Dear Life, Please Improve

Deception

This Street, That Street, and The Other Street

Richard Dancsi on November 3, 2023

This Street, That Street, and The Other Street are three real street names in a small town in Canada. How do people find anything there? Contextual clues help.

This Street, That Street, and The Other Street are three real street names in a small town in Canada. How do people find anything there? Contextual clues help.

Persuasion

Learn to Use the Hidden Power of Words

Richard Dancsi on October 6, 2023

Even if we don’t pay attention to what someone is telling us, their vocabulary and their use of language alone can provide valuable insights.

Even if we don’t pay attention to what someone is telling us, their vocabulary and their use of language alone can provide valuable insights.

Intuition

Solving Riddles Using Intuition and Emotions

Richard Dancsi on September 6, 2023

Two secret agents need to meet without communicating in any way. The deadline is one year from today. If you were one of the agents, when and where would you wait?

Two secret agents need to meet without communicating in any way. The deadline is one year from today. If you were one of the agents, when and where would you wait?

Behavioral Economics

Unlocking the Power of Karma

Richard Dancsi on August 2, 2023

By exploring karma through game theory, we can understand how reputation, forgiveness, and past actions can impact strategic decision-making.

By exploring karma through game theory, we can understand how reputation, forgiveness, and past actions can impact strategic decision-making.

Career

The Fake-It-Till-You-Make-It Life Hack

Richard Dancsi on July 7, 2023

The popular life hack, “Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have,” seems to work every so often. But why? And what does it say about our culture?

The popular life hack, “Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have,” seems to work every so often. But why? And what does it say about our culture?

Career

Thinking Inside the Box

Richard Dancsi on June 2, 2023

Which work environment would you prefer? An open-plan office with serendipitous meetings or a cubicle to get focused work done?

Which work environment would you prefer? An open-plan office with serendipitous meetings or a cubicle to get focused work done?

Fear

Why Aren’t Taxes Fairer?

Richard Dancsi on May 2, 2023

Tax avoidance in some countries is not seen as a serious offense, but as perhaps more of a national sport. What does it all have to do with fairness?

Tax avoidance in some countries is not seen as a serious offense, but as perhaps more of a national sport. What does it all have to do with fairness?

Education

Learning to Learn Through Digital Play

Richard Dancsi on April 3, 2023

Applying our existing knowledge and skills in new situations is not a spontaneous process. There’s work involved in making in-app knowledge become real-world knowledge.

Applying our existing knowledge and skills in new situations is not a spontaneous process. There’s work involved in making in-app knowledge become real-world knowledge.

Friends

Helping Friends During Layoffs

Richard Dancsi on March 1, 2023

What’s a good answer for “What do you do?” when someone has just lost their job?

What’s a good answer for “What do you do?” when someone has just lost their job?

Motivation

The CEO Ambition: Running a Business to Make a Difference

Richard Dancsi on February 1, 2023

People who start making an impact anywhere are usually seen as leaders. Once someone is seen as a leader, they immediately graduate to becoming one.

People who start making an impact anywhere are usually seen as leaders. Once someone is seen as a leader, they immediately graduate to becoming one.

Creativity

The Innovator’s Secret

Richard Dancsi on January 16, 2023

The success of intellectual property law banks on its ability to influence human behavior. Yet some industries survive and even thrive in the absence of strong IP protections.

The success of intellectual property law banks on its ability to influence human behavior. Yet some industries survive and even thrive in the absence of strong IP protections.

Career

Finding Flow in a Distracting World

Richard Dancsi on December 27, 2022

How long can someone stay "in the zone"? Becoming more resilient to disruptions and being able to quickly pick up a project where one left off are great skills to build.

How long can someone stay "in the zone"? Becoming more resilient to disruptions and being able to quickly pick up a project where one left off are great skills to build.

Shyness

How Shy People Can Be Strong Negotiators

Richard Dancsi on October 11, 2022

With verbal communication being the Achilles’ heel of shy people, it can be a good idea to find shortcuts.

With verbal communication being the Achilles’ heel of shy people, it can be a good idea to find shortcuts.

Gender

Where Are All the Women Programmers?

Richard Dancsi on September 19, 2022

Under 5 percent of professional programmers are female. Are women actually uninterested in programming, or do they feel unwelcome? Is there a way to change this?

Under 5 percent of professional programmers are female. Are women actually uninterested in programming, or do they feel unwelcome? Is there a way to change this?

Fear

The Angel Investor’s Mind Tricks

Richard Dancsi on August 8, 2022

Founders can use behavioral biases to their advantage, but it's harder than it seems. Fear of missing out is one that startups notoriously try to exploit but get wrong.

Founders can use behavioral biases to their advantage, but it's harder than it seems. Fear of missing out is one that startups notoriously try to exploit but get wrong.

Career

Reading the Room During a Job Interview

Richard Dancsi on July 11, 2022

An innocent question about working hours can signal, quite literally, that nothing is more important to the applicant than to get out of work on time.

An innocent question about working hours can signal, quite literally, that nothing is more important to the applicant than to get out of work on time.

Motivation

Shiny Objects Ruin Startups

Richard Dancsi on June 5, 2022

Startups and their employees often see their interests misaligned: new technologies look good on a CV, but they are not always the best fit for the company.

Startups and their employees often see their interests misaligned: new technologies look good on a CV, but they are not always the best fit for the company.

Career

Video Conference Killed the Brainstorming Star

Richard Dancsi on May 2, 2022

New research suggests that brainstorming sessions may be best in person: Video conferencing teams generate less creative ideas.

New research suggests that brainstorming sessions may be best in person: Video conferencing teams generate less creative ideas.

Career

Sales as Art and as Science

Richard Dancsi on April 15, 2022

There are more sales techniques, methodologies, and frameworks than one could count. Which one should we choose?

There are more sales techniques, methodologies, and frameworks than one could count. Which one should we choose?

Persuasion

Do Influencers Really Influence Us?

Richard Dancsi on March 7, 2022

Celebrity spokesmen—and now, Instagram influencers—advertise everything from t-shirts to credit cards. Is it effective?

Celebrity spokesmen—and now, Instagram influencers—advertise everything from t-shirts to credit cards. Is it effective?