Organisations keep misunderstanding human nature
Every organisation is built on implicit assumptions about how people think, decide, and behave.
The problem is, most of those assumptions are wrong.
Modern advances in the social and behavioural sciences have transformed our understanding of humans, human nature, and human behaviour, yet most organisations still operate on the basis that humans are logical calculation machines, walking information processors.
As a result:
- Technology adoption fails.
- Learning programmes don’t change behaviour.
- Culture doesn’t reflect the shared values on the posters.
- There’s a gap between strategy and action.
Every organisational challenge begins with mistaken assumptions
…humans are logical.
…organisations are predictable and ordered.
…technology will solve every human and organisational problem.
These might seem like unrelated assumptions but they’re really different aspects of the same common thread.
Whether I’m writing about AI, speaking about organisational change, advising executives or interviewing leading researchers for The B-Word, I’m exploring the same question:
What if we designed organisations for humans as we really are: social, emotional, tribal, storytelling apes?
Putting these ideas into practice
Ideas matter, but only when they change something.
“Philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point, however, is to change it.”
Karl Marx
I work with organisations in four main ways:
Speaking – Ideas that challenge assumptions and stories that leave audiences thinking differently, sprinkled with a liberal seasoning of humour.
Consulting – From workshops to ongoing partnerships, I practically apply behavioural science to help solve organisational and technological problems.
Capability – I help build your team’s capability to better understand and influence humans.
Media – I’m available for interviews, podcasts, articles, or research collaborations at the intersection of humans, organisations, and technology.
About me
I’m James.
I’m fascinated by humans and human nature.
I’m a consultant, keynote speaker, podcast host, and author working at the intersection of humans, organisations, and technology.
I practically apply insights from Anthropology, Behavioural Economics, Neuroscience, and Psychology to help organisations solve problems, including:
- Adopting AI
- Implementing digital technology
- Boosting cybersecurity & compliance
- Improving performance & wellbeing
- Making better decisions
- Changing culture
I have extensive experience leading behavioural, cultural and technological transformation in global organisations. I’ve led projects in more than 60 countries on 6 continents in industries including banking, insurance, mining, oil & gas, construction, transportation, government, education, health, human services, and aged care.
I previously co-founded and led Deloitte’s global Behaviour First offering, practically applying insights from the social and behavioural sciences to help organisations address their most critical challenges.
Trusted by organisations including…
