Recently I’ve developed some insights into the things that make all kinds of work motivating.  The good news is that you can easily incorporate most of these into your (or your employees’) work days to make even the most mundane tasks bearable.

We all need a break.  And for many (maybe most) of us, that means going online.  Too often, though, Internet escapes happen on someone else’s dime.  The average American worker admits to wasting almost two work hours each day, most often with personal Internet use. So what should you do?

You probably want your company to be a good corporate citizen in the community.  And your employees are your best ambassadors. When they join Nonprofit boards or spend time helping at a homeless shelter, they showcase the excellent values and skills of the people you hire.

Since we were children, we’ve constantly been reminded of the importance of saying “thank you.” Psychological studies confirm the idea that displays of gratitude can contribute to a positive work environment, but only when the gratitude is perceived as sincere. In this installment of the Practical Paradigms blog, we’ll discuss creative management techniques for expressing gratitude in the workplace.

Do Millennial workers have different priorities from their older coworkers? Do they perform more efficiently in different work cultures than employees of previous generations? Check out this installment of the Practical Paradigms blog to find out what the research says--and to discover creative management techniques for accommodating Millennial work styles in your office.

Everyone wants to be liked--but is it possible that increasing your likeability can result in a healthier, more productive office culture? Research shows that employees who like and trust their bosses tend to mirror their positive behavior, resulting in a more positive environment. Keep reading to find out how to be more likeable in your office, and how improving your relationship with employees can result in a surge of positivity.

We all look forward to taking breaks during the work day, and some of us even go so far as to program scheduled breaks into our watches or computers. According to recent research, regular breaks are crucial to keeping employees refreshed and productive throughout the day. On the Practical Paradigms blog, we’ll discuss how different kinds of breaks can affect workers’ well-being, and brainstorm creative management strategies for maximizing the effectiveness of breaks.

Studies have shown that former high school student-athletes are particularly likely to experience success in their careers. In this installment of the Practical Paradigms blog, we’ll discuss the important leadership qualities that are often cultivated during sports participation. We’ll also brainstorm creative management strategies for incorporating this research into your hiring process.