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  Applying 'Don’t Be Evil' to Workplace Toxicity and Narcissistic Behavior Applying “Don’t Be Evil” to Workplace Toxicity and Narcissistic Behavior By Desalegn Terecha June 19, 2025 Introduction – Bringing “Don’t Be Evil” Into the Workplace Google’s once-famous motto, “Don’t Be Evil,” captures a deep and timeless ethical idea: Do no harm. In a world where workplaces can become breeding grounds for narcissism, manipulation, and toxicity, this principle serves as both a shield and a mirror. This blog explores how applying this principle, alongside the Golden Rule—“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”—can help us critically examine toxic behaviors, build resilience, and promote a culture of respect and empathy. Understanding Workplace Toxicity Workplace toxicity doesn't always look explosive. Often, it's quiet: the invisible burden of manipulation, constant ego games, or emotional invalidation. This toxicity drains creativ...

  Google’s “Don’t Be Evil” – What It Really Means for Us All Google’s “Don’t Be Evil” – What It Really Means for Us All By Desalegn Terecha June 19, 2025 Introduction: The Simplicity and Power Behind “Don’t Be Evil” "Don't Be Evil" — a three-word motto that once defined Google’s ethical core. While it may seem like a minimalist corporate slogan, this phrase contains profound moral, psychological, and philosophical implications. In an increasingly digitized and ethically complex world, this reminder echoes timeless wisdom — like the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In this article, we explore how this guiding principle aligns with ancient moral teachings, psychological insights, and the urgent need to observe and resist toxic and narcissistic behaviors — in business, personal relationships, and online life. The Origins of “Don’t Be Evil” First introduced by Google employees Paul Buchheit and...

  Five Seminal Works: Personal Development, African Philosophy, and Traditional Narrative By Desalegn Terecha Mindset: The New Psychology of Success Author: Desalegn Terecha Understanding Fixed vs. Growth In Mindset , Carol Dweck identifies two core mindsets: the fixed mindset , which views intelligence and talent as static, and the growth mindset , which holds that abilities can be developed through dedication and effort citeturn0search0turn0news16. Dweck illustrates how praising effort (“process praise”) fosters resilience, whereas praising innate ability (“person praise”) can reinforce limiting beliefs citeturn0search1. Why Mindsets Matter Across education, business, sports, and relationships, individuals with a growth mindset embrace challenges, persist through setbacks, and see failure as feedback citeturn0news15. Those with a fixed mindset avoid risks, fearing that failure will r...

  Tigist Assefa: From “You Can’t Run” to Women-Only Marathon World Record Tigist Assefa’s Odyssey: From “You Can’t Run” to a Women-Only Marathon World Record On April 27, 2025, Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa transformed a message of despair into one of triumph, surging to a 2:15:50 finish at the TCS London Marathon and shattering the women-only world record by 26 seconds . Years earlier, doctors had warned her that “even walking or running might be impossible”—a prognosis she refused to let define her. Instead, she declared, “Running is a gift from the Creator and my Mother; I won’t give it up. I can do it. I will run,” and ultimately rewrote history on the streets of London. Symbolic Messages for Personal Development Her journey embodies the core truth that every setback can become a stepping-stone when met with perseverance. From physical limitation to world-record performance, Tigist shows us that the mind’s belief can ignite real transformation in...

Choose Your Circle Wisely Choose Your Circle Wisely: The Power of the Company You Keep Have you ever paused to reflect on the people you spend most of your time with? The friends you call, the colleagues you lean on, the family members you confide in—each of them plays a role in shaping who you are and who you are becoming. The energy and attitudes of those around us either elevate or diminish our potential. If we want to grow, thrive, and live purposeful lives, we must be intentional about the company we keep. People Are Mirrors Those closest to us often reflect what we allow, tolerate, and prioritize. Positive people mirror our strengths, while toxic people highlight our insecurities. The choice is ours. The Right People Bring Out the Best in You Supportive people remind us of our value, challenge us to grow, and stay present through life’s ups and downs. They amplify our purpose. ...

Personal Development Plan: A Weekly Blueprint to Success Personal Development Plan: A Weekly Blueprint to Success Personal development plans (PDPs) are a strategic approach to charting your path toward a more fulfilling, goal-oriented life. By crafting a weekly framework that combines clear goal-setting, actionable task breakdowns, midweek accountability check-ins, and reflective Friday reviews, you build momentum and sustain motivation. This blueprint empowers you to maintain focus, track progress, and learn continuously from both successes and setbacks. Implementing such a structured routine fosters clarity, boosts confidence, and ensures that each week moves you steadily closer to your long-term aspirations. Introduction At its core, a personal development plan is about taking deliberate control of your growth journey. Benefits of PDPs include enhanced self-awareness, improved resilience, and heightened motivation ...

  When an Elder Dies, a Library Burns Desalegn Tetecha When an Elder Dies, a Library Burns: African Wisdom for Personal Development In Africa, there's a powerful proverb: “When an elder dies, a library burns.” It is more than poetic—it’s a reflection of how much knowledge, experience, and wisdom is stored within the minds of African elders. These libraries are not built with bricks or filled with shelves, but they are embedded in the memories of grandmothers, in the rhythmic chants of griots, and in the subtle morals of folktales. In the modern world obsessed with digital data, we must not overlook the intangible yet profound life skills and philosophies passed through African oral traditions. Oral Traditions: Africa’s Living Libraries Before books and internet, African communities survived, grew, and thrived through the oral transmission of knowledge. This wasn’t just information—it was culture, identity, and values. Through storytelling, songs, proverbs, a...

  Desalegn Terecha There Are No Shortcuts to Real Growth: A Message Rooted in Wisdom “Even if it is a long distance, the right road is better.” — a timeless saying from the Afat people. We live in a world that glorifies speed. Instant results, overnight success stories, viral fame. Yet, beneath all the glitter lies a truth as old as humanity: there are no shortcuts to real growth and progress . Every meaningful achievement—be it in character, wisdom, or legacy—takes time, struggle, and a deep commitment to the right path, not just the fastest one. Ancient Voices Still Speak Our ancestors knew this truth well. Early philosophers, moralists, and sages across cultures warned us against the illusion of fast success. In Plato’s Republic , Socrates teaches that the soul matures through education and justice, not manipulation or deceit. Aristotle, in Nicomachean Ethics , argues that true happiness is a byproduct of virtue practiced over time , not a momentary pleasure or gain. ...

By Desalegn Terecha Unlocking the Treasure Within: How Books Can Unleash Your Mind’s Hidden Potential Unlocking the Treasure Within: How Books Can Unleash Your Mind’s Hidden Potential While many chase after material riches hidden beneath the earth, the most profound treasure often goes unnoticed: the untapped power of our own minds. Throughout history, people have risked their lives for gold and gems, yet the real gems lie within us, waiting to be discovered through the transformative ideas found in books. The Infinite Mine of Your Mind Think of your mind as a vast mine, rich with experiences, memories, and knowledge. These internal treasures shape our lives and offer boundless opportunities for growth. Like prospectors seeking rare gems, we must delve deep within ourselves to uncover our full potential. It’s a journey that demands commitment, curiosity, and faith in the power of learning. The Process of Mental Excavation Picture yourself at...

The Harvest Within: Nurturing a Life That Yields 30, 60, or 100 Times More The Harvest Within: Nurturing a Life That Yields 30, 60, or 100 Times More By Desalegn Terecha Every person holds a seed inside them—an unseen spark filled with potential, creativity, vision, and strength. When this seed is planted in rich soil, consistently cared for, and placed in the right environment, it can produce extraordinary results. For some, the yield is thirtyfold, for others sixty, and for a few, a hundredfold. These aren’t just farming analogies; they reveal deep insights into personal growth, spiritual evolution, and mental mastery. The Inner Seed: Your Hidden Strength This inner seed holds the design of your greatest potential. It’s not a physical seed, but one that is spiritual and psychological—it grows deep in your subconscious. As one powerful quote says: “You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” Whe...

From Boardroom to Bedroom: How the Balanced Scorecard Can Help You Balance Your Life From Boardroom to Bedroom: How the Balanced Scorecard Can Help You Balance Your Life By Desalegn Terecha Robert Kaplan and David Norton's Balanced Scorecard was initially designed for CEOs and business leaders dealing with intricate corporate goals. But what if this potent strategic tool could help individuals, too? Imagine turning your personal chaos into clarity—not with motivational platitudes, but with a tried-and-true business tool from Harvard. The Four Pillars of the Balanced Scorecard—Made Personal Kaplan and Norton proposed four perspectives to evaluate organizational performance: Financial, Customer, Internal Processes, and Learning & Growth. Let's break them down for personal use: 1. Financial Perspective → Personal Financial Health This is about how well you manage your finances—not how much you earn. Personal Application: ...

Unlocking Your Potential: The Power of Lifelong Learning and Growth Unlocking Your Potential: The Power of Lifelong Learning and Growth In a reality where every obstacle can unlock new potential, our mindset and behavior shape not only our professions but our entire lives. Picture the synergy between Carol Dweck's growth mindset , the incremental improvements from James Clear's Atomic Habits , the enduring wisdom of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , and the compelling insights in Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers . This fusion creates a powerful roadmap for lifelong personal evolution—an invitation to continuously learn, adapt, and excel. The Foundation: Adopting a Growth Mindset A growth mindset stems from the belief that with persistence and effort, our intelligence and abilities can grow. This mindset ignites the desire to continuously learn, empowering us to treat challenges...

  Desalegn Terecha Beyond Victory and Defeat: The Continuous Journey of Personal and Business Development Beyond Victory and Defeat: The Continuous Journey of Personal and Business Development Learn the valuable lessons from the EPL, sports, and personal/business growth that emphasize resilience, teamwork, and continuous development. The Nature of Wins and Losses: Understanding Impermanence One of the most important lessons we can learn from the EPL is that victories are temporary, and so are defeats. Every season is a fresh start, regardless of the previous year's results. For instance, even the most successful teams, like Manchester City or Liverpool, must go through the grind of every new season, carefully planning, training, and recruiting new talent to stay competitive. Failure to do so leads to stagnation or regression, and the same holds true for personal and business development. ...

  Desalegn Terecha Energizing Your Training: A Comprehensive Guide to Effective ToT Methodologies Energizing Your Training: A Comprehensive Guide to Effective ToT Methodologies Expert Insights, Advanced Techniques, and Engaging Exercises for Transformative Training Sessions Understanding the Foundations of ToT Methodologies The success of any training program hinges on understanding how adults learn. Pioneered by Malcolm Knowles’ concept of andragogy, modern training emphasizes that adults learn best when they are self-directed, the learning is problem-centered rather than content-oriented, and practical applicability is evident in every exercise. Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle further reinforces this by insisting that training should move participants through concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. These principles ensur...

A Path from Gloom to Growth through Japanese Wisdom Mindfulness and Self Reflection Desalegn Terecha Life can feel heavy sometimes—like wading through fog with no clear direction, no light to follow. Whether it’s in your career, relationships, emotional wellbeing, or your daily routine, feeling stuck can steal your joy, sap your energy, and dim your sense of purpose. But what if the way out isn’t through dramatic changes or overwhelming plans? What if it starts with small, mindful shifts—rooted not only in modern therapeutic advice but in ancient wisdom? In this post, we explore how to overcome stagnation and gloom by reflecting on the powerful message from BLACKFEMALETHERAPISTS and aligning it with traditional Japanese wisdom. These insights are not just inspirational—they are imperatives for personal development, offering a soulful roadmap to transformation. 1. Name It to Tame It – The Power of Self-Awareness "Start by identifying where you're stuck. ...