An Empty Town for Autonomous Cars

An Empty Town for Autonomous Cars An Empty Town for Autonomous Cars Just when is an automated car ready to hit the road? How does a car manufacturer test a driverless vehicle enough to know it can handle every situation the nations streets have to offer? How can you put connected vehicles in dangerous scenarios without simultaneously putting conventional vehicles, and their flesh-and-blood passengers, in dangerous scenarios as well? The answer can be found at a facility at the University of Michigan known as Mcity. This test trackor test environment, as its facilitators call itis a ghost town made to put autonomous and connected vehicles through their paces. The model municipality includes a wild variety of driving conditions. Its 32 acres includes five miles of road for test cars to travel. Those roads are asphalt, concrete, gravel, brick, and dirt. They can be two, three, or four lanes, and can pass through tunnels, circle around roundabouts, and travel under stoplights. There are curves, ramps, bike lanes and hydrants, and benches. And to complete the feeling that the place is a fake town, akin to the decoy Rock Ridge at the end of Blazing Saddles, there are moveable buildings that are nothing more than facades, as well as cutout pedestrians, both stationary and mechanized. We made sure all the designs were diverse, with different curve designs, intersections, and pedestrian crossings, says Huei Peng, a mechanical engineer at the University and the associate director of the Mobility Transformation Center. Theyre all a little bit different. That way car manufactures can know their vehicles have been tested in situations found across the country.Views of Mcity. Image University of Michigan But the pavement, the structures, and the layout of Mcity are only one part of what makes it an ideal testing ground. The rest is to be found in the numbers behind the scenes. If you just blindly drive your car on regular streets it takes 100 mio miles to experience a fatal crash, says Peng. We believe that in our test environment, its more accelerated. Peng and his colleagues know just how to accelerate that testing thanks to the incredible amount of driving data theyve amassed. Theyve recorded more than 1.2 million hours of driving, which translates to 35 million miles of driving, more than 5 million separate trips, and includes 400,000-odd lane changes. With such a storehouse of data, Peng, and auto manufacturers, can zero in on risker road scenarios and driving behaviors. When we analyzed menschenwrdig driving data, we extracted the dangerous part of the statistic, says Peng. In other words, we will be able to emphasize or amplify the number of dangerous lane changes. For the safe lane changes, we dont have to test them. Thats how we accelerate testing. Similarly, the data allow for better testing of so-called diabolic scenarios. You could try to brainstorm scenarios and impose them on vehicles, says Peng. But the question is, how severe? What is t he speed, the timing, the relative direction? Some companies try to come up with challenging scenarios, but I dont know how they determine those values. We will chose them based on observations of human behaviors, really bad ones, but ones that represent real world driving. We try to play these risky behaviors on the test track. Thanks to the heightened risk of any test, the runs tend to be short. The testers can then examine what happened, tweak perception and control algorithms, and go back and try it again. Once theyve finessed their system to handle one dodgy situation, they can run a similar scenario at different locations in Mcity. So in 20 years, or ten, or whatever the number may be, when youre getting some extra snooze in on the way to work, playing cards with the kids on the way to Mount Rushmore, or just enjoying the view with your full attention, youll know your automatic vehicle will get you there safely thanks to that simulated town in Michigan, Mcity. Michael Abrams i s an independent writer. For Further Discussion We will be able to emphasize or amplify the number of dangerous lane changes. For the safe lane changes, we dont have to test them. Thats how we accelerate testing.Huei Peng, associate director, Mobility Transformation Center

These are the first steps to becoming a CEO, according to Walmarts CEO

These are the first steps to becoming a CEO, according to Walmarts CEOThese are the first steps to becoming a CEO, according to Walmarts CEOBecoming the CEO of a billion-dollar organization starts with these three steps.Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon know a thing or two about rising to the top. McMillon, 52, became Walmarts fifth CEO in 2014, heading the company that was valued at $386 billion in 2018, according to GOBankingRates. He previously headed Walmarts international division and was the CEO of Sams Club.McMillon said multiple associates told him that they wanted his job one day in a recent post on LinkedIn. So, the Walmart CEO decided to write up a few tips on how people can move forward in their careers - and it all happens with hard work.He stressed these three points1. Get todays job right - Focus on whats in front of you right now. Getting where you want to be isnt going to start any other way.2. Be a great teammate - Drawing on his past experience in sports, McMillon said learning to help others actually develops your leadership skills. He stressed Be the teammate others want to work with.3. Take on something extra and hard - McMillon advised followers to think about things that arent being accomplished around them and look at ways to accomplish them.Challenge yourself to take on those difficult assignments, McMillon said. Theyre learning opportunities, and you have a chance to change something for the better. And, people tend to notice and recognize your leadership characteristics.

Using exact change in Venmo transactions makes us look petty

Using exact change in Venmo transactions makes us look pettyUsing exact change in Venmo transactions makes us look pettyWith just a few taps on our phone, peer-to-peer mobile payment systems like Venmo have made it possible to send our friends and family the exact amount of money we owe for that group dinner. Maybe it keeps the check balance exact, but a new study found that it will not be perceived as fair.When we pay our friends the exact amount of what we owe, we may think were being helpfully conscientious, but researchers Tami Kim,Ting Zhang and Michael Norton found that the behavior can come off as petty and make us dislike the stickler. It makes us think that the friend sees us as an ATM machine and less as a friend.These platforms making it very convenient to transfer the exact amount owed and to keep the balance sheet at exactly zero among friends, Tami Kim, one of the studys authors, said. We found that could have unintended consequences because they make the relationships feel transactional in nature.Exact Venmo transactions make us think a relationship is transactionalIn a series of experiments across American and European participants using Venmo, the researchers found that we see these exhaustively precise exchanges as petty even when they are objectively more generous. Giving a schadstoff card of $5.15 is less wanted than a simple gift card of $5.Why does counting those extra cents come off as pettier than just rounding up or down? Because it suggests that you needlessly went the extra mile for a trivial amount of money. Given that units like cents and minutes are less consequential than dollars and hours, we suggest- and demonstrate- that observing someone making a decision about minor units is likely to feel more trivial. Furthermore, because round amounts are often used in an approximation context, precise amounts are regarded as more intentional than round amounts, the paper said.Apps like Venmo and PayPal makes it easier to pay someone down to the last cent. But this study suggests this is not something we necessarily want from our friendships. In our digital age, public receipts of Venmo transactions provide new ways for us to track each others behavior. Leaving some room for error in your next transaction signals that you care more about the person involved than the money involved.

5 Ways to Refresh Your LinkedIn in the New Year

5 Ways to Refresh Your LinkedIn in the New Year5 Ways to Refresh Your LinkedIn in the New YearHappy New Year to youIts 2018, were in the depths of the digital age and LinkedIn has become the essential personal branding tool to position you for your ideal role, and get you in front of the people important to your career goals.However, Ive found all too often with clients, despite initially creating an all-star profile (basically, all the sections completed) theyve let their LinkedIn profile fall by the wayside until that perfect role pops up, and manic makeover ensuesAuditing your profile and zugnglich presenceCommit to auditing your profile and online presence every 3 monthsand youll save yourself the unnecessary stress. This process is made so much clearer and simpler when you first understand these 3 thingsYour target roleYour ideal audienceYour unique selling pointKeeping this in mind, here are the key things you need to refresh for the year ahead.1. Your Profile PictureFirstly, i f you dont have one at all this is doing you some serious disservice LinkedIn stats report that your reader is 21x more likely to click through to your profile if you include a professional clear photo. An easy way to up your visibility, right?If you already have one, is it up to date? You might have gone with a new look in the past year, lost 20kg, grown out that facial fuzz. Keep it fresh and appropriate for your industry.2. Your HeadlineYouve heard the saying dress for the job you want, not the job you have, right? You need to take a similar approach with your headline. If I were a recruiter searching on LinkedIn to fill what you consider to be your ideal role, would I find you?Say you were a Project Manager whose responsibility had escalated in the last 12 months but for minimal return i.e. at a company who didnt value or reward your skill set with official progression, or where the culture just wasnt aligned with you. Your default headline of Project Manager wont indicate that you are who Im looking for.So get specific Senior Project Manager on $15-$100M Civil Infrastructure Projects (Mid-tier). If thats remotely what Im looking for Im going to click through to your profile to read on, which brings me to3. Your SummaryYour summary is key to your positioning on LinkedIn. A summary utilizing the complete character availability (2000 characters) makes your profile more likely to show up in a search.Make it clear how you can help your ideal audience, and keep it future-focused and aspirational demonstrating what results you can help them achieve, and supporting with key highlights and contributions.Revise your summary regularly to include any recent and relevant achievements, projects completed, awards or new skills/capabilities. Dont be shy to add some personality. Nearly 40% of recruiters are looking for this.Show that you are ready for that next role and how, with your unique skills, specialties, training and track record of results, theres no better fit .4. Your ExperienceI know youve accomplished new things in the last 12 months, taken on new responsibilities and made a valuable and tangible contribution to your team. Make sure you are adding this experience to your most recent role, including any further professional development and higher level skills youve demonstrated.Remember that recruiters want to see what you actually did. Your responsibilities dont say anything about how good you were. What did you actually achieve and how?Example Achieved 5% direct and 12% indirect savings through initiation and implantation of a Lean Six Sigma project.5. Your SkillsAlmost every client I have worked with has been unaware that their skills section is prime SEO real estate. Your skills count as keywords. Even if you dont have a certain word anywhere else in your profile, putting it as a skill will make your profile show up when someone searches for that word or phrase.This is such a simple and impactful update that you can make today. If y oure not sure where to start, check out some profiles of your competitors i.e. the people currently in the role you aspire to. What common skills and keywords are they using?Making small changes to your LinkedIn more regularly will ensure you are not only prepared for that next perfect opportunity, but are showing up on the radargert of recruiters, and giving the best, most up-to-date insight into who you are and what you do.

The Pitfall of How to Update Your Resume

The Pitfall of How to Update Your Resume Lies Youve Been Told About How to Update Your Resume The absolute most time-effective means is to use a resume builder which enables you to update your resume online. The business name is in little caps, to make it even more distinguishable from the remainder of the job details. Words from prior clients go quite a ways. It is preferable to do your homework about the present product that the organization is working on and also get some idea about how to enhance the item. Companies have precisely the same problem its extremely time-consuming to discover the perfect person for each position. If your organization provides an employer-based retirement-saving plan, take whole benefit of it. Dont rely on unemployment or maybe you feel too comfortable with your present position. You dont know as soon as an exciting job opportunity will present itself, therefore its always a great idea to have your resume prepared to send at a moments notice. If you have the correct knowledge on ways to get a foot in the front door, locating a job can occasionally be easier. The sort of business could possibly be a clue to what your duties are somewhat more likely to be. Simply take the chance to celebrate, but dont neglect to update your resume, which ought to always include your present position. Keep the awards related to your job and industry. Employers do not know you desire a full-time job if you dont inform them. There are a lot of traps which job candidates fall into whenwriting resumes but all of them are avoidable. Hiring managers try to find a great deal more than just your capacity to find the task done. Your business is usually larger than that which your department does. If you dont stay focused on your present job, you cant afford a lousy reputation. You may even start at a greater salary if you have a couple certifications below your belt. If possible, seek the assistance of a resume writer. Your resume will l et them understand how to get ahold of you when they wish to prepare an interview. Ok, now that youve aced the interview, you will need to get familiar with the platform and the way to locate and apply for open projects. Its essential that you speak confidently during the interview because that will demonstrate you do have basic interpersonal skills which are necessary for any position. How to Update Your Resume - the Conspiracy Join Groups Another means to update your LinkedIn profile is to make the most of the websites professional networking groups. Over the past couple of decades, LinkedIn has come to be among the topmost sites for skilled networking. Set your LinkedIn profile as public Have you encounter a profile that you find interesting but when you attempt to explore their profile, you realize that you want to connect to the person before youre able to access their profile on LinkedIn. Most individuals think that their LinkedIn profile has to be as in-depth and detai l-oriented as their resume, to be able to impress the leadership in a business. If you have one, make certain its current. There might not be a need to dress to the nines every moment, but you need to dress appropriately even if you are only returning an application. Theres no location for private info on todays modern resumes. On the exact same note, the last version of your resume ought to be one-page. So long as youre making progress towards a few goals youre on the proper track. While there could be many more openings in January, in addition, there are opportunities throughout the full calendar year. Its true, you may continue your internship virtually Keeping your resume updated doesnt have to have a large amount of time, particularly if youre doing it regularly. Order your skills based on what you need to be famous for. Add relevant skills so that its easy for other people to recommend you. Just take a class to compensate for it if you should acquire certain sorts of skills for a work category. While its crucial to understand the skills of your field well, necessary skill sets for different facets of the job are critical to comprehend and know well. There are an excellent many considerations, including where to live, occupations to research and the way to start to conduct research on all the potential opportunities. Learn everything you can about your possible workplace. Learn about others careers so you can improve. You didnt describe your accomplishments in your prior roles.

What You Can Do About Aws Resume Beginning in the Next 2 Minutes

What You Can Do About Aws Resume Beginning in the Next 2 Minutes What Does Aws Resume Mean? With the same teams, its going to aid you to acquire certain referrals about the record. The aim of your resume is to secure you the interview. One thing you ought to take into consideration whilst booking is it doesnt appear to be possible to schedule an exam for the following day. If you wish to create an expertise in only EC2 be my guest, but its my thinking that in the long scheme of things it doesnt work out. The Pain of Aws Resume Formatting your resume sources is a comparatively straightforward job. Very soon you might be able to acquire quizzes and learning statements only on a single support. All on-line programs and bootcamps usually concentrate on a particular back-end language, and in reality in doesnt matter which one that you learn so much as much time as you understand whats happening and you learn the nuances of your preferred language. The only means to understand h ow to construct things with AWS is in fact attempting to replicate current infrastructures, you can do that with lots of tutorials. The Secret to Aws Resume Designers specifically manage the visual details of the program, whereas developers look after the performance and functionality of the computer software. Being a Full-Stack Developer doesnt indicate youve necessarily mastered everything needed to work with the front-end or back-end, but it usually means that youre ready to work on either side and understand whats going on when building an application. By customizing your work application meant for the job that you would like, you can show companies youve got the capabilities and experience theyre searching for. All About Aws Resume In some rare circumstances, nonetheless, your application may fail in an unexpected way. Then get in touch with your charge card company, it might take some time prior to your refund is officially posted. As a consequence, your availability impact is limited just to the time necessary for automatic failover to finish. As a result, it is limited to the time required for automatic failover to complete. Among other facets, ranking high on the ATS demands the usage of relevant search phrases, which are the ones utilized in the work description utilized by the recruiters. Your resume header is the initial thing which is going to be looked upon. Consider what you are going to be gaining your work application, and pick your design template accordingly. Your job application will likely be split into sections. Amazon is fruchtwein likely the one with more positions but should you look at Linkedin Jobs you are going to learn how an increasing number of companies which use AWS want to get skilled architects. AWS services are made to be interdependent and interact with one another seamlessly hence an architecture design should always and most will always utilize numerous services. Hirations guide on how best to compose a resume will help you produce a best AWS architect resume. AWS certs are the absolute most respected.

The science of food and work productivity

The science of food and work productivityThe science of food and work productivityEating the right food throughout yur workday is as essential as filling your car up with gas. Without it,you get nowhere. Moreover, the quality of fuel matters. A poor diet is like filling your gas tank with sugaryPepsi.In short, food affects not just how we feel and what we weigh it changes how we work. Here are three tips to eat your way to a better workday, based on scientific research and real insights from employer reviews onkununu.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraBreakfast actually mattersBreakfast fuels the most energetic, inspired part of our workday.Researchshows that alertness spikes right after breakfast is consumed. A good breakfast is the difference between a lethargic, unproductive morning, and one of those unstoppable, in-the-zone mornings.What breakfast is best? High fiber, carb-rich meals are associated with the highest alertness ratings, as well as the most cumulative alertness between breakfast and lunch. In onestudy, breakfast cereal consumption was associated with lower levels of depression, emotional distress and fatigue as well as greater alertness, fewer cognitive problems, and fewer bowel problems. Researchers observed these effects after just one week.Though high (good) fat breakfasts are popular in natural health circles right now, some research indicates that fat-rich breakfasts have a weak satiating power compared to other kinds of breakfast. If your breakfast tends to be high in fat, that might be why youre rooting around your workplace kitchen at 10 a.m.So even though breakfast is important, dont overthink it you dont need a massive, perfect breakfast every day. Instead, shoot for easy but healthy whole grain, high-fiber cereal, yogurt and granola, fruit and whole grain toast, or even a breakfast shake (as long as it doesnt have more than about 1 0 grams of sugar). Hassle-free and nutritious is the key to consistent productivity.Eating regularly matters just as much as eating wellOnly35 percentof American employees say they almost always take a lunch break. 60 percent either eat at their desks or dont eat at all,The New York Timesreports.kununu reviews echo these statistics. At this facility I can never get a break or lunch because Im so busy oneVibra Hospital of Charlestonemployee wrote. An employee atIKEAsaid the same If you came in the morning and had short hours you had only a fifteen minute break and no time to eat lunch until you would get home later. Employees atCVS Caremark,NissanandUnitedHealthcareagreed theres not enough time to eat during your lunch break, and/or taking lunch is frowned upon.The mistake many 9-5 workers make is waiting until 2 p.m. to eat lunch, by which time theyre famished and craving fat and carbs. This method wastes productivity in two ways. First, the low energy caused by our hunger saps our motivation and attention. Our body converts pretty much everything we eat into glucose, which our brains use to think and stay alert. When were hungry, itshard to concentratebecause our glucose is low. Not eating regularly can also make people emotional, which impedes productivity. Secondly, after we binge on a high-carb, high-fat lunch, much of our bodys energy goes to digesting the meal we just ate, rather than doing good work. This is what causes that afternoon slump feeling. Another trending technique is intermittent fasting which, despite its budding popularity, hasprovento plummet mood and alertness at work.Ideally, your workplace environment will support eating healthily and eating whenever youre physically hungry (not just bored). Employees who eat at staff canteens aremore likelyto eat well and regularly compared with other subjects. One employee atAnmed Healthwrote that my cafeteria promoted healthy food which I appreciated.But if youre on a budget or your workplace doesnt have a cafeteria, there are other ways to eat regularly. Just as you stock your home fridge with food every week, stock your work fridge. Services like Amazon Pantry andInstacartmake this easier than ever. If you dont have a fridge to use, one employee at Moncler Fashion suggests bringing high-glycemic snacks like bananas, peanut butter and honey on whole grain bread to give you energy throughout the day. Workers often resort to eating huge, expensive, unhealthy meals because the options theyve brought themselves to work arent appealing enough mid-day. So step up your food game your boss will thank you.Stress messes with your eating habitsEven slight changes in eating habits cangenerate stressequivalent to an increased workload. One employee atSpa Urbanaexplained, Everyone was stressed due to regularly not getting an adequate lunch.Conversely, stress itself can change eating habits. One employee atJustifacts Credential Verification, Inc.noticed that Managers get so stressed to get work done that they eat lunch at their desks or not at all.But stress doesnt just reduce the time we have to eat it physiologically changes how our bodies perceive food. When were stressed, our bodies release cortisol, which then interacts with two hormones called neuropeptide Y and leptin to stimulate ourappetitefor high sugar and high fat food. Moreover, when were stressed, good food stimulates anopioid release- your bodys natural version of heroin. An addicting reward cycle ensues We get stressed, and comfort food quite literally, physiologically, comforts us, and then we indulge in it to alleviate our stress. Stress increases the reward value of highly palatable food, one studyexplains. Indeed,researchsuggests that stressed students are more prone to practice bad eating habits, like eating junk food. The more stressed we get, the more we crave and love high sugar, high fat food, and the more lethargic and less productive we become.In short, eat regularly to reduce your stress, and reduce your stress to improve your diet.What we eat is the foundation of our work. When we choose to eat well and often, we opt to invigorate our work energy and reimagine a productive day.This article originally appeared on Kununu.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Bug out in a Forensic Entomology Career

Bug out in a Forensic Entomology CareerBug out in a Forensic Entomology CareerTo a lot of people, bugs are creepy, crawly, nasty things that never mean anything good. To forensic entomologists, though, insects, arachnids, and other arthropods - the fancy way of saying bugs - provide a wealth of information about grisly and gruesome crimes. If this appeals to you, you may want to consider a job as a forensic entomologist. From the Greek entomos, which describes something that is segmented or cut into pieces, entomology means the study of insects and is a sub-discipline of arthropodology, which studies all types of bugs and invertebrate animals. In the strictest sense, entomology now refers only to insects, but the term is commonly used to describe the study of bugs of any kind, including spiders, scorpions, and other creepy crawlies. The term forensic is from Latin and describes anything that has to do with the law or legal field. It has thus come to be used to describe any discipline that may be employed in the criminal justice system. Forensic entomology, then, is simply the application of entomology towards the criminal process, specifically in the investigation of crime. History of Forensic Entomology According to international forensic entomologist Dr. Mark Benacke in his Brief History of Forensic Entomology, the first documentation linking bugs to forensic investigations is found in the work of Sung Tzu. In his work Hsi yuan chi lu (The Washing Away of Wrongs), the thirteenth-century Chinese lawyer and death investigator described various techniques to determine causes of death and solving murders. According to Benacke, Sung Tzu recounts a case in which he was able to identify a murder weapon - and subsequently the murderer - by observing flies that were attracted to a sickle that Tzu surmised carried invisible traces of blood. This concept forms the foundation of forensic entomology. Over the ensuing centuries, both artists and scientists who studied human bodies observed how all manner of arthropods were attracted by and contributed to the decomposition of corpses. In the 18th and 19th centuries, French and German doctors made special note of the types of bugs that were involved in decomposition and began to attempt to learn how long a corpse had been dead,by the rate of decomposition and the number of maggots and other bugs present. The field continued to advance and gain respect within the scientific community and has grown into the fascinating forensic science specialty it is today. Job Description Forensic entomologists study decomposing corpses and, mora specifically, the types of invertebrate animals that are involved in the process. Specific types of bugs are believed to be attracted to specific types of bodily substances, and their presence can be used to help detectives and investigators learn how a crime occurred. Forensic entomologists can also assist in the investigation of other violent crimes in which various bodily substances may be released, as well as cases of neglect. They can even help investigators learn whether a body has been frozen or refrigerated, which may indicate intent or signs of a cover-up. They can also help identify whether a decomposing body has ever been present in a particular area. During the trial of accused murdering mom Casey Anthony, a forensic entomologist testified that a certain fly associated with decomposition was located in the trunk of Anthonys car, suggesting a body had been stored there. Most forensic entomologists work in the more general fields of entomology and arthropodology at colleges and universities. They often provide assistance and consulting services to law enforcement agencies and medical examiners on an as-needed basis. Forensic entomologists perform work both in a laboratory and in the field. Naturally, due to the subject matter they examine, the scenes they respond to and crimes they help investigate are often gruesome and are not for the faint of heart. They may be called upon to produce reports and to provide courtroom testimony, and they work closely with police, detectives, and other forensic scientists. Education Requirements People who are interested in a career in forensic entomology need to pursue a degree in entomology or a related field such as arthropodology. They should also expect to earn a masters degree or doctorate in their field, with coursework that includes forensics and the application of entomology to the legal process and the solving of a crime. There are several certifying bodies lending credibility to forensic entomologists, and candidates would do well to seek certification or diplomas from organizations such as the American Board of Forensic Entomology. Average Salary Forensic entomology is a growing field, and the discipline has only recently begun to enjoy widespread credibility and notoriety. According to indeed.com, the average salary for forensic entomologists is $42,000 per ye ar. Job Outlook Many investigative bodies are only just beginning to make use of forensic entomologists, and very few are employed full time by police agencies. Those interested in working in forensic entomology will likely find more success working as a college or university professor and performing consulting work in forensics. Is a Career Right for You If you find biology, bugs and other creepy critters fascinating and enjoy solving problems and puzzles, working as a forensic entomologist may just be the perfect criminology career for you. Understand that the work involves dealing with disturbing scenes and sights, and is certainly not for everyone. However, if youre not one to get queasy easily, a career in forensic entomology may be right up your alley.

This counterintuitive mindset will make you more innovative and successful

This counterintuitive mindset will make you more innovative and successfulThis counterintuitive mindset will make you more innovative and successfulOne of my biggest pet peeves is when someone says, Im not a pessimist. Im a realist.Truthfully, fruchtwein of us think were realists. We binnensee the world the way we see it.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreBut how we actually behave is a different matter, and reveals the truth about our outlook.A realist who predicts that things will get worse under X leader or Y policy is really being a pessimist.A realist who thinks that because theyve won three hands in a row means theyre more likely to win the next hand is being optimistic, but foolishly.Optimismhopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.Pessimisma tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen a lack of h ope or confidence in the future.Generally, pessimism is seen as a bad thing. It prevents us from going after our dreams.Yet, smart investors rely on pessimism to hedge bets and not lose money.And though glass-half-full optimism is typically praised by society and touted by successful entrepreneurs, Bernie Madoff went to prison because of his faith in his ability to beat the financial ordnungsprinzip without getting caught.In my work as a business and science journalist studying innovative people andteams- and then attempting to put their secrets into practice as founder of my own company- Ive found thatsomething thats commonly conflated with pessimism actually makes a crucial differencebetween moderately successful people andincrediblysuccessful people.This trait is a key ingredient in the formula that leads to breakthrough innovation, and goes often unrecognized.Which is a better default outlook Optimism or Pessimism?To me, the answer doesnt matter until we add a second dimension t o the equation. Then we reveal a combination that makes optimism the more powerful of the two.That dimension iscredulityThe differences between Optimism and Credulity, Skepticism and Pessimism, are subtle. But theyre crucial. On their face, credulity seems to be a marker of good faith, a noble value, and skepticism is thought of as grouchy or stubborn. However, herbeies how the dictionary defines themCreduloushaving or showing too great a readiness to believe things.Skepticalnot easily convinced having doubts or reservations.When charted by these two dimensions, its clear that some measure of success and failure can be found in every categoryA compulsive gambler, is both optimistic and credulous, believing she can and will win.And yet,entrepreneursare often both optimistic and credulous.Someone with apersecution complexis both skeptical and pessimistic, believing people have ill intentions and things wont get better.And yet, somehoarders and hermitsleave their kin valuable property in their wills.A conspiracy nutis perhaps worst of all he is both eager to believe and pessimistic about the future.And yet conspiracy websites make money from advertisements. (Not to mention, someinvestorsmake - or avoid losing - lots of money using this attitude.)Though people can find success with any of these combinations, the most counter-intuitive quadrant is the one where the most breakthrough success can be foundOptimistic, but Skeptical.This is where the innovators reside, where inventors who dare to doubt the status quo ask the questions that need to be asked in order for the world to change.They need a healthy amount of optimism to believe that the world can change for the better, and that drives them to make transformative things happen*(Note I dont intend to downplay the hardship that is clinical depression, re Quadrant 3. Depression comes with,by definition, an inability to see a better future. Youre skeptical of the value of basic things in life including life itsel f, and thats an incredibly difficult obstacle.)While credulous optimists rely on good winds to push their sails (and often find them), skeptical optimists ask questions like, Do we need sails?Once you recognize the trait, its easy to see why the worlds great change-makers fit in this category, and why skeptical optimism is under-appreciated.Steve Jobs was one of the worlds greatest optimists, and thats what people remember him for. But he was also incredibly demanding and skeptical. He was constantly unsatisfied, consistently pushing back against what was shown him or what was conventional.He continually said, Thats not good enough.Jobs was not easily convinced. But he believed in an incredible future. And that combination helped him unlock it.Harriet Tubman, one of my favorite historical characters, was clearly an optimist when she had many reasons not to be. She was born a slave, lived a hard life, suffered a head injury that caused her seizures her husband remarried another woman and declined to flee north with her.And yet, after she escaped from her captors, Tubman venturedbackinto slave territory to rescue people. She clearly had faith in a better future for her and them, and thats what people remember.But Tubman wasnt credulous. She was extremely careful, carried a pistol with her (and had occasion to pull it out). She was wary of circumstances and peoples loyalty and intentions until proven otherwise - and that allowed her to rescue dozens of people from slavery and inspire millions more.The skeptical optimist believes things can be better, but doubts conventional wisdom. Sure, madmen also fall under this definition.But as Ive written before,apparent-crazy is one of geniuss main ingredients.For those of us who have faith in a better future, personally or professionally, cultivating a skeptical eye can transform how we operate - for the better. For those that lack confidence, lets pferdegeschirr that doubt into healthy solutions and big ideas.It doesnt matter if the glass is half full or half empty if you think you can make a better glass.Want to Work Smarter?Ive created a little cheat sheet for how to uselateral thinkingto change your work and life, based on science and my bestselling bookSmartcuts. Its free.Get the cheat sheet hereThis article first appeared on Medium.