Author: Christopher Palma

Q: Dear Debbie: In the workplace, how do I know if I’m improving myself for the better or just watering down my most unique qualities? A: You are one of a kind. Your unique mix of traits and strengths and even weaknesses isn’t replicated in any other human alive. That

When you’re an employee, you crave autonomy. You want the freedom and empowerment to make—and own—decisions. Then one day, you’re promoted to manager. And you realize just how hard it can be to grant autonomy to direct reports, even though you were once in their shoes. This is a normal

In May, a 26-year-old TikToker lit up the internet by coining the newest workplace phrase: “lazy girl jobs.” “A lazy girl job is something that you can basically quiet quit… there are lots of jobs out there where you can make 60-80K, so like pretty comfortable salaries, and not do

You may be familiar with the standard retirement plans many companies offer, like traditional 401(k)s. You might not be as familiar with a retirement benefit plan commonly called an ESOP, meaning an “employee stock ownership plan.”  ESOPs are retirement benefits that allow companies to transfer stock to a trust held

To get good at something, we often think it’s just about putting in the reps. Keep showing up consistently and you’ll get better. And it’s true, at least at first. But once we’ve reached a certain level of proficiency, effort and consistency alone are no longer enough for improvement. This

In a post-pandemic world, more and more people are working from home. From 2019 to 2021, the amount of American workers logging in remotely more than tripled. As of 2022, 35% of Americans had the option to work from home five days a week. While working from home has brought

Personal challenges arise daily, and we can’t fix them all. Stress, financial concerns and difficulty in relationships can plague even the most outgoing and dynamic among us. But while we can’t fix everything instantly, we can put in the work to improve ourselves. Personal development courses teach the tools and

Have you ever noticed how some outfits make you feel like you can conquer the world, or have you oozing confidence at a party? It has to do with the fashion psychology of dopamine dressing. Mayo Clinic refers to dopamine as a “feel-good neurotransmitter” that helps us feel joyful. The

Whether you are a small business entrepreneur or an executive for a major corporation, your success depends on an effective marketing strategy. But gaining market share involves more than having a great product or service. Strategic excellence requires a comprehensive understanding of your current market penetration, unseen opportunities for growth,

You might say it started with Wu-Tang Clan. Although the group’s song “C.R.E.A.M.” (“Cash Rules Everything Around Me”) cemented itself into the minds of longtime friends and college roommates Clint Gray, Derrick Moore and E.J. Reed, they never knew it would one day inspire the business model for their fast-casual