Anveshan is IIBP’s monthly newsletter, published since July 2020. Explore thoughtful articles, perspectives, and insights on the evolving world of work, people, organisations, and human behaviour.
You see green grass around you, smell the fragrance of flowers, feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, and hear birds chirping. Everything feels calm until you are startled by the loud sound of bells ringing. It is unsettling; you open your eyes and realize your phone alarm is going off. From the first waking moment to the …
Picture this: you’re in the break room with your coworkers, the TV plays a random news channel, mostly white noise, until a red banner flashes across the screen – another economic jolt, another climate emergency, another headline marked by uncertainty. You sense something shared settling in the room, a quiet, collective unease. In moments like these, we’re not just individuals …
“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 …
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 …
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” , …
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 …
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 …
“You can’t just bottle us up.” An underrated line from Inside Out 2 speaks fantastically about supressed emotions. Our emotions are meant to be felt, not hidden away. When we try to suppress or “bottle up” our emotions or feeling, we risk a lot more than just a moment of discomfort. We put at risk our well-being, our relationships, and …
In every culture, there are unspoken rules that guide not only how people behave but also how they feel and what they choose to express. These invisible codes offer a sense of order and identity, but they also restrict the natural flow of emotions. From a very young age, individuals are taught when to smile, when to stay silent, and …
