How do those around you impact the way you think and act? Wharton Professor, Jonah Berger joins Moe Abdou to discuss how and why social influence shapes our behavior.
In the modern world of business, being recognized as a contrarian is hailed as the one distinguishing trait that separates the extraordinary from the good enterprise builders. Regardless of industry, conventional belief influences most us to follow what’s been proven to work, but does that do more harm than good?
According to Peter Thiel, conformity is a fatal mistake that often leads to me-too type businesses that are short on innovation. His thesis is to look instead for the company that nobody is building because “If you can identify a delusional popular belief, you can find what lies hidden behind it: the contrarian truth’; which is where your greatest economic opportunities lie.
Despite how strong willed you may think you are, these hidden influences are real, and as you’ll hear Jonah describe, they will shape how you think and act.
Why is it difficult for us to admit our vulnerabilities towards social influence?
How do most of us deal with social/peer pressure?
What does carrying a fake bag or wearing a fake watch say about you?