The word “etiquette” gets a bad rap. For one thing, it sounds stodgy and pretentious. And rules that are socially or morally prescribed seem intrusive to our sense of individuality and freedom.

But the concept of etiquette is still essential, especially now—and particularly in business. New communication platforms, like Facebook and Linked In, have blurred the lines of appropriateness and we’re all left wondering how to navigate unchartered social territory. Full Story »

How do you think most workers would respond if you asked them, “Do you feel more productive now than you did several years ago?” I doubt that the answer would be a resounding yes. In fact, even as workplace technology and processes steadily improve, many professionals feel less productive than ever.

It may seem a paradox, but these very tools are undermining our ability to get work done. They are causing us to become paralyzed by the dizzying number of options that they spawn. Full Article »

Friends, Romans, Countrymen  Australian photographer Paul Freeman made a name for himself photographing the Aussie hunks of Bondi Beach and butch boys of the Outback. However, in his latest book, Freeman is serving his men with a twist. Inspired by the anachronism of sensuous sculptures that celebrate the body dotting modern European cities (practically unseen by their bustling citizens), Freeman places models in neo-classical poses and attire in modern settings in his new book Heroics.

Won’t the Real Ben Cohen, Please Stand Up?  Pro-athletes often retire from playing  pro-sports to embrace exciting opportunities in coaching or reality television, but not Ben Cohen. He left a great run as one of the world’s most celebrated rugby players to concentrate on building the Ben Cohen StandUp foundation, an organization devoted to addressing the epidemic of childhood bullying—especially among gay kids. Read more about how Cohen decided to make this unique commitment in Paul Hagen’s profile of him, and learn how you can support his efforts with the StandUp Foundation.