No matter your rank in the workplace, it’s likely that your sense of authority rises and falls throughout the day — depending on who you’re meeting with, what you’re working on, and how you’re feeling. Research has shown that these shifts cause stress, so it’s best to avoid multiple fluctuations each day. One way to […]
Whether we spend our time dwelling on things we’re grateful for or noodling on things that upset us matters. The key lesson :: Shifting our attitudes to focus on giving thanks — not just during the holiday — has a direct link to our wellbeing. Proof :: Psychologists asked half of the participants in a […]
Unlocking your team’s creativity can sometimes be a challenge for managers. Here are three common fallacies that might be getting in the way — and how to avoid them. “3 Common Fallacies About Creativity“ Harvard Business Review […]
Most people know that how you frame a problem will influence how you solve it. This means that you have to carefully choose the words to describe your issue. If you’re struggling to generate effective solutions, you might change the way you’ve phrased the problem. Specifically, ask yourself two questions :: What’s the subject? For […]
As a hiring manager, there’s one key question you should ask every job candidate: “How do you learn?” Of course, you want to bring in employees with impressive achievements and qualifications, but a person’s future performance will largely be determined by how intentionally and systematically they develop their skills. So spend some time digging into […]
To be a good leader, you must communicate well. Cambridge University lecturer Simon Lancaster says that the power of persuasion lies in our ability to manipulate listeners brains. He suggests that we can win support by tapping into peoples cravings for brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. When we do this we boost the feeling […]
If you’ve been working from home for the past year, you may find yourself hitting a wall. WFH burnout is real — so it’s important to do what you can to give yourself a boost throughout the workday. Don’t underestimate the power of going for a walk (or, if you’re unable to walk, spending some […]
Chances are, most leaders are too focused on having all the answers — and not focused enough on asking the right questions. It’s time to recalibrate. Despite what you might think, expressing vulnerability and asking for help, clarification, or input can be a sign of strength and confidence, not weakness. The right questions are signals […]
It’s hard to feel inspired about much of anything these days — let alone your job. What can you do to shift your perspective if you feel that your work has lost its purpose? Start by turning inward. Reflect on what you care about and what motivates you. Think about why you wanted to work […]
The ability to bounce back from setbacks is often described as the difference between successful and unsuccessful people. But how do you build that resilience? Research shows that it comes down to the people in your network. You need relationships that are broad and deep enough to support you when you hit setbacks. So think […]
2020 has been a burdensome year for us all. With elevated expectations and never ending to-do lists, it’s easy to feel guilty about what we haven’t completed. But guilt is only useful when it motivates us to do more — it shouldn’t make you feel failure or shame. To erase these emotions when they appear, […]
Shankar Vedantam recently hosted an informative discussion on why we work. In a dialogue on his NPR show Hidden Brain, he explored how we can shape our thinking about the daily grind and make work a more rewarding experience. His guest, Yale psychologist, Amy Wrzesniewski, informed us that people who see their work as a […]
There’s a popular phrase in HR circles doing the rounds, about “Letting employees bring their best selves to work”. Not only is it a nice idea, it makes economic sense. People’s best selves do far better work, than people’s crappy selves. Of course they do. For the same reason happy chickens lay more eggs than […]
The pandemic has shown us how crisis can lead to rapid innovation. Just look at all of the companies that quickly pivoted to curbside pickup or adapted their services to new health regulations. How can a leader help their team retain this agility and sense of urgency even when there’s no crisis? Here are three […]
Telling a good yarn can help you win over a colleague, a team, an executive, a recruiter or a large conference room. But what does that look like? The best stories don’t just communicate information or elicit an emotional reaction — they’re also a tool to persuade and motivate people. So start by contextualizing your […]
You can tell what people priorities are by what they allow on their calendars. You can tell a lot by breaking down what fills peoples workdays. Paul Graham, founder of Y Combinator, breaks them down into one of two categories :: makers or managers. There are folks who spend most of their day managing either […]
There’s not one leadership style that works for all contexts. For example, in some situations, it’ll make sense to tell people what to do, whereas asking open-ended questions will work better in others. You might need to adjust goals as new information emerges, or, under certain circumstances, stick exactly to the plan. You should adjust […]
How does purpose impact an organization’s performance? That’s the question Harvard Business School Professor Rebecca Henderson explored during a recent lecture streamed via Facebook Live. Professor Henderson discusses the role that purpose can play in driving employee motivation, productivity, and creativity. Over the course of the talk, Henderson covered a lot of ground, addressing: How […]
When people know why they’re being asked to do something, they’re much more likely to do it. So next time you’re preparing to deliver an important message to your team, make sure you’re clear on the “why” behind it. 1. Start by asking yourself a few “what” questions, such as: What are the stakes? What […]
Many companies have formal, hierarchical mentoring programs nested somewhere in their HR department. But evidence shows that these programs alone won’t sufficiently engage or develop junior talent. If you’re interested in mentoring, think about becoming a “mentor of the moment,” by seeking development opportunities in daily interactions. Check in regularly with junior colleagues. See how […]