Fear Factor
How Fear is Quietly Destroying Your Organization
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This Week’s Music for Grooving
Check out some of the recommendations from this week’s episode.
Andrés Segovia - Leyenda by Albeniz
Fear isn’t always about things that go bump in the night.
At work, it often shows up in far subtler ways, and it may be costing your team more than you realize. This week, we’re talking to Tom Rieger about fear of loss, a subtle force quietly shaping decision-making, and putting even the most well-intentioned organizations at risk for siloed teams and missed opportunities.
Drawing on Tom’s research, we explore what he calls the “fear barrier” and how it evolves, from parochial thinking to territorial behavior, and eventually to full-blown empire building if left unchecked. These daunting ideas tie into some of the core behavioral science principles we often talk about on the show - loss aversion, reference points, and the often irrational nature of seemingly rational decisions, giving you a clearer lens on why these dynamics persist.
Inevitably, our conversation touches on today’s workplace, where AI and remote work are accelerating what Tom calls “shadow realities.” As organizations adopt new technologies without first aligning with people, fear is well-positioned to deepen rather than disappear. The question today isn’t “does fear exist?” It’s whether we’re willing to confront it.
Want to watch this episode? Check it out on our YouTube Channel
Loss Aversion
Did you know the thought of losing $100 is more motivating than the idea of gaining $100?
This is known as loss aversion, a core principle in behavioral economics. It describes our tendency to prioritize avoiding losses over acquiring equivalent gains—one of the many cognitive biases that shape how we make decisions.
Loss aversion can drive seemingly irrational behavior, from doubling down on bad investments (hello, sunk-cost fallacy) to resisting change altogether. At work, it helps explain why employees protect their time, resources, and reputation, even when collaboration or change would lead to better outcomes for the organization.
Loss Aversion, in Song!
When we’re not wowing crowds with behavioral science, we’re serenading them with it 🎶.
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Housekeeping
If you want to know more about today’s guest or this week’s grooving, check out the links below!
Breaking the Fear Barrier by Tom Rieger
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