Ep 03 | Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Follow Influencers?

Season 2, Episode 3: Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Be Influenced? Episode DescriptionInfluencer fatigue, TikTok tips, corporate jargon, lawn envy, and the boss who suddenly wants to “go agile” after reading one McKinsey article—sound familiar?In this episode of Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Be Human at Work?, hosts Pinaki Kathiari and Chris Lee explore how deeply we're all influenced—by social media, our neighbors, our leaders, and even ourselves. The conversation spans from the science of subconscious mimicry to the ways workplace “best practices” are sometimes just rituals no one remembers the reason for.Together, they unpack:Why influence can feel uncomfortable (even when it’s helpful)How unconscious social pressure and mimicry show up at workThe link between influence, power dynamics, and cultureWhat Inception, dopamine, and standing in waiting rooms teach us about human behaviorHow good leaders influence without micromanagingHow Humanocracy, Dopamine Nation, and How to Win Friends and Influence People offer timeless insightPlus: A wild peek at how AI is shaping influence and how even your 4-year-old might not know what’s real anymore. Timestamps00:00 – Neighborhood lawn politics and the roots of influence03:00 – Social media moms, tech TikTok, and the influencer paradox06:30 – Leaders, tone-setting, and the trap of unintentional influence08:30 – Priming experiments and subconscious behavior10:00 – The “standing up” waiting room experiment (you’ve seen this!)12:00 – Generational cycles of influence in the workplace14:00 – The history of influence: from merchants to algorithms16:00 – DEI, conformity, and reprogramming the brain18:00 – When “yes, we can” becomes “we’re burning out”20:00 – Dopamine and the dark side of workplace hustle culture22:00 – Reinventing workplace norms: Bayer and Humanocracy25:00 – Flow state at work and the boxing metaphor27:00 – The subtle influence of workplace structure and experience Wisdom That Feels So RightHumanocracy by Gary HamelDopamine Nation by Dr. Anna LembkeHow to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale CarnegieTED Talk: How to Fight and Win the Information War by Peter PomerantsevPeter Gabriel’s song “We Do What We’re Told” (inspired by the Milgram Experiment)Stanley Milgram's Obedience Study (psychological experiments on authority and compliance) Mic-Drop Moments“Influence gives us direction. But too much of it, unchecked, shapes us into something we didn’t choose.”“Even saying nothing is saying something—especially when you’re a leader.”“Work should feel like a flow state, not a factory reset.” Connect with UsPinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn | Local WisdomChris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication Gratitude & SupportShoutout to Local Wisdom for making this podcast possible—and for building the kind of culture that actually feels human. Thanks to SBX Productions for making us sound pro, and to our powerhouse producer Brielle Seracini for keeping the wheels turning. Join the MovementIf this episode made you smile, made you think, or made you throw your phone across the room—we want to hear about it. Follow, rate, review, and share with friends, teammates, or your boss (subtly). You can also visit whydoesitfeelsowrong.com to keep the conversation going. Connect with UsPinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn  | Local WisdomChris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher CommunicationBree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local WisdomSpecial thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible. If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold. We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.