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14 of the highest-paid jobs if you want to work for the Royal Family

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Are you obsessed with the Royal Family?

Have you always wanted to have Her Majesty the Queen as your boss?

Then today's your lucky day, because there are currently a number of jobs — with decent salaries — up for grabs at the Royal Household.

Whether you're a butler or you manage the social media, you work at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, or St. James's Palace, there are a whole range of departments to work in, meaning there's likely to be a role perfectly designed for your skill set.

Here are 14 jobs that currently exist at the royal homes — as well as which skills you'll need to apply for them — ranked in ascending order by salary.

Trainee butler — £15,000 per year

In 2011, the Queen advertised for a trainee butler to be based at Buckingham Palace, with two months away at other royal residences including Balmoral and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, according to The Daily Mail.

Although the starting salary is low, accommodation is provided, and the training is incredibly valuable — butlers can earn up to £100,000 a year in in the private sector, according to The Independent.



Live-in pot washer — £17,000 per year

Last year, Buckingham Palace posted an ad for a live-in pot washer who would be given a room in the palace grounds, according to The Telegraph.

The job advertisement said: "You'll assist the team by maintaining the wash-up environment, ensuring our chefs and assistants have all they need to deliver hundreds of staff meals every day."



Assistant gardener — £18,000 per year

Bagshot Park lies just south of Windsor, and is the current home of the Earl of Essex Prince Edward, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

The assistant gardener job is 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, and lunch is provided. You'll be helping to maintain the gardens and grounds — all 210,000 square metres of it — by mowing the lawns, tending to the terrace and formal areas, growing fruit and vegetables, as well as maintaining the ponds and a pine tree forest.

If you think this position is for you, and you have a passion for gardening, you can apply here.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

You can earn £24,000 flying drones for Google if you have 'a tolerance to coffee and French people'

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drones

A "creative video agency" is looking to hire someone to fly drones and create branded video content for companies like Google and Sony.

The job offers £24,000 a year, and is based in Central London. The advert, which was posted to the Guardian Jobs website, encourages those with "itchy feet to operate their gear and drone on commissioned projects" to apply.

An ideal candidate should have a minimum of one year of experience as a camera operator or director of photography, should be hardworking and talented, and have a "dark sense of humour." The ad also states the importance of a "tolerance to coffee and French people."

Understandably, the recruitment company BrighterBox is expecting a lot of applications for this role, so the ad says if you don't hear back in a week, you haven't been successful. 

If you have a drone and you can't wait to use it professionally, you can apply for the job here

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This is how much less you'll earn if your parents aren't wealthy

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Poor, bright children are about a third less likely to earn a high wage than their rich, less clever counterparts, according to Education Secretary Justine Greening.

Speaking on Thursday at the Social Mobility Commission conference, she explained that research has shown that when they grow up, disadvantaged children earn over £2,000 less a year than those who are more privileged. 

"Children from high-income backgrounds who show signs of low academic ability at age five, are 35% more likely to become high earners than their poorer peers who show early signs of high ability," Greening said, according to the FT.

She added that even if children have the same education, the same experience, and the same job, if they were born to professional or managerial parents, the difference was still clear. 

She also said children in the most disadvantaged areas of the country are 27 times more likely to go to an inadequate school than those in more advantaged areas.

The figures come from research conducted in 2015 by the London School of Economics for the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission. The study looked at the impact social background had on the wages of people at the age of 42, revealing that social background and family income both had a significant effect on the likelihood of becoming a high earner. 

Effectively, the researchers concluded that better-off, middle-class parents are more successful in creating a "glass floor," which protects their children from moving down the social scale. In turn, this makes it harder for smart children from less privileged backgrounds to move up.

The study came up with two main channels better-off parents use to keep this "glass floor" in place. Firstly, they can help their children secure education and job opportunities because they have more money to do so. This means these children are more likely to receive better careers advice and guidance, and learn important skills such as self-confidence, decisiveness, and leadership.

Secondly, better-off families can help their children informally through their own social networks, such as assisting in getting them internships. It's the old case of "It's all about who you know, not what you know."

"It’s a social scandal that all too often demography is still destiny in Britain," said Alan Milburn, chair of the commission, when the research was released. "The government should make its core mission the levelling of the playing field so that every child in the country has an equal opportunity to go as far as their abilities can take them."

According to Greening, grammar schools are part of the answer to this problem, because they give non-wealthy but clever children the chance to get a better education than their parents could otherwise afford. However, a main criticism of grammar schools is that richer families can afford tutors for their children to get them to pass the tests, effectively keeping this glass floor in place. 

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A psychologist says this is what you should do if you work with a narcissist

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House of Cards

According to experts, about 5% of people are narcissists. This means there's a fairly good chance you could work with one, or you have in the past.

Narcissism is a trait seen in sociopaths. Not all narcissists are sociopaths, but most, if not all sociopaths are narcissists.

If someone at work has an inflated ego, is very charming, knows how to manipulate people to get what they want, or is making you feel used, they're probably a sociopath, or at least narcissistic.

Business Insider spoke to psychologist and therapist Dr. Perpetua Neo about how you can tell if you're dealing with a sociopath or narcissist at work, and what to do about it.

Of course you can't make them disappear, but Neo has some tips on how to better handle a situation with a difficult coworker, and offers advice on how to deter them.

1. Trust your instincts.

Narcissists are very charming.

Generally, there are two types of narcissists — overt and covert. The overt ones are very outwardly charismatic and suck people in with their compliments and wit. The covert ones are less obvious, but they charm you in their own way, according to Neo.

In the workplace, you might feel like someone is wrapping you around their little finger. In these cases, she says you should listen to your gut. With a lot of her clients, she says that when they first met the narcissist in their lives, they didn't like them at all. This gut feeling shouldn't be ignored.

"We think in our gut, there's all these red flags, or alarm bells ringing, but we rationalise it away with our brains," Neo told Business Insider. "So in a workplace if you're finding your gut is firing away, but your brain is saying 'This person is my boss,' or 'This person has a sad story,' then it's time to pause and honour your heart and your gut and let it talk to your brain."



2. Have firm boundaries.

If you feel you're being used by someone at work — they're stealing your ideas, they pull rank, and end up calling you crazy and sensitive — chances are they're a narcissist. The most important thing you can do, Neo says, is have firm boundaries and learn to say "no."

"Often it's not that we can't say no, it's a case of we don't know how to say no," she said. "For instance, if this narcissist is always asking you to do their work for them, you [should] say 'No, this is not part of my job — it's yours.'"

When you keep saying no, Neo says the narcissist will leave you alone and focus on someone else. Of course you can warn other people of their intentions, but she says it's important to remember to look after yourself first.

You might find this is enough, but if not, you might have to take things further, depending on the situation. However, you should be vigilant about who you go to when dealing with a workplace bully because there's no way of knowing how many people the narcissist has manipulated.



3. Don’t hold them accountable.

Just like if you're dating a narcissist, you shouldn't try and hold them accountable for their actions. Trying to get them to own up to what they've done or apologise just keeps you hooked and sucks you back into their games.

Neo says if you keep going back it's because you're addicted to trying to hold them accountable, and you settle for the piecemeal changes they make — changes they ultimately revert back from.

"One of the things that keeps us there is the feeling this person has a natural sense of good," Neo said. "And when we think that, we hold them accountable all the time, and that's what keeps us stuck there."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

15 of the strangest jobs you can get working for the Royal Family

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The Queen and guards

Queen Elizabeth II employs a lot of people. Most monarchs have around 1,000 staff in their royal homes, and some of the roles are weird and wonderful.

While many jobs in Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and others are what you'd expect — housekeepers, gardeners and chefs, for example — others are a bit more niche.

For instance, did you know there's a person who is predominantly in charge of the swans? Or that The Queen has someone to look after her stamps?

Here are some of the most surprising jobs you can get working for the Royal Family, most of whixh you've probably never heard of.

Reading this make you forget what century we're living in, so this list is ranked by the year each role was created, starting with the oldest.

The Queen's Bargemaster — 1215

Being in charge of royal barges is mostly a ceremonial role nowadays. However, in the 18th century in particular, there was a lot more to do, because the sovereign would travel on the River Thames by barge quite regularly.

The Bargemaster is responsible for 24 Royal Watermen, who each receive an annual salary of £3.50— so it's likely they have other jobs.



Master of the Horse — 1360

The Master of the Horse is another honorary position, held by Samuel Vestey, 3rd Baron Vestey. He is required to attend all ceremonial occasions where the Queen might be riding on horseback or in a horse-drawn carriage, such as the State Opening of Parliament and Trooping the Colour. He is also responsible for inspections of the Royal Mews, or stables.



Master of the Queen's Music — 1625

This role is given for a period of ten years to a prominent musician. It's currently held by composer Judith Weir, who was appointed in 2014 after Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, the first to be given the job for a decade.

The post was abolished in 1649 when the monarchy was overthrown, but reinstituted in 1660.

There are no set responsibilities, but Masters of the Queen's Music can compose for royal or state occasions. For example, Weir arranged a special version of the national anthem "God Save the Queen" during King Richard III's re-burial in March 2015.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A key stat shows the world's biggest financial firms are still failing to treat women equally

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LONDON – The world's largest banks, insurers, asset managers, and professional services firms have made some headway in getting more women into finance but are still failing to promote women, according to exclusive data from The Financial Times.

The FT conducted a huge survey of 50 of the world's largest finance-related institutions in the world.

And there was one key statistic that demonstrated how the playing field for women is still unequal:

"Women made up 25.5 per cent of senior roles in 2016, compared with 23.7 per cent in 2014."

While the FT survey showed that half of the overall workforce were female, with 58% being female at junior level, around 75% of men dominate senior roles at the firms and year-on-year the percentage of women in mid-level jobs stayed flat at just over 39%.

In other words, financial firms have got more women into the workplace but they are less likely to progress beyond junior level. If you are a woman at an Asia-based bank, you are even more less likely to be promoted — just 6.9% of their senior positions were represented by women.

Ann Francke, Chief Executive of the Chartered Management Institute said, in a statement responding to the FT report, that management roles are a key area for growth in the UK economy.

"The UK economy needs two million new management roles for it to achieve predicted growth. The problem for many organisations is the 'missing middle.' While women out-number men at junior levels, not enough make it through middle management and to the top," said Francke.

"To achieve a 50/50 split of management jobs between men and women by 2024, we will need 1.5 million new female managers over the period. Today there are over half a million 'missing' women from management. On today’s diversity forecasts, we’ll still have 480,000 ‘missing women’ from UK management in 2024."

In the report, some representatives at the financial institutions recognised that there is a problem and Alex Wilmot-Sitwell, EMEA president of Bank of America Merrill Lynch even said that staff will be possibly punished if they do "not support the corporate agenda of achieving a level playing field for women in pay and promotions."

"Certainly if someone does something negatively or behaves in a way which is inconsistent with our goals, clearly they will be reprimanded," said Wilmot-Sitwell.

"Punishment can come in different forms but the easiest way is paying them less."

You can read the FT's full report here.

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These are the psychological reasons why some people are always late

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alice in wonderland rabbit late

Some people are always late. You probably know someone who just never shows up when you want them to, armed with an excuse when they finally appear 20 minutes later.

Maybe it's you who has the problem, and no matter how many alarms and reminders you set, you just can't help but leave the house after the time you were supposed to be at an agreed location.

Plenty of research has gone into trying to figure out why some of us are like this.

According to human behaviour writer and lecturer Alfie Kohn in a blog post on Psychology Today, saying these people are "inconsiderate" is accurate, but it doesn't provide a reason behind the tardiness.

Kohn suggests a couple of reasons why people could be chronically late — perhaps they enjoy the attention of making an entrance, or maybe they are too self involved and wrapped up in their own lives and needs to care that they make people wait.

However, he notes this can't apply to those who are so late for everything they dramatically inconvenience themselves. For example, they miss flights or get shut out of events they really wanted to attend. While some people check the clock every so often when a deadline is coming up, Kohn suggests some people aren't so great at doing this.

"Perhaps they have a tendency to lose themselves in whatever they're currently doing and don't discover what time it is until it's too late,"he wrote.

The way we are wired to manage time could be to blame.

A study from 2016 by Washington University psychologists Emily Waldun and Mark McDaniel looked into this theory, and described it as Time-Based Prospective Memory (TBPM.) In an experiment, they gave subjects a set time to complete a task, with the advantage of being able to check a clock. It was set up in such a way that participants would likely get caught up in the tasks, such as a jigsaw puzzle, and be too preoccupied to check the time. From the results, it was clear some people were better time estimators than others.

This is similar to when you get engrossed in an activity like scrolling through Instagram or reading the news. You might be on your bed with five minutes to spare before you need to leave for work. However, while you think only five minutes have passed, you could have let 20 minutes slip by.

According to Dr Susan Krauss Whitbourne, professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, people who are good at TBPM tasks appear to be better at regulating their own timekeeping behaviour. She wrote in a blog post on Psychology Today that it's important to be able to gauge the amount of time something might take.

For instance, you might be able to use Google Maps to estimate the time it takes to get somewhere, but you can't account for everything along the way, like a conversation with someone you bump into, or your train being slightly delayed. Your plan can be solid, but still fail in reality.

Or it could just be your personality.

Whitbourne says Freudian psychologists may believe excessive tardiness boils down to people having self-destructive tendencies, leaving them trapped in a cycle of being late and punishing themselves for it. Kohn also argues it could simply come down to a lack of self-discipline, where people find it impossible to pull themselves away from an activity they're enjoying or a task they feel they have to complete.

Psychologist and writer Adoree Durayappah-Harrison explains in a blog post on Psychology Today that for some people, being late just beats the alternative. Some people just don't like to be early. Sometimes it is just inefficient to be hanging around for someone before they arrive, or they might feel awkward or uncomfortable waiting. There's also social faux pas to be aware of, such as the understanding that nobody shows up for a dinner party that starts at 7 p.m. bang on 7 p.m.

There's also another way to look at it. A New York Times article suggests consistent lateness is driven by optimism — for example, the ability to believe a 25-minute commute will only take 10 minutes, if everything goes in your favour. In a blog post on Wait But Why analysing this theory, popular writer Tim Urban calls this behaviour "insanity," which is a fair point.

Either way, there are many reasons that could explain why people are late all the time. If you can narrow down your own personal culprit, you might be able to snap out of the habit — unless you don't want to.

Join the conversation about this story »

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French researchers will pay young men $16,000 to lie in bed and do nothing for 2 months

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Scientists are currently looking for 24 fit and healthy men to take part in an experiment that will study the effects of microgravity on their bodies.

Researchers have nearly completed the first round of studies, and are now looking to recruit a second wave to start in September this year.

The research is taking place at the Institute for Space Medicine and Physiology (Medes) in Toulouse, France, in partnership with The Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES.) It requires the subjects to lie on their backs without getting up for 60 days.

The volunteers will be paid €16,000 (roughly $16,200) handed out in installments over four years, to take part in a series of tests for two weeks before and after spending two months in bed. That's three months of tests overall. They have to be fit and sporty males aged 20-45, with a BMI of between 22 and 27, who do not smoke and have no allergies.

They are required to stay lying down with at least one shoulder still on the bed. They can turn, but never sit up straight. This ensures the subjects will never be able to come out of their lying-down position.

It might sound like the ideal job for someone who loves spending time in bed, but being horizontal for two months might not be as dreamy as it sounds.

Think about it: volunteers have to eat, wash, and perform all bodily functions there. They can't go to the toilet. Instead, they have to use bed pans. And they can't put a foot on the ground for 60 whole days.

Participants should have their heads slightly inclined downwards at less than six degrees, which doesn't sound too comfortable. This position simulates the effects of weightlessness because it shifts blood towards to upper body, affecting blood volume, heart performance, and blood pressure, according to a CNES press release.

astronauts bed

Coordinating physician of the study Arnaud Beck said in an article on the French website 20 Minutes the experiment — named "Cocktail"— aims to look at the detrimental effects of prolonged weightlessness on the human body, which is what astronauts experience when they're in space.

"Under these specific conditions, the cardiovascular system is impacted, it is no longer able to provide the same effort as before departure or before bed rest,"he told 20 Minutes. "When they try to get up, their static position is altered, they are more arched, the back forward."

Those who are in space for a year experience strange symptoms like loss of bone density and a puffy face. Many find it difficult to walk because their legs aren't used to holding their weight. Some astronauts also report their eyesight getting worse.

The researchers hope to find ways to combat these effects with studies like this one, which is why some of the volunteers will be given a cocktail of drugs every day, according to the CNES press release. Half of subjects will take antioxidant and anti-inflammatory food supplements several times a day in the form of capsules. The other half — the control group — won't take anything.

NASA has conducted similar studies as part of its envihab analog missions studies. In 2014, one subject was paid $18,000 to lie in bed for three months. The subject profiled his experience for Vice.

If you fit the brief and want to take part in this new research, you can apply here, or watch the video below to get a better idea of what you can expect as a participant in the study.

SEE ALSO: Betsy DeVos backs a technique claiming to cure ADHD without medication — but the science is questionable

Join the conversation about this story »

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What 11 highly successful people watch on TV

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There's a general belief that successful people watch very little, if any, television. The theory probably stems from the old wives' tale that says "TV rots your brain," and spending hours watching shows and films is nothing but a waste of time.

However, everyone needs downtime. And there's nothing wrong with choosing to relax with a good movie or Netflix series. After all, with all the money being poured into production nowadays, we really are in a golden age of television and film.

As it turns out, plenty of successful people from the President to award-winning actors and directors make time to watch popular shows. Even Bill Gates has a few favourites.

Here's a list of what 11 super successful people like to kick back and watch — when they have the time.

Michelle Obama — 'Scandal'

The former First Lady of the United States is apparently a huge fan of the ABC drama "Scandal," which is also on Netflix. According to People, she loves the series so much that when she met one of the stars — Bellamy Young — she asked her about the storylines before even introducing herself.



Theresa May — 'Poirot'

In 2016, Theresa May told the Radio Times that she likes to watch "a good Agatha Christie show," and that "David Suchet was a great Poirot – he got him to a T."

The Prime Minister also manages to find the time to watch Doctor Who at Christmas.



Jennifer Lawrence — 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians'

When she isn't winning Oscars, Jennifer Lawrence is reportedly a massive fan of reality TV.

Speaking about when she bumped into Lawrence at a New York hotel, Kim Kardashian told The Sun: "We said 'hi' and walked into the elevator," she said. "And as the doors were closing, she screamed across the lobby, 'I love your show'. We were laughing so hard."



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A woman who travels the world taking stock photos tells us how you can make £6,000 from a single image

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Cathy Yeulet makes a living travelling the world and taking photos — but she's not an Instagram star.

Instead, Yeulet takes stock photos — licensed images used by businesses, marketing agencies, and media organisations – to make her money.

She started with a job as a picture researcher when she first came to London after University, before taking off to travel in her 20s. 

"I managed to work as a photo editor for a magazine in Australia then Hong Kong, and started using my skills in different ways," she said.

When she returned to the UK she had a stint working for the Daily Mail's "paparazzi guy" before returning to the agency she worked for previously, which was encouraging photographers to get into stock photography.

"I went out to work with photographers to see how much money they were making," she said. "I started with one, then collected quite a few, and decided I could go out on my own."

She set up her first company, Banana Stock, which she then sold in 2004. Two years later, she started the company she currently owes her success to, Monkey Business.

"We're a production company — we produce stock photography and video and travel around the world doing it," she said. "[We work] in a team of about 10. I think up what we're going to shoot — you run your own show and decide what to do. You're as good as your pictures," she said.

How does it work?

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Her main client is global tech company Shutterstock, which provides more than 125 million licensed images, six million video clips, and music to nearly 1.7 million customers in 150 countries.

There are more than 190,000 contributors on Shutterstock, and roughly 150,000 new pieces of content are added per day and reviewed by Shutterstock editors around the world.

"We don't get paid until they sell an image, and they run a very tight ship," she said. "But they get to a lot of people."

She added that Monkey Business works with "all of the people in the business" including Getty, Adobe, and "lots of networks that used to exist before the global giants came into play."

What should you shoot?

stock photo before after"The big money is in business, education, lifestyle, medical — anything that happens in life, if you take a picture or video of it, people need it," she said. "It's about making it as natural as you can. I'm always looking at what's going on on TV and natural life."

Danny Groner, manager of blogger partnerships and outreach at Shutterstock, told Business Insider: "If people ask us what we're looking for, we tell them to shoot their authentic lives and what inspires them. At the same time, many contributors tend to be data-driven. They look at what's popular in their portfolios and in what others are selling, and they make more of it."

2017 Creative Trends Report from Shutterstock showed a rise in nostalgia-related images, and content around cybersecurity and VR.

In terms of models, Yeulet uses agencies or talent sites like StarNow. "When we go abroad we use big casting network sites," she said. "It used to be all glamorous but now advertisers want more normal [models]. I use my kids and their friends. We've even gone into old peoples' homes and put adverts up."

"You have to produce something that a lot of people like — include different styles and ethnicities," she added.

Where should you shoot?

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Yeulet's most frequented destinations include the UK, the US, and South Africa.

"South Africa is great for UK winter, because you get their summer," she said. "Capetown is an amazingly beautiful place. It's strange — you get so many teams down there shooting and getting ready for the European summer."

The most difficult place to shoot is South America, according to Yeulet. "We went to Argentina and recently Brazil," she said. "[Brazil is] more difficult — they have rules about models, and if you do a shoot there they want you to have armed guards with you. Argentina is a bit like that — men smoking and telling you you have to shoot a certain way."

Not all shoots are done on location, however — one of Cathy's highest selling photos, shown below, was taken at a local festival using her older kids and friends as models.

cathys kids festivalShe added that sometimes the team choose a place for a shoot simply because it's on their travel bucket list.

"I've been to Ibiza a few times because everyone likes going there," she said. "They have a load of models who work in the clubs — we go shoot them early in the morning when they finish, or before they start at night."

How much can you earn?

"We're well into the millions, but we're one of the top production companies," she said. "You can make stock from being a single photographer using your children. Plenty of people do that and have it as a nice hobby."

She said that on Shutterstock, a basic subscription will give you around 39p per image sold. According to the company, there have been more than 500 million paid downloads to date, and five images are sold per second. They added that more than $400 (£320) million has been paid to contributors since 2003.

Shutterstock’s 2015 Contributor Earnings Report showed that $83.6 (£67) million was paid in 2014 to contributors.

The majority — $59.3 (£46.6) million worth — of contributors came from Europe, with the UK ranking fifth globally in terms of amount paid at $4.2 (£3) million.

"The difference between the old model [where a photo could sell for $500 (£400)] is that now you sell crazy amount of images for less money," Yeulet said. Also, as your earnings on the site increase, the amount you earn per download increases, too.

This shot, taken in her back garden, is one of her top sellers — making over £10,000 so far — and continues to make money.

Back garden photo

"It's like [vinyl] sales — they sell over and over again," she said. A good image might make £6,000 over time if it does really well, but then you may get some that sell less. It all evens out."

She added that while when she set out the industry was full of professional producers, digital photography has changed everything.

"Some people earn a really nice amount of money and flip from being part time to full time," she said."It's the gift that keeps giving if you’ve got the right products and the right subjects. You make your initial investment and it keeps coming back. New technology and fashion allows you to redo stuff. I can't always believe how much you can keep producing."

So what should you do to get started?

"Pick a few of your best shots and make a little portfolio," Yeulet said. "Think about relationship going on in pictures."

Then sign up on a site like Shutterstock. If they like your photos, they'll sign you up and provide feedback going forward. "To apply to become a contributor, we ask people to submit a batch of 10 images, and if one gets approved, they are accepted," Groner said.

"They will receive feedback on the others, and are encouraged to continue to hone their skills as they grow in their photography. They're evaluated on both the beauty of the photo as well as the aesthetic — we want well-composed, well-lit images, for example," he said.

"We stay in touch with contributors regularly through email, blog posts, and a Twitter feed directly speaking to them with requests for content," Groner added. "This creates a feedback loop."

"You’re as good as every shot you put on," Yeulet added. "If you listen and learn to what your editor is telling you, you'll soon learn what they like. If people like them they’ll sell the next day."

She added that you should always choose your best work to upload, and try and develop your own style.

"Don’t look too much at what other people are doing," she said. "It's really important to say 'This is me, this is how I'm going to do this, and create a style."

"Take it slowly," she added. "Enjoy it. It’s fun."

Join the conversation about this story »

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The psychological reasons why we use filler words like 'um' and 'you know' in conversations

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A few lucky people have the ability to speak fluently without hesitation. For the rest of us, however, words like "um,""er," and "I mean," are a common part of our language.

Being slightly less eloquent doesn't necessarily mean you aren't as smart, though. Linguists have said those who use more of these so called "filler words" are probably being more conscious of who they are talking to and what they are saying.

Michael Handford, a professor of applied linguistics and English language at Cardiff University, told The Independent people often use these words to be polite.

"If you invite somebody to a party and they say no without any of those markers they will appear rude probably," he said. "If you say 'um, well, you know, sorry' it makes it much more polite. They play a really important politeness function."

Another use for filler words is when we are speaking about something deep or complicated, and we're aware the person listening might need more time to catch up.

"As speakers we are often aware [that] if we speak too complexly the listener might not understand,"Handford told The Independent. "We use these items, pretty unconsciously, to help the person process what we are saying."

This goes for the person talking, too. Sometimes you might be racking your brain for the right words, because you're having a mind-blank or you've been asked a particularly difficult or technical question. Equally, you might just be making noises to signal you have something to say, and your brain just hasn't caught up yet.

Filler words could indicate someone is lying.

In a blog post on Psychology Today, Dr. John R. Schafer, professor at Western Illinois University and a retired FBI Special Agent, said these little words can also signal deception. He said tag words such as "you know,""I mean," and "right" are used to seek confirmation in the listener, or convince them.

"Truthful people convey information and seek confirmation from listeners," he wrote. "Liars try to convince others that what is being said is true. The word 'like' indicates that what is being said is different than what the speaker actually means."

Similarly, "um" and "uh" delay speech, giving someone time to evaluate their answers, to ensure what they are saying will be believed.

Of course this doesn't mean that everyone who hesitates is a liar. Schafer points out that little words can also be out of habit, and are used pretty much automatically during our conversations. So it really depends on the situation.

The use of filler words varies with age, gender, and personality.

In 2014, Dr. Charlyn M. Laserna and her colleagues analyzed the recordings of everyday speech collected from hundreds of participants from studies between 2003 and 2013. They wanted to work out whether there was any difference in the use of filler words depending on age, gender, or personality. Their findings were published in the Journal of Language and Social Psychology.

The results showed younger people used little words more frequently, and women used them more than men. However, this was only present in teenagers and students, and the gender difference disappeared after age 23. The researchers also concluded that more conscientious people used filler words more often.

"Conscientious people are generally more thoughtful and aware of themselves and their surroundings," the researchers wrote. "[This shows a] desire to share or rephrase opinions to recipients."

I mean, it's not an exact science, right? But there are, like, several reasons people could be hesitating. So it's a case of working out whether you think they are doing it on purpose to deceive you, or whether it's just a part of their personality. It could just be a sign they're a good listener, you know?

SEE ALSO: The truth about the link between gray hair and stress

Join the conversation about this story »

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22 things you should never say on your first day at work

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coworkers talking

What you say on your first day on the job doesn't just influence what your colleagues think of you — it could end up costing you the gig.

"If you say something that's off, it sets the tone, and that could be the reason for you to be let go in your first three months," says J.T. O'Donnell, the founder of career-advice site Careerealism.com and author of "Careerealism: The Smart Approach to a Satisfying Career."

"It's natural to want to be liked — to impress and fit in quickly," says workplace expert Michelle Kerrigan. "However, many try too hard, and talk too much when they should be listening."

Here are 22 things you should avoid saying — especially on your first day on the job:

SEE ALSO: 9 things people think are terrible for their careers that actually aren't

DON'T MISS: 15 terrible conversation starters you should avoid in a job interview

'In my last job ... '

No one likes a know-it-all.

Rosalinda Oropeza Randall, etiquette and civility expert and author of "Don't Burp in the Boardroom," suggests walking into the new job with energy, but she also recommends a splash of humility.

"Not the timid, reserved definition, but with an attitude of learning — not knowing it all," she tells Business Insider.



'You look different than you sound over the phone.'

"Don't begin a conversation by implying you're surprised, disappointed, or puzzled by that fact that the person did not meet your predisposed expectations," says Darlene Price, author of "Well Said! Presentations and Conversations That Get Results.""Instead say, 'Hi, it's so nice to meet you and great to finally place a face with name!'"



'OMG, I LOVE that!'

You're already hired; there's no need to try too hard to get people to like you.

While it's nice to know that people think you're personable or that you really "get" the company, Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job," says this is a waste of energy. You'll impress naturally by just being yourself.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The 9 worst mistakes you can make in an email — and how to fix them

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robin williams

We're all guilty of sending an email every now and then that has a few spelling errors and typos. But sometimes the errors are a little more embarrassing, like addressing the email to the wrong person by accident.

A small typo might not be noticed, but it's pretty obvious when you accidentally send the entire office your dietary requirements for the Christmas party. These errors can be particularly annoying — and potentially detrimental — if you're applying for a new job and trying to make a great first impression.

So what should you do if you become the culprit of an email faux-pas?

Business Insider asked recruitment and HR professionals for the worst mistakes you can make in an email — and how to fix them if it's too late.

1. You accidentally hit 'reply all.'

Instead of replying back to a single person, you've accidentally sent everyone in the office your RSVP to an event or opinion about the upcoming pub quiz. It's more annoying than anything else, so follow it up with a quick email saying you didn't mean to send it to everyone and leave it at that.

However, if you work in a massive company, it can be more than a slight annoyance. For example, in November 2016 NHS employees were caught in a "reply-all" hell when a test email was sent around to absolutely everyone — that's 1.2 million people. Some employees replied back to all asking what was happening, causing an email system break-down.



2. You wrote the wrong name.

Getting someone's name wrong can be a cardinal sin. According to Emily Gorton, HR assistant at Powder Byrne travel agency, there's no excuse, especially when the person's name was written previously.

"To me, it shows lack of interest and attention to detail, which very early on can be a deal breaker," she told Business Insider. "It can honestly change my mind about people."

The best thing you can do in this situation is own up and apologise as soon as possible, Gorton said, even if that means sending another email straight afterwards.

Nigel Parslow, Managing Director of recruitment agency Harvey Nash, told Business Insider: "Always read through the email and check the recipients details as thoroughly as the grammar and content of the email itself."



3. You pressed send too soon.

Sending an email off too soon has happened to all of us at some point. Sometimes it's obvious to the recipient, but other times it can look like you're being blunt. According to Parslow, pressing send prematurely is usually a result of being in a rush.

"[It's] an issue particularly when rushing or travelling and using smartphones on bumpy trains, and where one is trying to complete the email before disembarking," he told Business Insider.

If it happens to you, Gorton says you should always send as few emails as possible.

"Mistakes happen and we've all done it," she said, suggesting just one follow-up email "rather than sending an email saying sorry for the accident, followed by another saying the rest of the email — three in total. When you're getting hundreds of emails a day, it's irritating to get three or four in a row from one person!"

To avoid it happening all together, put yourself as the recipient until you're somewhere stable to send it off.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

What 13 highly successful people eat for lunch

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michael phelps eating a sub

We're always being told breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but if, like me, you appreciate your time in bed, you probably never leave enough time in the morning to grab some toast.

This means you're ravenous by lunchtime, and bound to enjoy your cuisine more than any early morning porridge.

Successful people are known to start their days with exercise routines and healthy breakfasts, in a way that many of us just don't. But what do they do when lunchtime rolls around? Are you likely to bump into Bill Gates in Pret A Manger?

We looked into what 13 highly successful people reportedly eat for lunch. You might find some of their choices surprisingly relatable.

Michelle Obama — A vegetarian pizza.

The former First Lady often eats fish and stir-fried vegetables for lunch, and sometimes some brown rice or a potato, according to The Huffington Post. Her favourite meal, though, is a veggie pizza on whole wheat bread.



Mark Zuckerberg — Mostly vegetarian dishes.

In 2011, the Facebook CEO and co-founder started a strange eating regime as a "personal challenge."According to a Fortune article, Zuckerberg is mostly vegetarian, apart from animals he has killed himself. He has taken to killing goats, pigs, and chickens for his meals, even using chicken feet for stock.

"I'm eating a lot healthier foods. And I've learned a lot about sustainable farming and raising of animals," he told the website. "It's easy to take the food we eat for granted when we can eat good things every day."



President Trump – Anything he likes.

In 2015, Trump told Bloomberg TV he enjoys a steak, hamburgers, pasta and fries. His first meal as president of the United States was lobster, beef, and a rich chocolate dessert.

"You hear a report that comes out, and it says you can't eat it and then you can, so I eat what I like," he said.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

9 women share the game-changing advice that shaped their careers

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workThe INSIDER Summary:

  • These 9 New York women share their advice that they swear by to help make everything you're doing now worth it.
  • A financial analyst says “Ask for more money than you think you should, because it’s probably still less than what the junior guy next to you is making."

If we had to picture our own personal hell, it would probably involve writing cover letters over and over for eternity. That said, furthering your work life—whether you’re looking for a new job, asking for a raise or building a network—doesn’t have to be as agonizing as you'd think. Here, nine New York women on the career advice they swear by.

workplace

“The one piece of advice I always give: You usually only need to work 5 percent harder to be 100 percent ahead of the people you're competing with. Proofread your résumé, send a thoughtful e-mail (instead of a generic copied-and-pasted note), show up at an interview with proof that you've done even ten minutes of research on the company. Most people do not do these things (really!), and they will set you apart and make the hiring manager or your boss think more highly of you.” - Lauren, editor

“Always be networking, even if you’re not actively looking for a job. Your company could decide to restructure out of nowhere, and on the flip side, the best jobs aren’t going to miraculously show up when you’re desperate—you want to be on people’s minds right when those positions open up.”- Elise, marketing strategist

work converastion

“Go out for coffee or drinks with as many people in your field as possible. That way, as you start building a reputation, everyone already knows you.” - Mia, urban planner 

“Ask for more money than you think you should, because it’s probably still less than what the junior guy next to you is making.” - Mari, financial analyst 

“When you're negotiating your contract for a new position, remember it goes beyond the salary. You can request more vacation days, the freedom to work from home or the ability to freelance elsewhere. Consider all the things that you find valuable and include them in the negotiating process.” - Darla, reporter

work

“If it’s time to ask for a raise, go in asking for three things. Your boss will probably think about it and give you one of them and think they did a good job negotiating. If you just ask for one thing, it’s a lot easier for them to turn you down.” - Jessica, photographer

"A friend of mine who worked in HR told me once that HR departments exist to protect the company, not the employee. That made me realize that I should always have a contingency plan, no matter what."  - Kim, copywriter

women at work

“Everyone fails along the way. The best thing I did was find mentors to normalize my struggles and inspire me to overcome them. My favorite conversations are the ones in which we share our weaknesses. We commiserate, we analyze, we learn. Then we make plans to move on and conquer.” - Lindsay, attorney

“My best advice (that I still tell myself on the reg): Showing up is 90 percent of it. And another woman’s success does not detract from my own. There’s room for all of us at the top.” - Chantal, executive director of an arts foundation 

Join the conversation about this story »

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7 questions you should never be asked in a job interview

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interview

Interviewing for a new job can be nerve-wracking, no matter how experienced you are. Anyone who says they don't suffer from at least a few butterflies is either incredibly confident or a liar.

No matter how hard you prepare, there will probably be some questions that are difficult to answer, and that's okay. However, sometimes we are asked questions in an interview that we are not comfortable with, and you're completely right to feel this way.

You should remember that although you're the one being asked the questions, it's just as important for you to get a good impression of the interviewer. There are actually a few things you don't actually have to answer, and anyone performing an interview should know this, but some employers are craftier than others.

If you're unsure, any personal information is usually off limits, unless it is specifically relevant to the job you are applying for. If you feel uncomfortable answering something, don't be afraid to say so. Any employer that isn't okay with this probably isn't worth working for anyway.

For clarification, here's a list of red flag questions interviewers really shouldn't be asking you, and why.

1. Are you married?

According to the government's website, employers cannot discriminate against anyone because of their "protected characteristics." This includes whether you are are married, single or in a civil partnership. You have no reason to disclose this information. The interviewer might be asking innocently, but others may be trying to discriminate because they are trying to determine your sexual orientation. These personal details have no bearing on your ability to do the job, so recruitment company Reed's website recommends you answer with: "I like to keep my personal and professional life separate."

What they can ask: "Are there any current commitments you can think of which could affect your ability to do this job?"



2. How old are you?

It is also illegal to discriminate against someone because of their age. Of course, you need to be over 18 years old to sell certain products like alcohol and tobacco, so you might have to state that you're old enough. However, any prodding further on the issue could be seen as discrimination. Be careful if the hiring manager asks for your date of birth for their records, because they could be subtly trying to find out your age. Craftier employers might ask how long you want to work before retirement, but this also isn't allowed.

What they can ask:"Are you over 18?"



4. Do you have / do you want children?

It is illegal to discriminate against someone if they have children, are pregnant, or are planning to start a family. Some employers might ask you how old you are to try and work out whether you're likely to start having children. Pretty much all questions about your personal life aren't relevant to the role, and you don't have to answer them.



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What 13 highly successful people do right before they go to bed

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Arianna Huffington Bed

It can be tough trying to fit everything into the day. Sometimes it can feel impossible to get everything done in 24 hours, and, as a result, the thing many of us tend to cut back on is sleep.

According to research from the Sleep Foundation, adults need somewhere between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. The National Health Service says if you don't get enough sleep, it can be really bad for your health. However, many of us still think it's okay to stay up too late and get up too early. 

Some highly successful people put their fortunes down to only sleeping a few hours a night. President Trump, for example, only spends about four hours in bed. Others, however, are a bit more normal with their bedtime routines.

We looked into the pre-bed habits of some of the most successful people in the world to see what changes we could be making.

Scroll down to see what 13 highly successful people do before they hit the hay.

Bill Gates reads for an hour.

The Microsoft co-founder always makes time for reading before he goes to bed. He told The Seattle Times he reads for an hour, no matter how late it is. He manages to get through a book every week and also has a list of books he thinks everyone should read.



Sheryl Sandberg turns her phone off.

Facebook's COO likes to unplug before going to bed. She told USA Today that she turns off her phone before bed so she isn't disturbed at night, but it's "painful" to do so.



Arianna Huffington takes a hot bath.

The former co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group decided to follow a strict sleeping routine after she collapsed in her office due to exhaustion and broke her cheekbone. She told CNBC she gets seven to nine hours of sleep a night by turning off all her electronic devices, taking a hot bath, and reading a book.



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3 steps to improving self-awareness, the powerful workplace tool you're probably lacking

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tasha

About 95% of people think they have good self-awareness, whereas only about 10-15% of us actually possess this skill.

It's a bit like how research has shown how 80% of participants in a study think of themselves as an "above average driver"— it's just not the case.

This finding is the result of over three years of research by organisational psychologist Dr Tasha Eurich. She is an internationally recognised coach, speaker, and author, who has dedicated her career to turning people into better leaders.

In her new book Insight, Eurich discusses how we are generally very bad judges of ourselves. And that's a shame because it can be a potent workplace tool, she thinks.

People who know what drives them, know what their passions are, and understand the impacts they have on the people around them, are more effective. They also seem to be promoted more quickly and have more financially successful businesses.

She worked with many of the Fortune 500 companies, including Microsoft, T-Mobile and Walmart, and conducted her own three-year study to understand what self-awareness really is.

Business Insider spoke to Eurich to learn why self-awareness is so important and what her tips are for someone who wants to be better at it. It's a very complex and nuanced topic, but this is what she recommended for someone looking to "start their journey."

Why you're probably not self-aware

About four years ago, Eurich noticed how most people who think they have self-awareness actually don't, and this was hurting their businesses.

She found from her own studies and previous research that a common theme is the more power you get and the higher you ascend, the less self-aware you become. This is why she saw a lack of self-awareness quite a lot in unicorn companies which took off suddenly and exponentially.

She found from her own studies and previous research that a common theme is the more power you get and the higher you ascend, the less self-aware you become. "The power literally goes to our heads and it makes it difficult for us to understand the impact we're having on other people to take their perspectives," she said.

"The power literally goes to our heads and it makes it difficult for us to understand the impact we're having on other people to take their perspectives," she said.

One example she gave was Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. "He's driven out his president, he's driven out his chief marketing officer, that is like a classic case of a lack of self-awareness," she said.

Travis Kalanick

Eurich explained that if a CEO is smart, even brilliant, but they have no idea how other people perceive them, eventually they will derail. She said that's she is often brought into companies because the CEO is "not behaving."

"At the very least they are going to be ineffective because they can't get people to want to follow them," she said. "A lot of times, un-self-aware leaders at the top that I see who suffer from that problem. They're not respected, they're not effective because they can't get people to jump on board."

Also if a CEO isn't clear about what drives them, it's a missed opportunity, and this can become problematic when they have to explain their vision. "A lot of times they blindly chase shareholder returns, and it's just so short sighted and it doesn't ultimately help them be effective," Eurich said.

Why self-awareness matters

In many cases, Eurich's clients were successful in spite of their behaviour, or lack of self-awareness. In these cases, they might not see any reason to change how they act — after all, they're very powerful the way they are. But Eurich says there will always come a time when you learn how important it is to understand those around you.

"Ultimately there's a crisis or a moment of opportunity where you need to listen to the people around you," she said. "Or you make a giant mistake and you've got to eat crow and come clean, and sort of be vulnerable and courageous."

Often when Eurich explains to those in charge how people really perceive them, they are shocked. She jokes that she gets paid to tell really powerful people the truth when everyone else is afraid to. But when she starts to see a change in their management styles, it's quite remarkable.

"The higher up you go, a dramatic turn around in self-awareness from one person literally has a ripple effect all the way to the customers and the shareholders," she said.

3 steps to improving self-awareness

Self-awareness is impossible to achieve overnight, but these are the three steps Eurich recommended as a good place to start:

1. Commit to learning the truth about yourself.

Even if the truth is scary or intimidating, choose to face up to yourself. Stop trying to see yourself through rose-tinted spectacles, and question the assumption that just because nobody is challenging you on your decisions, that everything you're doing is right. Being open-minded, Eurich says, makes you braver and wiser.

2. Find a "loving critic."

This is someone who you trust and who you know wants you to be successful. However, it has to be someone who will also be completely honest and direct with you. You could find a board member or someone on your level who knows you really well, ideally who sees you every day. Ask them what you're doing well and what you're not, and you might be surprised how insightful it is.

3. Think about getting a coach.

There are many amazing executive coaches, Eurich says, but there are also a lot of really terrible ones. If you find someone who can help you evaluate the perceptions of yourself in your company, and help you plan a couple of things to work on, you might see some dramatic improvements.

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ANDY COHEN: Here's how to get someone to tell you something they might not want to share

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Andy Cohen has successfully climbed the media ladder from CBS News intern to host and executive producer of Bravo's late night show, "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen."

Additionally, Cohen is an executive producer of the network's popular and expansive "Real Housewives" empire, hosts and produces pop culture nostalgia series "Andy Cohen's Then & Now," and is set to host the upcoming revival of "Love Connection."

We asked Cohen how he's able to frequently get his celebrity guests to spill salacious behind-the-scenes details about the entertainment industry or their personal lives. Following is a transcript of the video.

ANDY COHEN: I think there's an artful way to ask a question where you can be delicate without being an ass. Show the person that you're on their side in whatever way you can, that you have a passion and an interest and an enthusiasm for them.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid, and don't — don't overqualifythe question. 

I think people know that I'm not out to get them, I want to — I'm more of a cheerleader than a foe. So, I don't want people to leave mad, but I also want them to know that if they come here, that there's an expectation but I also want them to know that if they come here, that there's an expectation that we're gonna talk about things that may not be — may not always make them comfortable, but that's also, I mean it's a relationship that I have with the audience too, where they know that I'm gonna go there, and I like to go there, and I learned how to go there with the "Housewives," and then it just kind of translated with celebrities.

I mean, I like to respect their boundaries, but I like to push it. But I push them in a friendly way. So, I'll accept any answer.

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These 8 tips will stop you getting into a political row at work

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Political fight

Is it okay to talk about politics at work?

It's a tricky question and the answer relies heavily on what you do for a living and the relationship you have with your colleagues.

While it is generally a good thing that people are involved in politics and are expressing opinions, it might not be in your best interests to get into a raging argument at work with someone who does not share your views.

In the current political climate, and with the general election fast approaching on June 8, topics such as immigration, the NHS, education, and Brexit are all going to be popular discussions.

You spend many hours of the day at work, so it's inevitable someone in the office will broadcast their opinion. Unfortunately, this is out of your control. What you can control is how you handle the situation.

Here are eight ways of keeping the argument at bay.

1. Avoid party politics.

According to Sarah O'Neill, who is the director of HR at Digital Trends, it can be really easy to get sucked into a right versus left debate.

"Have employees, instead, discuss big-picture concepts, specific ballot measures, or general concern," she wrote for an article in Forbes. "Encourage them to talk about how they would be affected by changes in order to help explain why they are concerned about specifics."

This way, it is easier to see both sides of the debate and discussions are more likely to be constructive. People can get very fired up when it comes to the identity of the political party they support, so sticking to the facts and issues can help everyone educate each other.



2. Understand why conflict arises.

It is useful to get to the bottom of why conflict arises. Usually, according to Juliet Hailstone, product marketing manager at HR company MHR, it comes from people having different objectives, opinions, interpretations of a situation, or views of what is acceptable behaviour.

"Political discussion is often an emotionally rooted affair, with strong ideological roots, possible immediate impact on family situations, even immediate impact on work situations and living standards," she said in an email to BI.



3. Be respectful.

Political opinions tend to be a personal matter, so it is important to treat peoples' views and opinions with respect.

O'Neill wrote in the Forbes article that everyone has a right to believe what they do, and they have their own reasons. By treating everyone with the same level of respect, opinions are more likely to be shared without things getting nasty.

Hailstone agrees that you might not understand how a person can have the opinions they do, but the best way of trying is by listening.

"You may not agree with everything they say but you need to understand that to them, their view is correct and is rooted in inherited and developed life influences that you will probably never understand," she said.



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