Posts in Philosophy
The Rituals That Make Us: Part 2
The Rituals That Make Us: Part 2

If we were to perceive some common societal rituals for the first time, I bet many would feel almost like a practical joke. From brides throwing bouquets to people lining up for hours to get the best Black Friday deals; from memorialising moments by taking pictures of ourselves on little handheld devices, to gender reveal parties. Humans are weird. Again, shared meaning is imperative as we operate in this broader social and cultural context. The last edition of this newsletter focussed more on individual rituals and their impacts, but, of course, many rituals operate as effective mechanisms for human togetherness. I found it interesting that Dad and the other people I spoke with all told stories of rituals that were shared with other people. Social rituals bring us closer through this shared meaning, helping us move through difficult experiences like grief and loss, celebrate change, or simply facilitate feelings of connection and social identity. In more ways than one, it’s the rituals that make us.

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Self, Philosophy, Human BehaviourSonia Diabrituals, new year, goals, goal setting, philosophy, change, self, self development
The problem with positivity
The problem with positivity

Increases in life satisfaction and resilience have been linked to positive emotions. Other research suggests that there is a continuous and positively reinforcing relationship between positive social connections, positive emotions, and physical wellbeing. A social cognitive perspective of emotion highlights that emotional contagion - the spread of positive or negative emotional states from one person to another and throughout a group - is a very real phenomenon, and the overall affective tone of a group has been linked to performance. My own PhD research (in progress!) is exploring some of this, looking at how different emotions and affective experiences sit within leadership models and consequently relate to outcomes.

But in recent years I’ve definitely pulled back on the all-in-positivity. (Needless to say, I don’t use that sign anymore, either.)

The problem with positivity is not positivity itself. I think the issue is that, particularly in recent decades, we tend to have begun framing positivity as an isolated concept. But it’s not.

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Human Behaviour, Leadership and Influence, Leadership & Influence, PhilosophySonia Diabmindset, self, self development, positivity, negativity, regret, emotions
For the love of conflict

How to reframe interpersonal disagreements for better outcomes

I hate conflict. My natural inclination has always been to hesitate a little too long before addressing an issue, or to rationalise to myself that a confrontation would be unproductive… you know, this time around.

(Maybe next time.)

This philosophy, particularly early in my career, proved very convenient for avoiding direct conversations. Layer on my inherent need to be liked, and it’s meant that over the years I’ve had to resist these instincts to become more assertive. The instincts never leave, though.

When I ask others to raise a hand if they have a fear or dislike of conflict, I am usually met with a sea of hands. And this fear makes sense, because welcoming any kind of conflict will bring with it an invitation for instability and a potential recalibration of interpersonal dynamics.

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Philosophy, Human Behaviour, Connection, Leadership & InfluenceSonia Diabconflict, seneca, stoicism, mindset, relationships
Yearly reflections: My big three for 2023
Yearly reflections: My big three for 2023

As one is wont to do amidst Spotify wrapped Instagram stories, heartfelt Facebook posts, and twitter threads inviting me to make 2023 my best yet (follow my Substack to learn how!), I find myself prompted into reflection on the last 360-odd days.

In some ways, this year has been challenging. At a personal level, I’ve taken a seat on the periphery of some loss and some illness. I’ve also experienced some great highs. At a professional level, the year has been characterised by hard work, growth, and questioning. Questioning within my topic of research, because I started doctoral studies this year, but also questioning myself; where I want to go, what I want to focus on, and what’s important. That journey is ongoing. The three ideas below are ones that, in one way or another, came into focus for me this year, which I hope to carry into 2023.

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Philosophy, Topical / MiscSonia Diab2022, productivity, reflections, self
Too Much of a Good Thing: When Strengths Become Weaknesses
Too Much of a Good Thing: When Strengths Become Weaknesses

Some human qualities are generally accepted as positive ones. Generosity. Honesty. Courage. Kindness. These are characteristics that we inherently assume are part of ‘goodness’; qualities we strive to instil in our children as they grow up. But is it a simplification to think that our strengths will always operate in our favour?

In ancient philosophy, Aristotle famously conceptualised the ‘golden mean’. The idea is that too much or too little of a virtue is problematic, and we should instead strive towards the middle. The old version of seeking out the porridge that’s ‘just right’. Many Greco-Roman philosophers warn of the dangers of excess and advocate for temperance, so perhaps this is not surprising.

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Human Behaviour, PhilosophySonia Diabself, philosophy, Aristotle, strengths
Would You Notice an Elite Musician Playing on the Street?
Would You Notice an Elite Musician Playing on the Street?

Our expectations shape our experiences: Presumably, people assumed that if they recognised the name of the poet, the poem was probably a good one. If they didn’t know the name, they could still decide it was a good one, but it would probably take more work to come to that conclusion. The brain didn’t have a signal of the poem’s quality, so it couldn’t jump straight to a higher ranking without considering it carefully. On the other hand, expecting a famous poet's poem to be great probably increased the enjoyment in reading the poem anyway.​

When Joshua Bell was playing his violin at the subway station, it may have been a similar process. He was wearing regular clothes, busking while people travelled to work. There was nothing to signal – aside from the beautiful performance – that people should pay attention. No sign, no suit, no paparazzi.

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Human Behaviour, PhilosophySonia Diabinattentional blindness, focus, expectations, psychology
The Power of Patience and Why We Complain About Kids These Days
The Power of Patience and Why We Complain About Kids These Days

The common perception of patience is that of a dwindling human virtue, clutching onto life as Leo DiCaprio clutched onto that piece of wood.

And the perception makes sense when we consider the instant-gratification we get from social media, immediate responses in communication, fast shopping and meal deliveries, and breaking news updates straight to our phone.

If someone said to me that young people now are more patient than previous generations at the same age, I wouldn’t believe them.

​Alas, I’m about to tell you that exact thing, so feel free not to believe me.

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Human Behaviour, PhilosophySonia Diabpatience
Groupthink: When People in Groups Make Irrational Decisions
Groupthink: When People in Groups Make Irrational Decisions

Groupthink occurs when social conformity in a group leads to irrational decision-making or beliefs.

Janis describes it as “the mode of thinking that persons engage in when concurrence-seeking becomes so dominant in a cohesive ingroup that it tends to override realistic appraisal of alternative courses of action.”

He goes on to say, “…the term refers to a deterioration in mental efficiency, reality testing and moral judgments as a result of group pressures”.

Janis argues that groupthink drove the failure to anticipate Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor despite the various warning signs. Intelligence lost contact with Japanese aircraft carriers, but Admiral H. E. Kimmel and his post didn’t even suspect that they could be the next target.

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Human Behaviour, PhilosophySonia Diabgroupthink, philosophy, stoicism, decision making
How Gratitude Can Make You Happier
How Gratitude Can Make You Happier

Amor fati. A key part of Stoicism, the concept translates to “love of fate”.

It means we embrace and accept everything that comes our way. We make the best out of our circumstances and appreciate that things happen: It is not the thing, but how we respond to it that matters.

So, even if circumstances are beyond our realm of control, we stay positive and accepting.

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Philosophy, Human BehaviourSonia Diabgratitude
Can You Be a Loner Without Being Lonely?
Can You Be a Loner Without Being Lonely?

Many friendships have ended or changed during this time. Some have been torn apart by opposing political or pandemic views. Financial concerns would have slowly edged out others. And the friends who were really just acquaintances you mistook for meaningful, perhaps because the fun activities you did together created a veil of depth and enjoyment… well they’d be standing out pretty starkly when there’s just a zoom screen, and no hobby masking your blatant incongruity.

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Philosophy, Human BehaviourSonia Diabfriendship, solitude, loneliness
Narcissism and Plato's Reluctant Politician
Narcissism and Plato's Reluctant Politician

Plato’s idea of the reluctant politician transcends history: That the best politicians are reluctant ones, who don’t serve their community for the honour, glory or fun of it. They don’t want limelight or power. They serve because they know if they weren’t to do it, they could end up being ruled by a buffoon. (Not Plato’s words, but I think it’s pretty accurate).

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Topical / Misc, Human Behaviour, PhilosophySonia DiabPolitics, philosophy, plato, narcissism
That's Not Funny... Or is it? The Dynamics of Laughter and Humour
That's Not Funny... Or is it? The Dynamics of Laughter and Humour

Research suggests we can gain psychological and physical benefits from laughter and humour. There are theories that laughter can help reduce stress; decreasing cortisol levels and other elements associated with the stress response, and releasing endorphins. We now even have services providing therapies like “laugher yoga”, which uses simulated laughter to try and enhance participants’ moods.

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Topical / Misc, Human Behaviour, PhilosophySonia DiabHumour
The Power of Vulnerability
The Power of Vulnerability

Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.’

- Brené Brown

I have been thinking about this a lot lately, perhaps because everyone alive right now is living through what is likely to be the most uncomfortable period of their lives. Also, I have felt a lot of discomfort myself.

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Philosophy, Human BehaviourSonia Diabself, Business, Mindset
Reinvention and The Function of Humankind
Reinvention and The Function of Humankind

“The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.” - Marcus Aurelius

All these weeks into a global pandemic and the pot of life is simmering with feelings of excitement and hope. On one end, because it seems we finally have a chokehold on the virus for the moment – in Australia at least. The world seems to be getting its bearings, no longer unprepared for challenges ahead. And on the other end, because there is so much innovation and opportunity calling out to us, drawing us in like the smell of freshly baked banana bread.

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PhilosophySonia Diabstoicism, Coronavirus, self, Aristotle