Don Kieffer, co-author of There’s Got to Be a Better Way, shares why “common sense” often misguides leaders and how dynamic work design helps organizations thrive. From calling meetings the worst form of organizational abuse to showing why managers can become their own obstacles, Don explains how making work visible and partnering with people closest to the work can unlock both adaptability and efficiency.

[0:00] Intro and Speed Round with Don Kieffer

[7:14] What Leaders Consistently Get Wrong

[10:29] Dynamic Work - What Is It?

[18:42] The Hot Stove Problem

[22:56] When the Boss Becomes the Problem

[28:18] The Power of Whiteboards

[36:01] Meetings: The Worst Form of Organizational Abuse

[42:46] Jazz, Improv, and Better Work Design

[45:44] Grooving Session - Handoffs, Huddles, and Making Work Work

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

Behavioral Grooves LIVE in Minneapolis!

About Don Kieffer

There’s Got to Be a Better Way by Nelson Repenning and Donald Kieffer

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John Coltrane - My Favorite Things

Pandora Jazz Station

This October, we’re celebrating 8 years of Behavioral Grooves! To mark the occasion, we’re digging into our archives and re-sharing some of our most popular and thought-provoking conversations every Thursday for the next two months.

The celebration builds to our Anniversary Event on October 16th in Minneapolis, where fan favorite Nick Epley will lead the audience in a live social experiment and conversation about the science we all love.

Space is limited—grab your tickets now through the link in the show notes and join us for an unforgettable night of behavioral science, connection, and fun!

And now - this week's episode!

Jodi Wellman, author of You Only Die Once, joins us for a lively and irreverent conversation on how facing our mortality can motivate us to live more fully. Together, we explore why life should be about more than routines and to-do lists, and how prioritizing joy, gratitude, and connection can help us make the most of the limited Mondays we have left. Blending humor with inspiration, Jodi challenges us to be more intentional with our time and to embrace the art of truly living.

Behavioral Grooves LIVE in Minneapolis!

You Only Die Once by Jodi Wellman

Dave Matthews Band - Satellite

The Cure - Friday I’m in Love

Richard Shotton joins us to reveal the behavioral science secrets behind 17 iconic brands — from Guinness and Snickers to Apple and Dyson. He explains how psychological biases like concreteness, trigger moments, and the illusion of effort drive real-world success, and why making things easy often beats motivation.

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

[0:00] Intro and speed round with Richard Shotton

[7:52] The single bias every marketer should know

[13:09] Guinness and the power of the pratfall effect

[19:32] Snickers, trigger moments, and habit formation

[26:51] Apple’s “1,000 songs in your pocket” and concreteness

[34:32] Dyson, the illusion of effort, and AI’s challenge

[43:25] Lessons on testing vs. relying on survey claims

[46:38] Desert island music

[49:41] Grooving session: key takeaways

[1:09:12] Event announcement

©2025 Behavioral Grooves

Behavioral Grooves LIVE in Minneapolis

About Richard

Hacking the Human Mind

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Join the Behavioral Grooves community

Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube

The Wonder Stuff - The Size of a Cow

CMAT - When a Good Man Cries