Shankar Vedantam

Stress, Burnout and Scarcity

Why do some people work crazy long hours and still report high levels of engagement? Why do others experience crippling physical and mental problems and burnout? Yes, there are obvious answers to those questions: Bad managers, awful colleagues, and toxic workplaces can leave anyone stressed out. But there are a host of subtle factors that shape how and when and why we get stressed, and a growing science on how to turn stress into an ally. This presentation also examines organizational changes that can produce healthier and happier employees.

Offered as a prepared keynote address (or a moderated conversation tailored to your interests) at conferences and professional meetings.

The Psychological Keys to Success

In this science-driven presentation, offered as a prepared keynote address (or a moderated conversation tailored to your interests and questions) Shankar Vedantam offers ideas on how to craft a life. Themes explored include the science of motivation and purpose, techniques to integrate long-term planning into short-term decision making, and tips for successful relationships.

Ideal for an uplifting closing address at commencement events, conferences and professional meetings.

The Science of Bias

Many research studies find that subtle biases shape health, educational and organizational outcomes. They influence who gets hired, who drops out, who gets elected. The science behind this bias is exceedingly subtle – and many oversimplified interventions to combat bias have been shown to backfire. In this presentation, offered as a prepared keynote address (or a moderated conversation tailored to your interests and questions) Shankar Vedantam explains how the “hidden brain” shapes our perceptions and judgment and – more importantly – what we can do about it. Prepare to have your mind blown.

Suitable for a wide variety of organizations and conferences, and relevant to nearly all professional and educational settings.

Communicate!

What’s the single biggest source of daily friction in organizations, in relationships, in life? It’s how we communicate. Or, rather, how we don’t communicate. In this presentation, offered as a prepared keynote address (or a moderated conversation tailored to your interests and questions) Shankar Vedantam shows how the “hidden brain” shapes what we hear and what we say, and how skilled communicators can surf the rough waters of misunderstanding and conflict.

Suitable for “thought-leadership” presentations at conferences, workshops, board meetings, educational institutions.

The Challenge of Change

Humans owe their success on the planet to one skill above all others: No, it’s not intelligence (although that helps.) It’s our ability to adapt. Uniquely, humans have learned to thrive at altitude, in frozen wastelands, even underwater and in outer space. So why is it so hard to get your organization to adapt to a new IT system? Or to pivot to a new business opportunity? Why do institutions ranging from schools to Fortune 500 companies find that as they get big, they also get stuck doing things the same old way? In this presentation, offered as a prepared keynote (or a moderated conversation tailored to your interests and questions) Shankar Vedantam explains how the “hidden brain” shapes our capacity for change, and how to overcome common mistakes leaders and managers make as they implement their vision.

Suitable for “thought-leadership” presentations at conferences, workshops, board meetings & educational institutions.

Other Topics Include:

• The Science of Risk and Managing Uncertainty
• The Paradox of Altruism (with insights about Philanthropy)
• How to Persuade Other People* (*Ideas to be used only for good, not evil!)
• The Science of Building a Learning Organization
• Managing Diversity