Why aren’t more women in the boardrooms of major corporations? Why don’t more African-Americans work in the burgeoning tech industries? When asked, companies often claim a lack of qualified candidates. However, many of these companies might consider the lesson that orchestras across the nation learned in decades past. Prior to the 1970s, 95% of orchestra members were white men. Orchestras […]
Employees list time off as second only to health care as a desirable employment benefit. The research on the benefits of time off couldn’t be clearer. Vacation time is associated with better mood, higher life satisfaction and better health. It has been estimated that workplace-related stress is responsible for $190 billion dollars in health care spending, and contributes to 120,000 […]
It doesn’t sound groundbreaking to say we humans are happier when we have friends. But it’s more than just happiness. Research finds that people with more friends also live longer. Why? Humans have a “need to belong”, which is comparable to our needs for rest, food, and water. Our brains are so wired to prioritize social connection, so much so […]
When new hires don’t hang around long enough to justify the time, resources, and money put into hiring and onboarding them, it’s both frustrating and expensive for the company they leave. To make matters even worse, having a high level of turnover company-wide is associated with decreased customer satisfaction, productivity and profitability. How can you decrease turnover rates? Keep employees […]
Ever heard the expression “don’t shoot the messenger”? It exists for a reason. Research has shown that no one likes the bearer of bad news. But, like it or not, managers do sometimes have to deliver negative feedback to their subordinates. So, how can managers give negative feedback without the blowback? The Psychology of Self-Affirmation can provide some important insights […]