Emotional Intelligence

Many people think that praising others is a sign of weakness or insecurity. They believe that they should focus on their own achievements and ignore the efforts of others. However, this mindset is not only selfish, but also counterproductive. In this article, you will learn how rewarding others’ effort can benefit you in many ways. You will discover how to motivate someone to strive for excellence, how to encourage someone after failure, and how to foster a positive and supportive environment. By applying these principles, you will not only help others grow, but also enhance your own skills and confidence.

Exercises in improving our own cognitive abilities often neglect a focus on how we interpret, and react to, others’ lapses in thinking. In attempting to become a better thinker – therefore improving productivity, relationships, and performance – we may become more sensitive to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in information and processes we come across day-to-day.

As popularized by Dale Carnegie in the book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” the word “but” is a powerful killer of morale. Have you ever been listening to someone talk and just waiting for the “but” in their statement? A common tactic of telling people the truth is to mask the harsh truth with … Read more

A mix of nervousness, shock, and a ramped-up level of self analysis can culminate into an ill advised reaction when meeting someone famous. You’ve likely visualized yourself being in a position of interacting with famous people. Simulating our own personal interactions with those we see on screens is a test of our ability to keep up … Read more

Some people have a hard time saying no to others, especially when they are in need. They may offer their help out of kindness, generosity, or compassion. But what happens when their kindness is taken for granted? When the person they help starts using them for their own benefit? When they exploit their kind nature and always ask for more? This article explores the phenomenon of exploiting favors and the negative consequences it can have for both parties. It also provides some tips on how to avoid falling into this trap and how to respect the boundaries of those who help you. Exploiting favors is not only unethical, but also harmful to your relationships and reputation. Learn why you should not exploit the kindness of others and how to appreciate their help instead.

You’ve likely witnessed a few glimpses of human sympathy peak through monotonous and systemic travel processes. The act of commercialized travel is – appropriately – a computerized, calculated, and meticulously managed one. For someone who may be a fan of a more professional, controlled, travel process, acts of randomness are often a nuisance.  The efficient, … Read more

One of the better feelings in life is being remembered in seemingly minute aspects of it. Waking up to an already hot pot of coffee on the kitchen counter is one of those feelings. We feel a communal sense of warmth when the people who experience life before us remember that we’ll be traveling down the same … Read more

One of the most important skills in interpersonal communication is the ability to read people. Reading people means understanding their emotions, motivations, preferences, and boundaries. Knowing what others value can help you build rapport, influence decisions, and avoid conflicts. Knowing what topics are off-limits can prevent you from offending others or hurting their feelings. Offending others can damage your reputation, relationships, and opportunities. In this article, you will learn some techniques for reading people based on their verbal and non-verbal cues, their personality traits, and their cultural background. You will also discover how to apply these techniques in different situations and contexts.

Being forced to listen to something you don’t want to be listening to is a good way for you to either lose patience or practice increasing it. A crying baby on a long flight is one of those moments which forces us to listen to something we don’t want to be listening to. The ear … Read more

Some magicians are willing to reveal the secrets behind their tricks, while others guard them jealously. But what makes a magician who admits to magic not being real more interesting than one who doesn’t? In this article, you will discover how these magicians challenge the expectations of their audiences and themselves, and how they deal with the consequences of separating them from what they care most about: the illusion of magic. You will also learn how their approach to magic reflects their attitude towards life, and why they don’t like those who distract us from what really matters. By the end of this article, you will have a new perspective on the art of magic and the people who practice it.