Emotional intelligence or ‘EI’ (colloquially described as EQ) is essential for human development. EQ — skills we can develop The historic privileging of technical problem-solvers is gradually making way (thanks to the work by pioneer Daniel Goleman and many others) for equally valid social and emotional skills. Progress on the work front is piecemeal. I have been […]
9 skills you need to get ahead at work
Even if you’re not especially ambitious, many of us want to get ahead at work. It’s not really possible to remain hidden in a corner and hit the repeat button, although some jobs seem to require this. Whether you’re stagnating or gunning the motor, particular skills are called for if career progression is in order. Try these […]
Why our increasing use of screens has sparked blue light concerns
With so much of our waking lives spent viewing screens, is it any wonder people’s eyesight is suffering? There used to be similar concerns over people reading books and newspapers. Two-thirds of Americans are now suffering from digital eye-strain, with 73% of adults younger than 30 impacted. How do you feel when you wake up? Many people at […]
Do people of different gender identities process emotions differently?
“Men are from Mars, Women from Venus” was all the rage during the 1990s. Whether there’s actual proof that we are emotionally wired differently is yet to be conclusively proved (especially with gender fluidity much more highlighted these days). Controversially, according to psychologists Bobbi Carothers and Harry Reis, men and women are from Earth! Are women […]
Are you looking after yourself?
We ache as we read about the death of chef Anthony Bourdain and too many others we know and love driven to suicide. It is tragic, no matter who it is. Depression is frightening and often hidden from those closest to us, sometimes even unrecognised by individuals themselves. Many people suffer depression at times of their […]
How fears can hold you back at work
Fears drive our behaviours and are often the reason for our decisions and actions at work. What do we fear? Lots of things: not being liked conflict not being in control failing — being wrong not knowing, uncertainty being embarrassed losing relationships being ignored or even rejected being criticised changes “There’s nothing to fear but […]
5 ways to make time work for you
Time, as we are periodically aware, is elastic, intangible and very much in the eye of the beholder. Some people habitually waste time, others schedule their days and weeks with relative ease. You might find you do both, depending on the nature of the task or the person requesting your involvement. When under pressure, there […]
8 steps to take control of your career
Work for most of us is survival. It means the difference between simply existing, keeping food on the table and bills paid, and more importantly enabling us to progress. Work gives us meaning We spend most of our adult lives working. Work provides us with not only money to live, but a sense of identity […]
8 ways to boost motivation
There are always times we feel energized and motivated. But what are your triggers? Is the glow from your summer break fading? Are you on your morning commute, in traffic or on transport, smartphone and cooling coffee in hand, pressed up against your fellow travelers? A new day in a new year and it is […]