Mindful Professional Development

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?

Career

Venting Your Emotions at Work: Helpful or Harmful?

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

Venting negative emotions at work is a common experience that comes with potential benefits and costs. Is there a better approach?

Venting negative emotions at work is a common experience that comes with potential benefits and costs. Is there a better approach?

Workplace Dynamics

The Pros and Cons of Having a Work Clique

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on May 13, 2024

Exclusion doesn't have to be intentional to be a problem.

Exclusion doesn't have to be intentional to be a problem.

Career

What Are These 3 Blind Spots Costing You at Work?

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on March 26, 2024

We all experience these 3 cognitive blind spots at work, frequently unaware of their costs in terms of productivity and misunderstanding. Try these strategies to work around them.

We all experience these 3 cognitive blind spots at work, frequently unaware of their costs in terms of productivity and misunderstanding. Try these strategies to work around them.

Career

The Recipe for Being Happy at Work

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

How do we explain why people vary in their happiness or satisfaction with their workplace? Research has revealed a core set of ingredients based on human nature.

How do we explain why people vary in their happiness or satisfaction with their workplace? Research has revealed a core set of ingredients based on human nature.

Time Management

Do You Feel Like You Never Have Enough Time?

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on March 5, 2024

Chances are you never have enough time. Apply these 5 principles and practices from psychology to maximize your time management.

Chances are you never have enough time. Apply these 5 principles and practices from psychology to maximize your time management.

Career

6 Ways to Spark Your Interest and Zest at Work

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on January 15, 2024

Are there aspects of your work that are routine, zapping your enthusiasm? Consider these six strategies for injecting interest and zest at work.

Are there aspects of your work that are routine, zapping your enthusiasm? Consider these six strategies for injecting interest and zest at work.

Forgiveness

Do You Work in a Blame Culture?

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

When something goes wrong at work, is the immediate response finger-pointing? The negative effects of a blame work culture are many, so try these 5 strategies to protect yourself.

When something goes wrong at work, is the immediate response finger-pointing? The negative effects of a blame work culture are many, so try these 5 strategies to protect yourself.

Workplace Dynamics

6 Tips for Difficult Conversations at Work

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on November 25, 2023

Difficult conversations at work are never easy or comfortable, but following a core set of principles and practices will give you a leg up on resolving issues effectively.

Difficult conversations at work are never easy or comfortable, but following a core set of principles and practices will give you a leg up on resolving issues effectively.

Workplace Dynamics

When and How to Say “No” at Work

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on November 14, 2023

Are you caught off guard by requests at work and end up agreeing more than you'd like to? Be prepared so that you have a choice and boost your job satisfaction.

Are you caught off guard by requests at work and end up agreeing more than you'd like to? Be prepared so that you have a choice and boost your job satisfaction.

Workplace Dynamics

Say Goodbye to the Feedback Sandwich

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on October 23, 2023

As the feedback sandwich has some inherent problems, recent models are more collaborative. The 4 steps here provide structure for providing more effective feedback for improvement.

As the feedback sandwich has some inherent problems, recent models are more collaborative. The 4 steps here provide structure for providing more effective feedback for improvement.

Workplace Dynamics

How Do You Tend to Show Up in Team Meetings?

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on September 29, 2023

Many of us take on a particular role in work team meetings. Learn six common but undesirable roles and how to address them in yourself or others.

Many of us take on a particular role in work team meetings. Learn six common but undesirable roles and how to address them in yourself or others.

Career

The Psychology of Time Management and 5 Strategies

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on September 10, 2023

When feeling stressed about not having enough time, doing more seems like the answer. Instead, consider managing the psychological tendencies we all share that tend to make things worse.

When feeling stressed about not having enough time, doing more seems like the answer. Instead, consider managing the psychological tendencies we all share that tend to make things worse.

Leadership

4 Ways to Develop Emotional Self-Management at Work

Michael W Wiederman Ph.D. on August 21, 2023

How might you benefit from greater emotional self-control, both at work and elsewhere? Here are tried-and-true strategies for boosting this vital pillar of emotional intelligence.

How might you benefit from greater emotional self-control, both at work and elsewhere? Here are tried-and-true strategies for boosting this vital pillar of emotional intelligence.