Most of us do reflect on the past year and plan for the new year. Many of us may not act upon our plans for various reasons. Here are some suggestions on how we can stick to and execute our new year plan.....
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Everyone of us experiences rejection big or small along the way. Nobody can escape. But some will be hurt more than others and some longer.
The pertinent question is then why and how to handle rejection?
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Many well-known quotes can be meaningfully applied to the context of anxiety. Most of them encapsulate a similar idea: taking action and changing one’s behaviour is key to overcoming those intrusive thoughts that lead to anxiety. These quotes also reflect the essence of two leading psychotherapies for anxiety – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT).
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How do we process and store memories in our tech-enabled world? With information readily available online, we no longer have to remember random information like our friend’s birthday or the address of our favourite restaurant. Instead, we are now more concerned about how to retrieve the necessary information. Can this increasing reliance on technology affect the accuracy of our memories?
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Can empathy be learned? According to neuroscience researchers from the University of Zurich, most definitely. By measuring brain activations, these researchers found that positive experiences with a stranger triggered a learning effect in the participant’s brain, leading to a stronger brain response which can be interpreted as an increase in empathy at the neural level.
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Do you know that coffee, a seemingly innocuous beverage, is in fact the most widely used drug in the world? Even though the mental health and cognitive benefits of drinking coffee is well-documented, we should exercise caution by consuming it wisely as it is, after all, a drug that can lead to addiction. Want some research-based tips to limit your caffeine intake? Read on to find out.
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How you do cope with stress? Many will turn to their family and friends for support, but you may wish to consider an alternative strategy. While having a strong social support network is indeed proven to be critical for stress management, emerging research also indicates that being part of someone’s network, and proactively helping them, can help to reduce your personal stress levels and improve your well-being.
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Cognitive biases are inherent in all of us, but being aware of them will enable us to enhance our judgement. What are some thinking errors we are likely to have, even though we are biased to think that we are free from them?
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The rise of technology has led to the development of a new field of study – media psychology. This discipline involves research into new technologies like smartphones and social media, and how they relate to human behaviour. Interested to know more about this emerging discipline of psychology? Click the link to listen to a podcast interview (transcript is included) featuring Dr. Pamela Rutledge, a media psychologist.
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Eye contact is an important part of social interaction, but what exactly goes on in our brains when we make eye contact with another person? It turns out that as we hold the person’s gaze, our blinking and brain activity becomes synchronised. Researchers have thus concluded that this synchronicity is key to establishing and facilitating face-to-face interactions.
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We know of the benefits of teamwork, but at times, collaboration can also be a frustrating experience for many. How can leaders manage “bad teamwork” to develop high-performing teams? Some tips include setting expectations up front, inculcating a sense of purpose, and empowering team members. It is also good to recognise that teamwork may not be for everyone, and if all measures including coaching efforts have failed, it is perhaps inevitable to rotate those who do not fit out of the team.
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Google HR boss thinks that GPA, test scores etc other than behavioral interviews that ask specifically what one did are almost useless data other than the fact that it makes the recruiter feels smart.
Our thoughts are:
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Multiple data points are recommended for higher accuracy in predicting probability of success. What data or tests to be used depend on what are the key success factors.
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Test or any approach used must be validated and reliable. Otherwise better not use any.
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Behavioural interviews are great to pin track records but past behaviours may not predict the future unless the future is same as the past.
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Whatever tests, approaches or process we use, the probability of success of each successful hire largely relies on the organization, the leadership, the manager and the team....
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Ever been on the receiving end of an insult? According to research, the person you are dealing with may happen to have a narcissistic streak in him/her. Individuals who are more narcissistic are more likely to look down on and put down others, but what is the reason behind their derogatory manner? Is it because they truly feel superior or is it an attempt to compensate for their own weaknesses?
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The positive outcomes of being hopeful is well-documented; we know that hope helps us to thrive and to survive. Fortunately for all of us, research has also shown that hope can be developed over time. To build hope, consider these three basic steps: 1) envision a specific future goal, 2) work towards that goal, and 3) plan for contingencies.
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Should schools focus on teaching young students hard skills or soft skills? According to research from Duke University, students who were taught self-control and social skills between the ages 6 to 11 had reduced delinquency and arrest rates in the subsequent years, further supporting the argument that schools ought to develop the soft skills of students from an early age.
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It is popularly believed that introversion is a barrier to leadership, but in reality, it is estimated that 40% of leaders are introverted, and among them are some of the most well-known entrepreneurs like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. What are some of the personality traits common to most introverts that can serve them well in a leadership role?
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Many well-known quotes can be meaningfully applied to the context of anxiety. Most of them encapsulate a similar idea: taking action and changing one’s behaviour is key to overcoming those intrusive thoughts that lead to anxiety. These quotes also reflect the essence of two leading psychotherapies for anxiety – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT).
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