A psychologist’s top 5 signs your cognitive load is too high

In 2011, a study of Israeli judges found that in the early sessions of the day, prisoners had roughly a 65% chance of parole. By the end of each session, that probability had fallen to nearly zero. After a break, it returned to 65%. The judges didn’t vary. The cases didn’t get harder. The types of prisoners didn’t change. What changed was the judges’ cognitive resources. I’ve thought about that study many times, working with leaders. Not because they’re mak...