Deep Trade Offs: Balancing Empathy and Accountability in Leadership with Mike Hassell

Mr. Biz Radio

Mike Hassell is a Renaissance man with an extensive background in engineering, humanities, and business. Educated as an engineer at Georgia Tech and as a humanist at Vanderbilt, he also holds an MBA from Harvard. Mike co-founded and managed Knowledge Products, an audio publisher focusing on the great ideas of history. He has over 50 years of experience in various fields, including science, psychology, and philosophy. His main hobby for the last 20 years has been reading widely in non-fiction, accumulating ideas that culminated in his book, "Deep Trade Offs." In this episode of Mr. Biz Radio, host Ken Wentworth welcomes Mike Hassell to discuss his book "Deep Trade Offs" and explore how we can restore balance and respect in today's world. The discussion touches on the importance of understanding one's customer in business, and Mike elaborates on how societal and subconscious biases influence our reasoning and decision-making. He emphasizes the role of conflict in a free society and offers practical advice on fostering respect and constructive dialogue in various settings, from personal relationships to organizational leadership. Mike dives into the core concepts of his book, "Deep Trade Offs," explaining that rarely is there an absolute right or wrong answer, but rather that decisions often involve balancing competing values. Key Takeaways: -The concept of "Deep Trade Offs" involves balancing competing values rather than seeking absolute right or wrong answers. -Understanding and empathizing with your customer is crucial for business success. -Conflict is inevitable and should be used constructively rather than avoided. -Societal and subconscious biases significantly impact our reasoning and decision-making. -Fostering respect and constructive dialogue in relationships can facilitate better decision-making and leadership outcomes.

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