In the latest episode of Decision Nerds, Paul Richards and I talk with Professor Alex Edmans of London Business School. Alex recently published a book, ‘May Contain Lies’, which discusses our vulnerability to the misuse of evidence, statistics and stories, and how we can get better at deciphering the information that we consume.

Alex talks us through his ‘Ladder of Misinference’, which is a great framework for understanding how we might be mistaken when in receipt of information, and what we can do about it.

As part of the discussion we also cover areas including:

– How to help people move beyond black-and-white thinking and engage with complexity – getting the right mix of data and stories

– Why do bad ideas stick – do you still ‘Power Pose’?

– Changing minds – the power of good questions (there’s a great experiment on pianos and toilets that you can try at home).

– Trading off the short and long-term – why he chose the most critical agent to help him publish his book.

– Understanding neurological carrots and sticks – what happens when we put people in a brain scanner and give them statements they like and don’t?

– The state of debate around ESG and DEI – ideology, identity and pressures to conform.

I hope you enjoy the conversation, which covers a range of subjects that feel increasingly important.

You can listen to the episode in the usual places, or from the link below.

May Contain Lies