The New Resilience

Better health in an interconnected world.

by Douglas LaBier, Ph.D.

Why Careers and the Workplace Create Emotional Conflicts for Successful Individuals

One of the most poorly understood—though frequently experienced—realities of work and career today is that success often takes an enormous toll on people's emotions and overall lives. It sounds ironic, I know, but it's true. And to the extent it's noticed at all, the downside of success is usually assumed to be understandable stress or work-life balance problems of modern lives. Read More

The End of Mental Health—And Why That's a Good Thing

The idea of mental health—as we know it—has reached a dead end. It doesn't describe much of anything relevant to people's lives today. If you Google "mental health," most of what comes up describes mental illness, not mental health. Read More

Do Romney and Gingrich Display an "Inner Life" Problem?

Liberal and conservative political writers have been commenting on the negative reactions to Romney and Gingrich, despite their being the leading contenders for their party's nomination. But there may be something both share – though in opposite ways: It could be conflicts within the inner life of each, as it drives their outer life personas and behavior. Read More

The Republican Candidates' View of "Success" Is Disconnected From New Realities

After watching the recent Republican debates, last week's New Hampshire primary and the campaigning since then, I'm convinced that the GOP may have put itself on a path to self-destruction. And that's regrettable. Read More

Hoping For Good Sex During The Holidays...But Disappointed? Here's Why!

You might have been looking forward to this holiday season as a time for more exciting sex with your partner. Like many, you might have been hoping that a holiday schedule would create the right atmosphere for some good, maybe even great sex. But, like many, you may feel disappointed that it hasn't happened. And you wonder why. Read More

Why Our Political Culture Looks Insane

The ugly spectacle of political gridlock reflects a political culture best described as insane. It's increasingly disconnected from realities of our current world. We're living in the midst of massive, worldwide transformation towards a highly intertwined and increasingly transparent world. Read More

Does Midlife Feel Like "The Long Slide Home?" Here's Why

That's how a man in his 50s described his life to me not long ago: "It's my long slide home." He was feeling morose, anticipating the long holiday period from Thanksgiving through the New Year and what he knew it would arouse in him. I often see the "holiday blues" strike people during this time of multiple holidays (Hanukkah and Christmas; as well as Ashurah, Bodhi Day, an Read More

Does Your Work Interfere With Your Life? Here's Why

I often hear people tell me that they feel their work is getting in the way of their life. And they're only partly joking. In fact, several recent research studies find that the workplace is pretty unpleasant for many people. Large numbers of men and women are severely stressed or depressed at work, often to the point of being unable to function and becoming sick, emotionally or physically. Read More

Spiritual Similarities Between Steve Jobs and George Harrison: An Adult Awakening

The day Steve Jobs died - Oct. 5 - coincided with HBO's broadcast of the first part of Martin Scorsese's documentary on the life of George Harrison, "Living In The Material World." That conjunction of events brought to mind some interesting parallels between the lives of Jobs and Harrison. Read More

Research Claims That "Nice Guys" Are Less Successful -- But Is That So?

A recent study reported that "nice guys" who are "agreeable" achieve less success in their careers than those who are more rude, dominating, aggressive, hostile and dismissive of others. But is that so? I think the researchers' findings reflect some confusion about the traits and behavior that underlie the most productive and successful careers and companies in today's evolving workplace. Read More

Are Nonprofit Organizations Inherently Dysfunctional?

A large trade association is stung by accusations from staff that it practices racial and sexual bias. Anger and resentment erupt when a senior VP is threatened with a lawsuit.A public interest organization engaged in social justice advocacy is confronted with staff allegations of hostile, abusive management practices. Read More

Baby Boomers at Midlife? Why Your Love Relationship May Not Survive

Whether you're entering a new relationship or hoping to resurrect your existing – but flagging –relationship, the upheavals and changes of midlife can make anyone pretty apprehensive about what lies ahead. Read More

Can You Liberate Yourself From Midlife Fears of Loss, Decline and Stagnation?

Despite the volumes of books and magazine articles advising midlife baby boomers how to prolong or renew their health, happiness and vitality, I continue to hear many of them tell me about feelings of stagnation and loss. Or worse, a sense of being on "a long slide home," as one 50-something person put it.

For example: Read More

The Political Psychology Behind Our National Unraveling

The S&P downgrade of the U.S. credit rating has spawned increased criticism and analysis of President Obama's apparent reluctance -- or inability -- to confront the Republican opposition or push for major investment in infrastructure and jobs. Among the most vocal are Labor Secretary Robert Reich, psychologist Drew Westen, and MSNBC's Chris Matthews. Read More

Does Imagining a Goal Make You Less Likely to Achieve It?

A common theme among self-help teachings and new age spiritual ideas, such as The Secret, is that you have the power within you to make your "dreams" come true by focusing your mental energy, your "intent" on them. Then, they will come to you. But some new research claims that doing so can actually make you less likely to achieve what you wish for. Read More

Dealing With Abusive Bosses and Unhealthy Management Part 2

In my previous post I described how abusive bosses and psychologically unhealthy management harm both employees and business success. And, that such behavior in the workplace is increasingly dysfunctional in today's highly interconnected, interdependent economic and social environment. Read More

The Lowdown On Abusive Bosses And The Unhealthy Workplace - Part 1

"I'll tell you what the real problem is," Ralph told me with a confident smile. "I'm a high-level performer. But most everyone around me - my peers, direct reports, upper management - they're incompetents, jerks, or total idiots. Take your pick." "This company values incompetence," he continued. "That's the real problem. That shows you how screwed-up it is. Read More

Why People Live With "Private Truths" Beneath Their "Public Lies"

Many people live with a contradiction between their private lives and their public behavior, not just politicians and celebrities. Here's why. Read More

Why It's Hard To Find Your "Life Purpose" In Today's World

Many turn to the various books and programs purport to identify their life's purpose, but most come away dissatisfied. No closer than they were before, they identify with Bono's plaintive cry in the U2's song, "I still haven't found what I'm looking for." Read More