Curiosity is a magical human attribute. The innate desire to seek new information and experiences, and explore new possibilities, is what propels daily innovation and invention. It’s the instinct to better understand situations, problems, and environments, and make them better. Francesca Gino’s HBR article “The Business Case for Curiosity” explains what makes curiosityso important and why we should …
Cultivating good envy
There’s bad envy, and there’s good envy. That’s according to a paper published by Alison Wood Brooks, an assistant professor at Harvard Business School, who was able to formalize two kinds of envy: malicious and benign. Portraying an image of uninterrupted professional success is the fastest way to project an image of perfection that makes others want to tear …
Overcoming uncertainty
Tough decisions are no fun. When lives or livelihoods are affected, stomachs churn, anxiety sets in, and sleep becomes difficult. You know the biggest and toughest ones: hiring and firing, selling and buying, moving on or staying put. All of these have serious consequences when it comes to happiness, health and wealth. David Maxfield via …
Take a hike
Richard Louv, author of the “Nature Principal,” argues that we’re suffering as a society from what he calls “nature-deficit disorder,” which can hurt us mentally, physically, and even spiritually. It’s been proven over and over again that exposure to natural environments is good for us. It reduces the level of cortisol (stress hormone), heart …
Embrace the pause
When you speak or present, whether it be in front of small groups or big ones, you’ve got to keep your audience engaged to get your message across. You’ve got be clear, credible and concise. But crutch words like “um,” “well,” “like,” and “ah” can be terribly distracting to an audience. These words tend to …
How to fake it till you make it
No matter what business you’re in, or how long you’ve been doing it, you probably find yourself occasionally out of your element when it comes to new projects, customers and industries. It’s uncomfortable and unnerving when this happens. You may not be familiar with the business model. You may not understand the vernacular. You don’t know what you don’t know. But big league …
How to project confidence and competence
Whenever you step in front of a group to present, you’re being judged on your confidence and competence. Your audience is immediately sizing you up. They are watching you closely to determine if you have command of your business and command of the stage. Carmine Gallo is the author of “Talk Like TED”and “The Storyteller’s Secret” and says …
Make it Herb, if you would
Southwest Airlines would not exist today if not for the inimitable and indomitable spirit of Herb Kelleher, it’s founder and retired CEO. Kelleher is famous for his straight talk and warm humor, but also his personal and professional eccentricity. At the age of 87, he is an unapologetic Wild Turkey drinker, cigarette smoker, and lawyer turned airline …
Eight is enough
Mind-numbing meetings are the quickest way to drain energy and morale from any team. But there are steps you can take to improve productivity and ensure healthy outcomes. Clear agendas, timely starts, and defined goals are the most commonly discussed fundamentals of meeting science, but it turns out the invite list is another key component …
Phrases to overcome friction
Conversations, relationships and negotiations all have their ups and downs. Interactions and transactions – large and small – occur constantly in our daily lives. Sometimes you’re negotiating which restaurant to go to. Sometimes you’re buying a car. Sometimes you’re buying a business. And some go quite smoothly. While others do not. But at some point, …