If/Then

• The Future of Everything: "The Future of Motivation"

  This week on If/Then, we’re sharing an episode of The Future of Everything, a podcast hosted by Stanford School of Engineering professor and friend of the show Russ Altman.Everyone has goals — some are monumental, others modest — but every goal matters. Szu-chi Huang, an associate professor of marketing at Stanford Graduate School of Business, is an expert on sustaining enthusiasm for individuals, customers, and employees across global corporations and organizations.On this episode, Huang shares what it takes to stay motivated over time — not just at the beginning of a goal, when energy runs high, or at the end, when the finish line is in sight, but through the toughest part: the middle. She explains why motivation is a dynamic process that requires different tools at different stages, and offers practical advice drawn from her research on everything from retirement savings and loyalty programs to children’s health and social apps. Along the way, she and Altman explore how purpose, progress, and even a little social pressure can help us keep going — and how AI might someday coach us through.More Resources: Szu-chi Huang, faculty profile & If/Then episode Russ Altman, faculty profile The Future of EverythingIf/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.Chapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces Szu-Chi Huang, professor of marketing at Stanford GSB.(00:03:31) Studying MotivationSzu-chi shares what led her to study motivational science(00:04:03) Defining MotivationMotivation as the drive to close the gap between current and ideal self.(00:04:57) The Science of MotivationStudying motivation through behavioral and neurological data.(00:05:48) Why It Matters in BusinessHow motivation science applies to leaders, teams, and customers.(00:06:39) Motivation FrameworkThe strategies needed in order to stay motivated over time.(00:07:42) The Mindset of MotivationThe different mindsets needed throughout the stages of motivation.(00:09:21) Motivating Kids to Choose HealthyA Collaboration with UNICEF to study what motivates children.(00:10:55) Gamified Coupons in PanamaA study using gamified coupons to influence children's food choices.(00:14:26) Loyalty Programs as MotivationHow customer reward programs act as structured goal journeys.(00:16:47) Progress Versus PurposeThe different incentives needed in each stage of loyalty programs.(00:18:29) Retirement Saving LessonsHow financial institutions apply motivational science to long-term goals.(00:21:12) Motivation in Social ContextThe role of social connections in goal pursuit and sustaining motivation.(00:26:10) Designing Apps for MotivationHow redesigning user interfaces can help users stay motivated.(00:27:20) AI as a Motivation CoachUsing AI to personalize feedback across all stages of goal pursuit.(00:30:09) Starting and Sustaining a GoalPractical strategies for launching and sustaining a goal.(00:31:57) ConclusionSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  --------  

  34:02

  --------

  34:02
• Think Fast, Talk Smart: "Ambiguity to Action: Tensions and Trade-Offs of Leadership and Communication"

  This week on If/Then, we’re sharing an episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, a podcast hosted by Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturer and friend of the show, Matt Abrahams.How do you communicate with others when you’re confused yourself? For fellow GSB lecturer Rob Siegel, leadership isn’t about avoiding uncertainty: it’s about embracing the clarity that ambiguity can bring.In his latest book, “The Systems Leader: Mastering the Cross Pressures That Make or Break Today's Companies,” Siegel explores how leaders today are “living in dualities,” caught between managing existing processes and adapting to emerging disruptions. “The sooner we get comfortable with [change] in the sense of ‘I don't have to like it, but I can deal with it,’ then [we can] lead our teams and give them the calm to know they can get through this.”On this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Siegel and Abrahams explore how to communicate effectively amid constant change. From preparation strategies for spontaneous speaking to building trust through candid conversations, you'll hear practical tips for communicating with clarity when nothing is certain but change.More Resources:Rob Siegel, faculty profileMatt Abrahams, faculty profileThink Fast Talk Smart 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) IntroductionKevin Cool previews season three and introduces a featured episode from Think Fast Talk Smart.(00:00:40) Introduction to Rob SiegelMatt Abrahams welcomes Rob Siegel and introduces his new book The Systems Leader.(00:01:34) Teaching in a Time of ChaosRob explains how his course on systems leadership evolved amid global uncertainty and AI disruption.(00:02:39) Frameworks for Modern LeadershipRob outlines key leadership frameworks, including five cross pressures from his book.(00:04:01) Communication’s Role in LeadershipThey discuss how facts, context, and communication help leaders navigate uncertainty.(00:06:18) Balancing Innovation and ExecutionThe conversation turns to managing the tension between creative innovation and operational goals.(00:08:00) Leading Through AmbiguityThey explore how leaders can embrace ambiguity as a normal, strategic part of leadership.(00:09:41) Navigating Short- vs Long-Term ThinkingRob breaks down how leaders balance quarterly goals with long-term planning and vision.(00:12:32) Strength and Empathy in LeadershipMatt and Rob examine how leaders can balance warmth and strength in team relationships.(00:16:03) How to Keep Students EngagedRob shares his best practices for engaging students through preparation, spontaneity, and challenge.(00:18:55) Building Trust Through Genuine CareThey reflect on the role of genuine interest in others as a foundation for trust and communication.(00:21:35) Communication Role Models and RecipesRob names Irv Beck as a communicator he admires and shares his top three ingredients for great communication.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  --------  

  23:45

  --------

  23:45
• Culture Still Eats Strategy For Breakfast

  Do you stick to the rules or do you roll through stop signs? Whether you’re “tight” or “loose” — how closely you adhere to social norms — has major implications for your life at home and at work. “To be effective, we want to be ambidextrous,” says Michele Gelfand, the John H. Scully Professor in Cross-Cultural Management and Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “Even if we might lean tight or loose, we want to be able to create a context where we can have both tight and loose elements.”Sophisticated strategies will fail if they don’t account for deeply embedded norms, and Gelfand breaks down why the adage that “culture eats strategy for breakfast” is more than just a management cliché. “From the moment we wake up to the moment we go to sleep, [culture is] affecting everything from our politics to our parenting,” Gelfand says. “But we take it for granted — we don’t even think about it. So it’s kind of invisible. And that’s a pretty profound puzzle.” What’s the biggest cultural adjustment you’ve made? Share your story at [email protected] episode was recorded on January 28, 2025.Related Content:Faculty profilePsst — Wanna Know Why Gossip Has Evolved in Every Human Society?Class Takeaways — The Art of NegotiationWhy the Pandemic Slammed “Loose” Countries Like the U.S.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. Each episode features an interview with a Stanford GSB faculty member.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  --------  

  29:54

  --------

  29:54
• The AI Prescription for Healthcare

  AI has the potential to reshape medicine. But translating its promise into solutions for providers and patients is a high-stakes challenge.“There’s a lot more problems than solutions available,” says Mohsen Bayati, the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Professor of Operations, Information & Technology at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “So it’s ripe for innovation.”From trust and privacy to hallucination and data quality, the complications are significant. Bayati says that safely and effectively integrating AI into an enormous industry that treats people in their most vulnerable moments requires safety guardrails, human oversight, and maybe even a leap of faith. “[We] need to have patience with the benefits of these systems,” he says.Are you ready to interact with artificial intelligence at the doctor’s office? Sound off at [email protected] episode was recorded on March 4, 2025.Related Content:Mohsen Bayati faculty profileA Peek Inside Doctors’ Notes Reveals Symptoms of BurnoutMany Health Care Workers Are Emotionally Exhausted, and Technology May Be to BlameWhy Hospitals Underreport the Number of Patients They InfectIf/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. Each episode features an interview with a Stanford GSB faculty member.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  --------  

  27:40

  --------

  27:40
• Designing the AI Organization

  “The way I think about trying to anticipate and shape the AI future requires us to take a step back and ask ourselves first, ‘What does this technology do? What does it enable?’” reflects Amir Goldberg, a professor of organizational behavior at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “That’s very different from asking ourselves, ‘How is the technology implemented?’” From locating the origins of innovation to identifying hidden barriers blocking new ideas, Goldberg presents a framework for harnessing novel technological capabilities like AI — capabilities that are essential for staying ahead of the competition. “The data/AI train is leaving the station,” he says. “The problem is, there are many trains — and some are going off a cliff.” Is your organization exploring how to transform its experience into data? Tell us your story at [email protected] episode was recorded on February 5, 2025.Related Content:Amir Goldberg faculty profileTo Discover Breakthrough Ideas, Look to the OutsidersIs Your Business Ready to Jump Into A.I.? Read This First.Why Investors Throw Money at Eccentric CEOIf/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. Each episode features an interview with a Stanford GSB faculty member.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  --------  

  26:35

  --------

  26:35

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About If/Then

If/Then: Podcasts in Family