Honouring the Legend Daniel Kahneman!

By Anupama Vaidya.   

On the somber day of March 28th,  the news of Daniel Kahneman’s passing on March 27th enveloped me in a solemn silence. In reverence to his unparalleled contributions, I found solace in revisiting his legendary work, “Thinking, Fast and Slow”. In gratitude to Alistair Schofield & Gill McKay, my mentors in the space of neuroscience, who introduced me to these concepts and the book; significantly enriching my understanding of behavioral economics.   

In the years to come, the memory of Daniel Kahneman's presence in our physical world will endure, even as he has embarks on his journey to the netherworld. This Sunday, I devote myself to honoring the profound learnings and living legacy of Daniel Kahneman, through his book – “Thinking, Fast and Slow”, a cornerstone of my professional development and the work I do. The “Two System Thinking theory” of how we process information and make decisions has become an integral part of my life and work. Published in 2010/2011, it offers deep insights challenging the way we apply our thinking processes in our day-to-day lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=I-R3W5GNqxM

I frequently encounter several scenarios and situations, where I observe the struggle my mentees face while confronting the myriad of tasks, circumstances, and events. These situations span a wide spectrum, ranging from simplicity to complexity, from mundane routines to unpredictable twists to turns to unforeseen problems; from seamless comfort of familiar routines to over-whelming unfamiliar territory. These are continuously pushing boundaries and presenting challenges of keeping up with the dynamics of work overshadowed by people dynamics.  

The struggle, as I observe, often even begins with recognizing the complexity inherent in the situation at hand and assessing one’s capacity & capability to address it effectively. The process of reflection, contemplation, being aware and acknowledging that one size does not fit all, each challenge demands a tailored approach seems to be loosely driven. Its’s akin to learning to swim afresh, stepping into unfamiliar waters without fully assessing their depth and one’s own readiness to keep afloat.

Drawing inspiration from author Steve Siebold’s work, where world-class thinking mindset approaches every situation with a beginner’s mindset; while others, think they have it all figured out. Daniel Kahneman provides a good way to the develop this world-class mindset through his depiction of the Two Systems Thinking theory. It focuses on how thinking can be viewed as and how each system benefits us. The real essence is to recognize when to apply which.

System 1 - ‘Fast’, instinctive and intuitive thinking; operates effortlessly in the background of our minds; guides daily actions & responses; relied upon for quick judgements, immediate reactions, responses; often shaped by preconceived notions, biases and ingrained mental shortcuts or thumb rules; Invaluable in navigating routine situations with ease;

System 2 - ‘Slow’, deliberate, logical thinking; embodies the considerable thought; demands conscious effort and mental energy; slows down action in thought;  prompts pause, reflection, analysis; encourages questioning assumptions, challenging status quo, consider alternatives; weighs potential consequences of decisions carefully; requires strong intellect to comprehend the complexity of the situation/idea; emphasizes curiosity, creativity and synthesis; involves continuous observations and learning of new things.

Both the systems have tremendous strength as well as challenges embedded in them. In my observation, I’ve noticed a common tendency among individuals to become entrenched in their preferred mode of thinking, whether it is instinctive and rapid System 1 or the deliberate and analytical System 2.  Often System 1 takes precedence, dominating our cognitive processes, (it’s convenient, effortless, easy). However, for those who lean towards System 2 thinking, there’s a risk of falling into the trap of over-analysis, leading to what some might term as “analysis paralysis”. It’s important to appreciate that neither style of thinking is inherently right or wrong; their effectiveness depends on the context and the individual’s ability to adapt.

The most fitting tribute to the legendary Nobel Laurette lies in delving into fundamental questions, elevating our awareness of our own thinking styles and nurturing mindfulness and self-awareness. Recognizing when to transition from instinctive to analytical thinking is essential, serving as a pre-requisite for impactful leadership.

Let’s Pause and Reflect to pay our respects to the legendary Daniel Kahneman:

What is my preferred style of thinking, and how does it manifest in different situations? Am I even self-aware on my ways of thinking?

Are there specific triggers or context that influence my default mode of thinking?

What are odds that I am risking by leaning too heavily on my preferred thinking style?

Am I even consciously aware what my preferred style of thinking is? What is my dominating way of thinking?

In what ways might incorporating alternative thinking approaches enhance my decision making and problem solving abilities?  

Am I actively aware of the choices I make in how I approach and process information? What are those unconscious biases or notions that impact my choices and decisions?

Do I feel in control of my thought processes, or do external factors often dictate my thinking patterns?

Am I carving out mental space and time necessary to engage in deep reflection and contemplation? Just 1 minute for every hour of the day – 24 mins in a day, have I committed myself to my development through these 24 mins.

Am I genuinely committed to confront my ingrained ways of thinking, my beliefs and perspective? Am I open to consider alternative perspectives? Do I actively seek out opportunities to broaden my understand and consider alternative viewpoints?

What have I unlearnt and relearnt in the past 6 months, every six months?  

Daniel Kahneman's work sparked a global conversation, challenging the intricacies of human decision-making, reshaping our understanding of behavior and perception. Let in his journey to eternity, may these questions spark an inner conversation for you; a tribute and honour that we can pay to him as he leaves behind for us a vast ocean of insights in this domain. These questions are just one facet, the ocean lies ahead! I personally highly recommend you to understand and apply his work to make a difference to yourself and others and  encourage you to embrace his teachings as a guide for personal and professional growth.