Performance that Spreads - Episode 2

Why do high-potential projects stall? Why does technology often fail to deliver the productivity boost we expect? In this episode, we explore the hidden killers of performance and the science of making ideas "contagious." This video is part of our 4th season of backstage interviews at Nordic Business Forum 2025. We’ve gathered five of the world’s leading experts to discuss how to align your team, remove barriers to change, and drive performance that actually scales. ?? Featured Experts Howard Yu: Professor at IMD and expert on future-readiness. Jonah Berger: Wharton Professor and bestselling author of Contagious and The Catalyst. Peter Hinssen: Serial entrepreneur and expert on the "Never Normal." Diana Kander: Innovation strategist and author. Gianpiero Petriglieri: Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at INSEAD. ? Key Takeaways - The "Shared Viewpoint" Gap: Howard Yu explains why asking 30 people about strategy often leads to 35 different answers—and how this kills speed. - Defining Performance as Art: Gianpiero Petriglieri challenges the "machine" mindset, urging leaders to see performance as bringing values and principles to life. - Zombie Hunting: Diana Kander reveals how to identify "zombie" projects—tasks that take more effort than the value they create—and how to kill them. - The "Pushing" Paradox: Jonah Berger discusses why pushing for change causes people to dig in their heels, and how to become a "Catalyst" instead. - Beyond Co-pilot: Peter Hinssen discusses why simply buying AI licenses won't fix a broken work culture. - The Science of Sharing: Why engagement matters more than views, and why leaders must be willing to talk about failure to achieve true success. ? Timestamps 0:00 - The biggest performance killer: Lack of a shared viewpoint 1:10 - Performance as Art vs. Instrumentality 2:00 - Are you a "Zombie Hunter"? Identifying low-value work 3:20 - Bureaucracy vs. Customer Value: A leader's true job 4:15 - Why AI and technology alone won't solve productivity 4:55 - The Three Horsemen of Inertia: Ease, Attachment, and Risk Aversion 5:40 - Don't push, Catalyze: Lessons from chemistry on driving change 7:05 - The evolution of influence: From celebrities to Gen AI 8:10 - The Science of Contagion: Why people share ideas 8:55 - Why rewarding only success can undermine your organization ? Connect with Us Subscribe to catch every episode of Season 4! Follow Nordic Business Forum: Website: https://nbforum.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nordic-business-forum/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/NBForumHQ/ #NBF2025 #NordicBusinessForum #Performance #Leadership #JonahBerger #DianaKander #HowardYu #PeterHinssen #OrganizationalCulture #ChangeManagement