Articles to inspire
We have written hundreds of articles on topics that we think are helpful for people who want to improve their understanding of workplaces and who want to improve their own and their teams experiences and performance in the world of work.
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Self-Determination Theory (SDT), developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, is one of the most comprehensive and empirically supported frameworks in motivational psychology. It proposes that human beings have three basic psychological needs, autonomy, competence,…
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Self-Determination Theory: Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness at Work
Self-Determination Theory (SDT), developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, is one of the most comprehensive and empirically supported frameworks in motivational psychology. It proposes that human beings have three basic psychological needs, autonomy, competence,…
Making Friends After 30 Is Harder Than It Should Be. Here’s the Science of Why — and How.
Friendship formation depends on three structural conditions identified by researchers: proximity, repeated unplanned interaction, and a setting that encourages candour. Adult life systematically dismantles all three of these conditions, but this can be overcome. Making…
A 90-Minute Walk in Nature Measurably Changes the Brain Region Associated With Depression
Rumination (repetitive, self-focused negative thought) is one of the strongest psychological risk factors for depression and anxiety. A single 90-minute walk in nature significantly reduced both self-reported rumination and neural activity in the subgenual prefrontal…
Proactivity at Work: Beyond Just Taking Initiative
Proactivity at work is a well-researched behavioural construct that involves anticipating future problems, actively shaping one’s environment, and persisting through setbacks without being told to do so. Many organisations claim to value proactive employees, but…
Leadership vs Management: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
Leadership and management are distinct but complementary functions in organisations. Leadership is about direction, vision, and inspiration; management is about coordination, execution, and control. Organisations need both strong leadership and effective management to thrive. Understanding…
Google’s Project Aristotle and Psychological Safety
Project Aristotle was Google’s multi-year research initiative to discover what makes teams effective. They found that how a team worked together mattered far more than who was on it, and they identified psychological safety as…
We Are the Most Connected Generation in History. We Are Also the Loneliest.
We live in the most connected era in human history, yet loneliness is rising, not falling. Technology has created a paradox: we are always connected but more profoundly alone, because digital contact allows us to…
Freytag’s Pyramid: Story Structure for Leaders and Communicators
Gustav Freytag’s five-act dramatic structure, often visualised as a pyramid, shows how stories create and resolve tension. Every Time You Open Your Mouth, You Are Telling a Story Whether you are presenting quarterly results, explaining…