Episode 519: Asking the Right Questions with Vicki Tan
Podcast: The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy | Behavioral Economics
Host: Melina Palmer
Guest: Vicki Tan, Author of Ask this Book a Question
Release Date: July 31, 2025
In Episode 519 of The Brainy Business, host Melina Palmer delves deep into the art of questioning with special guest Vicki Tan, the innovative mind behind the interactive book Ask this Book a Question. This episode explores the intersection of behavioral economics, design, and effective decision-making, providing listeners with actionable insights to enhance their business strategies and personal lives.
Introduction to Vicki Tan and Her Work
Melina Palmer opens the episode by introducing Vicki Tan, a seasoned digital product designer based in San Francisco. With over a decade of experience at leading companies like Pinterest, Spotify, Headspace, Lyft, and Google, Vicki seamlessly blends behavioral science with design to create products that inspire and foster healthy habits.
Notable Quote:
Melina Palmer [00:00]: "Consumers are weird. They don't do what they say they will do and don't act how we think they 'should.'"
The Significance of Asking the Right Questions
The core of the conversation revolves around the pivotal role that questioning plays in both personal decision-making and corporate strategy. Vicki emphasizes that the questions posed often serve as hypotheses that guide subsequent actions and decisions within a project or initiative.
Key Insights:
- Defining the Right Question: Vicki discusses how an accurately framed question can either expand or limit the scope of a project. This foundational step ensures that resources are allocated effectively and that solutions are relevant.
- Collaborative Approach: Especially within larger organizations, leveraging diverse perspectives from cross-functional teams enhances the quality of the questions and the ensuing solutions.
Notable Quotes:
Vicki Tan [04:28]: "The question ends up being the hypothesis that you're testing and that ends up being either very expansive or limiting, depending on its scope."
Melina Palmer [04:57]: "It's way too easy to find the right answer to the wrong question."
The Interactive Journey of Ask this Book a Question
Vicki introduces her book, an innovative blend of storytelling and behavioral science designed to assist readers in navigating life's myriad decisions. Unlike traditional guides that list biases and their effects, Vicki's book employs engaging narratives to illustrate these concepts, making them more relatable and easier to internalize.
Structure of the Book:
- Visual Prompts: Readers begin with visual cues that help them identify and articulate their pressing questions.
- Engaging Stories: Each question leads to a story that encapsulates specific behavioral biases, offering both lessons and practical applications.
- Bias Exploration: The book delves into various cognitive biases, presenting them in a balanced manner that highlights both their challenges and potential benefits.
Notable Quote:
Vicki Tan [11:43]: "I don't use the word answers anywhere in it because I'm not presuming to give you an answer. I want you to feel like... you can explore all the possibilities."
Balancing Structured and Intuitive Decision-Making
A significant portion of the discussion highlights the delicate balance between structured, logical decision-making and intuitive, emotion-driven choices. Vicki underscores the importance of recognizing and integrating both approaches to enhance decision quality.
Key Points:
- Structured Decisions: Useful for clear, data-driven scenarios such as budgeting or strategic planning.
- Intuitive Decisions: Essential for personal, relational, or less tangible aspects of life where data may be scarce or emotions play a significant role.
Notable Quote:
Vicki Tan [20:54]: "If we can understand what role they play for us in information overload, in paralysis in the need to act, then maybe we can use them in different ways."
Exploring Cognitive Biases: The Cathedral Effect
One of the standout topics is the exploration of lesser-known cognitive biases, such as the Cathedral Effect. Vicki explains how our physical environments, like ceiling heights, can subconsciously influence our creativity and decision-making processes.
Insights:
- Cathedral Effect Defined: The presence of high ceilings or spacious environments can boost creativity, while confined spaces might promote focus and decisiveness.
- Practical Applications: Understanding such biases can inform the design of workspaces to align with desired cognitive outcomes.
Notable Quote:
Vicki Tan [32:53]: "Our environment, our containers, our perceived spaces are what have this outsized influence that we sometimes forget about."
Application of Biases in Real-Life Scenarios
Vicki shares personal anecdotes and professional experiences to illustrate how recognizing and understanding cognitive biases can lead to more effective decision-making both in business and personal contexts.
Example:
- Sunk Cost Fallacy: Vicki recounts helping a friend overcome the reluctance to leave a long-term job, illustrating how emotional connections and biases can impede rational decision-making.
Notable Quote:
Vicki Tan [19:22]: "It's really hard to remember a list of things you should and should not do. But it's pretty easy to remember a mapo tofu and then this idea or a feeling."
Concluding Thoughts on the Book's Impact
As the conversation wraps up, both Melina and Vicki reflect on the broader implications of integrating behavioral science into everyday decision-making. The book aims to empower individuals to approach decisions with curiosity and intentionality, fostering a mindset that is both analytical and emotionally intelligent.
Final Insights:
- Empowerment Through Awareness: By making behavioral science approachable, the book encourages readers to become more mindful of their decision-making processes.
- Community and Support: Vicki envisions a future where tools like her book not only aid personal growth but also foster community support systems.
Notable Quote:
Vicki Tan [35:31]: "It should feel like, 'ooh, like curious.' Like, if someone gave you a map of a fun place to go, you wouldn't feel lost, but rather, looking forward to all the places you could visit."
How to Get Ask this Book a Question
For listeners eager to embark on their own question-asking journey, Vicki provides multiple avenues to acquire her book:
- Local Bookstores: Encourages supporting local businesses.
- Online Retailers: Available on platforms like Amazon and Bookshop.org.
- Official Website: Visit vickytan.com for animations, explainer videos, and more resources.
Notable Quote:
Vicki Tan [39:09]: "You can go to vickytan.com which is my name spelled with an I if you want to see like I've made some animations that kind of show the spreads and some explainer videos for how to use it."
Final Reflections
Melina Palmer concludes the episode by reflecting on the synergy between her own work and Vicki's innovative approach. She praises the book's design, interactivity, and the personal touch Vicki brings from her background in product design and behavioral science.
Key Takeaways:
- Interactive Design: The book's non-linear structure enables readers to engage with it as they would with a trusted friend, facilitating deeper introspection and understanding.
- Balance of Science and Storytelling: Vicki's method of using stories to convey complex biases makes the concepts more accessible and memorable.
Notable Quote:
Melina Palmer [40:26]: "This trusted companion can help you shape ideas and learn and hopefully move forward even when it doesn't give you any answers."
Join the Conversation
Listeners are encouraged to share their experiences with Ask this Book a Question on social media and connect with Melina and Vicki through various platforms. Links and additional resources are available in the show notes.
Tune in Next Week:
Join Melina Palmer for another enlightening episode of The Brainy Business Podcast, where she continues to explore the fascinating world of behavioral economics and its impact on business and everyday life.
Resources
- Book: Ask this Book a Question by Vicki Tan
- Podcast Website: thebrainybusiness.com
- Social Media:
- Melina Palmer: LinkedIn (@Melina Palmer)
- Vicki Tan: Twitter/Facebook/Instagram (@VickiTanBook)
Conclusion
Episode 519 of The Brainy Business offers a rich exploration of the power of questioning in both personal and professional contexts. Vicki Tan's innovative approach to behavioral science through interactive storytelling provides listeners with valuable tools to enhance their decision-making processes. Whether you're a business professional looking to improve strategy or an individual seeking personal growth, this episode delivers actionable insights and inspiration.