As early as in 1920, Edward Thorndike demonstrated that we tend to attribute characteristics to a person based on just one character trait. And because we want to prove we’ve made the right judgement, in all our interactions with this person we are constantly looking for ‘evidence’ that shows that we are … Read full story
Stop attending training courses that don’t produce any results. The kind of courses where you spend the whole day sitting at a U-shaped table, with the trainer overwhelming you with his knowledge and insights, accompanied by stunning graphics, wonderful films and spicy one-liners, and where you take down notes on the deluxe … Read full story
Seeing a butterfly struggling to emerge from its cocoon, a man decides to lend it a hand. He takes a pair of scissors and very carefully he cuts the cocoon open. Now the butterfly can move freely and fly away – he thinks. But that’s not what happens at all! The butterfly … Read full story
In my previous article, I outlined a number of insights about happiness that feature in Sonja Lyubomirski’s book ‘The How of Happiness’. Today’s article expands on this topic, describing 12 strategies she has derived from scientific research that, when implemented correctly, will make us feel happier. You will notice that what they … Read full story
How do you become genuinely and enduringly happy? Sonja Lyubomirsky, a highly respected researcher in the field of Positive Psychology, has analysed numerous hypotheses proposed by researchers of happiness, and her new book ‘The How of Happiness’ includes all the theories that have been scientifically tested. ‘The scientific world isn’t perfect, but … Read full story
As part of training sessions and/or coaching trajectories, there are many options available to help your students to implement their newly acquired knowledge in practice. One of those options is to work with a Role Play actor. This gives students “in-the-moment” experience of the impact of existing and/or effective behaviour. And it … Read full story
For years now, organisations have been under increasing pressure to improve performance while making use of fewer resources. Measures to cut costs and streamline processes have been implemented and methods of collaboration have become more effective and efficient. And so now we have organisations with flatter structures, which are being run increasingly … Read full story
What do you do when the long-standing collaboration with your business partner suddenly takes a turn for the worst? When you find your trust is being abused and you are forced into the role of an ‘outsider’. How do you respond in such a situation? Is there any future in such a … Read full story
Are you feeling a little down or depressed? Would you describe your child as being lively or is he/she suffering from AHDH? At what point does feeling sad become a disease that has to be treated? And does that treatment consist of medicine or cognitive therapy? Is a psychological disorder genetically determined … Read full story
An essential skill possessed by today’s leaders is the ability to show empathy, which is why many training and coaching trajectories devote a lot of attention to developing this capacity. This sounds logical, but which form of empathy do we actually need to develop? According to Paul Ekman, an expert in the … Read full story
