Recent Posts

Holding Inspired Authority

Most parents and leaders do not want to be abusive. As they attempt to avoid that, they often slip into abdication of authority, unaware of a third viable option.

Most parents and leaders do not want to be abusive. As they attempt to avoid that, they often slip into abdication of authority, unaware of a third viable option.

Lessons for Modern Living From Henry David Thoreau

Personal Perspective: Why we should all find time for a walk in the woods.

Personal Perspective: Why we should all find time for a walk in the woods.

Fiction Is Indispensable to Life’s Journey

Changes and challenges will come and go but we will always have the gift of transporting ourselves in time and place through stories.

Changes and challenges will come and go but we will always have the gift of transporting ourselves in time and place through stories.

The Joys of (Creative) Constraint

Writers often think they can enhance creativity by keeping their minds open to all possibilities. Yet it can be effective to limit your options to cut down on overwhelm.

Writers often think they can enhance creativity by keeping their minds open to all possibilities. Yet it can be effective to limit your options to cut down on overwhelm.

“You Got Any Gas?” and Other Questions to Love

When I was a clueless teenager, I cringed when my father asked what seemed like obvious questions. I realized only much later how powerful they could be.

When I was a clueless teenager, I cringed when my father asked what seemed like obvious questions. I realized only much later how powerful they could be.

How Can You Share Your Peak Experiences?

Peak experiences are hard to communicate with everyday words, so a new language is needed.

Peak experiences are hard to communicate with everyday words, so a new language is needed.

When Your Brain Can’t Think, Think Safety First

Your executive function may not work well when your brain feels a threat.

Your executive function may not work well when your brain feels a threat.

The Creativity of Science: How We Discover New Things

A lot of people write about what they see, but scientists have a uniquely effective way to observe the world and develop useful advice.

A lot of people write about what they see, but scientists have a uniquely effective way to observe the world and develop useful advice.

Is Creativity Enough in the Age of AI?

A new study suggests wisdom may guide how creativity is expressed. In the age of AI, cultivating wise creativity may matter more than ever.

A new study suggests wisdom may guide how creativity is expressed. In the age of AI, cultivating wise creativity may matter more than ever.

Is Creativity a Young Person’s Game?

The data suggest that we tend to reach our most productive years in midlife. They also indicate that quality follows from quantity.

The data suggest that we tend to reach our most productive years in midlife. They also indicate that quality follows from quantity.

Zemblanity: When Bad Luck Is Built In

Not all bad luck is random. The concept of zemblanity shows how hidden patterns in our habits, decisions, and systems can quietly shape the setbacks we later call “chance.”

Not all bad luck is random. The concept of zemblanity shows how hidden patterns in our habits, decisions, and systems can quietly shape the setbacks we later call “chance.”

Music in Community Offers Light in Dark Times

I worried I had too little to offer, given the magnitude of bad news. But joined with others, I experienced the power of community to inspire love and hope beyond imagining.

I worried I had too little to offer, given the magnitude of bad news. But joined with others, I experienced the power of community to inspire love and hope beyond imagining.

Ideas We Aren’t Ready to Understand—Yet

Not understanding is not a weakness. It is an opportunity. Instead of cataloguing what you understood, start collecting what you didn’t. In time, lightning may strike you.

Not understanding is not a weakness. It is an opportunity. Instead of cataloguing what you understood, start collecting what you didn’t. In time, lightning may strike you.

Envisioning Retirement: Reinvention, Redefinition, Clarity

How deeply is your identity rooted in your work? Will you work once you retire?

How deeply is your identity rooted in your work? Will you work once you retire?

Art as a Biological Bedrock of Shared Humanity

When we experience music or dance together, our nervous systems synchronize. The performing arts may be one of the last places where collective connection survives.

When we experience music or dance together, our nervous systems synchronize. The performing arts may be one of the last places where collective connection survives.

You Don’t Have to Choose Just One Version of Yourself

The psychology of multiple selves.

The psychology of multiple selves.

Why Most Teams Are Addicted to Problems

Many organizations say they want solutions, but their culture quietly rewards the people who keep problems alive. Here's how to change that.

Many organizations say they want solutions, but their culture quietly rewards the people who keep problems alive. Here's how to change that.

Creative Potential Is Equal; Recognition Is Not

Research shows no gender differences in creative ability, yet disparities persist in opportunities and public praise. What happens between having ideas and receiving recognition?

Research shows no gender differences in creative ability, yet disparities persist in opportunities and public praise. What happens between having ideas and receiving recognition?

Why You Care If I Think You Matter

“Genius Grant” honoree Rebecca Newberger Goldstein talks about her new book on “the mattering instinct,” a concept that’s surprisingly essential to individuals and societies.

“Genius Grant” honoree Rebecca Newberger Goldstein talks about her new book on “the mattering instinct,” a concept that’s surprisingly essential to individuals and societies.

Your Brain, on Legos

How you play with Legos matters more than you may realize.

How you play with Legos matters more than you may realize.

How Creativity Helps the Brain Make Meaning After Disruption

When life ruptures your sense of self, creativity is how the brain rewrites the story. Here's the neuroscience behind why it works.

When life ruptures your sense of self, creativity is how the brain rewrites the story. Here's the neuroscience behind why it works.

Is Pretend Play the Missing Ingredient in Raising Creative Kids?

When children pretend, they are not just playing; they are building the foundation for creative thinking and problem-solving.

When children pretend, they are not just playing; they are building the foundation for creative thinking and problem-solving.

Go Deeper, Learn More

Personal Perspective: For a non-outdoorsy person, even I learned more than I expected on a recent expedition to one of the world's most remote sites.

Personal Perspective: For a non-outdoorsy person, even I learned more than I expected on a recent expedition to one of the world's most remote sites.

Counterproductive Work Behavior and Dark Creativity

Creativity can be used to protect oneself from unrealistic demands in high-pressure organizations.

Creativity can be used to protect oneself from unrealistic demands in high-pressure organizations.

Take a Walk, Think Creatively

Taking a walk can do more than support physical health. It helps spark new ideas and improves mental performance.

Taking a walk can do more than support physical health. It helps spark new ideas and improves mental performance.

Is There Really a Link Between Creativity and Caffeine?

It boosts our desire to solve problems, but may not bring solutions.

It boosts our desire to solve problems, but may not bring solutions.

Imagining From Multiple Perspectives

A great novelist can give your imagination a workout, developing skills you can apply to real situations. The work lies in imagining several characters' sensations at once.

A great novelist can give your imagination a workout, developing skills you can apply to real situations. The work lies in imagining several characters' sensations at once.

Leader Humility Facilitates Innovative Behavior

New research shows humble leaders spark innovation by fostering ownership and meaningful work, suggesting that less ego can prompt employee creativity.

New research shows humble leaders spark innovation by fostering ownership and meaningful work, suggesting that less ego can prompt employee creativity.

4 Signs That Remote Work Isn't for You

Working from home might not actually benefit your productivity.

Working from home might not actually benefit your productivity.

Into the Void With Moby

Grammy Award-nominated artist Moby discusses how music can help us cope with existential dread.

Grammy Award-nominated artist Moby discusses how music can help us cope with existential dread.