Ask for Feedback at Work—It’s More Valuable Than Praise

A professional man and woman having a serious discussion in a conference room illustrates asking for feedback at work

Why do some professionals avoid asking for feedback? What’s the difference between seeking validation and pursuing genuine improvement? Getting better at your job requires more than just collecting compliments. Asking for feedback at work—and actually using it—can transform your career growth. Impact players understand this distinction and actively seek constructive criticism to enhance their performance. Keep reading to discover practical strategies for requesting, receiving, and implementing feedback that will accelerate your professional development.

Shameless Behavior Is an Attempt to Rid Ourselves of Shame

A man with curly brown hair and glasses talking loudly in a restaurant illustrates shameless behavior

Why do people who feel deep shame often act shamelessly? What drives someone to develop behaviors that seem to contradict their inner feelings? Understanding shameless behavior helps unlock the complex relationship between shame and our coping mechanisms. When we feel ashamed, we might develop strategies to either fix perceived flaws or shift our uncomfortable feelings onto others. Keep reading to discover how perfectionism, power-seeking, and blame-shifting all connect to our deeper struggles with shame.

How to Change Employee Behavior: 3 Factors to Target

A manager attempting to change employee behavior by talking to her with a clipboard of notes in her hand

How can you change unwanted employee behavior? What types of behaviors should managers target? The first step of Aubrey C. Daniels’s management approach is to identify the desired behavior by clearly defining your objective. The objective may be to solve a problem, like frequently missed deadlines, or achieve a goal, like heightened productivity. Keep reading to learn how to change employees’s behavior by identifying what you want out of them first.

Why Hiding Your Emotions Will Hurt Your Relationships

A cartoon image of a father, daughter, and mother at a dinner table. The father has a bland expression because he's hiding his emotions

Do you often hide your emotions and feelings from others? Why should you start opening up to your loved ones? One of the top regrets of the dying is that they weren’t more open about their feelings. When you try to hide your emotions from others, you’re not allowing them to know the true you. Here’s why you should be more open with your friends and family, from the book The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.

How to Encourage Employees With Consequences

A manager who knows how to encourage employees by clapping for them

Do you need new motivational techniques for employees? Is positive or negative reinforcement better for encouragement? According to Aubrey C. Daniels, people tend to repeat behaviors that lead to positive consequences while avoiding those that have negative consequences. This means you can leverage consequences to reinforce desired behaviors and deter undesired behaviors. Here’s how to encourage employees with two types of behavioral consequences.

You Should Make an Effort Not to Lose Touch With Friends

A middle aged woman on her couch looking through an old photo album because she has lost touch with her childhood friends

Have you lost touch with your friends? Why should you try to maintain your friendships? In her book The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, one common deathbed regret that patients expressed was that they didn’t make an effort to maintain their friendships. While family feel obligated to visit you, real friends are invaluable in life. Here’s why you should put in effort to keep your friends.

Cues: Book Overview & Key Takeaways (Vanessa Van Edwards)

A woman with long red hair and a buttoned chambray shirt reading a book

Is charisma something you’re born with, or can it be learned? What’s the secret to becoming more influential and respected in your personal and professional lives? Cues, a book by Vanessa Van Edwards, contends that anyone can boost their charisma by understanding and strategically using verbal and nonverbal cues. She explains that charisma is a balance of warmth and competence, which we can project through our words, body language, and personal branding. Continue reading for an overview of this practical book.

Positive Reinforcement for Employees: Rewarding Motivation

A manager in a suit giving a thumbs up as positive reinforcement for employees

What are the two kinds of positive reinforcement for employees? What are the benefits of positive reinforcement? Positive reinforcement is a motivational technique that works by tying desired behaviors to positive outcomes, thereby increasing the likelihood they’ll be repeated. Aubrey C. Daniels asserts that positive reinforcement is the only way to promote discretionary effort. Read below to learn more about why positive reinforcement garners the best results.

How Charismatic Communication Works (Vanessa Van Edwards)

Two men and two women engaging in charismatic communication in a cafe

How good are you at perceiving and sending verbal and nonverbal cues? What role do cues play in charismatic communication? Communications expert and best-selling author Vanessa Van Edwards’s theory suggests that understanding and strategically using warmth and competence cues can enhance your charisma. The cycle of charismatic communication involves perceiving, absorbing, and conveying cues. Continue reading to understand how mastering these cues can transform your interactions and draw people to you.

How to Show Warmth: 15 Tips From Vanessa Van Edwards

A woman leaning in and smiling while she listens to another woman talk to her illustrates how to show warmth

Would others consider you to be a warm person? What are the secrets to projecting warmth in your interactions? Charisma—a powerful tool in both personal and professional relationships—is a blend of warmth and competence that can be learned and improved. Communications expert Vanessa Van Edwards shares her advice on how to show warmth through verbal cues, body language, and even virtual communication. Keep reading to get practical tips that can transform your interactions and increase your personal magnetism.