🐠What does a fish on the beach have to do with your team?

This week at The Brainy Business , we are exploring the practical application of behavioral science within organizations. While we've previously discussed how to leverage behavioral insights for specific projects and initiatives, this week's focus is on building a robust behavioral science capability within your company.

Like a fish 🐠  on the beach...

Tuesday revisited my conversation with Stephen Wendel Wendel and his groundbreaking work on Designing for Behavior Change. This episode shares one of my favorite analogies.

Imagine finding a fish stranded on the beach. Do you:

• Yell at the fish for not knowing how important water is?
• Give the fish a detailed lecture on marine biology?

Or do you:

• Gently guide the fish back to the water?
• Create an environment where the fish naturally gravitates towards the water?

The answer is clear.

Effective behavior change isn't about lecturing, providing endless information, or showing how smart you are; it's about creating the right conditions for people to thrive. This is especially true when working with internal teams.

By understanding the underlying motivations and challenges of your colleagues, you can design interventions that truly make a difference.

Bringing it to life at BBVA

That conversation was the perfect lead-in to today’s brand new episode with Quique Belenguer Saborit , global lead of behavioral economics for BBVA . Quique offers a unique perspective on building a successful behavioral science team within a large organization.

He shares valuable insights on how to navigate internal dynamics, collaborate with different departments, and measure the impact of behavioral science initiatives.

And, yes, he shares examples of what has worked – and what hasn’t – for their team over the years, with insights for you to learn from before you take a trip down a dead-end.

🧠 Brainy Wrap-Up

Remember, incorporating behavioral science isn't just about implementing isolated projects; it's about embedding a behavioral mindset across your organization.

Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting to explore behavioral science, this week's episodes offer actionable strategies and inspiring stories. Let's harness the power of human behavior to build a better, more successful future for your business.

Would your organization benefit from more thoughtful leaders? Let's talk.

BE thoughtful,

Melina