This episode critiques the flawed foundations of many organisational behaviour and management theories that emerged in the mid-20th century. It argues that these theories, and the subsequent "management guru" phenomenon and business success books, often wrongly assume leaders can control outcomes in predictable systems.

The author contends that much of this work suffers from poor research methodology, particularly the fallacy of correlation implying causation, and ignores the role of chance and complexity.

Furthermore, the episode criticises research from management consulting firms for lacking scientific rigour and often promoting self-serving, unsubstantiated claims.

Ultimately, the pervasive belief in simplistic formulas for business success is largely pseudoscience.

Excerpts from Magnetic Nonsense: A Short History of Bullshit at Work and How to Make it Go Away

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