The Science of Inspiration: Why Leaders Inspire or Infuriate | Adam Galinsky - E709

What separates leaders who inspire from those who infuriate? Columbia Business School professor and bestselling author Adam Galinsky (Inspire, Friend & Foe) breaks down the science of inspiration: the Leader Amplification Effect, why every leader inevitably inspires or infuriates, and the three universal traits of inspiring people, being a Visionary, an Exemplar, and a Mentor. He also explains why AI is fundamentally sycophantic, how it can quietly erode learning and human connection, and why in-person relationships still win. Featuring the story of Southwest pilot Captain Tammie Jo Shults, the research on power and reflection, perspective taking, and the real difference between leadership and management. For founders, venture capitalists, and operators across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia, this is a practical playbook for leading teams, raising capital, and building culture in Southeast Asia's fast moving tech ecosystem. Galinsky unpacks how inspiring leadership shifts across individualistic and collectivist cultures, why consistency and avoiding hypocrisy carry extra weight in Asia, and how simple repetition drives belief, investment, and trust. Get Adam's book, Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others: https://adamgalinsky.com Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/adam-galinsky-inspire  BRAVE is Southeast Asia's leading tech podcast, hosted by Jeremy Au. Honest conversations with the region's top founders, investors, and operators on building startups in Southeast Asia. New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. Listen & Subscribe YouTube (English), YouTube (Bahasa Indonesia), Spotify (English), Spotify (Bahasa Indonesia), Spotify (Chinese), Spotify (Vietnamese), Apple Podcasts Follow BRAVE LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp Follow Jeremy Au LinkedIn, X / Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, Twitch Resources Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com #Leadership #Inspiration #LeadershipPsychology #AI #SoutheastAsia #Startup #VentureCapital #TechPodcast #SelfImprovement 0:00 Cold Open: Inspire or Infuriate 0:28 Introduction: Meet Adam Galinsky 1:01 From Negotiations to Friend and Foe 3:30 The Low Power Double Bind 4:55 The Leader Amplification Effect 6:03 The Power of Reflection: State of Mind and Values 12:11 Inspiring Architects: Small Nudges, Big Change 15:37 Why AI Can't Replace Human Connection 17:16 Visionary, Exemplar, Mentor: The Three Traits 21:57 Short-Term vs Long-Term: Lessons from Parenting 23:28 Do You Need All Three? Jobs, Musk, and Trump 25:25 Southwest Flight 1380: Leadership Under Fire 28:02 Perspective Taking and the Bully Effect 32:12 Repetition, Truth, and Political Leadership 34:43 Leaders vs Managers: Obama and Romney 36:23 What Is Leadership? Teaching Future Leaders 37:51 East vs West: Universal Traits of Inspiring Leaders 39:48 A Personal Story of Being Brave 43:14 Three Key Takeaways