I’m further exploring the notion of models and mental models. We often speak of mental models as though they’re neat packages of knowledge stored somewhere in the mind. These models are typically treated as internal blueprints and as simplified representations of the world that help us navigate and make decisions. But what exactly do we mean when we call something a model? And are we always…

Inspired by the Harry Potter stories and the Disney Channel show Wizards of Waverly Place, 7-year-old Sabrina Corsetti emphatically declared to her parents one afternoon that she was, in fact, a wizard.

“My dad turned to me and said that if I really wanted to be a wizard, then I should become a physicist. Physicists are the real wizards of the world,” she says.

That…

The need for workplaces that are truly inclusive, caring, and equitable is growing. So how can leaders create an environment where employees feel empowered to help one another, support diversity initiatives, and contribute to community causes?

Prior research has linked this kind of prosocial behavior to personality traits or the immediate effect of certain leadership styles.…