Both liberal and conservative political writers have been commenting on the negative public reactions to Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, despite their being the leading Republican contenders for their party's nomination. For example, conservative George Will portrays Romney as the person we don't trust -- writing of the...

After watching the recent Republican debates, last week's New Hampshire primary and the campaigning since then, I'm convinced that the GOP is on a path to self-destruction. And that's regrettable. It deprives the country of a serious debate over different views about the roles of government, business, labor and citizens...

You might be looking forward to the New Year as a time for more exciting sex with your partner. Like many, you might think a fun New Year's Eve would create the atmosphere for some good -- maybe even great -- sex and be a great beginning to the year...

The ugly spectacle of political gridlock reflects a political culture best described as insane. It's increasingly disconnected from realities of our current world. We're living in the midst of massive, worldwide transformation towards a highly intertwined and increasingly transparent world. The impact of this transformation is visible in economic shifts,...

That's how a man in his 50s described his life to me not long ago: "It's my long slide home." He was feeling morose, anticipating the long holiday period from Thanksgiving through the New Year and what he knew it would arouse in him. I often see the "holiday blues"...

I often hear people tell me that they feel their work is getting in the way of their life. And they're only partly joking. In fact, several recent research studies find that the workplace is pretty unpleasant for many people. Large numbers of men and women are severely stressed or...

The day Steve Jobs died -- Oct. 5 -- coincided with HBO's broadcast of the first part of Martin Scorsese's documentary on the life of George Harrison, "Living In The Material World." That conjunction of events brought to mind some interesting parallels between the lives of Jobs and...

A recent study reported that "nice guys" who are "agreeable" achieve less success in their careers than those who are more rude, dominating, aggressive, hostile and dismissive of others. But is that so? I think the researchers' findings reflect some confusion about the traits and behavior that underlie...

• A large trade association is stung by accusations from staff that it practices racial and sexual bias. Anger and resentment erupt when a senior VP is threatened with a lawsuit.

• A public interest organization engaged in social justice advocacy is confronted with staff allegations of hostile, abusive management practices....

A few months ago the media reported that Paul McCartney is going to remarry, and that made me think about the challenges and trepidation so many midlife baby boomers feel today, about their love relationships. Whether you're entering a new relationship like the former Beatle, now 69, or...

Despite the volumes of books and magazine articles advising midlife baby boomers how to prolong or renew their health, happiness and vitality, I continue to hear many of them tell me about feelings of stagnation and loss. Or worse, a sense of being on "a long slide home," as one...

The S&P downgrade of the U.S. credit rating has spawned increased criticism and analysis of President Obama's apparent reluctance -- or inability -- to confront the Republican opposition or push for major investment in infrastructure and jobs. Among the most vocal are Labor Secretary Robert Reich, psychologist

A common theme among self-help teachings and new age spiritual ideas, such as "The Secret," is that you have the power within you to make your "dreams" come true by focusing your mental energy, your "intent," on them. Then, they will come to you. But some new research...

In my previous post I described how abusive bosses and psychologically unhealthy management harm both employees and business success, and I explained that such behavior in the workplace is increasingly dysfunctional in today's highly interconnected, interdependent economic and social environment. This follow-up piece offers some suggestions...

"I'll tell you what the real problem is," Ralph told me with a confident smile. "I'm a high-level performer. But most everyone around me -- my peers, direct reports, upper management -- they're incompetents, jerks or total idiots. Take your pick."

"This company values incompetence," he continued. "That's the real...

Father's Day seems to have morphed into just another opportunity for merchants to encourage shopping. But for me it's bringing to mind a memory involving my daughter, from long ago. It was triggered by a call from her recently, telling me about a medical scare she was facing. She assured...

The latest "sex and power" scandals flashing across the media in the last few weeks underscore just how commonplace, even repetitive, they've become. Some are new, like the sexual assault charges against former IMF President Dominique Strauss-Kahn, or Arnold Schwarzenegger's revelation that he had fathered a child with a former...

"Every being is intended to be on earth for a certain purpose."
-- Sa'di, 12th Century Persian poet

I'm often asked, "Why can't I find the purpose of my life?" Over the decades I've heard many men and women -- whether they're psychotherapy patients working to build healthier...

When I read the news that Paul McCartney is going to remarry, it brought to mind the challenge and trepidation so many people feel today about their prospects for keeping a love relationship alive. Whether entering a new relationship, like the former Beatle who's about to turn 69,...

The other day I was browsing through Barnes & Noble, and as I passed by the rows of books about love and sex I felt annoyed. Seeing those volumes brought to mind the biggest open secret in today's culture: Most relationship advice doesn't really help you and your partner improve...