Business & Psychology

It’s not about time. Or laziness. Or lack of discipline. When we procrastinate, it’s rarely a calendar problem. It’s an emotional one.In this episode, Martin Wolf and Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller dive into the psychology of procrastination and reveal why we delay tasks not because they’re hard, but because they feel uncomfortable.They explore how procrastination is less about productivity and more about emotional regulation. Whether it’s fear of failure, perfectionism, or task aversion - the delay is often a coping strategy, not a character flaw.Together, they explore:– Why procrastination is a symptom, not the root issue– The emotional loops that keep you stuck in delay– How your brain uses avoidance as short-term relief– The difference between passive and strategic procrastination– Simple steps to decode your pattern and move into actionThis episode helps reframe procrastination as a signal, not a shame spiral. With clear psychological tools, you’ll learn how to manage what’s underneath the delay and finally get things done with less pressure and more self-awareness.

You say yes to another task. Even though your plate is already full. You stay late, again. You avoid pushing back, just in case it makes you seem less committed.In this episode, Martin Wolf and Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller unpack the psychology behind our struggle to say “no” at work and how chronic approval-seeking can quietly erode both performance and well-being.They explore the emotional cost of always being available, the hidden belief systems behind overcommitment, and the risk of tying your worth solely to output and recognition.Together, they explore:– Why saying “no” feels threatening to our self-image– How the need for approval hijacks smart decision-making– What happens when your value is tied only to visible contribution– Why setting boundaries is a sign of clarity, not weakness– Small shifts to rewire your inner narrative without losing ambitionThis episode offers psychological clarity for anyone caught between being a team player and protecting their focus and reveals how saying “no” can actually fuel long-term drive, not diminish it.

That heavy feeling on Sunday night. The snooze button on repeat. The slow drag into Monday meetings. We call it “the Monday blues” but underneath it lies something deeper: your brain bracing for stress and lack of meaning.In this episode, Martin Wolf and Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller explore how our brain’s predictive nature shapes how we feel about Mondays and why motivation crashes when we expect the worst.They discuss how anticipated stress, low perceived control, and disconnected tasks can turn the start of the week into an emotional and cognitive burden — and more importantly, how to shift it.Together, they explore:– Why your brain starts reacting before Monday even begins– How lack of purpose and vague planning kill motivation– What predictable stress does to your cognitive performance– The connection between emotional forecasting and real experience– How to prime your brain with better Monday cuesThis episode is a psychological reframe for anyone who dreads the new workweek with science-backed tools to start your Mondays with more clarity, motivation, and meaning.

Ever sat in a meeting where no one could land on a direction - even though all the options were on the table? Or delayed a decision for days, hoping that “just a bit more info” would make things easier?In this episode, Martin Wolf and Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller unpack the psychology behind indecision in the workplace — and how "too much choice" doesn’t empower teams, it overwhelms them.They dive into the paradox of choice, a cognitive bias that shows how an overload of options can sabotage clarity, delay action, and drain energy — especially in complex, high-stakes environments.Together, they explore:– Why our brain wants options but struggles to process them rationally– How more choice often leads to less satisfaction with the final decision– What leaders unintentionally do that makes team decisions harder– How psychological safety plays into faster, better group decisions– Simple mental cues to reduce overthinking and increase commitmentThis episode offers clarity for anyone navigating strategic decisions, project forks, or leadership choices — and shows how reducing options can actually increase confidence and progress.

A decision flops, a deadline slips, a plan fails — and suddenly everyone “knew” it would happen. But did they? Or are we rewriting the past to protect our pride?In this episode, Martin Wolf and Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller explore Hindsight Bias, the brain’s sneaky habit of altering memories once an outcome is known. It feels harmless — but it quietly undermines accountability, distorts learning, and poisons feedback culture.They dive into:– Why we mistake outcome clarity for past insight– How hindsight bias makes leaders overconfident (and team members hesitant)– The risk of punishing others for what wasn’t knowable at the time– Why complex systems (like startups or politics) are especially vulnerable– A concrete reflection hack to track knowledge as it evolvesThis episode helps you separate memory from reality, protect psychological safety in post-mortems, and replace shallow blame with better decision hygiene — especially when things go wrong.

It’s not just a deadline. It’s pressure from five directions — tasks, emotions, people, and a brain that won’t shut off. You’re functioning, but just barely. And the scariest part? You might not even notice how far your system is overstretched.In this episode, Martin Wolf and Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller unpack the concept of Allostatic Load — the cumulative wear and tear on your body and mind when chronic stress becomes your baseline. It’s what happens when recovery is skipped, and survival becomes the mode.They explore:– Why high performers mislabel overload as laziness or lack of focus– How chronic input erodes memory, emotion, and executive function– What leaders miss when they ignore stress signals in their teams– Red flags that show up before burnout hits– A science-backed hack to reset your system in just 5–10 minutesThis episode helps you name the fog, understand the real cost of “pushing through,” and build micro-habits that support long-term clarity and energy — even when life won’t slow down.

You hold back in meetings, overthink your phrasing, and hesitate to challenge your manager — not because you lack ideas, but because authority makes you freeze. The result? Silence, lost potential, and shrinking confidence.In this episode, Martin Wolf and Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller break down the concept of Power Distance, a psychological and cultural dynamic that shapes how we respond to hierarchy. When the gap between roles feels too wide, even high performers shut down.They explore:– Why fear of status loss leads to idea suppression and groupthink– How cultural and generational factors play into deference– What high power distance environments do to initiative and innovation– Subtle ways hierarchy is enforced — and how to recognize it– Psychological tools to stay expressive, even when the stakes feel highWith practical examples and strategies, this episode helps you untangle respect from silence, and authority from intimidation — so you can show up with more clarity and confidence, no matter who’s in the room.

You’re about to pitch to people you’ve never met. And instead of focusing on your idea, your brain fixates on fitting in — or worse, being dismissed. But persuasion doesn’t start with logic. It starts with perceived similarity.In this episode, Martin Wolf and Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller explore the Similarity-Attraction Paradigm, a psychological principle that explains why people are more receptive to those who seem “like them” — in mindset, values, or tone. When those signals are missing, your audience instinctively pulls away, no matter how good the content is.Together, they unpack:– Why strong ideas fall flat when social distance is too high– How first impressions shape openness — in pitches, onboarding, or feedback– The role of subtle value cues in building fast trust– Why shared identity beats technical brilliance in early conversations– A four-part hack to anchor similarity without faking itThis episode shows how to create instant relevance with any audience — not by changing your message, but by framing your identity in a way that feels familiar. Especially helpful for leaders, freelancers, and anyone navigating unfamiliar rooms.

Why do we so often follow the most confident voice in the room—even when it’s not the most competent? In this episode, Martin Wolf and Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller explore the Dunning-Kruger effect, a cognitive bias where people with lower ability tend to overestimate their competence, while true experts stay quiet—doubting themselves.You’ll learn:– Why loud confidence is often mistaken for competence in meetings– How this bias can derail decision-making, innovation, and team trust– What psychological traps meeting leaders fall into when they don’t actively manage group dynamics– How to create meeting structures that amplify quiet expertise instead of just dominant voicesThis episode offers practical advice for anyone running meetings—and a clear call to action for all the silent experts out there: your voice matters. Learn how to speak up with impact and how to build a team culture where knowledge wins over noise.

Why do teams start to mirror the tone, pace, and even emotional climate of their leader? And why do we so often adapt—consciously or not—to fit into the group we're part of?In this episode, Martin Wolf and Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller unpack the psychological principle of social conformity and emotional contagion—two key forces that drive our need to blend in and match the behavior of those around us, especially in workplace hierarchies.Together, they explore:– Why we unconsciously copy the behavior and emotional tone of our boss– How group belonging impacts performance, morale, and personal identity– What leaders unknowingly transfer to their teams through tone and attitude– How to consciously use this effect to fit into new teams or positively shape their cultureWhether you're a team member trying to find your place or a leader looking to set the right tone, this episode reveals how group psychology quietly drives everyday business dynamics—and how you can influence it with intention.

We’ve all been there: a task wasn’t done, a message was “misunderstood,” or a deadline quietly slipped by. But what if the root problem isn’t poor communication — it’s the assumption that communication has already happened?In this episode, Martin Wolf and Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller dive into the false consensus effect, a well-documented psychological bias that leads us to believe others share our knowledge, expectations, or interpretations — when they often don’t.Together, they explore:– Why we overestimate how clearly we've communicated– How this bias leads to silent misalignment in teams and projects– Why leaders are especially vulnerable to it — and how it undermines delivery– The ripple effect on collaboration, trust, and organizational cultureCompact, but filled with insights from psychology and real-world examples, this episode reveals how a hidden mental shortcut shapes daily business — and what to do instead if you want clarity, accountability, and stronger performance.

In this very first episode, your hosts Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller and Martin Wolf introduce you to the Business & Psychology podcast:We talk about:– Who we are and why we started this podcast– Our shared obsession with the human factor behind everyday business behaviorWhat you can expect from each episode:• One psychological insight per session• Backed by science – but easy to digest• Full of real-world examples and hacks you can actually useAbout us:Verena is a psychologist and founder of the UX Psychology Lens, where she connects behavioral science with user experience, strategy, and design.Martin is a leadership expert and author of The Psychology of Workplace Dynamics, helping leaders decode invisible patterns in teams and culture.We created this podcast to make psychology in business both practical and powerful – whether you’re leading people, working in a team, or just curious why people do what they do.Subscribe, share, and let’s explore what truly drives business: human behavior.