Michael Miller, Author at Six Seconds Six Seconds

Want a Good Life? 3 Lessons from Harvard Grant Study

Discover how the 85‑year Harvard Study of Adult Development shows that strong relationships—not wealth or IQ—predict a longer, happier life.

Employees Are Facing Burnout. 5 Evidence-Based Emotional Intelligence Strategies for Leaders to Rekindle the Fire

Burnout is caused by basic emotional needs going unmet, and the antidote is for leaders and employees to leverage emotional intelligence.

Pursue Noble Goals in the Six Seconds Model of EQ

To pursue noble goals is to bring purpose into every day actions. It’s not something to work toward in the future, it’s a future to bring into the present.

Increase Empathy in the Six Seconds Model of EQ

What is empathy, and how do we increase it? Articles, videos, quotes and resources to put empathy into action!

Exercise Optimism

Optimism is a learned way of explaining challenges and successes. When we Exercise Optimism, we choose to look for possibilities. Here’s how:

Engage Intrinsic Motivation in the Six Seconds EQ Model

What is “intrinsic motivation,” why does it matter, and how can it be enhanced? Emotions are the key… here’s a summary of the science & practice of emotional intelligence for lighting the fire within.

Navigate Emotions in the Six Seconds Model of EQ

Managing emotions could be helpful… but that implies stuffing them away. How can we HARNESS the wisdom and power of feelings to help us move?

Apply Consequential Thinking in the Six Seconds EQ Model

Sometimes we leap before we look… and make decisions we regret. How do we avoid this trap? It’s an EQ skill called “Apply Consequential Thinking” and here’s the essence.

New Research: 4-Day Workweek Improves Employee Wellbeing and Company Revenue

Global pilot program correlated with dramatic improvements in employee’s mental and physical health – and company’s bottom line results.

7 Amazing Facts About Emotions — What Science Reveals About the Way You Feel

Discover 7 amazing facts about emotions — from brain chemistry to emotional contagion — and learn science-based tools to use them wisely.

Emotions, Feelings & Moods: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

The neuroscience is fascinating, emotions are immediate biological signals, feelings come later, and moods build up over time.

The Great Practice Myth: Debunking the 10,000 Hour Rule

The 10,000 Hour Rule: It’s a popular rule of thumb, but it isn’t based on solid science. Here are practical, research-backed tips on practice.

Collaboration at Work: The 5 Essentials

5 questions that predict how well teams connect, create and collaborate – and emotional intelligence tips to implement them with your team

When You Don’t Click with Your Coworker

What can you do? Emotional intelligence tips to build bridges and collaborate better even when it’s challenging.

Impact on Women at Work: 3 Key Insights on Female Leadership

Two major research studies combine to offer compelling insights on women at work

What’s Wrong with Self-Help?

Self-help can be a force for good, but there are pitfalls. Here are 3 questions to ask yourself to get the most out of self-help.

Why Emotional Intelligence for Managers? Practical Tips and Resources to Improve Performance

Research consistently finds that emotional intelligence is the key driver of success for managers – but how does it work to bring emotional intelligence for managers?

Increase Resilience with Three Key Neuroscience Facts + Strategies from Emotional Intelligence

Decades of research show three essential ingredients to grow resilience – powered by emotional intelligence. Here’s how.

How Did the Pandemic Impact People’s Emotional Intelligence? 3 Key Insights – New Research

Key insights from the world’s largest emotional intelligence study on optimism, decision making and more during COVID-19

7 Emotional Intelligence Facts: Take the Quiz and Get Practical Tips to Apply Today

Test your knowledge of emotional intelligence and gain key insights to bring EQ to life at home and at work

Empathy Is the Future of Work

As AI replaces knowledge workers across industries, social and emotional skills will be what separates the top performers

Motivational Interviewing: 8 Questions to Ask Clients to Motivate Change

Motivational interviewing is a communication technique that engages people’s intrinsic motivation to make changes – with powerful results.

Research: The Key to Leading Change Successfully Is Emphasizing What Will Stay the Same

The secret of successful change efforts is to stress what… isn’t changing? Research sheds light on the neuroscience of change.

Goals, Purpose and Meaning: What’s the Difference?

Goals, purpose and meaning are often used interchangeably, but there are key differences between these concepts. Understanding how they differ can help us create alignment between what we do, why, and the impact we want to have.

Empathy vs. Sympathy: What’s the Difference?

Learn the key difference of empathy vs. sympathy, including the most common sympathy traps. Plus tips to put empathy into action!

Why Telling Your Coaching Clients to “Find Your Purpose” Is Bad Advice

Purpose is essential for thriving, but many people go about it the wrong way. Here are 3 tips to help clients to stop looking for purpose, and start making it.

Name It to Tame It: How Naming Your Emotions (“Affect Labeling”) Lowers Stress and Builds Emotional Intelligence

Learn how naming emotions (“affect labeling”) lowers stress, boosts decision-making, and builds confidence—plus simple practices you can use today. Backed by neuroscience and EQ research.

Practicing Emotional Intelligence During Covid-19

While we cannot control the pandemic and all that it brings, we can control who we are and what we want to stand for in the face of it.

What Are Biodots and How Do You Use Them?

Biodots are a low-cost, easy way to help your clients become more self-aware – here’s how to use them.

3 Habits to Maintain Hope in the Face of Adversity

Repeat these three phrases to look at these unprecedented COVID-19 related challenges through a lens of hope and optimism.

Kids & Screen Time: 5 Practical Tips for Parents

As technology becomes increasingly enmeshed in every aspect of our lives, how can parents equip kids with the skills they need to thrive?

5 Leadership Books to Boost Emotional Intelligence

Want to take your leadership to the next level? Check out these 5 books that have inspired some of the world’s top EQ experts.

Integrated & Isolated: Dichotomy of the Digital Era

We’re more connected than ever, yet feel less so. How can we embrace technology and take advantage of its amazing potential, while also staying focused on what’s really important?

Nir Eyal on How to Make Technology Work for You

Stanford professor Nir Eyal says the problem isn’t the technology, it’s us – and offers tips to take back control of our attention and our lives

5 Key Insights on Staying Meaningfully Connected

From finding purpose to feeling awe to rethinking certain communication habits, here are 5 key takeaways from our deep dive into connection.

Exposure to Nature, More Empathy and Less Violence

A growing body of research reveals remarkable benefits of connecting with nature, for individuals (50% increase in growth of anti-cancer cells) and entire cities (10% reductions in gun assaults).

The Surprising Science of Social Connection

The research is clear: strong social connections predict the quantity and quality of our days. So in an era marked by loneliness and superficial connection, how can we build the connections we need to thrive?

How to Fire Someone with Emotional Intelligence

Firing someone is emotionally challenging. It’s easily one of the hardest aspects of leadership. Here are practical emotional intelligence tips to do it with compassion, clarity and calm.

Yale’s Marc Brackett Shares Personal Healing Story

Marc Brackett says the process started by liberating himself from judging his own emotions, giving himself permission to feel.

Illuminate: Strengthen the Muscles of Your Optimism

Too often, we tell ourselves, “I can’t…” or “I’ll never…” or “I don’t deserve….” or we forget that we actually have more options than we perceive. We stop trying, we give up, and our muscles of self-determination and freedom wither. Learned Optimism is how we get those muscles back in shape.