Why does it feel impossible to decide at Work I The Paradox of Choice
Manage episode 504903397 series 3667794
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 commitment
This episode offers clarity for anyone navigating strategic decisions, project forks, or leadership choices — and shows how reducing options can actually increase confidence and progress.
10 episodes