What if the walls you've built for protection are actually keeping you trapped? In today's interconnected world, the ancient instincts that once kept our tribes safe now sabotage our global potential. So, today we explore the necessities of leadership evolution beyond retaliation in a world where cooperation isn't just nice—it's survival.

Through the US-China trade war and the Marshall Plan, I reveal how visionary leaders can break free from primal escalation patterns. Evolution wired us for protection and revenge, but not for the global collaboration that modern success demands.

Ready to lead beyond ancient instincts? Dive deeper into evolutionary leadership principles in my book The Mammoth in the Room—your practical guide to embracing evolutionary truths for outstanding business results.

In this episode:

- Leadership lessons from the US-China trade war

- The Marshall Plan and post-war global prosperity

- Essential leadership strategies to foster cooperation

- Conclusion: building bridges, not walls

Resources Used in the Episode:

Van Vugt, M., & Ronay, R. (2014). The Evolutionary Psychology of Leadership. Organizational Psychology Review, 4(1), 74–95: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274471020_The_evolutionary_psychology_of_leadership_Theory_review_and_roadmap

Axelrod, R. (1984). The Evolution of Cooperation. Basic Books: https://ee.stanford.edu/~hellman/Breakthrough/book/pdfs/axelrod.pdf

Fukuyama, F. (1995). Trust: The Social Virtues and the Creation of Prosperity. Free Press: https://a.co/d/3G1cM3f

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

In today’s high-stakes business environment, many leaders unknowingly fall prey to a primal impulse: retaliation. It feels justified, even righteous. But the moment we act from status anxiety rather than strategy, we risk turning boardrooms into battlegrounds—and profits into collateral damage.

In this episode, we examine two historical case studies that illustrate how short-term revenge can profoundly impact industries and undermine alliances for generations. We'll unpack the evolutionary wiring that makes retaliation feel so right, even when it's the wrong move for long-term growth and trust.

Plus, you’ll learn actionable leadership strategies to rise above your instincts and lead with clarity, not ego. And if you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level, grab my book The Mammoth in the Room for a deep dive into using evolutionary insights to lead wisely in today’s world.

In this episode:

- How ancient instincts drive modern conflicts

- Historical case studies of retaliation

- Strategies for smart leaders to navigate retaliation

- Final thoughts on the primal instincts of retaliation

Resources Used in the Episode:

Trivers, R. L. (1971). The Evolution of Reciprocal Altruism. The Quarterly Review of Biology, 46(1), 35–57: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/Trivers-EvolutionReciprocalAltruism.pdf

Van Vugt, M., & Ronay, R. (2014). The Evolutionary Psychology of Leadership. Organizational Psychology Review, 4(1), 74–95: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274471020_The_evolutionary_psychology_of_leadership_Theory_review_and_roadmap

Axelrod, R. (1984). The Evolution of Cooperation. Basic Books: https://ee.stanford.edu/~hellman/Breakthrough/book/pdfs/axelrod.pdf

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences

Why do leaders sometimes make unexpected or counterintuitive decisions in times of crisis? In today’s episode, we explore how deeply rooted human instincts can influence global leadership—particularly by adopting inward-looking trade and policy decisions.

Drawing on two historical case studies, we examine well-intentioned efforts to protect local industries that ultimately led to unintended economic consequences. We also reflect on how similar patterns can emerge in today’s world, and how leaders can better navigate the delicate balance between protection and long-term prosperity.

As a leader, it’s crucial to pause and assess whether you’re reacting out of fear or from a place of strategy. Join me in this series to learn leadership strategies that can help you thrive under pressure.

In this episode:

- Introducing the mini-series: Hidden Forces Behind Global Economic Slowdowns

- How evolutionary psychology influences trade wars

- Case study 1: Jefferson's Embargo Act of 1807

- Case study 2: The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930

- 3 leadership strategies to overcome fear

Order my book, Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/

Resources Used in the Episode:

Van Vugt, M., & Ronay, R. (2014). The Evolutionary Psychology of Leadership. Organizational Psychology Review.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274471020_The_evolutionary_psychology_of_leadership_Theory_review_and_roadmap

Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision Under Risk. Econometrica, 47(2), 263–291 https://web.mit.edu/curhan/www/docs/Articles/15341_Readings/Behavioral_Decision_Theory/Kahneman_Tversky_1979_Prospect_theory.pdf

Brosnan, S. F., & de Waal, F. B. M. (2003). Monkeys Reject Unequal Pay. Nature, 425, 297-299 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13679918/

Get in Touch:

Website: https://www.mammothleadershipsciences.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences