Families pass down all kinds of useful ideas, like “be honest” and “treat others well.” But as the author of “Managing Up” and an executive coach to leaders at top organizations like Google, Amazon, NATO and more, I’ve seen how well-intentioned career advice absorbed from a young age can work against you. None of these…
“We just don’t talk anymore.” That’s one of the most common complaints I hear in my psychotherapy office from couples stuck in a communication rut. They often say they feel more like roommates than romantic partners. There’s nothing wrong with asking “How was work today?” But repeating it day after day rarely gets you past…
When I met my husband at a work conference in 2013, it was love at first sight. That chance meeting eventually led me to call the beautiful twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago home. At the time, I was building my career in Atlanta as a media consultant working with NFL and NBA players. I…
Many parents assume that if they’re close to their child, their child will naturally open up to them. But after years of working with families and studying more than 200 parent-child relationships, I’ve found that closeness alone doesn’t always mean children will feel safe opening up. Children are more likely to open up when they…
I spent the spring this year working nearly every day at a local garden center, where I got paid $17 per hour, or slightly over Massachusetts’ $15 minimum wage. I didn’t make much, but it’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. When I applied, I was running out of funds. I’d been laid…
My 5-year-old daughter will start primary school in Italy this September. Watching her prepare for this next chapter has made me reflect on how much our lives have changed. My husband, Alex Ninman, and I were both born and raised in the U.S., but our daughter wasn’t. We left New York City, where I worked…
When Beyoncé walked on stage early in her career, she didn’t do it as Beyoncé. She became “Sasha Fierce” — an alter ego she created to cope with nerves. The strategy behind it can work for the rest of us, too. As a therapist for nearly 25 years and the author of “The Mental Strength…
Even if you never plan to wrestle a toddler before bedtime, we could all use a little fun-dad energy. There’s a reason the stereotype exists: Dads spend a lot of time playing with their children, and they tend to enjoy it. In fact, dads report feeling happier when interacting with their kids than during most…
Many people think that charisma is an innate trait. As a behavioral researcher who has spent over 10 years studying what makes people magnetic, I’ve found that this isn’t the case. Highly charismatic people have conversation patterns that they use to be more memorable. But anyone can use them to make stronger connections and leave…
About 15 years ago, I created an organization to help people find meaningful work. Coming out of school in the wake of the Great Recession, I wanted to provide career resources and advice that my friends and I wish we had when we were young. Since then, we’ve helped over 3,000 people find fulfilling careers….
