Verified by Psychology Today

The Moral Molecule

Neuroscience and economic behavior

Career
Fit Matters

Paul J. Zak on February 6, 2014

Three things science shows can improve employee selection.

Three things science shows can improve employee selection.

Creativity
How Trust Leads to Innovation

Paul J. Zak on December 6, 2013

Like many frequent flyers, I have a fascination with airplanes—with their design, their engineering and their history. While reading Joe Sutter‘s wonderful 747: Creating the World’s First Jumbo Jet and Other Adventures from a Life in Aviation, I found an unexpected lesson about managing for innovation.

Like many frequent flyers, I have a fascination with airplanes—with their design, their engineering and their history. While reading Joe Sutter‘s wonderful 747: Creating the World’s First Jumbo Jet and Other Adventures from a Life in Aviation, I found an unexpected lesson about managing for innovation.

Oxytocin
This Is Your Organization on OXYTOCIN, Part I

Paul J. Zak on October 6, 2013

Understanding how the “trust molecule” works in the brain, my team and I have identified policies that managers can use to empower employees to excel.

Understanding how the “trust molecule” works in the brain, my team and I have identified policies that managers can use to empower employees to excel.

Career
Firing Well

Paul J. Zak on September 9, 2013

“There are easy firings and hard firings,” Doug Rauch, the retired president of Trader Joe’s, told me recently.

“There are easy firings and hard firings,” Doug Rauch, the retired president of Trader Joe’s, told me recently.

Career
The Business of Building Great People

Paul J. Zak on August 6, 2013

“American business is ruining America.” This is what Bob Chapman, the chief executive of Barry-Wehmiller, told me recently when I visited his corporate headquarters in St. Louis.

“American business is ruining America.” This is what Bob Chapman, the chief executive of Barry-Wehmiller, told me recently when I visited his corporate headquarters in St. Louis.

Motivation
People or Process?

Paul J. Zak on June 8, 2013

“Our people make us special.” We’ve all heard this many times, and it’s a sentiment that pushes organizations to concentrate on bringing in the right kind of talent. But is it true? Maybe instead we should focus on creating the right kinds of processes and structures to get the most out of whomever we hire.

“Our people make us special.” We’ve all heard this many times, and it’s a sentiment that pushes organizations to concentrate on bringing in the right kind of talent. But is it true? Maybe instead we should focus on creating the right kinds of processes and structures to get the most out of whomever we hire.

Myers-Briggs
Why Every “P” Needs a Few Good “J”s

Paul J. Zak on May 3, 2013

We all have different cognitive styles, and designing a cognitively diverse team can help facilitate success. Every P needs a few good J’s.

We all have different cognitive styles, and designing a cognitively diverse team can help facilitate success. Every P needs a few good J’s.

Career
The Purpose of Purpose

Paul J. Zak on April 8, 2013

Italy in the spring. Yeah, I can do that.

I’m in Milan as I write this, flown in to speak at the Positive Business Forum. But as beautiful as the surroundings are, a small part of me can’t help but wonder: Are the Italians so desperate that they want to put “positive” and “business” together in some ploy to stimulate their anemic economy?

Italy in the spring. Yeah, I can do that.

I’m in Milan as I write this, flown in to speak at the Positive Business Forum. But as beautiful as the surroundings are, a small part of me can’t help but wonder: Are the Italians so desperate that they want to put “positive” and “business” together in some ploy to stimulate their anemic economy?

Relationships
Sexy Science

Paul J. Zak on March 28, 2013

I was recently named to a list of Sexiest Scientists Alive. While this is quite flattering for my parents (since how we look is mostly genetically determined), is this good for science?

I was recently named to a list of Sexiest Scientists Alive. While this is quite flattering for my parents (since how we look is mostly genetically determined), is this good for science?