Escape the Cynicism Trap

Micro-Program

In this first-of-its-kind Combating Cynicism micro-program, Professor Jamil Zaki focuses on dissecting the cynicism trap. He will teach leaders about the science of cynicism, and provide them with tools and strategies to prevent it from taking over their workplaces.

Combating Cynicism

Learn

Learn the antidotes to the cynicism epidemic that is spreading toxicity in corporate cultures

Apply

Apply the art and science of anti-cynicism, and plan on how to apply it to our work and our lives

Understand

Understand what cynicism is, why it spreads, and what it does to us.

Invest

Spend one day with Prof. Jamil Zaki. It will be the best investment you make in yourself all year.

FACULTY

Dr. Jamil Zaki

Professor of psychology at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab

Jamil Zaki is a professor of psychology at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic.

”If cynical stories can become self-fulfilling, our work shows that hopeful ones can as well.
Dr Jamil Zaki

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT US

“This was a thought-provoking session. I have new insights about the cynicism that can help me become a more impactful leader and person. Leading with assuming people act with good intentions and not reacting to my initial thoughts and feelings.”

“Thank you, Jami Zaki and SAP Academy for Engineering for a thought-provoking and motivating workshop on anti-cynicism. I truly enjoyed the conversations with my fellow SAP colleagues. My key takeaways: 1. One cynical person can poison the whole well. 2. The answer is not gullibility but hopeful skepticism. 3. When you trust, trust loudly.”

“Cynicism is not only psychological poison, it is contagious. The opposite of cynicism is not gullibility. It's hopeful skepticism and finally, trusting someone is not an act of fragility, but an act of power (because others return what we put out. so be the first to trust).”