What Really Motivates Us? What Science Says
We continue to revisit the issue of motivation and specifically, the “carrot and stick” aspect. New research seems to indicate that brain chemicals may control behavior and for people to learn and adapt in the world; therefore, both punishment and reward may be necessary. This conclusion would certainly run counter to the trend towards positive motivation without extrinsic reward or punishment.
Why We Need Kind and Generous Leaders
Much has been written about the need for and the power of generosity in our society, including the notion of “pay it forward.” The expression has been popularized by the best selling novel Pay It Forward by Catherine Hyde Ryan which was adapted into a movie starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt. New research shows a clear link between the act of “paying it forward” and generosity.
Signs of a Toxic Workplace
By Ray Williams, January 4, 2019 In my book, Eye of the Storm: How Mindful Leaders Can Transform Chaotic Workplaces, I outline in detail the characteristics of toxic workplaces. Characteristics of a Toxic Workplace: All sticks and no carrots. Management...
How Workplace Bullying Destroys Well-Being and Productivity
Workplace bullying has become a silent epidemic in North America, one that has huge hidden costs in terms of employee well-being and productivity. Also known as psychological harassment or emotional abuse, bullying involves the conscious repeated effort to wound and seriously harm another person, not with violence, but with words and actions. Bullying damages the physical, emotional and mental health of the person who is targeted.
Why the 8 hour sleep is a myth
We’ve been told by health experts, and it’s conventional wisdom, that we should sleep between seven and eight continuous hours a day as an adult. Yet, the assumption that an eight-hour block of sleep is the ideal or norm may be a myth.
Why we need mindful workplaces
Most leadership books and training programs focus on how leaders can achieve more—do more, better, faster, with spectacular results. We’ve become obsessed with continuous improvement at increasing speed, with resulting rising stress levels to leaders and their followers and deteriorating relationships. Mindfulness as both a leadership practice and workplaceculture holds the promise to bring back balance and better health.
The Rise of Toxic Leaders and Toxic Workplaces
Books, articles, seminars and speeches abound espousing the virtues of great leaders, effusive in their description of men and women who are selfless, humble, empathetic, compassionate, emotionally intelligent and altruistic. Hordes of consultants, university...
Why Lonely Leaders are Bad for Business-How Coaches Can Help
It’s common knowledge that the job of a leader–particularly CEOs– has never been more challenging, as well as under increasing scrutiny. Confidence in business and political leaders is at an all time low. What may not be as appreciated as much is how lonely the position is. While many not be inclined to sympathize with CEOs given their generous compensation and benefits, the negative impact this has on a CEO’s performance and the organization is often overlooked.
Nap your way to higher productivity
What can make you smarter in 30 minutes–or less–costs nothing, and you can do it with your eyes closed? A nap, or as some experts refer to it, a biphasic sleep schedule. This conclusion has been advanced by a number of scientists based on solid research.
How to Bring Mindfulness Into Meetings–10 Tips
Meetings can be far more productive, less stressful and more interesting if they are conducted mindfully. In my work as an executive coach with CEOs, senior executives and managers, the number one complaint is meetings—specifically how they are a waste of time. As...
Why Some People Would Prefer a Robot to a Human Boss
What if your boss was a robot? One with advanced artificial intelligence and human-like physical features, capable of assessing your emotions? And would more robots mean removing the need for human managers? Another science fiction fantasy? Not so, claim some scientists. And what about the moral and ethical questions raised by the use of robots?
9 Tips on How to Have More Mindful Conversations
Leaders can enhance their effectiveness and develop better relationships with employees by having mindful conversations. In my new book, Eye of the Storm: How Mindful Leaders Can Transform Chaotic Workplaces I describe how multiple and increasing demands on...