People often solve simple arithmetic problems, such as basic addition, subtraction, multiplication or division, in their minds. The precise mental processes they rely on to solve these problems, ...

Complex organizational problems and chaos are silent killers of productivity and innovation. In today’s fractured work environment, they are more prevalent than ever. Political transitions, ...

Most organizations think they have a productivity problem. They don’t. They have a work design problem. I’ve spent decades studying how people solve problems and take action, and the same pattern ...

Conventional wisdom suggests memories of past experiences can help us navigate problems in the present. For example, if a friend told you they were having a disagreement with their partner, you might ...

Follow this author to personalize your feed and get instant alerts. WHY FOLLOW? Custom Feed: See the stories that matter most to you. Smart Alerts: Get notified about major news as it happens. Update ...

We meet Stephen Kaufman, who has spent 25 years architecting solutions on behalf of Microsoft. Stephen tells us that his defining characteristic is curiosity, and how his first memory was of taking ...

We all have our own way of dealing with challenges, but in some ways, the years in which you were raised can shape the kinds of approaches taken by entire generations. For Gen Z, finding solutions ...

Studies show that people-pleasing—when someone devalues their own ideas to uphold those of others—is more common in women than men. And the social pressure for girls to follow the status quo takes ...

Some people are just the go-tos when anyone in their circle has a problem. They give great advice, are always understanding, and have an energy that makes people want to approach them for help. The ...

Imagine that your focused mind is like your right hand, and your unfocused mind is like your left. You'll get more done by using both. And it lightens cognitive load. Using only focused effort is like ...