In this episode, we're thrilled to have Annie Murphy Paul, an acclaimed author and a graduate of Columbia University's School of Journalism. Annie has a keen interest in the science of learning, a topic she has extensively explored in her work.

Annie shares her journey of writing a book about the science of learning. She discusses the challenges she faced in finding a big idea that could pull together all the disparate pieces of research she was uncovering. It wasn't until she landed on the theory of the extended mind, proposed by philosophers Andy Clark and David Chalmers, that she found the organizing principle for her book.

In our conversation, Annie delves into the role of leaders and managers in creating environments for people to thrive. She argues that we need to rethink the role of leaders and managers, not as people managers, but as situation creators. They should focus on creating environments in which people can think well and thrive emotionally.

Annie also touches on the impact of personality tests and the tendency of people to attribute fixed qualities to themselves and others. She finds personality tests fascinating, not only because they're used by organizations to put people into boxes, but also because people often want to be put into boxes. This tendency, she argues, overlooks the role of context in understanding behavior.

Join us in this enlightening conversation with Annie Murphy Paul and learn more about the science of learning and the theory of the extended mind. You can find the Unmistakable Creative Podcast on all major podcast platforms. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

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