Are leaders born or are they made? episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 3, 2025 · 28 MIN

Are leaders born or are they made?

from Nudge · host Phill Agnew

Are inspiring leaders born or are they made?  That’s what Adam Galinsky, the Columbia Business School professor, has spent the past two decades studying inspiring leaders.  On today’s episode of Nudge, he shares his groundbreaking research into inspiration, reciprocity, repetition and visionary statements that reshaped how I saw leadership.  ---  Read Adam’s book: https://amzn.to/4htZCGc⁠ Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew-22213187/ Watch Nudge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nudgepodcast/ --- Today’s sources:  Begg, I. (1972). Recall of meaningful phrases. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 11(4), 431–439. Cabinet Office & Behavioural Insights Team. (2013, May 28). Applying behavioural insights to charitable giving. Behavioural Insights Team. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applying-behavioural-insights-to-charitable-giving Carton, A. M., Murphy, C., & Clark, J. R. (2014). A (blurry) vision of the future: How leader rhetoric about ultimate goals influences performance. Academy of Management Journal, 57(6), 1544–1570. Cialdini, R. B. (1984). Influence: The psychology of persuasion. William Morrow & Company. Liu, J., Hong, X., Zheng, Z., & Zhong, J. (2023). When consumers have difficulty understanding ads: How technical language lowers purchase intention. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 22(6), 1550–1563.

Are inspiring leaders born or are they made?  That’s what Adam Galinsky, the Columbia Business School professor, has spent the past two decades studying inspiring leaders.  On today’s episode of Nudge, he shares his groundbreaking research into inspiration, reciprocity, repetition and visionary statements that reshaped how I saw leadership.  ---  Read Adam’s book: https://amzn.to/4htZCGc⁠ Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew-22213187/ Watch Nudge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nudgepodcast/ --- Today’s sources:  Begg, I. (1972). Recall of meaningful phrases. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 11(4), 431–439. Cabinet Office & Behavioural Insights Team. (2013, May 28). Applying behavioural insights to charitable giving. Behavioural Insights Team. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/applying-behavioural-insights-to-charitable-giving Carton, A. M., Murphy, C., & Clark, J. R. (2014). A (blurry) vision of the future: How leader rhetoric about ultimate goals influences performance. Academy of Management Journal, 57(6), 1544–1570. Cialdini, R. B. (1984). Influence: The psychology of persuasion. William Morrow & Company. Liu, J., Hong, X., Zheng, Z., & Zhong, J. (2023). When consumers have difficulty understanding ads: How technical language lowers purchase intention. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 22(6), 1550–1563.

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Are leaders born or are they made?

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One Thing Today Michael Nobbs One Thing Today provides a regular nudge to remind you to live gently and to take a small daily step with your creative work. Artistic Accomplices Eric M. Scott We all could use a little creative nudge every now and then that will prod us, encourage us, and give us a shot of inspiration. Artistic Accomplices is the podcast that gives you small doses of motivation and creative encouragement as you make, create, play, and live. Join Eric Scott as he shares his thoughts on art, creativity, and learning and interviews artists, writers, educators, and more. Like the gym buddy that motivates you to hit the gym on a regular basis, Artistic Accomplices is that little voice in your ear telling you to hit the studio, or pull out the paints, or pick up the pen. The Leader's Kitbag Ben Morton The Leader’s Kitbag is a practical podcast for busy and aspiring leaders, hosted by leadership expert Ben Morton.Each episode is packed with tools, tips and tactics you can use immediately. In 5–10 minutes, you’ll get a clear insight, a simple framework or prompt, and a nudge to put it into practice.If you want actionable tools and a clearer path to leadership success, this is your kitbag for the journey. Your Morning Nudge: Breathe & Believe Kasey Crawford Kellem This brief, uplifting podcast is a perfect way to ignite your day! Each morning you will be given a breathing technique and a reminder/anchor words/mantra to help you get up and going through your day! The breaths are great tools to combat anxiety, anger management, depression and to improve focus, relaxation, and happiness. The mantra/reminder are words for you to hold on to during the day to help you cope with stress, conflict, and the day in general! Make this podcast your wake-up call each morning!! Everyone can benefit from a morning nudge!!!

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Are inspiring leaders born or are they made?  That’s what Adam Galinsky, the Columbia Business School professor, has spent the past two decades studying inspiring leaders.  On today’s episode of Nudge, he shares his groundbreaking research into...

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