This week, Amy talks with Harvard Business School professor and author of The Ritual Effect, Michael Norton, about how simple acts—like tapping your lucky pen or that sacred coffee run—can do more than you think. We're talking stress relief, team bonding, and (yes) actually making work feel meaningful. They unpack the difference between rituals and habits, why your team’s goofy lunch routine might be a stealth morale boost, and how even a tiny shared check-in—emoji-style—can reconnect us across the remote void. No kumbaya circles required. Tune in for a surprising, deeply human take on how we find connection, purpose, and a little weird joy in the everyday.Get all of the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadicalCandor.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Episode Links: Transcript Michael Norton Behavioral Science Books | Michael Norton  Michael I. Norton | Harvard Business School  Humblebragging: A Distinct—and Ineffective—Self-Presentation Strategy  Matchmaking Promotes Happiness | Social Psychological and Personality Science  Rituals Quiz | What Are Your Rituals? | Michael Norton  The Calming Power of Rituals | WSJConnect: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapters:(Amy Sandler introduces guest Michael Norton and his book The Ritual Effect.(A fun and engaging ritual exercise to demonstrate emotional connections.(Michael’s journey from being a ritual skeptic to writing The Ritual Effect.(How rituals naturally emerge to provide structure and meaning.(The emotional difference between habits and rituals.(The dual role of rituals in generating and managing emotions.(How shared rituals strengthen bonds and emotional resonance.(Examples of team rituals that foster bonding and purpose.(Research showing even made-up rituals increase group cohesion.(Advice for leaders to co-create rituals for new work teams.(How teams have developed virtual rituals to maintain connection online.(The significance of rituals in the workplace for individuals and leaders.(How rituals contribute positively to mental health and well-being.(Encouraging authentic rituals without imposing corporate mandates.(Using rituals to express and reinforce organizational values.(Exploring the rituals in your life through Michael’s Ritual Quiz.(Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices