Put the kettle on + take a moment to in invest in yourself
Most people know that how you frame a problem will influence how you solve it. This means that you have to carefully choose the words to describe your issue. If you’re struggling to generate effective solutions, you might change the way you’ve phrased the problem. Specifically, ask yourself two questions...
As a hiring manager, there’s one key question you should ask every job candidate: "How do you learn?" Of course, you want to bring in employees with impressive achievements and qualifications, but a person’s future performance will largely be determined by how intentionally and systematically they develop their skills. So...
To be a good leader, you must communicate well. Cambridge University lecturer Simon Lancaster says that the power of persuasion lies in our ability to manipulate listeners brains. He suggests that we can win support by tapping into peoples cravings for brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. When we do...
If you’ve been working from home for the past year, you may find yourself hitting a wall. WFH burnout is real — so it's important to do what you can to give yourself a boost throughout the workday. Don't underestimate the power of going for a walk (or, if you're...
Chances are, most leaders are too focused on having all the answers — and not focused enough on asking the right questions. It's time to recalibrate. Despite what you might think, expressing vulnerability and asking for help, clarification, or input can be a sign of strength and confidence, not weakness....
It’s hard to feel inspired about much of anything these days — let alone your job. What can you do to shift your perspective if you feel that your work has lost its purpose? Start by turning inward. Reflect on what you care about and what motivates you. Think about...
The ability to bounce back from setbacks is often described as the difference between successful and unsuccessful people. But how do you build that resilience? Research shows that it comes down to the people in your network. You need relationships that are broad and deep enough to support you when...
2020 has been a burdensome year for us all. With elevated expectations and never ending to-do lists, it's easy to feel guilty about what we haven't completed. But guilt is only useful when it motivates us to do more — it shouldn’t make you feel failure or shame. To erase...
Shankar Vedantam recently hosted an informative discussion on why we work. In a dialogue on his NPR show Hidden Brain, he explored how we can shape our thinking about the daily grind and make work a more rewarding experience. His guest, Yale psychologist, Amy Wrzesniewski, informed us that people who...
There’s a popular phrase in HR circles doing the rounds, about “Letting employees bring their best selves to work”. Not only is it a nice idea, it makes economic sense. People’s best selves do far better work, than people’s crappy selves. Of course they do. For the same reason happy...
The pandemic has shown us how crisis can lead to rapid innovation. Just look at all of the companies that quickly pivoted to curbside pickup or adapted their services to new health regulations. How can a leader help their team retain this agility and sense of urgency even when there’s...
Telling a good yarn can help you win over a colleague, a team, an executive, a recruiter or a large conference room. But what does that look like? The best stories don’t just communicate information or elicit an emotional reaction — they're also a tool to persuade and motivate people....
You can tell what people priorities are by what they allow on their calendars. You can tell a lot by breaking down what fills peoples workdays. Paul Graham, founder of Y Combinator, breaks them down into one of two categories :: makers or managers. There are folks who spend most...
There’s not one leadership style that works for all contexts. For example, in some situations, it’ll make sense to tell people what to do, whereas asking open-ended questions will work better in others. You might need to adjust goals as new information emerges, or, under certain circumstances, stick exactly to...
How does purpose impact an organization’s performance? That’s the question Harvard Business School Professor Rebecca Henderson explored during a recent lecture streamed via Facebook Live. https://www.facebook.com/onlineHBS/videos/279648272952652/ Professor Henderson discusses the role that purpose can play in driving employee motivation, productivity, and creativity. Over the course of the talk, Henderson covered...
When people know why they’re being asked to do something, they’re much more likely to do it. So next time you’re preparing to deliver an important message to your team, make sure you’re clear on the “why” behind it. 1. Start by asking yourself a few “what” questions, such as:...
Many companies have formal, hierarchical mentoring programs nested somewhere in their HR department. But evidence shows that these programs alone won’t sufficiently engage or develop junior talent. If you’re interested in mentoring, think about becoming a “mentor of the moment,” by seeking development opportunities in daily interactions. Check in regularly...
Nothing good comes of envy. If employees are resentful about what they feel they deserve or what others have, morale and well-being will suffer. Leaders can combat envy by building a culture of goodwill (“I’m grateful for what I have, and happy about your success”) rather than one of comparison...
As a manager, you probably have to talk a lot. You want people to have the guidance and direction they need, of course, and there are plenty of situations where you need to speak your mind. But at some point, talking a lot can turn into over-communicating. You can end...
Versatility is a key leadership trait. Managers must have the capacity to read and respond to change with a wide repertoire of skills and behaviors. So how can you actually build this ability? [1] Start by soliciting feedback from trusted colleagues. Ask a simple question like, “What should I start...