This article was originally published by Fast Company. I was recently asked to come speak with a business that was struggling in a down market. “Everything is just really hard right now,” the leader told me. “People are down, and we could use some advice on what to do.” We have all been on both sides of this kind of…
This article originally appeared in Fast Company and was updated on August 23, 2024 to reflect the current news cycle. A teacher cries after being screamed at by a parent who doesn’t approve of the homework assignment. A customer berates a teenage barista for getting an incredibly complicated coffee order wrong. A driver pulls out in front of my…
This article was originally published by Fast Company. I recently had the opportunity for a family vacation in Europe. It was wonderful to see so many remnants of history, experience different cultures, and eat a lot of really good food. Upon returning, I experienced some jet lag. The first day I woke up around 3:00 a.m., tried in vain to…
Hindsight resonates just as profoundly in our personal lives. My companion piece expands on the idea that the way we think about the past can be inaccurate and how longing for “the good old days” can prevent us from seeing the joy available today. This article was originally published by Fast Company. “If I had known how it was…
This article was originally published by Fast Company. In many sports, when coaches evaluate athletes, they are often trying to gauge their reaction times. A reaction time that is only a thousandth of a second faster can be the difference between making the save or allowing the goal. Fast reaction times are useful and even lifesaving in many situations. When…
Who was the best boss you ever had? And why did you like them? I have asked dozens of people these questions. It’s an interesting way to learn about someone and sometimes a good conversation starter. But I have noticed that I almost always get some version of the same answer. The vast majority of people reminisce about a boss…