Dr. Maya Shankar

And it actually increases my motivation to do those things.

And it actually increases my motivation to do those things.

I deny myself that pleasure in the rest of my life.

I deny myself that pleasure in the rest of my life.

Another insight I'd share with listeners as it pertains to the workplace has to do with the power of social norms.

Another insight I'd share with listeners as it pertains to the workplace has to do with the power of social norms.

So we are heavily influenced by how those around us act and behave.

So we are heavily influenced by how those around us act and behave.

And if we understand this, we can actually leverage it for good in a lot of situations.

And if we understand this, we can actually leverage it for good in a lot of situations.

So for example, when they were trying to get homeowners to use less energy, this one company tried all sorts of tactics, right?

So for example, when they were trying to get homeowners to use less energy, this one company tried all sorts of tactics, right?

Financial incentives, canvassing, door hankers, you name it.

Financial incentives, canvassing, door hankers, you name it.

None of them worked.

None of them worked.

The one that did work was telling people when their neighbors were using less energy than they were.

The one that did work was telling people when their neighbors were using less energy than they were.

And that positive norm was so helpful at motivating people to use less energy because they're like, I don't want to be the highest energy user on my block.

And that positive norm was so helpful at motivating people to use less energy because they're like, I don't want to be the highest energy user on my block.