Kevin Kruse

Psychologists Dr. Jiaying Zhao and Dr. Elizabeth Dunn propose that positive emotions, particularly joy, are far more effective than guilt or shame for establishing lasting habits, including climate action. Their book, "Leave the Lights On," explains that negative reinforcement often fails to solidify new behaviors. Instead, operant conditioning shows that actions making us feel better are more likely to be repeated. They suggest framing changes as "do more of" rather than "stop doing," like "eat more plants," which also boosts happiness. This emotional intelligence approach involves engineering positive feelings into habits. Key steps include focusing on additions, recognizing emotional payoffs, reducing friction, and sharing successes to make habits self-sustaining.

Katelin Spielmaker of Amway shows how emotional intelligence sales performance drives bigger deals, longer tenure, and deeper client trust.

Dr. Lisa Miller's three decades of research reveal spirituality is a measurable biological capacity, not just a belief, with shared neural circuits in every human brain. This innate spiritual connection acts as a powerful resilience mechanism. Miller distinguishes "achieving awareness" (planning) from "awakened awareness" (receptive), which taps into bonding, broadened attention, and shared belonging networks. Activating this "awakened awareness" by asking "What is life showing me right now?" during stress can significantly improve mental health. Studies show strong spirituality reduces addiction by 80% and suicide by 82% in adolescents, and thickens brain regions affected by depression. Spirituality is partly innate but can be strengthened through practices like meditation or time in nature, offering a free, efficient way to boost resilience and emotional intelligence.

Major employers like Microsoft and GM recently faced backlash for job cuts tied to AI, with critics citing a severe lack of empathy in their communication. Microsoft's Xbox layoffs lacked apology, while GM used impersonal, scripted HR meetings. This approach has significantly eroded trust in leadership, with CEO empathy ratings dropping sharply. Experts link this to poor emotional intelligence, as leaders often undermine empathy by immediately justifying job losses. A "Now-and-Next Strategy" is proposed: first, acknowledge the immediate human cost; second, detail concrete future support; and only then, provide the business rationale. This method aims to preserve dignity and rebuild trust.

This week's emotional intelligence quote comes from a 1904 Rilke letter that argues against emotional suppression: sit with discomfort, don't numb it.

New research on 1,484 friends found similarity doesn't predict friendship satisfaction. Agreeableness, conscientiousness, and stability do. Try the ACE filter.

Justin Phalichanh, Crusoe AI's Director of Leadership and Talent Development, says one skill matters more than speed as headcount doubles. Crusoe

Lucius Annaeus Seneca's friend Lucilius was spiraling over a danger that hadn't arrived, and might never arrive.

Yale psychiatrist James Kimmel's research shows your brain treats revenge like a drug, and why forgiveness is the antidote.

New research from Wake Forest University reveals a harmful human instinct: we trust "bullshitters" – those indifferent to truth – more than outright liars, even when both spread false information. Psychologists found that identical false statements were deemed more believable when attributed to someone unconcerned with accuracy, a gap that widened with repetition. Crucially, while revealing a source as a liar reduced belief in their claims, exposing someone as merely truth-indifferent had no such effect. This "motive trap" is a social awareness malfunction, where we prioritize perceived intent over factual accuracy. Experts advise separating these questions: first, assess maliciousness, then critically evaluate the truthfulness of the statement itself, rather than letting one judgment substitute for the other.