The Ancient Molecule You Can Use To Unlock Peak Performance with Dr. Paul Zak
In this episode we discuss the groundbreaking research behind the ancient molecule that fuels peak performance, the foundations of neuroeconomics, how our brains react during social interactions, we examine how our brains are designed to connect and built to work cooperatively, we dig into the power of oxytocin and how you can increase it in your life, and much more with Dr. Paul Zak.
Dr. Paul Zak is founding Director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies and Professor of Economics, Psychology, and Management at Claremont Graduate University. He was also among the team of scientists who were the first to use brain imaging to identify the role of oxytocin as a key driver of trust, love, and morality that distinguish our humanity. Paul is the author of the new book Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies and has appeared on ABC World News, CNN, Fox Business, and more.
Paul founded the field of Neuroeconomics - what is that?
How are humans able to interact with total strangers when that is impossible in the animal kingdom?
How do our brains balance the risks of meeting a stranger vs the benefits of increased social influence?
Our brains live in this soup of chemicals, none of which we are aware of consciously
How Paul’s groundbreaking research transformed what scientists thought about the production of oxytocin and how humans build trust
Testosterone inhibits oxytocin synthesis
People are complicated, its important to have alot of acceptance
Oxytocin is an on/off switch
Paul challenges the listeners to a fight!
Our brains naturally help us adapt to the environment we are in
How do we get people in groups to perform at their highest level
How you can train your brain to release more oxytocin
Learn how to read the emotional state of the people around you
“All research is me-search”
How “listening with your eyes” can help boost your oxytocin and help you become more in sync with people
The “evil trick” you can use to get tons of information when you meet someone (it’s NOT what you expect!)
Our brains are designed to connect, we want to be connected. We are naturally open to touch. Our brains are built to work cooperatively.
Strategies you can use in your daily life to increase your oxytocin
How companies can measure and manage their culture for high trust and high performance
The 8 key building blocks leaders can use to build trust and improve high performance
Paul focuses on measuring brain activity and use that to solve real problems that humans have.
Its all about empowering humans to be their best selves
The neuroscience firmly demonstrates the power and vital importance of sleep
How you can implement concrete changes to get the biggest bang for your buck in building a culture of high performance
We trust people more who are their real, vulnerable, natural selves
Why you should replace “how was your weekend” with “hey you look really <insert emotion on their face>” to build deeper relationships
Almost no human can survive on their own - we only survive in groups - we must understand how to engage the groups that we are constantly around
Science predicts, and data strongly supports, that people want to be and enjoy being part of high performance groups
Relationships are super important
Why isn’t work an adventure? How can we make a work an adventure
Connecting, touching, giving a gift - give the gift of connection, empowerment, love, to someone around you
Effective social behaviors are rooted in SERVICE and serving others
Thank you so much for listening!
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SHOW NOTES, LINKS, & RESEARCH
[Book] Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies by Paul J. Zak
[Book] The Moral Molecule: How Trust Works by Paul J. Zak
[Website] Ofactor
[Personal Site] Paul J. Zak
[Video] TEDxAmsterdam 2012: Paul J Zak - The Biology of Good and Evil
[HBR Article] The Research Is Clear: Long Hours Backfire for People and for Companies by Sarah Green Carmichael
[Wiki Page] Peter Drucker