GRANTED: July 2015 newsletter on work and psychology

July 2015

This month, we'll explore critics, contagious crankiness, and the dark side of empathy. Let's jump right in:

1. Why Is It So Hard to Take Your Own Advice?
The solutions to life's problems are so clear—unless, of course, you're the one having the problem. Melissa Dahl shares the psychological principles behind our advice-shunning tendencies.

2. Critics, Lovers, Haters, and Frenemies
I teach at a business school, where people often think everything important can be summed up as a 2x2. In this case, they might be right. Ann Friedman presents a clever matrix that explains what differentiates trolls, takers, toddlers, and ex-boyfriends from constructive critics.

3. People Remember What You Say When You Paint a Picture
Dear leaders: try taking the word "vision" more literally. Drew Carton finds that people perform better when they can actually see what you’re saying.

4. The Five Child-Rearing Techniques You Need to Raise Kind Kids
Cassie Werber covers research-based tips for raising children to behave kindly and value generosity.

5. A Quick Puzzle to Test Your Problem Solving
A fun, revealing demo that I use in class sheds light on government policy, corporate America, and why no one likes to be wrong.

6. Catching Rudeness Is Like Catching a Cold
Bring out the hand sanitizer! New studies show "rudeness can be contagious; anybody can be a carrier."

7. Even Smart Leaders Make These Mistakes
I recently hosted Jack and Suzy Welch for a lively conversation about their experiences leading and writing about companies. They highlighted six common leadership blunders—all backed by evidence.

8. The Father of "Getting Things Done": You're Getting Me All Wrong
Ciara Byrne talks with the productivity guru who wants you to do... nothing. Now this is a fresh perspective.

9. Empathy: Overrated?
Before we put ourselves in someone else's shoes, Spencer Kornhaber suggests we look at empathy more critically. Is feeling others' pain all it's cracked up to be, or would we be wiser to focus on understanding and compassion? For a counterpoint, see this op-ed by a trio of psychologists on how empathy is a choice.

10. VIDEO: Why You Should Skip Your Kids' Baseball Games
The fascinating, provocative case by Dan Pink to ban parents from youth sports—and not for the reason you expect.

Thanks for reading; I hope you found something you enjoyed. If not, I'll try not to feel your pain.

I want to hire the person who answered this survey:

Cheers,
Adam

Adam Grant, Ph.D.
Wharton professor and author of GIVE AND TAKE