There are plenty of factors at play, but it’s clear that Santa understands human response and has more than a little science on his side
Have you ever wondered how Santa Claus determined whether to leave you a present or a lump of coal on Christmas? How he knew if you’ve been naughty or nice? I don’t have any hard evidence to back me up, but I’m pretty sure that he must be a first-class lie detector. If so, here…
Incorporating the human touch in communications is what will give businesses the competitive edge in the digital marketplace
Most of us use our cellphones and computers to inform, make requests of and collaborate with co-workers, clients and customers. The digital age has connected people across the world, making e-commerce and global networking a reality. But does this reliance on technology also mean we’re losing the ability to effectively communicate in person? Ulrich Kellerer…
Change managers need to ask difficult questions of themselves before they set out to "shake things up"
A few years ago I read a news story about an executive who had been hired to turn around the fortunes of a business that was on the rocks. The product was bad. Morale was awful. Management appeared to be confused about what to do. And customers were staying away in droves. Clearly, this fellow…
While not foolproof, these tips are strong indicators of possible deception
Here are my tips to help in spotting liars at work. 1. Begin with a baseline Spotting liars begins with observing a person’s baseline behaviour under relaxed or generally stress-free conditions so that you can detect meaningful deviations. One of the strategies that experienced interviewers use is to ask a series of simple questions while…
7 body language tips for making a positive first impression
Two seconds – thirty seconds, tops – that’s all the time it takes to assess your confidence, competence, status, likeability, warmth, and trustworthiness. That’s how much time you have to make a first impression. In fact, it’s impossible for us not to make these snap judgments about one another. Human beings are wired that way.…
Science helps explain our negative reaction to change and also offers insights for helping people deal with it
I've been studying change leadership for over 25 years, but only recently have researchers been able to use technology like functional magnetic resonance imagery (fMRI) to look at the brain and see what actually happens when we're facing a major organizational change. For example: Most of our daily activities including many of our work habits…
Don’t pass up the opportunity to expand your network and build your personal brand
The holiday office party is a wonderful time to mingle with colleagues in a less pressured setting. Which makes it a great time for networking. Never thought of an office party as a networking event? Then you are missing a key opportunity to develop or deepen relationships with co-workers, to personally thank those who have…
Seven powerful ways to make a positive first impression at your next job interview
The interviewer looks up as you enter the room for a job interview. Now count slowly to seven. In that amount of time, you will have been evaluated – and decisions will have been made about your credibility, trustworthiness, confidence and competence. According to research at New York University, you've got just seven seconds to make…
A positive personal "curb appeal" leads to more success in your career
I've learned a few things about selling a house. I know, for instance, that much depends on timing (economic timing as well as the time of year you put the house on the market), and of course the mantra "location, location, location" is still paramount. I've also found out that a property needs "curb appeal."…
If the words don't match the body language, watch out
Your boss is giving advice about dealing with representatives of another company. 'I want to finesse them on this deal,' he says. But as he speaks, he pounds his fist on the desk. You hear what the manager says, but you also see his aggressive gesture. You leave the meeting confused about what the manager…
Leadership depends entirely on how other people in the workplace evaluate you
Leadership presence, that illusive but “we know it when we see it” quality, is a blending of personal and interpersonal skills which, when combined, send all the right signals. It’s how you show up, how you make others feel, and how effectively you communicate both verbally and non-verbally. It's the "wow" factor that sets you…
When asked if it was ever okay to lie at work, most people said 'yes!', but only under certain circumstances
We tell all sorts of lies at work. We flatter, exaggerate, omit, and mislead – primarily to avoid punishment, to make ourselves look better, to control information, or to protect others. Some of our workplace lies trigger feelings of anxiety, guilt, or remorse. But there are other lies that many of us feel justified in…
Our tips to surviving an uncertain future, whether you feel secure or think your job may soon disappear
While we can't control the economy or the other forces of change, we can position ourselves to survive and even thrive in challenging times. Here are a dozen tips to consider, whether you feel secure or think your job may soon disappear: 1. Don't get caught unaware. Too often, workers fail to recognize the early…
Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval reveal that the secret to success lies in showing grit
Louis Pasteur, the French chemist and microbiologist renowned for his discoveries of the principles of vaccination, microbial fermentation and pasteurization, once said, “Let me tell you the secret that has led to achieving my goals: My strength lies solely in my tenacity.” Pasteur would have approved of Grit to Great by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin…
Serotonin and dopamine, produced in your brain by a smile, help to improve your mood
Whenever I give a presentation on the impact of body language in the workplace, I always include a section on the power of a smile. That’s because research shows that facial expressions send feedback from your face to your left frontal cortex, which in turn triggers the release of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine into…