Our model of thinking in the Western world is based on linear logic – which is entirely derived from the left side of the brain.

Now don’t get me wrong. Linear thinkers are important — they keep us on track in a methodical, sequential and focused way, which is great for lots of problem solving situations.

Linear thinkers tend to see the world as black and white and are comfortable with a singular answer to a problem.

Lateral thinkers, on the…

Have you ever been around someone who creates conflict even over the smallest events or problems? It’s as if this person might be hunting for conflict or complaint and seizes on every opportunity to “have it out.”

Even though that’s the extreme, it IS hard to know when lodging a complaint might be worth the conflict that ensues. And, knowing when conflict is appropriate is even harder for those who feel they didn’t have a “voice” growing up (now that I’m a grown-up, I get to…

Leadership is hard and lonely.

Creating a vision and direction can impact many – like shaking up the status quo. So, as you forge a new leadership role or build on an existing one … would you feel better if you are liked or respected?

That’s a tricky question — because most of us would answer that we want both.

However, if we worry too much about being liked, it will start to cloud our ability to lead.

The fact is that your decisions…

When it comes to long-distance relationships, the generally-accepted philosophy is that they’re not a good idea and often lead to conflict and break-ups. But, is that really the case?

The latest studies actually show the opposite. The authors of one study written about in Psychology Today surveyed married couples who were living partly or entirely apart and found some pretty surprising results: Not only were they as satisfied with their marriages, they actually reported LESS…

A colleague recently told me about relationships he had that were being strained by the negative public discourse in our country.…

For so many years, we mental health professionals have empathized with clients who came from emotionally chaotic childhoods and homes. After all, it’s been shown that coming from a chaotic home can set you up for all sorts of problems later on (a pursuit of immediate gratification, etc.).

But, what if I told you that crazy childhood may actually be an ADVANTAGE? Well, the researchers have been busy these past few years trying to figure out why some folks who report chaotic…

You’ve just been hit with a fistful of words and your immediate reaction is to hit back with a barrage of your own.

Austrian psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl, once said “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.”

Being so reactionary, with your fists raised, isn’t the best way to be. It just escalates the situation.

So … what is an alternative response?

My suggestion is to activate…

Inner conflict is one of the toughest battles to fight – after all, when we have an inner conflict, we can’t blame someone else or schedule a fist fight in the parking lot. Instead, it’s up to us and us alone to figure things out. And, that can be a tall order.

At the root of most inner conflict is anxiety – the idea that, even without evidence, something bad will happen. Although many people don’t think anxiety can be debilitating, let me assure it can be.…

It’s bound to happen. Someone with a marital or relationship problem is going to come to you and ask for advice.

How do you best support that person now that you have been put into this “first responder” role?Your first reaction might be to offer your advice, but according to William Doherty, a professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota, the most effective thing that you can do is pretty darn simple … just listen!

His theory is…