Science Confirms It: Your Crappy Boss Is Making You Unhappy
A boss’s technical competence is inextricably linked to workers’ well-being. Here, seven key insights from a new working paper. There’s plenty of evidence out there to confirm the old adage that a...
View ArticleThe Science Of Politely Ending A Conversation
Research-based tips on finding a delicate way to part ways. In business, finding a polite way to break off a conversation is as tricky as it is critical. Time is money, so you don’t want to chit-chat...
View ArticleHow A Forgetful Mind Can Be A More Creative Mind
Inhibiting old ideas may have an “essential role” in developing new ones. One of the best ways to get the creative juices flowing is to take a break from trying to get the creative juices flowing. By...
View ArticleWould A Shorter Work Week Really Make Employees Happier?
Oddly enough, it didn’t in Korea. If your boss asked you out of the blue whether you’d like to work about five fewer hours a week for the same pay, your response would no doubt be something along the...
View ArticleThe Biased Way Leaders Delegate Power
A new study documents yet another hidden barrier to workplace equality. You’ve probably heard the statistics on how under-represented women and minority leaders are in American business, but they bear...
View ArticleThis Addictive Game Could Save You Money On Your Next Utility Bill
It worked for some PG&E households in California. If you’re looking to waste some time today—and since you’re reading this column, that’s a pretty safe bet—check out the online strategy game Power...
View ArticleA Scientific Ranking Of The Sexiest Types Of Creativity
What’s hotter, playing in a band or building websites? Science weighs in. Read Full Story
View ArticleAre We Designing Nutrition Labels All Wrong?
One recent study says yes—and offers a better way forward. Nutrition labels have the best of intentions—to keep us healthy—but they sure don’t have the clearest of formats. Four in 10 North Americans...
View ArticleHow Impulsiveness Can Boost Your Creativity
The key may lie in a belief that slightly negative traits have silver linings. Everyone who’s ever prepared for a job interview knows how to turn a personal weakness into a character strength. The...
View ArticleWhy Our Brains Love High Ceilings
Not just for bragging rights. One of the first things a realtor will point out to prospective home buyers or apartment tenants is a high ceiling. To many of us, anything above the standard eight-foot...
View ArticleProcrastination Is Literally Killing You
“I’ll just read this article a little later.” It’s bad enough that procrastination can ruin your work day—an earful from the boss for blowing a deadline, say, or just a later evening at the office than...
View ArticleEverything Science Knows Right Now About Standing Desks
Which active desk designs are best for your body and mind? Read on. If it wasn’t already clear through common sense, it’s become painfully clear through science that sitting all day is terrible for...
View ArticleMorning People Vs. Night Owls: 9 Insights Backed By Science
Night owls are drunker, smarter, and get more booty–but morning types may be happier. Chances are you already know whether you’re a morning person or a night person (and if you don’t, just ask your...
View ArticleWhy Do We Like Brands As Much As We Like People?
And sometimes even more… We’ve all done it: used the L-word in reference to a certain favorite brand. The common assumption is when we say “I love Coke” (or whatever product we fancy), we’re using love...
View ArticleWhy Offices Full Of Ping-Pong Tables And Video Games Might Be Onto Something
New research suggests that how old you feel has a bigger impact on your productivity than how old you are. Playground offices FTW! The wow-factor has faded for startup offices with playground-style...
View ArticleThe Dark Side Of Taking Credit For Your Work
Being territorial over ideas can corrupt creativity, so play nice! Your professional livelihood depends on it. The battle between collaboration and credit in the workplace is an awkward one. On one...
View ArticleIs Your E-Signature Making You A Liar?
It just might be, according to this clever series of tests, unless designers have a say. The days of the majestic handwritten signature are pretty much done. The IRS encourages taxpayers to file their...
View ArticleHow To Take The Most Refreshing Work Break: 7 Evidence-Backed Insights
For one thing, don’t fear the micro-break. If you’re an average worker, you take a few minutes every hour to accomplish something besides what you’re paid to do. This was true long before cat GIFs and...
View ArticleStudy: Shared Office Coffee Machines Are As Gross As You’d Think
Assuming you don’t love rapid bacterial colonization. If you work in an office and use the communal coffee maker, chances are you’ve had the following thought at some point or other: Who cleans that...
View ArticleHard Work Is Overrated
People say they love hard workers but they really love natural talent–a bias with troubling implications when it comes to hiring. In his 2016 State of the Union address, President Obama spoke of the...
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