Managing Conflict (When You Are Both Right!)

As workplace psychologists, we are often called upon to assist with conflicts in the workplace.  Many times, we see disagreements that arise on the basis of a difference in interpretation and opinion. In this article, Miriam Yates (Psychologist at Within Consulting) provides some practical advice on managing this situation – in all areas of our lives! (Image Source: www.shannonspaulding.com)

Continue Reading

International Women’s Day and Celebrating Success

Scholars have argued that for women the pathway to leadership is akin to a ‘labyrinth’ wherein it’s not so much a ‘glass ceiling’ that prohibits women from getting to the top, but rather a sum of obstacles that present along the way.  The good news is, there unequivocally are ways to address gender diversity in the workplace (and they don’t involve annihilating men everywhere)! (Image source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news – A woman in Trafalgar Square during the Women’s March on London in central London, Britain January 21, 2017, Kevin Coombs/Reuters)

Continue Reading

Resilience: Its not what you think

I don’t often tell people about the kind of psychology I do.  It’s not that I’m not proud of it, but because it is generally misunderstood. When I tell people my work involves applying positive psychology and building resilience in the workplace, they usually look at me like I’m a flake.  It seems they picture me facilitating group hugs and Kumbaya sing alongs.  (Image source: reachout.com) 

Continue Reading

Learning: Why it’s easier said than done

How can you learn and grow, when you feel you need to know it all to begin with?  We are habituated to measure our success by external validation.  For children, this may take the form of stickers, praise or grades at school.  For us adults, it includes promotions, pay rises and positive feedback. Unfortunately, this external validation can undermine our capacity to learn and grow. (Image source: www.holidayssun.com; Puerto Banus at night)

Continue Reading

Positive Neuroplasticity: Hardwiring Behaviour Change and Building Inner Resources

What do you want to become ‘more’ of?  More patient, more confident, more assertive, more light-hearted? This article explores how we can identify the inner resources we need and want to develop, and the practical ways that we can ‘hardwire change’ in our minds. As I mentioned in my previous article, there is a growing body of research in the area of neuroplasticity that supports the idea that our talents, abilities and strengths are not fixed.  We are all very quick to put ourselves (and others) into boxes which limit us.  In fact, we all have the capacity to change, …

Continue Reading

Building a Sustainable Workforce

How do you build a sustainable workforce?  Quite simply, you look after your people so that they look after you. Easy said (I know!) but how do you do this in practice?  Here’s some simple and effective strategies for creating a sustainable workforce.

Continue Reading

Strengths at Work

Do you know what your greatest strengths are?  Are you using your strengths at work?  

If you answer yes to both of these questions, chances are you are likely to be more engaged in your work (Lewis, 2011).  In fact, research suggests that knowing your strengths and being able to apply them is the path to a happier and more fulfilling life in general (Seligman, 2006).  

Continue Reading