Don't be a pillar of salt - 7 methods for overcoming negativity bias and the tendency to dwell on failures and the past episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 18, 2025 · 19 MIN

Don't be a pillar of salt - 7 methods for overcoming negativity bias and the tendency to dwell on failures and the past

from Leadership in the Age of AI · host Adam Trojanczyk

How do you stop looking back and move forward? In this episode, we unpack negativity bias — why the brain clings to negatives — and turn it into practical tools for leaders and beyond. From the “pillar of salt” metaphor and Adler vs. Freud, to simple CBT‑based techniques, you’ll learn how to turn hard moments into data and decisions. I also share a personal perspective of living with haemophilia and the everyday tactics that actually work.You’ll learn how to:understand negativity bias and tame the brain’s “Velcro for negatives”,use thought‑challenging and a thought journal (CBT),set a daily “worry window” to end endless over‑analysis,run a weekly Progress Inventory (The Gap and The Gain),build your own “growth museum” to counter impostor syndrome,change your relationship with thoughts — observe instead of fight,apply quick reset tools: movement, 5‑4‑3‑2‑1 grounding, and a simple bedtime word game.This isn’t therapy — it’s a set of tried‑and‑tested practices and reflections to help you reclaim agency and calm.Great for: leaders and managers, founders, HR, and anyone who wants less rumination and more action.Topics in this episode: leadership, management, rumination, negativity bias, CBT, psychology at work, self‑awareness, mental resilience, productivity, stress, wellbeing, Alfred Adler, Sigmund Freud, Rick Hanson, retrospective, team trust, growth mindset, mental health, haemophilia, personal development, work‑life balance.

How do you stop looking back and move forward? In this episode, we unpack negativity bias — why the brain clings to negatives — and turn it into practical tools for leaders and beyond. From the “pillar of salt” metaphor and Adler vs. Freud, to simple CBT‑based techniques, you’ll learn how to turn hard moments into data and decisions. I also share a personal perspective of living with haemophilia and the everyday tactics that actually work.You’ll learn how to:understand negativity bias and tame the brain’s “Velcro for negatives”,use thought‑challenging and a thought journal (CBT),set a daily “worry window” to end endless over‑analysis,run a weekly Progress Inventory (The Gap and The Gain),build your own “growth museum” to counter impostor syndrome,change your relationship with thoughts — observe instead of fight,apply quick reset tools: movement, 5‑4‑3‑2‑1 grounding, and a simple bedtime word game.This isn’t therapy — it’s a set of tried‑and‑tested practices and reflections to help you reclaim agency and calm.Great for: leaders and managers, founders, HR, and anyone who wants less rumination and more action.Topics in this episode: leadership, management, rumination, negativity bias, CBT, psychology at work, self‑awareness, mental resilience, productivity, stress, wellbeing, Alfred Adler, Sigmund Freud, Rick Hanson, retrospective, team trust, growth mindset, mental health, haemophilia, personal development, work‑life balance.

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Don't be a pillar of salt - 7 methods for overcoming negativity bias and the tendency to dwell on failures and the past

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This episode was published on August 18, 2025.

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How do you stop looking back and move forward? In this episode, we unpack negativity bias — why the brain clings to negatives — and turn it into practical tools for leaders and beyond. From the “pillar of salt” metaphor and Adler vs. Freud, to...

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