Global Passion Pro

TGI Fridays, widely considered the first singles bar in the U.S., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November, citing a problematic capital structure and fallout from the pandemic. The fast-casual restaurant chain has closed over 200 locations across the U.S. since 2019 and have even been kicked out of its headquarters in Dallas.

Hypervigilance is a heightened state of awareness — your brain’s way of protecting you by scanning the environment for signs of danger. This behavior can be triggered by physical, mental, or psychological conditions, as well as social and familial situations such as childhood trauma, racial discrimination, and war. While there are valid reasons your brain has developed this mechanism to keep you safe, it can hinder your abilities at work. This can lead to “scanning” behavior: being quick to react to threats — real or imagined — in ways that prove to be counterproductive. Managing this scanning is key to breaking out of habitual patterns to become a more effective leader and teammate. You can do this in three key ways: getting curious before getting confrontational, choosing alternate paths of interpretation, and creating a soothing environment to relax your nervous system.

Many leaders today are stretched beyond capacity, and in that state, feelings of resentment can readily emerge and take hold. Whether you’re already feeling resentful or just starting to feel the tinges of this emotion, try these five strategies to safeguard your and your team’s well-being and performance: pinpoint the source, step outside yourself, focus on solutions, communicate constructively, and let go. Putting in the work to process and resolve resentments can take strength and tenacity and feel uncomfortable. However, doing so delivers great benefits — to you, your team, and the organization as a whole.

  In recent years, the huge impact that work loneliness is having on healthcare costs, absenteeism, and turnover has received widespread attention. Despite growing awareness, the problem remains, with one in five employees worldwide feeling lonely at work. In this article, the authors debunk myths about work loneliness, such as the belief that in-person work or team assignments can solve the issue. They emphasize that loneliness is not just a personal problem but also an organizational one, influenced by the work environment. Practical actions that employers can take to reduce work loneliness include measuring loneliness, designing slack in workflows, creating a culture of connection, and building social activities into the rhythm of work. Simple activities like communal lunches and happy hours are particularly appreciated by employees of all types. Work loneliness is an epidemic, but a cure is within reach, the authors contend. By helping employees make social connections, companies build a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce.

Thank you, Red Bull team, for your interest in my approach and thinking style! Red Bull

  In our busy lives, it’s hard to find enough time to pause and reflect. But if we never make the time, we may just end up running fast in the wrong direction — and this is especially true when it comes to our careers. That’s why, once a quarter, it’s useful to run through this three-step exercise, or do a “career detox.” The first step involves turning inward and asking yourself a series of reflective questions focused on whether you’re still happy with your current path. The second step is all about naming your values, and the third is about aligning what you’ve learned to your career. Use this practice to figure out what might need to add or subtract from your work life to feel more satisfied in this moment.

Brain imaging techniques now let us observe mental fatigue in real-time, revealing that the brain, like muscles, grows tired from sustained effort. Mental fatigue arises when your brain senses it will run out of resources if it continues working at the same intensity. One way this might happen is when brain cells use up resources faster than they are being replenished. Your brain tries to remedy the situation by disengaging its attention, and you might experience this as your mind wandering away from what you are trying to focus on and being drawn towards lighter work and easier decisions. If you find yourself getting mentally fatigued often, try taking breaks often, limiting the amount of intense work you do in a day, and when all else fails, use motivation to push through

A conversation with former Obama speechwriter Terry Szuplat on commanding an audience, no matter the size.

If you’re being called in for interviews but don’t get the job, it’s possible that something you’re doing is raising red flags, causing the interviewer to question your suitability for the position. A recent survey found that the most concerning red flags range from obvious mistakes like lying, to more subtle slip-ups that job seekers might not even be aware of. The most concerning behavior from job candidates — by a significant margin — is dishonesty, with 63% of hiring managers saying they view it as the biggest red flag. Hiring managers see rude language or behavior as a red flag in potential hires. Despite your technical skills being strong, hiring managers are often also judging your interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. Criticizing or badmouthing previous employers is also a red flag with 62% of executives viewing badmouthing as a deal-breaker. Lastly, being unprepared can harm you in more ways than simply not knowing about the company’s background. For example, being inadequately prepared can cause some people to panic during interviews, leading them to overtalk and fill the silence with unnecessary details. Use these tips to support your interview preparation and have a better chance at getting an offer.

Many managers view gaming as a frivolous activity, reflecting poorly on discipline and productivity. However, research increasingly shows that gaming can build cognitive, social, and emotional skills that are relevant to organizational success. Skills developed through various types of gaming, including tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) and video games, are becoming more critical as organizations navigate complex environments. TTRPGs like Dungeons & Dragons foster collaboration, creativity, and leadership, challenging the negative stereotypes associated with gamers. Video games can build cognitive abilities like quicker reaction times and stress management skills. To overcome the stigma against gamers, managers should ask potential hires about their gaming experience, encourage gaming conversations in the workplace, and lead by example by engaging in gaming themselves. Normalizing gaming not only supports inclusivity but also helps organizations recognize and harness the diverse skills gaming can bring to the workforce.close