Planners’ Picks
A collection of resources from CSN planning committee members worth mentioning
We’re in the middle of the “month of giving thanks.” What can you do to extend your gratitude to others? Writing thank you notes, listening intently to their situations, and allowing flexibility in their work and home lives would be a great start. What other suggestions might you add?
This week we explore culture in hybrid teams, adopt a Yes-And approach, and disagree with our boss (respectfully!). Read on for that and more…
:: Image of the Week
“If a person could do only one simple thing to increase their health and happiness then expressing gratitude on a regular basis must be it.”
:: Resources on Remote and Hybrid Team Management
Remote Work, Cultivating Culture, and Change with Robert Glazer
Robert Glazer is the founder and CEO of global partnership marketing agency Acceleration Partners. He is also the co-founder and chairman of BrandCycle. A serial entrepreneur, award-winning executive, and accomplished operator, Bob has a passion for helping individuals and organizations build their capacity and elevate their performance. Bob is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today international bestselling author of four books, his most recent being How To Thrive In The Virtual Workplace: Simple and Effective Tips For Successful, Productive and Empowered Remote Work. We featured the book Elevate as a CSN book club read last year, and really enjoyed his ideas. He was a guest on this episode of Love In Action, with Marcel Schwantes talking about remote work culture.
https://www.marcelschwantes.com/robert-glazer/
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” – John Wayne
Hybrid Collaboration Field Guide
Whether you are returning to an office, staying fully remote, or doing some combination of both, your team is embarking on a new journey that will challenge your team’s ability to be engaged, remain inclusive, and stay aligned.
That’s why we created the Hybrid collaboration field guide, your ultimate companion for the adventure that lies ahead. While we may not know what the future will hold, Miro can guide you through the foundations of hybrid collaboration that will set your team up for success.
In the guide you will find resources such as:
| • | 3 keys for leading inclusive and engaging hybrid meetings |
| • | Tips for setting up a hybrid-friendly conference room |
| • | 5 steps to build an asynchronous work culture |
| • | Templates to boost team alignment and synchronization |
https://miro.com/blog/hybrid-collaboration-field-guide
:: Resources on Work Culture & Team Development
The Hazards of a “Nice” Company Culture
In far too many companies, there is the appearance of harmony and alignment but in reality there’s often dysfunction simmering beneath the surface. The intention behind cultivating a nice culture is often genuine. Leaders believe they’re doing a good thing that will motivate people and create inclusion. But often it has the opposite effect and the result is a lack of honest communication, intellectual bravery, innovation, and accountability. To combat a culture marked by toxic niceness, the author suggests leaders use four tactics: Clarify expectations and performance standards. Publicly challenge the status quo, even if you helped create it. Provide air cover for people who speak up. Confront performance problems immediately.
https://hbr.org/2021/06/the-hazards-of-a-nice-company-culture
10 Ways To Be A Better Teammate
Check out this great infographic on ways you can be a better teammate. Whether it’s an organized sports team or a work team, these concepts hold true. See the article in the post as well for more perspective on the idea of being part of a team.
https://twitter.com/believephq/status/1544666262252437504?s=21&t=RkE18a6UblkAbGnGB_JfKw
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” – Confucius
How Wayne Brady ‘Yes, Ands’ His Way to Success
The intersection of leadership skills and improv: “I realized that if I run my business by actively listening, making connections, and being a receiver of ideas, I could have a sense of play with the people whom I interact with,” – Wayne Brady
By adopting the core improv tenet of “Yes, and,” Brady says, founders can adapt to whatever the fast-paced world of business throws at them. He explained the technique in a recent interview with Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk at the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala in Phoenix.
https://www.inc.com/ben-sherry/wayne-brady-improv-success.html
:: Resources on Self-Leadership Development
Scott Miller interviews James Clear on Mastering Habits
How do you build solid systems that can help you reach your goals? Join bestselling author James Clear as he breaks habits down to the molecular level, pushing you to form and master the tiny habits that will lead to remarkable results during the OnLeadership show with Scott Miller.
https://resources.franklincovey.com/on-leadership-with-scott-miller/181-james-clear
“The most important battles must be fought anew each day.
Exercising today does not render tomorrow’s workout unnecessary.
Supporting your spouse today does not mean you can mail it in tomorrow.
Learn to love the endless nature of things and life gets easier.” – James Clear
How and Why to Be Your True Self as a Leader
“As a leader, you are always on stage. People are always paying attention to what you’re saying, what you’re doing, what you’re not saying, what you’re not doing. And they’re always making choices around whether they want to follow or whether they have to follow. If they want to follow you, that’s where you get the commitment, loyalty, engagement, and trust — all of the things that can make a difference to your organization.” Kimberly Davis, author of Brave Leadership, speaks candidly with Jeff Ilker on his podcast about the topic of being your true self while you lead others.
https://www.queticocoaching.com/blog/2022/10/24/227/how-and-why-to-be-your-true-self-as-a-leader
:: Resources on Communication
How to Disagree with Someone More Powerful: The Harvard Business Review Guide
You disagree with your boss, your boss’s boss, or another colleague. Should you say something?
Holly Weeks likens a difficult conversation with a senior colleague to a chess game rather than a boxing match.
If you want a successful outcome, you need a strategy. Especially if you want to maintain your integrity — and theirs.
Here’s a blueprint for disagreeing confidently and effectively with someone more powerful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbtHJm8vFpE&t=120s
:: Resources on Mental Health and Self-Care
7 Foods That’ll Give You a Happiness Boost
Let’s admit it. We spend most of our lives chasing happiness. We constantly try new things to improve our mental well-being like therapy, new exercise routines and meditations. But did you know eating certain foods can lift your spirits? Studies linking nutrition and mental well-being have emerged in the past decade, and certain foods are associated with increased serotonin in our brains. Serotonin, also known as the “happy hormone,” is a chemical that plays an important role in regulating our mood. Low serotonin levels can cause mood instability.
https://www.cnet.com/health/mental/7-foods-that-make-you-happy-according-to-science
“Fortune always favors the brave, and never helps a man who does not help himself.” – P.T. Barnum
Small Ways to Take Care Of Your Mental Health at Work
Thrive and SHRM recently brought together over 90 companies to pledge to continue prioritizing the mental health and well-being of their employees. We launched the pledge amid growing concerns that as the economic times are getting tougher, the advances made during the last two years in support of employee mental health could be lost. And if we’re going to set ourselves up for long-term success, we need to build on the lessons of the past two years — since it’s in challenging times that we most need to double down on our mental resilience.
We asked our Thrive community to share with us the small ways they take care of their mental health at work. Which of these ideas will you try?
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-to-take-care-of-your-mental-health-at-work
:: Upcoming Events
CSN Coaching Circle Training Exercise
As a supervisor, you are often trying to find answers, solve problems, mentor and/or give advice to support your direct reports. In this session, we introduce you to a tool that does not require you to have any answers or solutions. In fact, thinking you might have the answer or solution is discouraged. The tool is Coaching Circles. These circles aren’t about getting advice or merely having a place to vent. They aren’t about someone else solving your problems. They are spaces of deep listening and deep learning. New perspectives opening up to new possibilities. The best way to learn is to experience for yourself. In this session, we will discuss the logistics, roles, and steps involved in participating in a Coaching Circle. Then it will be your turn to try out a circle! Absolutely no coaching experience or special knowledge is required. You will be walked through everything you need to know. We will end by talking about ways you might get your employees involved in coaching circles, or how you yourself might want to be a part of a circle.
Facilitated by Theresa Kim of UW-Madison Learning and Talent Development.
December 1, 2022
1:00 pm-2:30 pm
Online (link to follow)
Limited Space Available!
Register Here: https://go.wisc.edu/ceok6e