How can understanding neuroscience transform your decision-making and productivity? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Cherian Koshy, author of Neuro Giving: The Science of Donor Decision Making, for a thought-provoking conversation that explores how neuroscience, decision science, and generosity shape productivity, leadership, and burnout prevention.

Cherian shares how decades of work in nonprofit leadership led him to uncover the hidden neurological drivers behind trust, motivation, and decision-making. Together, Gerald and Cherian unpack why humans are not rational beings but rationalizing ones, and how understanding the brain's shortcuts can immediately improve focus, energy management, and meaningful work.

The conversation dives into reframing productivity, aligning work with purpose, avoiding burnout through intentional structure, and designing environments where creativity and collaboration thrive. Cherian explains how urgency and constant stress drain the brain, why rest and downtime are essential for creativity, and how leaders can build trust-based cultures that unlock collective intelligence.

This episode is a powerful reminder that productivity isn't about doing more. It's about working in harmony with how the brain actually functions.

If you're interested in learning more about how to influence and persuade or work with people based on how their brains work and not against it, this episode is a must listen.

What We Discuss

[00:00] Introduction to Cherian Koshy
[04:32] Origins of Neurogiving and its research-driven approach
[05:17] Book success as a USA Today bestseller
[06:55] Emotions in decision-making and rationalizing afterward
[08:42] Applying neurogiving concepts to employee time and commitment
[10:17] How decision science improves productivity
[10:33] The brain as a low-battery phone: heuristics and energy management
[12:14] Heuristics and reframing habits
[14:43] Reframing identity and limiting beliefs
[15:48] Avoiding burnout through meaning and relief valves
[19:26] Prioritizing needle-moving tasks with a "vacation tomorrow" hack
[21:44] Neuroscience of creativity: space, rest, and eliminating distractions
[26:40] Designing trust-based work environments for focus and collaboration
[31:11] Donor identity, trust, and parallels to employee engagement
[33:54] Tools for building team trust and ownership
[36:41] Value of handwriting and planners for offloading the brain
[37:20] One key idea: Mindfulness of subconscious shortcuts
[39:00] Closing remarks

Notable Quotes

[07:19] "We're not rational beings, we're rationalizing beings." – Cherian Koshy

[10:38] "The brain is like a cell phone that's always working under 1% battery life." – Cherian Koshy

[13:10] "Reframing the things that we don't want to do as key concepts." – Cherian Koshy (referencing Owen Fitzpatrick)

[18:53] "Burnout requires your brain to be able to see the place where it has urgency sees hope or a relief valve." – Cherian Koshy

[22:53] "Our brains actually need rest and downtime in order to create." – Cherian Koshy
[27:34] "Create an environment where they create curiosity amongst team members." – Cherian Koshy
[37:29] "We're less in control of how our brains work than we think we are." – Cherian Koshy

Resources

Cherian Koshy

Website: https://www.cheriankoshy.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheriankoshy/
Book – Neuro Giving: The Science of Donor Decision Making

Productivity Smarts Podcast

Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com

Gerald J. Leonard

Website - geraldjleonard.com
Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com
Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard

Mentioned in the episode:

Daniel Kahneman (System 1 & System 2 thinking)
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Owen Fitzpatrick (Behavioral Scientist)
Exactly What to Say by Phil Jones

Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds