The Science of Inspiration: Why Leaders Inspire or Infuriate | Adam Galinsky - E709

The Science of Inspiration: Why Leaders Inspire or Infuriate | Adam Galinsky - E709

Author: Jeremy Au July 2, 2026 Duration: 45:44

What separates leaders who inspire from those who infuriate? Columbia Business School professor and bestselling author Adam Galinsky (Inspire, Friend & Foe) breaks down the science of inspiration: the Leader Amplification Effect, why every leader inevitably inspires or infuriates, and the three universal traits of inspiring people, being a Visionary, an Exemplar, and a Mentor. He also explains why AI is fundamentally sycophantic, how it can quietly erode learning and human connection, and why in-person relationships still win. Featuring the story of Southwest pilot Captain Tammie Jo Shults, the research on power and reflection, perspective taking, and the real difference between leadership and management.

For founders, venture capitalists, and operators across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia, this is a practical playbook for leading teams, raising capital, and building culture in Southeast Asia's fast moving tech ecosystem. Galinsky unpacks how inspiring leadership shifts across individualistic and collectivist cultures, why consistency and avoiding hypocrisy carry extra weight in Asia, and how simple repetition drives belief, investment, and trust.

Get Adam's book, Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others: https://adamgalinsky.com

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/adam-galinsky-inspire 


BRAVE is Southeast Asia's leading tech podcast, hosted by Jeremy Au. Honest conversations with the region's top founders, investors, and operators on building startups in Southeast Asia.

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#Leadership #Inspiration #LeadershipPsychology #AI #SoutheastAsia #Startup #VentureCapital #TechPodcast #SelfImprovement


0:00 Cold Open: Inspire or Infuriate

0:28 Introduction: Meet Adam Galinsky

1:01 From Negotiations to Friend and Foe

3:30 The Low Power Double Bind

4:55 The Leader Amplification Effect

6:03 The Power of Reflection: State of Mind and Values

12:11 Inspiring Architects: Small Nudges, Big Change

15:37 Why AI Can't Replace Human Connection

17:16 Visionary, Exemplar, Mentor: The Three Traits

21:57 Short-Term vs Long-Term: Lessons from Parenting

23:28 Do You Need All Three? Jobs, Musk, and Trump

25:25 Southwest Flight 1380: Leadership Under Fire

28:02 Perspective Taking and the Bully Effect

32:12 Repetition, Truth, and Political Leadership

34:43 Leaders vs Managers: Obama and Romney

36:23 What Is Leadership? Teaching Future Leaders

37:51 East vs West: Universal Traits of Inspiring Leaders

39:48 A Personal Story of Being Brave

43:14 Three Key Takeaways


There’s a unique energy building across Southeast Asia, a sense of possibility that’s palpable from Singapore’s skyscrapers to the bustling streets of Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech captures that momentum by going beyond the headlines and funding announcements. Host Jeremy Au, a venture capitalist and serial founder with a background from Harvard and Berkeley, steers these conversations with a distinct perspective-one that balances the hard metrics of growth with the very human elements of leadership and personal development. Each episode feels like a candid, in-depth dialogue, whether he’s speaking with a first-time founder navigating early traction or a seasoned investor mapping regional trends. You’ll hear genuine stories about building companies, the tough lessons learned from failures, and the often-overlooked journey of staying grounded while scaling rapidly. This isn’t about presenting a polished facade of success; it’s about the real work of creating something meaningful. With over eighty thousand regular listeners, this podcast has become a key resource for anyone invested in the region’s tech ecosystem. Jeremy brings his own experiences as a sci-fi enthusiast and a father into the mix, often exploring how broader perspectives on the future and empathy shape better leaders. Tune in for practical insights on venture capital, entrepreneurship, and management, all framed within the vibrant and complex tapestry of Southeast Asia. New conversations arrive every Monday, offering a thoughtful pause to reflect on how we build what’s next.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capital VC (English)
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