We judge people far too often by their fleeting opinions and rarely by their consistent behavior. Anyone you meet likely holds some opinions you dislike. No one is worse than their worst ideas, and no beliefs are immutable. The true test of character is how people treat others.

Too many mediocre men overshadow capable women. A study of problem-solving teams showed that men dominated the conversations, taking 50% more turns and speaking 69% more than women. Less-skilled men spoke more than more-skilled women. It's past time to prioritize competence over confidence.

Hybrid work models don't undermine collaboration; they reflect culture. Data: Concerns about losing personal connections when working remotely motivate people to spend more time helping colleagues—but only if they care about the organization. When a sense of belonging is strong, flexibility motivates us to stay connected.

Schools banning cell phones are encouraging children to read. After a Kentucky school district banned cell phones, the number of books students checked out from the library increased 2.3 times. At one school, the number of students checking out books in the first month was twice as high as it had been the entire previous year. Children are smarter without smartphones.

More girls in a class means happier students. Based on data from 87,000 students: Boys and girls in classes with more girls report better mental health. More girls are associated with stronger friendships for boys, and better self-image and STEM achievement for girls. Girls foster a culture of empowerment and caring.

Cursing is rarely a sign of low class. It's often a sign of high authenticity. Evidence: Cursing predicts higher rates of honesty and integrity. It suggests a person is willing to value candor over politeness. A little swearing shows you're genuine and that you truly care.

If you achieve your goals by sacrificing your values, you haven't succeeded. If you uphold your values but fail to achieve your goals, you haven't failed. The true measure of achievement is upholding your principles when they're put to the test.

If a colleague sends you low-quality output that looks like it was generated by AI, you might be a victim of "work garbage." 40% of people report receiving "work garbage" in the past month, and each time they receive it, they spend nearly two hours cleaning it up. Saving time is no excuse to waste other people's time.

When you become defensive about feedback, you fail twice. You don't learn today, and you can't encourage others to teach you tomorrow. If you can't accept the truth, people won't tell you the truth. The key to growth is demonstrating that you're coachable.

Daily connection fosters a healthier worldview. Data: When people regularly engage in positive interactions with their significant others, they perceive the world as a better place, experience lower levels of depression, and experience higher levels of happiness a year later. Strong relationships are the antidote to feelings of disconnection.