Cognition.
How do we tell the difference between what we feel and what we know? Many of us fear this question, particularly in the workplace, because it reinforces the conclusion that there is a firm line between emotion and rationality. Emotions, however, are a form of knowledge. In an organization, emotions are an essential component in the formation of strategy. Successful strategists are cognitive. They navigate the fluid boundaries between feelings and facts, tapping both to enrich what an organization produces, to satisfy stakeholders' needs and exceed expectations.
Soap Bubbles. Jean Siméon Chardin. 1733-34. Oil on canvas. Gift of Mrs. John W. Simpson. National Gallery of Art.
Good people are all around us
Gabriel Reilich and Lucia Knell: Every interaction is an opportunity for a profound shift in perspective. Realizing this raises the stakes of human interaction and adds a layer of beauty. You may never know when you were that person for someone, a stranger or friend who said or did the right thing at the right time. But knowing that it happens with regularity is a beautiful part of being alive. And the best part? It doesn’t require much effort. It just requires seeing people as people.
Did the pandemic break our brains?
Jamie Ducharme: It’s clear by now that SARS-CoV-2 is not just a respiratory virus, but also one that can affect organs throughout the body—including the brain. Researchers are still learning about why that is, but leading hypotheses suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may cause persistent inflammation in the brain, damage to blood vessels in the brain, immune dysfunction so extreme it affects the brain, or perhaps a combination of all the above. Studies have even found that people’s brains can shrink after having COVID-19, a change potentially associated with cognitive issues.
A Hollywood casualty who fought back
Lily Ruth Hardman: Given the option, she (Lauren Bacall) always took another swing. Through insecurity, entitlement, or enduring love for her craft, she never stopped fighting for her place in the industry.