We all want meaningful work, but meaning is rarely handed to us. It’s up to you to connect what you do every day to what you value — and that takes self-reflection and deliberate effort. Keep a journal of your tasks and projects, noting which ones you find deeply satisfying (and which are gratifying only […]
For some of us logging back on after the holidays brings that nagging feeling and question: “do I really want to spend another year in this job?” More people are turning to career coaches to chart next steps – and get out of a “prison” of bad jobs. Here are five reasons you might consider hiring […]
If you work in a place where pandemic restrictions are easing up, and you’re headed back to the office, it may be tempting to get back to “business as usual.” But this is the perfect opportunity to reflect on how you want your team to operate differently going forward. Which new practices do you want […]
No matter your title or role, critical thinking [the ability to effectively break down and analyze an issue in order to find a solution] will be core to your success. And at the heart of critical thinking is the ability to formulate effective questions. Here are a few ways to boost your ability to do […]
Hybrid work is presenting teams — and managers — with a major problem :: The dissolution of work-life balance. As a boss, how can you help your team mitigate the downsides of hybrid, asynchronous work? Here are a few strategies to consider. Rethink daily schedules. Build in breaks between meetings, or during extended ones, so […]
Many teams suffer from “active inertia” — the tendency to seek comfort in the old ways of doing things, even when the world around you is changing. To help your employees meet the moment, there are two techniques you might try. “Persuading Your Team to Embrace Change“ Harvard Business Review […]
Many of us will be starting new roles with the onset of the “great recession” If it’s been a while since you started a new job, you might feel unsure of how to start off on the right foot. That’s normal. Here are some strategies to ease the transition and make a strong first impression. […]
Your primary task as a leader is to build your team’s capabilities. The next time you’re tempted to solve a problem for a team member, stop yourself and turn it into a learning opportunity instead. Set clear expectations, communicate what they’re accountable for, and give them the tools they need to succeed. When someone comes […]
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 […]