Abraham Maslow, one of the founding fathers of humanistic psychology, taught us that human beings have a higher, transcendent nature, which he visualized most eloquently in his Hierarchy of Human Needs. This simple pyramid gives us a framework from which to understand the essence of...
One of the characteristics of Cult Brands is their unabashed ability to play, as written in the Golden Rule of Fun. Although we’re programmed to think that there’s nothing funny about being an adult, these brands fearlessly turn back the hands of time and enthusiastically...
You take a week off work to deal with a family emergency. When you return, you’re told to contact the Human Resources Department. The voice on the phone is devoid of human feelings. You’re instructed to fax proof to substantiate your absence. What would be...
She’s already fallen in love. Drawn to your charm, courage, and determination, she’s captivated most by your ability to stand hands above the rest. Never has she met anyone as bold and daring as you. You honor and respect her, giving her the freedom to...
As children, we are taught the laws of forgiveness and encouraged to verbalize three simple words that are often the hardest to say, “I am sorry.”No one likes to admit when they’re wrong. It makes us feel vulnerable, exposed, and defenseless. We have a hard...
It has often been said that trust is the critical element of social bonding—the glue that binds relationships. Taking a sociological perspective, Barbara Misztal explains in her book Trust in Modern Societies that trust has three social implications: 1) it makes social life more predictable, 2)...
On the last leg of our summer vacation, my sister and I drove to Vermont to visit the Ben & Jerry’s Factory—a place we dreamed about as kids. As we approached Waterbury, our hearts were filled with childlike wonder and our stomachs eagerly anticipated the...
Greek historian Thycydides aptly noted, “The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage.” Choice is the act of making a decision. But it’s more than that. Choice, by enhancing one’s perception of control and freedom, can increase one’s sense of happiness. The...
You’re running a business meeting. You notice the tone of the meeting begins to escalate. Someone on your team accuses another for not delivering his work by the deadline. A domino effect ensues. People get defensive. Tempers begin to flare. Emotions run off course. Like...
In a “dog-eat-dog world,” you better watch out for your own interests because everyone else is watching out for theirs. You’re taught to guard your back and compete without mercy. In this world, winner takes all. Unfortunately, this type of mentality drives a great portion of...