Foundations of Individual High Performance
Exploring core aspects of personal development, motivation, and the psychology of performance
If Only: The Power of Regret
2022
Speakers:
Daniel Pink – Five-time New York Times bestselling Author, Thought Leader and Public Speaker
We all have regrets—chances we didn’t take, lapses in our judgment, and meaningful connections that we missed. At the 2022 Wharton Future of Work Conference, bestselling author Daniel Pink examines how reflecting on those regrets can help us learn from our mistakes.
Sustaining Motivation
2019
Speakers:
Allyson Felix – Most decorated American track and field athlete
Daniel Pink – Five-time New York Times bestselling Author, Thought Leader and Public Speaker
Allyson Felix reflects on the process of sustaining motivation while aiming for gold, and the surprising emotional experiences that came with setbacks and silver medals. Her insights into perseverance, the impact of external encouragement, and the long-term view of success offer valuable lessons for both individuals and organizations aiming to reach their peak potential.
The Psychology of Peak Performance: Insights from Sports and Coaching
2019
Speakers:
Ceci Clark – Mental Performance Coach, Cleveland Indians
Meg Popovic – Director of Player Well-Being, Toronto Maple Leafs
Daniel Coyle – New York Times Bestselling Author of “Culture Code”, “The Talent Code”
Ceci Clark and Meg Popovic, in conversation with Daniel Coyle, delve into optimizing athletic performance by addressing psychological aspects in athletes. They discuss the role of self-awareness, resilience, and personal development in achieving peak performance. Their discussion emphasizes the role of self-awareness, resilience, and personal development in achieving peak performance, showcasing innovative approaches to coaching and athlete management that prioritize mental well-being alongside physical prowess.
Leadership, Decision-Making and Analytics
Examining key insights into leadership strategies, analytics, and high-stakes decision-making
What Makes a Great CEO? Data-Driven Insights on Leadership Success
2018
Speakers:
Elena Botelho – Author of “The CEO Next Door”
Steven Kaplan – Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Maryellen Reilly – Deputy Vice Dean, Admissions, Financial Aid & Career Management, The Wharton School
Elena Botelho and Steven Kaplan dissect the essence of successful CEOs, debunking traditional notions of leadership with robust data. Their research reveals that beyond charisma, CEOs thrive on decisiveness, adaptability, reliability, and the ability to engage for impact. Surprisingly, execution skills, rather than interpersonal abilities, are paramount for high performance. This keynote underscores the criticality of data-driven insights in identifying and nurturing leadership, challenging conventional wisdom on what makes CEOs excel in the volatile business landscape.
Bias, Noise, and Better Decisions: A Conversation with Daniel Kahneman & Daniel Pink
2015
Speaker:
Daniel Kahneman – Nobel Laureate, Senior Scholar and Professor of Psychology, Princeton University
Daniel Pink – Five-time New York Times bestselling Author and Thought Leader
Daniel Kahneman and Daniel Pink delve into cognitive biases, decision-making, and the limitations of intuition at the 2016 Wharton People Analytics Conference. They discuss the distinction between bias and noise in judgment, emphasizing the often-overlooked impact of noise—random variability in decision-making. Kahneman suggests algorithms as a tool for reducing noise, advocating for disciplined, standardized thinking processes in organizations to improve decision quality and reduce errors.
Analytics, Leadership and Performance
Discussing the connection between leadership, analytics, and performance
The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead-End Work
2023
Speakers:
Lise Vesterlund – Co-author of “The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead-End Work,” Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Economics, Director of the Behavioral Economics Design Initiative (BEDI), and of the Pittsburgh Experimental Economics Laboratory (PEEL)
Lise Vesterlund explains what non-promotable work is, how it disproportionately affects women, and what organizations can do to make smarter decisions about work assignments. She addresses how reassessing the distribution of work can benefit both managers and employees.
Abby Wambach's Insights on Equity, Leadership, and Team Dynamics
2016
Speaker:
Abby Wambach – Olympic Soccer Gold Medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion
Angela Duckworth – Author of “Grit”, Professor at The Wharton School
Abby Wambach, at the 2016 Wharton People Analytics Conference, shared her journey and views on leadership, team dynamics, and equity in sports. She candidly discussed personal challenges, the lawsuit for wage discrimination by her teammates against US Soccer, and the importance of analytics in understanding and advancing equity. Wambach emphasizes the role of leadership in supporting team members and the transformative power of owning one’s role, whether as a star player or a supportive teammate, in achieving team success.
Rethinking Talent Assessment: Malcolm Gladwell & Adam Grant on Analytics and Ability
2017
Speakers:
Malcolm Gladwell – Journalist, NYT Bestselling Author, Public Speaker
Adam Grant – The Saul P. Steinberg Professor of Management, Wharton School
Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Grant explore the implications of analytics in human assessment, questioning conventional metrics like the LSAT for law school admissions. They argue for a nuanced understanding of individual capabilities, critiquing the speed versus power dichotomy in testing. Gladwell highlights the untapped potential of “neurotic tortoises”—individuals who excel through thoroughness and conscientiousness rather than speed. The conversation urges a reevaluation of how institutions select and evaluate talent, advocating for systems that recognize diverse strengths and foster environments where various types of intelligence can thrive.
The Analytics of Winning: Shane Battier & Adam Grant on Data-Driven Performance
2015
Speaker:
Shane Battier – Former NBA Player, Two-Time NBA Champion
Adam Grant – The Saul P. Steinberg Professor of Management, Wharton School
Shane Battier and Adam Grant discuss Battier’s use of analytics to enhance his defensive strategies in the NBA. Battier highlights how data-driven insights informed his approach to guarding top players like Kobe Bryant, emphasizing the importance of analytics in sports performance. His approach underscores the importance of data in making split-second decisions on the court, highlighting analytics as a crucial tool for competitive advantage.