Your Brain at Work

Creativity

Unlocking the Cognitive Benefits of Play

David Rock Ph.D. on August 11, 2022

Play isn’t just a way to relax and unwind during leisure time. Studies show that play is also a powerful way to increase employee creativity, innovation, and engagement.

Play isn’t just a way to relax and unwind during leisure time. Studies show that play is also a powerful way to increase employee creativity, innovation, and engagement.

Empathy

Feeling Disconnected at Work? Neuroscience Can Help

David Rock Ph.D. on May 10, 2022

The social connections we need most right now are hard to get right at work. Understanding the neuroscience of empathy can help.

The social connections we need most right now are hard to get right at work. Understanding the neuroscience of empathy can help.

Leadership

4 Leadership Trends to Watch in 2022

David Rock Ph.D. on January 18, 2022

Leaders need to stop hoping the COVID crisis will be over soon and instead activate what’s known as the Stockdale Paradox.

Leaders need to stop hoping the COVID crisis will be over soon and instead activate what’s known as the Stockdale Paradox.

Empathy

Stop Telling Managers to Be Empathetic, Try This Instead

David Rock Ph.D. on December 10, 2021

When a leader is successful in recognizing a person's distress, taking their perspective, and responding with action, the result is that both people’s brains receive reward signals.

When a leader is successful in recognizing a person's distress, taking their perspective, and responding with action, the result is that both people’s brains receive reward signals.

Career

One Controversial Idea That Could Fix the Flaws in Hybrid Work

David Rock Ph.D. on August 12, 2021

If you have even one person who works remotely, you should design meetings and the general culture around everyone being virtual.

If you have even one person who works remotely, you should design meetings and the general culture around everyone being virtual.

Environment

Why Diverse Teams Outperform Homogeneous Teams

David Rock Ph.D. on June 4, 2021

Decades of research have demonstrated that diverse teams tend to be smarter and more creative than homogeneous teams. Understanding why can help us focus diversity efforts and drive more meaningful change.

Decades of research have demonstrated that diverse teams tend to be smarter and more creative than homogeneous teams. Understanding why can help us focus diversity efforts and drive more meaningful change.

Career

Why This Spring Could Be a "Human Spring"

David Rock Ph.D. on May 25, 2021

We have an amazing, if fleeting, chance to create a better normal. Here's how we can make the most of it.

We have an amazing, if fleeting, chance to create a better normal. Here's how we can make the most of it.

Neuroscience

3 Cognitive Barriers to Allyship and How to Overcome Them

David Rock Ph.D. on April 15, 2021

Allyship could drive enormous change in organizations. Here's what's holding us back, and how to overcome it.

Allyship could drive enormous change in organizations. Here's what's holding us back, and how to overcome it.

Leadership

What Leadership Needs to Look Like in 2035

David Rock Ph.D. on April 8, 2021

Leadership needs a grand commitment; a vision for the future. Leaders can set themselves apart, and ahead, by embracing these truths and building these skills.

Leadership needs a grand commitment; a vision for the future. Leaders can set themselves apart, and ahead, by embracing these truths and building these skills.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

COVID’s First Birthday: What We've Learned

David Rock Ph.D. on March 25, 2021

What we've learned about organizational changes, culture shifts, and most importantly, brain science one year into the pandemic.

What we've learned about organizational changes, culture shifts, and most importantly, brain science one year into the pandemic.

Career

3 Ways to Hack Your Calendar for Better Focus

David Rock Ph.D. on January 8, 2021

We're busier than ever, but less able to get our own work done. Here's how science says we can make the most of our days.

We're busier than ever, but less able to get our own work done. Here's how science says we can make the most of our days.

Education

How to Make Virtual Learning Better Than In-Person Learning

David Rock Ph.D. on October 9, 2020

With so much in flux and many employees working from home, now is the time to leverage the moment and make virtual learning more effective. Here's how.

With so much in flux and many employees working from home, now is the time to leverage the moment and make virtual learning more effective. Here's how.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Follow the Science of Culture Change to Transform Diversity and Inclusion

David Rock Ph.D. on July 14, 2020

Many organizations are taking a renewed—or perhaps unprecedented—interest in reshaping their D&I efforts. Let's make sure we follow the underlying science to create real change.

Many organizations are taking a renewed—or perhaps unprecedented—interest in reshaping their D&I efforts. Let's make sure we follow the underlying science to create real change.

Leadership

Leaders Need to Listen Deeply, Unite Widely, Act Boldly

David Rock Ph.D. on June 25, 2020

For leaders everywhere, it’s time to listen deeply, unite widely, and act boldly. It’s time to lead.

For leaders everywhere, it’s time to listen deeply, unite widely, and act boldly. It’s time to lead.

Career

The Framework All Leaders Need to Build a Better Normal

David Rock Ph.D. on June 5, 2020

Forget the "new normal." Here's how to build the *better normal" in your organization.

Forget the "new normal." Here's how to build the *better normal" in your organization.

Career

The Science of Virtual Work

David Rock Ph.D. on April 8, 2020

Here are 3 things we tend to get wrong about virtual work—and how to get them right—across organizations of any size.

Here are 3 things we tend to get wrong about virtual work—and how to get them right—across organizations of any size.

Leadership

5 Ways Science Shows Us How To Work Better Virtually

David Rock Ph.D. on March 9, 2020

As remote work becomes increasingly necessary, here are five science-backed tips to make it more brain-friendly, inclusive, and productive.

As remote work becomes increasingly necessary, here are five science-backed tips to make it more brain-friendly, inclusive, and productive.

Career

The NLI Interview: Soledad O’Brien

David Rock Ph.D. on December 18, 2019

Soledad O'Brien and I discuss the power of storytelling to create connections and foster inclusion.

Soledad O'Brien and I discuss the power of storytelling to create connections and foster inclusion.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

The Fastest Way to Change a Culture

David Rock Ph.D. on June 25, 2019

Leaders rely on any number of theories to change their cultures. But without a strict focus on the science of habit formation, it's often hard to make things truly stick.

Leaders rely on any number of theories to change their cultures. But without a strict focus on the science of habit formation, it's often hard to make things truly stick.

Career

How to Have Conversations That Make Employees Stay

David Rock Ph.D. on May 2, 2019

Improve workplace interactions and engagement in three steps.

Improve workplace interactions and engagement in three steps.