The Psychology of Work

Career

Your Boss Was Fired. Now What?

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on May 16, 2024

When a boss you like and respect gets fired, it's natural to become stressed. Be prepared for professional change by having resources to help you transition.

When a boss you like and respect gets fired, it's natural to become stressed. Be prepared for professional change by having resources to help you transition.

Career

Follow the Leader? How to Know If You Can Trust Your Boss

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on April 30, 2024

Workplace relationships are high stakes, especially with your boss. If you're uncertain whether you can trust your manager, there are ways to learn more and feel secure at work.

Workplace relationships are high stakes, especially with your boss. If you're uncertain whether you can trust your manager, there are ways to learn more and feel secure at work.

Leadership

Does Your Company Consider You a Future Leader?

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on March 26, 2024

Are you a high-value employee? Does your company see your contributions and potential for advancement? You are your own best advocate: Here are ways to get noticed.

Are you a high-value employee? Does your company see your contributions and potential for advancement? You are your own best advocate: Here are ways to get noticed.

Loneliness

The Epidemic of Loneliness

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on February 29, 2024

There are many benefits to working from home. But the workplace provides community, and the current epidemic of loneliness could mean we need a new way to connect.

There are many benefits to working from home. But the workplace provides community, and the current epidemic of loneliness could mean we need a new way to connect.

Imposter Syndrome

Why Imposter Syndrome Is More Than Just a Lack of Confidence

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on January 31, 2024

An academic or professional win should feel great. Unfortunately, it is common for us to doubt ourselves instead. Imposter syndrome is widespread and the causes are complex.

An academic or professional win should feel great. Unfortunately, it is common for us to doubt ourselves instead. Imposter syndrome is widespread and the causes are complex.

Career

Work Has Changed. Have You?

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on December 20, 2023

Work has changed rapidly and dramatically in the last few years. We each have to take stock of what our job offers, and if we still want it.

Work has changed rapidly and dramatically in the last few years. We each have to take stock of what our job offers, and if we still want it.

Microaggression

How Working Remotely Might Reduce Microaggressions

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on November 29, 2023

A Personal Perspective: An unexpected benefit of more remote work could be fewer microaggressions.

A Personal Perspective: An unexpected benefit of more remote work could be fewer microaggressions.

Career

Building Real Trust in a Virtual Work Environment

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on November 1, 2023

Workplace dynamics have been evolving the last few years. But the need to build trust with our colleagues and managers remains as important as ever.

Workplace dynamics have been evolving the last few years. But the need to build trust with our colleagues and managers remains as important as ever.

Workplace Dynamics

Grow a (Green) Spine at Work

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on September 28, 2023

Companies are taking seriously the power of plants: A recent study shows how natural light, green space, or water sources improve productivity and boost employee mood.

Companies are taking seriously the power of plants: A recent study shows how natural light, green space, or water sources improve productivity and boost employee mood.

Career

Forget WFH: The New Place to Work Remotely Is Better

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on August 29, 2023

Working from home offers flexibility and convenience. But it can also keep us isolated. New, customized daytime destinations could be the answer.

Working from home offers flexibility and convenience. But it can also keep us isolated. New, customized daytime destinations could be the answer.

Leadership

Meet Your New Boss: Gen X

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on July 27, 2023

Gen Xers are now playing an important role in leadership teams. Their unique history could help us understand what to expect.

Gen Xers are now playing an important role in leadership teams. Their unique history could help us understand what to expect.

Career

Hacking Hybrid: Working Better at Home and at the Office

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on June 22, 2023

Working in a hybrid arrangement requires adjusting your work style to each environment. Maximize your productivity, socialization, and well-being in each space.

Working in a hybrid arrangement requires adjusting your work style to each environment. Maximize your productivity, socialization, and well-being in each space.

Career

What Do We Need From Offices Today?

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on May 25, 2023

We all have learned how to work differently over the last few years, but we have also come to appreciate what the office provided.

We all have learned how to work differently over the last few years, but we have also come to appreciate what the office provided.

Career

Your Hybrid Happy Place: How to Be a Great Hybrid Worker

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on April 27, 2023

Hybrid work has given us a lot of freedom, but it also has eliminated healthy boundaries.

Hybrid work has given us a lot of freedom, but it also has eliminated healthy boundaries.

Career

Work, Play, Rest: How to Bring Balance to a (Hybrid) Workday

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on March 21, 2023

The new way of working means we no longer have traditional reasons to leave the office. We have to learn to build our own boundaries.

The new way of working means we no longer have traditional reasons to leave the office. We have to learn to build our own boundaries.

Career

Sacked by the Silent Treatment: Are You Being Quietly Fired?

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on February 23, 2023

Does your boss avoid you or go out of their way to make your job harder? They might be quietly firing you.

Does your boss avoid you or go out of their way to make your job harder? They might be quietly firing you.

Career

Are We Abandoning the Idea of Just One Career?

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on January 27, 2023

The traditional career stages model says we stay in one field for a lifetime. But people are now rejecting that theory, and reinventing themselves again and again.

The traditional career stages model says we stay in one field for a lifetime. But people are now rejecting that theory, and reinventing themselves again and again.

Stress

It’s the Most Stressful Time of the Year

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on December 16, 2022

The holidays are here. But if you are too stressed to enjoy them, bringing balance back to your life could be the biggest gift of all.

The holidays are here. But if you are too stressed to enjoy them, bringing balance back to your life could be the biggest gift of all.

Optimism

Elon Musk Might Change Twitter but You Can Change the Channel

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on November 10, 2022

Elon Musk has announced that Twitter policy is about to change. For many, that creates anxiety and concern. You can make choices that lead to learned optimism to help you cope.

Elon Musk has announced that Twitter policy is about to change. For many, that creates anxiety and concern. You can make choices that lead to learned optimism to help you cope.

Midlife

Your Midlife Crisis Is Calling, Or Not

Robert Kovach Ph.D. on October 13, 2022

The midlife crisis might be more myth than mandatory. The stress of middle age is almost universal, but our responses are not.

The midlife crisis might be more myth than mandatory. The stress of middle age is almost universal, but our responses are not.