I can honestly say that writing this blog is the best part of my job. As an editor, I spend much of my time tinkering about with other people’s words to make sure that they’re true to the Mind Tools style. But the blog is my time to write, and a chance to bring a […]
All Posts, Career Skills, Creativity, Decision Making, Learning Skills, Problem Solving
Picture the scene... I'm standing on a table in a conference room, arms wrapped around myself, eyes closed. Someone is holding me firmly by the shoulders, tipping me forward. A small group of colleagues (or, should I say, former colleagues) are gathered around me. "Now, just let yourself fall," says my captor. "Trust your team […]
All Posts, Communication, Creativity, Decision Making, Problem Solving, Team Management
Ask Dr Bob Tobin where he lives and he'll tell you "heaven." That’s Japan, to you and me. Tobin moved there from California, where he had what looked like a great life - a house by the beach, a good consulting practice, a BMW - but which, in reality, wasn't so great. "I didn't really […]
We’ve all heard of “bring your child to work” days, but have you ever thought about bringing your parents to work? Yesterday, I discovered an initiative called LinkedIn Bring in Your Parents day, which was encouraging businesses all over the world to invite their employees to do just that. But when I shared the post […]
All Posts, Career Skills, Communication, Creativity, Team Management
Are you a science fiction fan? I love a futuristic tale as much as the next person, but some of my favourite dystopian sci-fi movies are starting to feel a little too realistic these days. The problem is that people are inherently inefficient. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, man has been using technology to make […]
Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. Lewis Caroll Memory is a funny thing. I learned this rhyme when I was a school girl and I can still quote it at will, decades later. But do you think I […]
What drives you to do remarkable things? The answer came to me early yesterday morning, while sitting in my minivan, in a remote part of the Sussex countryside. It was still dark outside, and the van rocked on its axles as the rain lashed against the sides, carried on heavy gusts of a chilly autumn […]
All Posts, Creativity, Problem Solving, Stress, Team Management
Do you try to leave your emotions at the door when you go to work? You may squirm when people express their feelings openly, but, according to Jackie Barretta, author of "Primal Teams," emotions are what connect and motivate people. Acknowledging them is a good way to harness their power, and can even transform your […]
All Posts, Communication, Creativity, Expert Interview, Team Management
Storytelling is a very useful skill when it comes to communicating ideas. Here at Mind Tools, we’ve talked to a lot of storytelling experts, including Ty Montague, Paul Smith and Annette Simmons. It was great to hear Bill McGowan's contribution to this rich vein of advice. For him, every story should have three components: the setup, […]
Brands like Zappos®, Amazon® and Apple® are household names. As such, they enjoy the kind of exposure, respect, and recognition that other brands only dream about. So, what do these companies do to stand out from the crowd? According to Denise Lee Yohn, author of "What Great Brands Do," the world's biggest brands consistently implement […]
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