The psychological benefits and drawbacks of perfectionism
What did Steve Jobs, Michael Jackson, and Leonardo Da Vinci have in common? Talent aside, they were perfectionists. The same can probably be said about Madonna, Serena Williams, and Gordon Ramsay. Whether it’s in the arts, science, or business, exceptional achievers rarely rely on their talent alone. They also devote themselves fully—and even obsessively—to quality. […]
This is how your Brain judges others’ personalities
Our personalities define us. They’re the sum of what we think, feel, and do in different situations. They’re what make us unique. After about a century of research, personality psychologists now have a good grasp of what distinguishes one personality type from another—things like how extroverted, emotionally stable, ambitious, or inquisitive we are relative to […]
The engagement epidemic: Why it begins and ends with leadership
The topic of employee engagement is ubiquitous in HR conversations from independent professionals to the C-suite. It’s no wonder that companies are taking note. Studies consistently show that employees work more efficiently, are less likely to leave their jobs, and more likely to take pride in their work and that of their company, when they are engaged. […]
Graduate experience vs. Predictive validity
Designing a best practice graduate assessment process is not easy. Numerous factors need to be considered and reconciled. Two of the most important considerations today should be the candidate experience and the predictive validity of the assessment methods used. The candidate experience begins at the application stage, and continues right through to the reference checking […]
Selfie sticks should be banned for massaging our self-obsession
It is just over 100 years since Sigmund Freud’s polemical claim that narcissism is not only a normal, but also an ubiquitous, personality trait. “Loving oneself,” he argued, is the “libidinal complement to the egoism of the instinct of self-preservation”. In other words, we have evolved as selfish animals because our self-love is part of our […]
Gender as an asset and a liability in leadership
Following the September 16th GOP debate and the October 13th Democratic debate, political pundits praised the performance of the two female candidates, Carly Fiorina and Hillary Clinton. An online article published by The Atlantic noted that Carly Fiorina won the GOP debate “largely because she skillfully exploited the thing that is both her biggest liability and, potentially, her biggest […]
Donald trump is proof that authenticity doesn’t make you a better leader
Most people love the idea that authenticity is a key ingredient of effective leadership. They also can’t understand the popularity of Donald Trump, the most authentic politician in the world right now. This creates a considerable cognitive dissonance: are authentic leadership theories wrong, or is The Donald destined to be the greatest president of the […]
The scientific benefits of mind-wandering
Feeling distracted? Suffering from information overload? You’ve probably heard more than once that you need to “get in the zone” and stop juggling so many thoughts at once. To cope with it all, some people try social media sabbaticals, digital detoxes, or spiritual retreats. Others try yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. The assumption, at any rate, is that […]
Decision Maker: The Chess Player
If you’ve ever been in awe of someone who can put aside short-term gains in order to out-maneuver a strategic opponent in the long run, you’re not alone. As an ambitious, impulsive, hedonist who also enjoys a good big picture debate, it’s hard for me to imagine how my own insatiable interest in maximizing gains […]
Why Are Selection Assessments So Scary?
In June, an article in Time magazine delved into the use of assessments in employee selection. It wasn’t the first time the mainstream media has found a story in assessments, and it probably won’t be the last. The article added some interesting thoughts to the ongoing dialogue, providing examples of companies that use assessments and why they […]
