The greatest of leaders are visionaries. They have a vision for the future of their organizations and effectively communicate that vision to their followers which inspires the followers’ commitment to make the vision a reality. Prior studies have shown that visionary leadership fosters high levels of employee performance and engagement, and reduces the likelihood that […]
Since the time of Aristotle, philosophers have been debating the characteristics of a “good life,” that is, the characteristics of a life that would be most desirable to people. Over time, these debates have led to multiple theories of well-being a concept relevant to leadership today as the best leaders recognize the importance of well-being […]
One of the prized attributes of successful leaders today is “authenticity.” Research has shown that leaders who are perceived as honest and genuine and remain true to themselves positively impact the well-being of their employees, inspiring them to trust the organization, work harder, and perform at a higher level. In their quest for power and […]
While the impact on employee behaviour of prosocial preferences the desire to care about others and avoid harming them is well-documented, little research has been conducted on the impact of prosocial behaviour on managerial behaviour. A study from Columbia University reveals that prosocial preferences can influence the strategic decisions of business leaders and owners (summarized […]
A wide-ranging overview of related psychological studies reveals that, without exception, bad has a greater impact than good, no matter the context. Here is some of the evidence presented by the researchers: Reacting to Events: Studies demonstrate that a major negative event has a lasting impact on an individual; a major positive event results in […]
After we have finished a compelling book or a film, the narrative of the story will linger in our minds. This lingering is involuntary: we do not choose or decide to think about the story. Emotional experiences and social interactions, research has shown, have the same lingering impact after their occurrence. A study by a […]
One often-overlooked element of an organization’s success is sharing of advice— information with guidance or recommendations. Advice is clearly beneficial to the individuals receiving the advice, who can use it and learn from it, and thus improve their performance; as such, advice is also clearly beneficial to the organization’s performance as whole. Yet many employees […]
Business projects, opportunities, or endeavours typically involve conjunctive risk—that is, the endeavour will succeed only if multiple, uncertain events occur. If just one of these required events fail to occur, the endeavour fails. For example, the success of a new product might depend on new technology and successful marketing. A technologically amazing product for which […]
Often treated as a joke or as a facetious explanation for unexpected behavior, the mid-life crisis is in fact real, according to a detailed report from a global team of researchers, and it is impacting the health and wellness of employees and business leaders in the most affluent countries. The research team reviewed numerous statistics […]
When we find ourselves in social situations that are unfamiliar, unsettling, or confusing, our tendency is not to react immediately, but rather to take a moment and think about what we want to do or say—that is, we appraise the situation to determine the appropriate behaviour in which to engage. As we appraise the situation, […]