Thought leadership

Unlocking Opportunities with Pathfinders: How Betweenness Drives Success

In today’s complex, hyper-connected world, reaching beyond familiar networks to find new customers, identify game-changing technologies, and recruit talent requires more than just hard work and luck. It requires connectivity—the ability to navigate through diverse groups, spot trends early, and make powerful introductions. That’s where betweenness centrality comes in. This lesser-known concept holds the key […]

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The Importance of Social Connectivity in the Age of AI

Thought leadership / Ben Brabyn

Social capital is at risk in the age of AI

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What’s Your Accidental Damage Score? Now Let’s Fix It.

Thought leadership / Ben Brabyn

Hardly anyone sets out to do harm but… In 2014, at the height of the Coalition Government’s enthusiasm for startup companies, Number 10 set out an invitation to 700 entrepreneurs with the opportunity to pitch in Downing Street. I know because I was asked to nominate some of the companies. Almost all downed tools and

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Intermittent Variable Rewards: Your Powerful New Magic

Thought leadership / Ben Brabyn

Intermittent Variable Reward

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The $10 prize winning kite with Homan Walsh

The $10 Prize That Bridged The USA and Canada

Thought leadership / Ben Brabyn

In an era where innovation is the golden ticket to staying ahead, the story of a $10 prize and a kite that played a pivotal role in building a bridge between nations serves as a remarkable example of how small incentives can lead to monumental achievements. This tale underscores the power of prize-driven challenges. It

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Calendar Density is Great – “Dwell Time” is the True Goal

Thought leadership / Ben Brabyn

You’re getting the meetings – but are you keeping the attention? “Never dump the whole roast on the platter” – a piece of advice from a 1930s Chicago exotic dancer recounted by Chicagoan David Bodanis, author of The Art of Fairness. Whether you’re a dancer or a business developer, getting the first meeting isn’t enough:

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Who Cares Wins: Why We Love a Prize Story

Thought leadership / Ben Brabyn

KISS – Keep It Simple: Signal The power of prize programmes is their signalling effect. Done right, the value of the signal that the prize programme sends is many times more valuable than the cost of the prize itself. Our emotional reactions to prizes typically far outweigh our financial responses. We love a prize story.

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Flag It! A Prize is a Powerful Partnership Signal

Thought leadership / Ben Brabyn

US Presidents have very limited powers. The US Constitution was deliberately designed to protect the Republic from the tyranny of kings. If they want to get things done, presidents have to build partnerships. But you don’t have to be a President to use prizes as a powerful partnership signal. In fact even the smallest organisations

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Positive Uncertainty: Niggling Your Way with a Powerful Behavioural Insight

Thought leadership / Ben Brabyn

Conjuring Up Positive Uncertainty In 1979, artist and author Kit Williams buried a handmade golden hare somewhere in the English countryside. He wrote a beautifully illustrated puzzle book – Masquerade – which captivated millions of people who hoped to find the hidden treasure. This was positive uncertainty at work at national scale. As detectorists and

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Keep ‘Em Guessing: The Magic of The Zeigarnik Effect

Thought leadership / Ben Brabyn

Incompleteness Keeps Us Curious In a recent episode of the Freakonomics Podcast, Do You Need Closure, Angela Duckworth and Mike Maughan discuss the Zeigarnik Effect. Their conversation explores a human trait that we can use constructively to sustain and build engagement. The Psychology of Engagement Understanding the Zeigarnik Effect – where incomplete tasks are more

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