Behavioral science is the science of how people behave. Or not. Working with the public, you know that human behavior can be hard (but not impossible) to predict and uncivil at times, delightful at others. Here you can read a collection of the latest news, handpicked by our seasoned and expert facilitators and trainers. Keeping up to date with the latest in behavioral science helps you better understand the people with whom you work and those you represent. And better understanding leads to better anticipation and preparation. As a result, better communication and facilitation is bound to happen. Read on, fearless facilitator, and be sure to send us a note about your reactions.
You might also consider that aside from the bot-generated posts and the active campaign to game the online world, real people like being mad. Really. We’re wired to … kinda get off on being angry; it’s a dopamine kick, a feel-good release of endorphins. And it works extra well online...
read more →
If you’ve ever wondered if one of your more extrupulent (Yeah, I know there’s no such word … but it’s my newsletter) meeting attendees might be suffering from a lack of oxygen to the brain, we now have the answer – possibly. A recent study says “small rooms can build ...
read more →
The power of an apology can’t be dismissed. When people feel like they’ve been mistreated, nothing less than an apology by the perpetrator will suffice – if you want some kind of decent relationship with the mistreated. But it’s incredibly difficult for ego driven people to accept or do it. ...
read more →
This story supports the old adage of no good deed goes unpunished. Most of the people that we work with, particularly those working in the public sector, are believers in the greater good – they do things for the right, ethical reasons. But more and more we find smart ...
read more →
We’ve often referenced the Edelman Trust Barometer as one credible source for a lot of ongoing evidence that shows people just don’t trust institutions – especially government. Turns out, some of the most recent data indicates that women are even less trusting than men when it comes to institutions....
read more →
It’s a tough work environment for people in a lot of organizations these days with forced changes, shutdowns and shifting priorities. People are on edge, and understandably so. Keeping things moving internally usually falls on the shoulders of communicators and group leaders, so I thought you might be able to ...
read more →
We’ve frequently talked about facts versus perceptions in past issues of this newsletter, and how differently people tend to view the same things. As it was once said, “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” Here are some things you’ll find interesting....
read more →
A pretty credible study concludes, in part, Teenage males were more likely than average to be self-centered, but this proportion decreased with age. These 18-year-olds are going to grow up, except some people don’t grow up, and they become senior political statesmen....
read more →
