself, and then tried selling the leftover slices for a dollar each. 

She also struggles to address older adults by their first names in North America, something considered disrespectful in her culture.

Advice to an Employer 

Sabra places value on getting to know people and understanding where they come from and emphasizes the importance of casual conversations which help dispel stereotypes. 

More Great Insights! 

Sabra recommends asking newcomers questions about their backgrounds to help them bring their whole selves to work. As a Muslim woman, the first thing she does when she joins a new job is inquiring about spaces to pray. Her religion has also taught her that “you help whoever you can regardless of who they are - don’t discriminate groups.”