Latest news with #behavior
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why Profit Isn't A Plan, It's A Pattern Of Behavior
Profit is behavioral getty Profit doesn't begin with a business plan. It begins with behavior. Just as culture emerges from how people interact each day, profit reflects the accumulated patterns of those interactions. Leaders at companies like Toyota, Patagonia, and Southwest Airlines have long understood this. They didn't just chase margins. They shaped momentum. Behavior is biology in motion. And profit is what often follows. Profit is not a destination to be reached. It is a signal—one that reflects the health of an organization's behavioral system. Teams that operate with clarity, accountability, and coordination tend to create more consistent value. That value becomes measurable over time, not just in performance, but in financial outcomes. This framing aligns with research on reflective practice and behavioral economics, where outcomes emerge from accumulated decisions rather than singular events. If dysfunction, ambiguity, or reactivity becomes routine, the system will degrade. In that case, even a strong strategy will underperform. It's not just the product or the plan. It's the pattern. Behavior flows outward from the center. The leader is the first mover, setting the tone through moment-to-moment signals, spoken and unspoken. These signals shape the behavioral norms of their inner circle, whether that's an executive team, a board, or a founding team. This core team acts as the first system of amplification. How they coordinate, resolve conflict, make decisions, and follow through becomes the behavioral reference point for others. Over time, these inner patterns scale across the organization. The result isn't just alignment. It's the emergence of behavioral norms, the unspoken rules that govern how work actually gets done. This is the behavioral biology of organizations: leaders send signals, teams create patterns, and organizations encode those patterns into norms. And from those norms, performance, financial and otherwise, emerges. The Leadership Biodynamics model describes three behavioral channels that form relational DNA: warmth, competence, and gravitas. Each plays a distinct role in shaping how people experience one another and how those experiences cascade through a team or organization. These aren't fixed traits. They're signals. Visible, perceivable, and powerful. Research in neuroscience and social signaling shows how cues like tone, posture, and timing influence not only perception, but physiological responses such as oxytocin and cortisol release. These biological shifts change how teams function in real time. Behavior drives profit getty If profit emerges from behavior, then improving behavior improves performance. Here are five ways to start: Culture tells you who you are. Profit tells you what that means in the market. Most leaders focus on outcomes, but overlook the system that creates them. From sending signals to shaping systems, behavior is the lever that scales impact—from leader to team, to organization, to ecosystem. If you want different results, don't just change your strategy. Change how your organization behaves. Because in business as in biology, it's not the plan that drives the outcome. It's the pattern.
Health Line
02-06-2025
- General
- Health Line
8 Tips for Reducing Screen Time
Some ways you can reduce screen time include using greyscale, turning off notifications, and engaging intentionally with content. Screen time is not inherently bad. However, too much screen time can be harmful. Excessive screen time is associated with health problems such as binge-eating disorder and sleep problems. If you are looking to reduce your screen time, you may consider implementing one or more of the following eight tips. Track your screen time The first step toward making a change is understanding the scope of the situation. Many devices track screen time. You can see the average amount of time spent on your device, how much time you've spent on specific applications, and even how many times you have picked up your device. If your device lets you see how much time is spent on each application, you can delete the apps you spend the most time on. This way, you cannot access the applications easily. Use greyscale You may consider putting your phone or other device in greyscale mode if it is an option. This will remove all colors from your screen, which may make your phone less gratifying. A 2023 study found that individuals who put their phone in greyscale saw reduced screen time. The study also found that participants were aware of their problematic smartphone use behavior, and that setting the phone in greyscale reduced this behavior. A 2019 study found that greyscale reduced the screen time in college students by an average of 37 minutes per day. Turn off notifications It can be tempting to pick up your phone when it is constantly alerting you about random things. In your settings, you can change which apps can send you alerts. This way, you may not feel the need to pick up your device. Some devices also have a 'do not disturb' or 'focus' setting, in which only urgent notifications will come through. Other people may be alerted to this setting and know you are not able to respond right away, such as in your messaging app. Designate no screen times Set certain times or situations in which you will not use your phone. For example, you may decide that you will not use screens during meals or when you are with friends. This can help you stay grounded and engaged during these activities. You may also consider not using your phone right before bed, as this can disrupt your sleep. Pick up a hobby If you are cutting out time spent on your phone, something else will have to fill that time. This is a perfect opportunity to explore activities you want to try or rediscover an old hobby you are passionate about. Some activities you may consider can include: meditation or yoga meeting with friends in-person journaling or creative writing reading coloring crafting activities, such as crocheting or scrapbooking engaging in exercise, such as taking a walk studying something independently, such as learning a new language Reducing your screen time may feel easier if you feel fulfilled by other activities. Talk about it It is easier to make a change with a support system rather than doing it alone. Giving voice to the issue can make it feel more 'real.' Your friends and loved ones can hold you accountable to your goals. You may find that they also want to cut down their screen time, and you can make changes together. Engage intentionally With social media, it can feel like there are an infinite number of things to keep up with at all times. For example, news can be shared at all hours of the day instead of just during scheduled broadcasts. You may consider setting certain times to check for news and to check up on your friends instead of constantly scrolling. This can allow you to stay keyed in to things that are happening without feeling overwhelmed. You may also consider removing people you do not know and accounts that make you feel bad from your social media following. This way, you will not see them in your feed. Use screen time positively Limiting screen time does not mean cutting it out altogether. There are several positive ways to use screen time, such as video chatting with loved ones and watching movies at the same time with long-distance friends. The next time you are using your phone, pay attention to how it makes you feel. For example, you may feel happy while talking with friends or listening to music, but you may feel sad while scrolling endlessly on social media. This way, you can keep the apps that make you feel good about yourself and focus on reducing your engagement with the apps that do not. Be kind to yourself When making a big change, you may not achieve the results you want overnight. This is true for reducing screen time. You may not be able to completely cut out all of your screen time immediately — reducing it gradually may be a more realistic approach that you are likely to maintain. Your progress also may not be linear. You may not use screens at all on one day, and use screens all day the next. This is perfectly OK. You can always pick yourself up and try again the next day. Takeaway Reducing screen time can positively impact your health. You may rediscover old hobbies, have more time for connecting with friends and family, and have a more positive experience when you are using your devices. It is important to remember that reducing your screen time can be a trial-and-error process, and it could take a long time before you see changes. Try not to feel discouraged if you face setbacks.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The 3 Steps To Take When Dealing With Other People's Annoying Kids, According To A School Psychologist
There's a certain universal experience that transcends age, background and even our best intentions. It's the subtle (or not-so-subtle) cringe, the weary sigh, the fleeting moment of 'Oh, hell no' when faced with the disruptive, disobedient or destructive behavior of someone else's child. Whether it's the out-of-nowhere, ear-piercing shriek in the coffee shop, the relentless toy-banging in the doctor's waiting room or the seemingly endless stream of 'Why?' questions, the feeling that other people's children are annoying is surprisingly common. And if you've ever felt that way, you're definitely not alone. It's not that we're heartless monsters. But there's something about the unbridled enthusiasm, the unfiltered honesty, and the sheer volume of some little humans that can test the patience of even the most even-keeled among us. We may find other people's kids annoying for various reasons, often tied to behavior, expectations or environment. Dr. Matthew Morand, a licensed psychologist, told HuffPost this topic comes up more than people think. His advice? 'Minimize the negative voices in your head.' But how, when you're at your wit's end? Morand's strategy is simple: 'Utilize 'the other shoe' mentality. If I were to count how many times a child has kicked the back of my head on an airplane, I could sue their parents for traumatic brain injury. Most people's responses typically go right for the negative and pass judgment. I ask them, and ask myself, 'Have my children not been the difficult ones?' How can I get angry at that child when I have literally worn the other shoe?' Dr. Kristen Piering, a licensed clinical psychologist, agrees. 'If you're annoyed by a kid out in public, keep in mind that we need kids to experience these places to learn how to engage appropriately in society.' She added, 'Kids are people, too, and can have bad days like anyone else. If they act in a way you find 'annoying,' they may have had a rough day at school or a fight with a friend.' Parents can relate, but what about those of us without kids? Morand says, 'Focus on whether the parent is cognizant of their child's behavior. We can give credit and find a sense of calmness in respecting that parenting is hard, and if that parent is trying to address the behavior, then that is all that really matters.' And sometimes it's not even the kids themselves. It's the parents. The ones who seem blissfully unaware (or just don't care) as their little ones dismantle the local bookstore or treat public spaces as their personal playgrounds (and garbage bins). It's the 'hands-off' approach taken to an extreme, leaving the rest of us to contend with the resulting bedlam. That said, what you see isn't always the whole story. Piering said, 'Not everyone parents the same way, and that's OK. You have no idea what goes on in their home, and something that might seem like an odd parenting choice to you may have come from years of knowing their child and what works best for their child and their family.' So, how do we navigate this minefield of mini-humans without losing our marbles? Perhaps some expert-advised strategies for keeping your sanity intact (even when surrounded by the most lively of children) can help before we pull our hair out. Shira Schwartz, a school psychologist and district administrator, has a three-step rule: 1. Ignore; 2. Redirect; 3. Resist the urge to parent. As for her first rule, Schwartz explains, 'The most annoying behavior is attention-, or, as some like to put it, 'connection-seeking' behavior. When you don't reinforce the behavior, they're far likelier to give up and move onto something or someone else.' Too bad for the 'someone else,' but it does take a village, right? Imagine a park bench where a child repeatedly sings the same off-key song at the top of their lungs, trying to get a rise out of someone. Instead of reacting, a person nearby continues reading their book, seemingly unfazed. Finding no audience, the child soon wanders off to explore the playground. That leads to rule two. Draw the child's attention elsewhere. Whether it's toward something interesting on the other side of the room or giving them a job to do to make them feel important, redirection can be your relief. 'Most kids just want to connect with grown-ups, even grown-ups who aren't theirs,' Schwartz said. Picture yourself at a museum when you spot a restless child pulling on their mom's pant leg. Rather than getting frustrated, the parent directs the child's attention to a mural, asking them to find hidden animals. Excited by the challenge, the child becomes focused and enthusiastic. Later, that same child proudly 'guards' a rope, feeling important. When it comes to resisting the urge to parent (rule 3), it can be a tough one — especially when you know the child is about to go off the rails. But that doesn't mean you have to stay silent. Schwartz points out, 'You're not this kid's parent, but you are still a grown-up with limits and boundaries. It's OK to be direct and say, 'Hey, I don't like that; you need to stop.'' If all else fails, she recommended you close your eyes, take a deep breath and remember you get to leave those little hellions with their lucky parents. Piering is on the same page. 'When they're not your kids, you don't have to go home with them! Kids won't be kids forever and will probably grow out of whatever you happen to find annoying. But even the most annoying of kids still need love, affection and care, and acting displeased or dismissing them won't change their behavior or teach them to act more appropriately.' Remember, our childhoods weren't masterclasses in tranquility, either. We were probably annoying kids, too. So let's offer a sympathetic glance and maybe a well-timed distraction with a shiny object. After all, those little agents of chaos are just preparing for the ultimate test: navigating the world of adulting, which is basically just a giant, slightly more organized tantrum. Before You Give Kids Dark Chocolate, Doctors Want You To Know A Few Things 5 Common Phrases That Financially Shame Kids Joe Jonas Shares Surprising Take On Co-Parenting With Sophie Turner
The Independent
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Scientists discover mystery genes behind a cat's purr and behaviour
A new study from Kyoto University suggests that cats with a gene type associated with mixed breeds may purr more at their human companions. The study, published in PLoS One, assessed the behavior of 280 spayed or neutered mixed-breed cats and analyzed their DNA, focusing on the androgen receptor gene. Researchers found that cats with the short-type androgen receptor gene showed higher owner-assessed purring, while male cats with this gene exhibited higher vocalization towards humans. Female cats with the short-type gene displayed higher stranger-directed aggression, and mixed-breed cats and rescues tended to meow more, contrasting with pure-breed cats who are more likely to carry the long-type gene. The findings suggest that longer androgen receptor genes in domestic cats may have emerged due to domestication and selective breeding, potentially helping predict house cat behavioral tendencies and enhance feline care.
Fast Company
09-05-2025
- General
- Fast Company
It's easy to design safer streets. City planners just need to care
Psychologist: 'Design influences behavior.' Neuroscientist: 'Design influences behavior.' Uncivil engineer: 'It's not like my road design influences driver behavior.' Every day, preventable crashes are destroying lives because transportation planners and engineers don't understand that design influences behavior. (I'm being charitable by assuming they don't understand.) Drivers respond to the built environment much the same way water responds to a riverbed. The shape, width, and surface conditions of the riverbed determine the water's speed, turbulence, and direction. Likewise, the width of a road, presence of visual cues, curvature, intersections, and surrounding land use dictate how fast, aggressively, or cautiously people drive. The grocery store model If water sounds like too much of a stretch as a comparison, consider a grocery store. If you want to create public spaces that are intuitive and inviting, and encourage people to engage with their surroundings, then the best place to perfect these skills might be the grocery store. Retail giants understand and exploit the fact that design influences how people move through space. A grocery store is a real place where influencing behavior determines whether a business thrives or dies. Store layout is based on the art of persuasion. It's all about creating an environment that encourages customers to buy more products as easily as possible. Any parent knows this, but it's not just about candy at the cash register. Stores large and small invest time and money understanding human behavior, so they know which techniques work the best to influence buying habits. Expectations and habits Our brains are hardwired to react to buildings and spaces based on their visual characteristics. Tragically, those of us in the infrastructure business weren't taught about how psychology and neuroscience directly relate to everything we plan, design, and construct. Street design doesn't just influence behavior—it creates expectations and habits, often without conscious thought. For example: 1. Lane Width. Wide lanes signal to the brain: 'You're safe going fast.' Narrow lanes or painted-edge lanes create a sensation of compression, signaling: 'Stay alert, slow down.' Wider lanes increase speed, which multiplies injury severity rates exponentially when collisions occur. 2. Sight Lines and Curvature. Long, straight sight lines encourage higher speeds. The farther ahead a driver can see, the more they feel they can safely accelerate. Curved roads, particularly in urban contexts, force natural speed modulation because the driver's sight distance shrinks and perceived risk increases. 3. Street Trees and Vertical Elements. Streets with trees, light posts, benches, and buildings close to the curb create a 'street wall,' giving drivers the impression that the space is tight and shared. A bare, wide-open road without vertical edges feels boundless and invites acceleration. Researchers call this 'edge friction.' The more visual complexity and physical containment along the sides of a street, the slower and more carefully people drive. 4. Speed Limits vs. Speed Cues. Posted speed limits are barely noticed if street design suggests otherwise. A street engineered for 45 mph but posted at 25 mph will still see speeds closer to 45 unless strong visual and physical constraints are introduced. Design speed always wins over posted speed. 5. Lighting and Nighttime Design. Overly bright, highway-style lighting often promotes a false sense of security and encourages speeding. Moderate, pedestrian-scale lighting at consistent intervals supports slower, more cautious driving. Subconscious instructions The human brain processes the street as a series of subconscious instructions. The street is constantly whispering to drivers: 'Relax and go fast,' or 'Pay attention and slow down.' No amount of signage or enforcement will undo the basic psychological script written by engineers. Maybe transportation professionals should start their workday by looking at pictures of horrific crashes on streets that followed status quo design. At some point, someone on staff will have the courage to say, 'What if design influences behavior?'
