Illustration of diverse people volunteering together around a globe with a heart symbol, showing donation boxes, medical

Volunteering and Psychological Well-Being: Fostering Connection through Service

Team IIBPAnveshan, Issue 65, Volume 6

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”- Mahatma Gandhi In today’s fast-paced, often isolating world, the importance of fostering meaningful connections cannot be overstated. Volunteering, a simple yet powerful act of service, holds the potential to not only benefit those in need but also significantly enhance the well-being of the volunteer. Research …

Illustration of a humanoid robot taking notes while a sad man sits with his head in his hand, both in armchairs facing each

The Intersection of AI and Human Emotion: Can Machines Understand and Improve Group Dynamics in Corporates?

Gaurika AgarwallaAnveshan, Issue 65, Volume 6

Emotions influence how employees communicate, cooperate and make decisions within organisations. Research shows that emotional expressions such as voice tone, language and facial behaviour shape collaboration because they signal respect, trust and inclusion (Barsade, 2002). When emotional signals are positive, members participate more and share ideas freely. When signals are negative or ignored, teams become quiet, information is withheld and …

Illustration of four people holding hands and helping each other climb progressively taller blocks, with one person at the

The Halo Effect: How Good Deeds Shape Our Perception of People and Organisations

Shreya MalagiAnveshan, Issue 65, Volume 6

A century ago, American Psychologist Edward Thorndike observed something fascinating while studying military personnel. He observed that when commanding officers rated their subordinates on qualities such as leadership, character, & intelligence, soldiers who were simply taller or more attractive were consistently rated as more intelligent and better leaders (Thorndike, 1920). This cognitive shortcut was later coined as “halo effect” , …

Illustration of diverse hands reaching toward each other, holding and sharing red hearts

The Neuroscience of Giving: Why Helping Others Feels So Good

Majida JawriaAnveshan, Issue 65, Volume 6

Have you ever noticed that gentle rush of warmth after you do something kind whether it’s helping a stranger, donating to a cause, or simply checking in on a friend? That pleasant feeling isn’t just emotional, it’s neurological. Science shows that generosity lights up our brains in the same way that joy, love, and even good food do. Helping others …

Illustration of a leader surrounded by symbols of empathy, communication, and emotional intelligence including puzzle

The Rise of Empathy-Driven Workplaces: Why Emotional Intelligence is the New Leadership Skill

Afifa JamalAnveshan, Issue 65, Volume 6

Not long ago, a manager’s level of knowledge or task completion efficiency were used to gauge their leadership. That definition seems insufficient today. In today’s workplace, people are more important than deadlines and deliverables. These days, teams seek out leaders who can relate, comprehend, and mentor with empathy. Once considered a “soft skill,” emotional intelligence (EI) has become the new …

Pixar's Inside Out characters trapped inside a glass jar, illustrating emotional suppression

Cultural Expectations and Emotional Suppression – Why We Bottle Up Feelings

Freya VyasAnveshan, Issue 64, Volume 6

Culture weaves the personality of an individual. It embeds various values, customs, beliefs, tradition and norms. It helps us not only in expressing emotions but learning how to feel it in the first place. In collectivists culture like Japan, India and Korea suppressing emotions are considered essential for social harmony, group cohesion and to maintain social norms. The bottling up ...
Illustration of a woman choosing between an angry red inner critic figure and a calm blue inner ally figure

The Inner Critic: Clinical Strategies to Tame Negative Self-Talk

Majida JawriaAnveshan, Issue 64, Volume 6

A lot of us have experienced that nagging inner voice that whispers, “Whatever you do , you will never be good enough,” or “You always mess things up,”This voice, often called the inner critic, can be persistent. While a certain level of self-evaluation helps us learn and grow, harsh and constant negative self-talk can become destructive, impacting self-esteem, productivity, and …

Illustration of a woman talking to a male therapist in an office setting, with thought bubbles showing calm and anxious

The Double-Edged Sword of Workplace Therapy: Why Employees Fear Company- Provided Therapy Services

Agrima JunejaAnveshan, Issue 64, Volume 6

In recent years, organizations all across the globe have adopted mental health initiatives as part of their commitment to employee well-being. Meditation apps, counselling hotlines, and therapy services are increasingly offered under employee assistance programs (EAPs). At first glance, this appears progressive, acknowledging mental health as an integral part of workplace sustainability. Yet many employees remain hesitant, even fearful, of …