Mindful Professional Development

Career

How to Handle Difficult People at Work

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on December 29, 2025

What are your assumptions about difficult people you encounter at work? Considering their possible motivations can change your perspective.

What are your assumptions about difficult people you encounter at work? Considering their possible motivations can change your perspective.

Leadership

How Power Creates an Empathy Blind Spot

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on November 24, 2025

It's not in your head: The more power someone has, the harder it is for them to empathize with others. Here's how leaders, and those they lead, can cope with this inherent blind spot.

It's not in your head: The more power someone has, the harder it is for them to empathize with others. Here's how leaders, and those they lead, can cope with this inherent blind spot.

Career

4 Ways We Make Ourselves Miserable at Work

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on October 27, 2025

4. We get drawn into the drama.

4. We get drawn into the drama.

Workplace Dynamics

How Do You Handle Failure at Work?

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on September 22, 2025

Do any of these three unproductive styles of reacting to failure sound familiar? If so, change is possible.

Do any of these three unproductive styles of reacting to failure sound familiar? If so, change is possible.

Workplace Dynamics

Handling Critical Feedback at Work

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on September 9, 2025

Ask yourself these five questions to keep things in perspective and ultimately grow from critical feedback, regardless of its accuracy.

Ask yourself these five questions to keep things in perspective and ultimately grow from critical feedback, regardless of its accuracy.

Workplace Dynamics

4 Kinds of Feedback to Give and Ask for in the Workplace

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on July 29, 2025

Feedback at work is typically corrective. However, there are other kinds of feedback that we should provide and receive to maximize professional development.

Feedback at work is typically corrective. However, there are other kinds of feedback that we should provide and receive to maximize professional development.

Growth Mindset

Is Your Mindset Getting in the Way of Thriving at Work?

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on June 9, 2025

A growth mindset leads to success, and some people seem to possess one without much effort. Fortunately for the rest of us, there are practices that facilitate a growth mindset.

A growth mindset leads to success, and some people seem to possess one without much effort. Fortunately for the rest of us, there are practices that facilitate a growth mindset.

Time Management

Do You Have Too Much to Do at Work?

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on May 15, 2025

Feeling chronically overwhelmed at work? Completing your to-do list may be an attractive but impossible goal. Instead, try a different mindset.

Feeling chronically overwhelmed at work? Completing your to-do list may be an attractive but impossible goal. Instead, try a different mindset.

Workplace Dynamics

How Are You Viewed by Others at Work?

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on April 14, 2025

Chances are, people view you differently at work than you assume they do. Understanding the psychology of impression formation helps you ensure that people see you accurately.

Chances are, people view you differently at work than you assume they do. Understanding the psychology of impression formation helps you ensure that people see you accurately.

Burnout

Battle Burnout: 6 Practices to Promote Resilience at Work

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on February 23, 2025

Burnout from chronic stress, characterized by exhaustion and disengagement, is a risk in all occupations. Fortunately, these practices build resilience to help prevent burnout.

Burnout from chronic stress, characterized by exhaustion and disengagement, is a risk in all occupations. Fortunately, these practices build resilience to help prevent burnout.

Workplace Dynamics

The Psychology of Work Email

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on February 17, 2025

Are your email messages as effective as they could be? Try these six tips for creating more effective email communication at work.

Are your email messages as effective as they could be? Try these six tips for creating more effective email communication at work.

Habit Formation

5 Ways to Establish New Habits

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on January 14, 2025

Establishing new habits is never easy, but the 5 simple but powerful methods from psychology described here can help slant the odds toward your success.

Establishing new habits is never easy, but the 5 simple but powerful methods from psychology described here can help slant the odds toward your success.

Mindfulness

Lower Stress by Practicing Mindfulness at Work

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on December 2, 2024

Practicing mindfulness has been shown to lower stress and improve concentration and memory. Learn how to practice during the course of your daily work without requiring more time.

Practicing mindfulness has been shown to lower stress and improve concentration and memory. Learn how to practice during the course of your daily work without requiring more time.

Workplace Dynamics

5 Steps for Handling a Difficult Conversation With a Coworker

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on October 21, 2024

Sometimes difficult conversations are necessary at work. Follow this 5-step structure to help ensure a successful and lasting resolution.

Sometimes difficult conversations are necessary at work. Follow this 5-step structure to help ensure a successful and lasting resolution.

Career

5 Phrases that May Undermine Your Reputation at Work

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on October 7, 2024

Are you using common phrases that may facilitate the development of a negative reputation at work? Here are five such phrases to consider, along with their alternatives.

Are you using common phrases that may facilitate the development of a negative reputation at work? Here are five such phrases to consider, along with their alternatives.

Self-Control

5 Ways to Build Greater Self-Discipline

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on September 17, 2024

Is self-discipline at work sometimes a struggle? Research in psychology points to several practices for bolstering self-control.

Is self-discipline at work sometimes a struggle? Research in psychology points to several practices for bolstering self-control.

Trust

Four Types of Trust at Work

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on August 12, 2024

There is just one word for trust, yet numerous ways to trust or distrust someone. Learn these four types of trust in the workplace to more effectively remedy problems with trust.

There is just one word for trust, yet numerous ways to trust or distrust someone. Learn these four types of trust in the workplace to more effectively remedy problems with trust.

Career

Is There an Accountability Problem Where You Work?

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on July 9, 2024

You've likely experienced frustration from unfairness in accountability at work. Here are some suggestions for handling those situations, depending on how they affect you.

You've likely experienced frustration from unfairness in accountability at work. Here are some suggestions for handling those situations, depending on how they affect you.

Workplace Dynamics

3 Ways Co-Workers Might Try to Pull You Into Their Drama

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on July 8, 2024

2. Playing a game of "Look what you made me do!"

2. Playing a game of "Look what you made me do!"

Workplace Dynamics

The 5 C's of a Psychologically Healthy Workplace

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on June 17, 2024

Imagine working in a place described by these five components of a healthy work setting. How close is your current work culture?

Imagine working in a place described by these five components of a healthy work setting. How close is your current work culture?