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The classic puzzle game, Tetris, illustrates the basic principle of what makes us tick. Tetris creates havoc and it is our natural desire to create order out of chaos. This basic need is fulfilled by watching those straight lines disappear – a rewarding experience, which further drives us to continue. The next time you’re hooked onto Tetris, remember we are only humans…
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Although empathetic traits contribute to successful leaders, there is a downside to it: Empathy is emotionally driven and irrational at times. Empathy is viewed through coloured lenses shaped by our worldviews. Empathy reflects our biases and may even distort moral judgments. To what extent then, should we consider others’ viewpoints in making decisions?
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When listening to someone reflect on his/her own experiences, you may hear them say “you win some, you lose some”. From a linguistic point of view, it may seem strange - why not just use the word “I”? Apparently, it makes sense to do so from a psychological perspective. Using the word “you” helps normalize bad experiences, suggesting that negative events can happen to anyone.
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According to socioanalytic theory, people have the innate need to 1) get along with others; 2) get ahead; and 3) make sense of the world. The fear of judgment probably stems from the desire to be accepted and be approved (get along), while people’s tendency to judge others could be driven by the need to gain status/control (get ahead), and to make sense of the world. Here are 4 ways to cope with people’s judgments.
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Inequality. Outliers. Unequal distribution. These factors can be explained by the Pareto effect, or the 80-20 rule, where 80% of the effects is attributed to only 20% of the causes. This phenomenon is mainly driven by accumulative advantage. Perhaps, this serves as a guiding prinicple for us to work smart – focus on the 20% that matters to yield significant results.
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Taking time for silence does tremendous benefits to our brain, psychological well-being and even creativity. Quiet time includes taking a “mental downtime”, shielding ourselves from information overload, and resting our mental reflexes. This means, silence is golden – in another way.
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In business, we are often told to speak the language of our customers. What if we go beyond this metaphor, and learn to speak our customers’ actual languages? Would our chances of closing a deal improve? Here are the top 5 languages to learn as suggested by World Economic Forum.
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Self-made billionaire and chairman of tens of thousands of employees, Jack Ma reminds us what it means to be a leader. Being a leader is not as simple as it seems - beyond capabilities, it also takes the heart and commitment to serve.
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Perseverance, tenacity and sense of duty are seen by many as valuable attributes, but when is it time to let go? Those who are more Ambitious, Dutiful or Bold may find it difficult to call it quits. Knowing when to step down or continue to hang on requires foresight and courage.
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In the coming years, the workplace will see a multi-generation workforce of Baby Boomers, Generation X, Y and Z working together. Baby Boomers may tend to feel less and less relevant but their wisdom and experience are not to be discounted. Having humility, an open-mind and willingness to learn will close generational gaps, allowing all to capitalize on each other’s strengths.
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Mental wellness should never be overlooked - the state of one's mental health can influence the ways they view themselves, their life and others around them. While some could deal with adversities on their own, going through difficult times often requires the support of others. Prince Harry opens up and shares his experience.
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The old adage, “practice makes perfect” seems to be grounded in neuroscience. When we learn something new, our brains create new connections. As we use more of these connections through practice or by synthesizing new information, the brain prunes inefficient pathways and builds more streamlined connections, allowing us to think and act with more precision.
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