Planners’ Picks
A collection of resources from CSN planning committee members worth mentioning
Let’s keep Septembering with some mental health tips, more resources on hybrid and remote work, a ‘Yes And’ for your communication toolbox, and a weekly dose of personal self-leadership development.
||| Resources on Mental Health |||
7 Phone-Free Moments That Will Inspire You to Live in the Present This Fall
As the seasons change, it’s important to take a moment to reflect on the most memorable moments we experienced and connections we fostered during the warmer months. While we were all probably tempted to capture some perfect sunsets or beach photo-ops, it’s often the moments that happen when we leave the distraction of our phones behind that bring into focus how powerful the season can really be.
We asked members of the Thrive community to share their favorite phone-free moments from this summer that are inspiring them to live in the present this fall. We hope their stories will inspire you, too.
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/phone-free-moments-mindfulness-presence-stories
A Secret Brain Boost… Right Under Your Nose
In an original quote penned in Ella Wheeler’s poem Solitude in 1883, she states: “Laugh and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone.” More than a century later, it’s more than poetic prose. We actually have science to back it up. Laughing and smiling have interesting medical benefits for your body and health; the mere act of smiling reduces blood pressure, lowers stress hormones, and boosts your mood. Read more from Dr. Melissa Hughes here:
http://info.melissahughes.rocks/neuronugget/secret-brain-boost-right-under-your-nose
“The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let things go.” – Anonymous
Positivity Is A Tough Choice, And Why You Should Do It Anyway
Emma took the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment, and one of her top strengths was positivity. We can all learn from her discussion about it in this article, regardless of whether it’s a top strength for us or not.
“Positivity isn’t about being bright and sunny all the time or trying to silver line every bad situation. Frankly, sometimes situations just suck. Positivity is deciding to be partly cloudy rather than dark and stormy. It tells me that even when I’m not having a great day, there’s still a possibility that it could become great. And that’s why I love that it is one of my top StrengthsFinder talents. Positivity makes me strong. Positivity is perspective.” Emma Kypuros
https://leadthroughstrengths.com/strengthsfinder-talent-of-positivity/
||| Resources on Hybrid and Remote Work |||
How to bring creative energy into remote meetings
Many of the challenges leaders face when facilitating in-person meetings, like keeping the energy of the group up, are amplified online. But, there are ways to cultivate creative energy between participants remotely.
If you’re leading an online meeting, your job is to bring creative energy into the remote workspaces of your participants. But having creative meetings can be a challenge at the best of times. Online, participants are often more easily distracted and the technology itself can become tiring.
https://ceoworld.biz/2021/09/08/how-to-bring-creative-energy-into-remote-meetings
Bring the Outdoors into Your Hybrid Work Routine
The pandemic has contributed to work-related stress, but it has also prompted employers to explore non-traditional ways of structuring work and managing employees. One benefit employers and employees may have overlooked is how remote and hybrid work can help them take advantage of the restorative and motivational power of nature.
https://hbr.org/2021/09/bring-the-outdoors-into-your-hybrid-work-routine
||| Resources on Communication |||
Why Effective Workplace Communication Is Key to Aligning Perceptions with Reality & Achieving High Performance
Many of us grew up with the age-old adage of “don’t judge a book by its cover.” We were taught to see past the surface level and look for beauty beyond skin deep. However, our initial judgments often ignore pleasantries when evaluating first impressions. It is part of why dress codes are important in the corporate world. Effective, honest, clear workplace communication helps managers better understand employees and look beyond initial perceptions.
Use ‘Yes, And’ plus other tips for better communication
Do you know the one thing that can make you a stronger leader, motivate your team or even get your spouse to listen to you? If you guessed Good Communication, you are absolutely correct. Knowing how to communicate effectively can get you just about anything you want. But how do you do it? Where do you start?
Well, here’s a good tip. Check out local instructor and speaking coach Nancy Depcik’sinterview with Ellen Rogin, CPA, CFP® on her show. It’s 30 minutes of valuable information that will help you reach your goals and keep the conversation going in the direction you want.
https://www.linkedin.com/video/live/urn:li:ugcPost:6835993886544986112/
||| Resources on Self-Leadership Development |||
3 steps for strengthening your resilience at work
Organizational leadership expert Heather R. Younger says that after reviewing over 20,000 employee survey comments along with facilitating over a hundred focus groups, she created specific strategies to use our current circumstances to help build resilience.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90657681/3-steps-for-strengthening-your-resilience-at-work
Are you on the drama triangle?
Most leaders and most organizations spend most of their time on the drama triangle. Like good dramas in the movies, all drama has characters that play certain roles: a victim, a villain, and a hero. But what’s the alternative? Check out this Linkedin post by David McLean talking about materials from The Conscious Leadership Group On being a Creator / Challenger / Coach to others.
Downloadable resource here: https://conscious.is/excercises-guides/creator-coach-challenger-cards?utm_campaign=aug15
“The role of a leader is not to come up with all the great ideas. The role of a leader is to create an environment in which great ideas can happen.” – Simon Sinek
The Real Job of a Leader – Empathy and Perspective Speech by Simon Sinek
“The real job of a leader is not about being in charge; it’s about taking care of those in our charge.” – Simon Sinek
Following a recent discussion on Empathy in the Caring Leader Community call with Heather R Younger and constituents, Rich Gassen shared this video from Simon talking with the group about the transition from being a great employee to being a leader. An excellent reminder for anyone in this position.