The Cognitive Science Behind Sudden Change
2/3/202625 min
Difficult change is an inevitable part of life, but few of us have the skills and mindset to handle it well. That can trickle into our work and careers, but there are lessons from psychology that can help us be more resilient. Dr. Maya Shankar, cognitive scientist and host of the podcast A Slight Change of Plans, shares concepts that can help you react, reframe, and adapt in life or work. She offers evidence-based strategies for leaders navigating personal, organizational, and technological upheaval—from burnout and culture shifts to AI-driven transformation. Shankar is author of the book The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans.
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First 90 secondsAlison Beard· Host0:00
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Adi Ignatius· Host0:18
[upbeat music] I'm Adi Ignatius.
Alison Beard· Host0:33
I'm Alison Beard, and this is the HBR Idea Cast.
Adi Ignatius· Host0:36
[upbeat music] So, Alison, I wanna start today by talking about identity, and specifically our identity at work. So you and I, I think, are both people who feel very connected to our work. Our self-identity is wrapped up in our jobs, in our titles. We're editors, we're journalists. That's a big part of how we think about ourselves.
Alison Beard· Host1:03
A hundred percent. I think especially when you've studied and trained to do one profession, you've been doing the job a long time, you become an expert and leader in your organization and your field, and you're recognized for all of that, it, it really becomes who you are.
Adi Ignatius· Host1:20
Okay, so take that idea, right, that feeling, that sense of identity, and think about the rug being pulled out from under you. So maybe your company goes out of business, maybe you get laid off, or