HappyBytes

Happiness

The Happy-Productive Worker Hypothesis: Factor or Fallacy?

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on April 24, 2024

Discover the surprising truth behind the "happy-productive worker" fallacy and learn how to navigate the complex relationship between happiness and performance in the workplace.

Discover the surprising truth behind the "happy-productive worker" fallacy and learn how to navigate the complex relationship between happiness and performance in the workplace.

Workplace Dynamics

Surprising Ways Different Cultures Want to Be Appreciated

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on April 17, 2024

New research uncovers the cultural differences in how employees want to be appreciated. Discover the secrets to tailoring your recognition strategy for diverse populations.

New research uncovers the cultural differences in how employees want to be appreciated. Discover the secrets to tailoring your recognition strategy for diverse populations.

Workplace Dynamics

Thriving Workforces Use the Appreciative Feedback Model

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on April 10, 2024

Retaining top talent and cultivating a thriving workplace culture is hard. Appreciative feedback can boost engagement and retention.

Retaining top talent and cultivating a thriving workplace culture is hard. Appreciative feedback can boost engagement and retention.

Workplace Dynamics

Why Do Employee Engagement Initiatives Fail?

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on March 29, 2024

Are your employee engagement efforts falling short? Discover how to break free from outdated approaches, drive meaningful change, and boost organizational success.

Are your employee engagement efforts falling short? Discover how to break free from outdated approaches, drive meaningful change, and boost organizational success.

Artificial Intelligence

The 10 Skills Psychologists Need to Thrive in the Age of AI

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on March 20, 2024

Will algorithms take over the job of the psychologist? In a sense, yes. The latest studies show us the skills needed for psychologists to thrive in the age of AI.

Will algorithms take over the job of the psychologist? In a sense, yes. The latest studies show us the skills needed for psychologists to thrive in the age of AI.

Career

Do Employee Wellbeing Programs Improve Mental Health?

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on March 12, 2024

A study finds that employee wellbeing programs don't improve mental health. Discover how these may cause harm, why they don't work and what organisations can do about it.

A study finds that employee wellbeing programs don't improve mental health. Discover how these may cause harm, why they don't work and what organisations can do about it.

Workplace Dynamics

The Employee Engagement-Performance Myth

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on March 11, 2024

Why do companies obsess over employee engagement when there is little evidence showing it improves financial performance?

Why do companies obsess over employee engagement when there is little evidence showing it improves financial performance?

Depression

Why It Can Be Harder for Some Depressed People to Get Better

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on January 15, 2024

We explore the genetic/biological, environmental/situational, and personal factors that trap some in cycles of depression.

We explore the genetic/biological, environmental/situational, and personal factors that trap some in cycles of depression.

Artificial Intelligence

How Will AI Revolutionize Talent Assessments In 2024?

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on December 18, 2023

How will AI disrupt the talent assessment and development value chain in 2024? Let's explore the 14 AI-related talent assessment trends to look out for.

How will AI disrupt the talent assessment and development value chain in 2024? Let's explore the 14 AI-related talent assessment trends to look out for.

Depression

10 Positive Practices to Find Light in the December Darkness

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on December 11, 2023

Amid the holiday cheer, December can be a time of darkness for many. Ten science-backed practices can help you navigate the mental health challenges of the festive season.

Amid the holiday cheer, December can be a time of darkness for many. Ten science-backed practices can help you navigate the mental health challenges of the festive season.

Psychedelics

Ayahuasca: Ancient Healing for Modern Minds

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on December 5, 2023

Explore new scientific evidence of ayahuasca's potential for treating treatment-resistant mental health problems and for improving mental well-being.

Explore new scientific evidence of ayahuasca's potential for treating treatment-resistant mental health problems and for improving mental well-being.

Positive Psychology

The Future of Positive Psychology at Work

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on December 1, 2023

Positive organizational psychology is getting a high-tech makeover to reboot human flourishing in the new world of work. But what does it entail and at what cost?

Positive organizational psychology is getting a high-tech makeover to reboot human flourishing in the new world of work. But what does it entail and at what cost?

Stress

The Three Faces of Poverty-Related Stress

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on November 23, 2023

How prolonged financial hardship can fuel mental illness by trapping individuals and families in cycles of physical, emotional, and psychological distress.

How prolonged financial hardship can fuel mental illness by trapping individuals and families in cycles of physical, emotional, and psychological distress.

Positive Psychology

Life Crafting: Proactive Strategies for Enhancing Well-Being

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on November 13, 2023

Discover 7 life-crafting strategies to beat burnout through creating meaningful life experiences, deepening connections to others, and aligning your values to your purpose.

Discover 7 life-crafting strategies to beat burnout through creating meaningful life experiences, deepening connections to others, and aligning your values to your purpose.

Domestic Violence

Stockholm Syndrome: Why Some People Bond with Abusive Partners

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on August 14, 2023

How isolation, fear, and intermittent kindness can lead some victims to sympathize with their abusers.

How isolation, fear, and intermittent kindness can lead some victims to sympathize with their abusers.

Burnout

Is Burnout Making You Dumber?

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on August 9, 2023

Burnt out and feeling like you're growing dumber by the day? Discover the science of how burnout affects cognitive functioning, impairment, and decline.

Burnt out and feeling like you're growing dumber by the day? Discover the science of how burnout affects cognitive functioning, impairment, and decline.

Fear

Scream Therapy: The Benefits of Immersive Horror

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on August 7, 2023

Immersing yourself in a real-life scary movie isn't for everyone. But for some, immersive horror experiences can have surprising mental health benefits.

Immersing yourself in a real-life scary movie isn't for everyone. But for some, immersive horror experiences can have surprising mental health benefits.

Growth Mindset

Why Aren't Growth Mindsets Boosting Your Child's Grades?

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on August 1, 2023

Growth mindset interventions were supposed to revolutionize education. Yet new research reveals these fail to improve students' success and performance.

Growth mindset interventions were supposed to revolutionize education. Yet new research reveals these fail to improve students' success and performance.

Burnout

Is Burnout a Mental Disorder?

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on July 28, 2023

Amid a global burnout epidemic, with policymakers and the medical system refusing to respond, the question arises: Should we really classify burnout as a mental disorder?

Amid a global burnout epidemic, with policymakers and the medical system refusing to respond, the question arises: Should we really classify burnout as a mental disorder?

Career

The PERMA+4 Framework: A New Approach to Well-Being at Work

Llewellyn E. van Zyl Ph.D. on July 26, 2023

Feeling unfulfilled and burned out at work? The science-backed PERMA+4 framework provides a customisable roadmap to improving your well-being and performance at work.

Feeling unfulfilled and burned out at work? The science-backed PERMA+4 framework provides a customisable roadmap to improving your well-being and performance at work.