Planners’ Picks
A collection of resources from CSN planning committee members worth mentioning
Let’s cast a net at opportunities to grow and learn, make some friends at work, and encourage buy-in today in this installation of Planners’ Picks.
Note: CSN will continue to send PP weekly throughout the school break — we hope you have some time to pause and enjoy the articles even if you are away from the office.
:: Image of the Week
Your opportunities to grow, engage, and advance are directly correlated to showing up and participating in the situations. Remember that as you move into 2023.
“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” — Amelia Earhart
Next Cast: An Article about (Fishing, and) Taking Action by Rich Gassen
“In life, the first cast is important because it signifies action. Many times, we make plans or have dreams, and never act on them. What goals or dreams do you have that you are waiting to do the first cast on? Who knows what you’ll catch because of stepping out of your comfort zone?”
“When nothing is happening, you might consider giving up, switching lures, or trying another spot, but at what cost? What if the big one you’ve been searching for was ready to strike on your next cast?”
https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/next-cast/
:: Resources on Work Culture & Team Development
11 Techniques to Motivate Employees
Managers play a key role in employee engagement and motivation. Too many good employees quit a job because of their boss. You, as a leader, can make a difference in employee motivation and, ultimately, retention.
Why do you want highly motivated and engaged workers instead of those who simply “put in their time”? Engaged, motivated workers are more likely to stay with an organization. That means less turnover. Engaged and motivated employees also are more productive. Unmotivated employees can drag down the whole team.
It’s important to note that employee engagement and motivation are two different things. In a recent Wisconsin School of Business webinar, CPED instructor and executive coach Vicki Kampmeier defined employee engagement as a sense of purpose, belonging, and commitment to an organization. Employee motivation is the willpower and drive to act on those feelings.
https://blog.uwcped.org/11-techniques-to-motivate-employees
Why You Should Make Friends at Work
The past few years have been tough and chaotic for many working people. Assumptions, habits, and ways of working have changed, and as we look forward, many of us realize that building personal resilience will be key.
One of the crucial elements of personal resilience is friendship. It helps if we have a trusted confidant at our organization — someone who makes us feel worthwhile and whom we can celebrate and commiserate with.
Friendships at work matter. When so many hours are spent working, having someone who understands our situation — the players involved, the office dynamics, and the general organizational culture — can help buffer routine stress. When we share our experiences, it often reminds us that others have gone through similar ones.
https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/why-you-should-make-friends-at-work
“The time to build a network is before you need one.” – Douglas Conant
The Science of Stereotyping
Could we become addicted, in a way, to stereotyping? “Yes”, says a current study at UW-Madison, pointing to the chemical release that is embedded in the neural-reward process. In fact, that process makes stereotyping more appealing than accuracy! This article highlighting the science of stereotyping is a brief read…though the implications ripple through lifetimes.
https://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/on_campus/the-science-of-stereotyping/
:: Resources on Self-Leadership Development
Five Leadership Trends You Should Care About
Note: this article was written in March 2022, but the content is still pertinent today.
If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s this: As much as we plan, things can turn on a dime.
We need to be agile and flexible. As focused as we are on output, the wellbeing of our employees is equally, if not more, important. As committed as we are to making 2022 “one for the books,” the reality is that we cannot predict what the next six to 12 months will look like.
But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan or do our best to lay down the groundwork. There’s nothing wrong with looking forward and anticipating what might be ahead. It’s on us to embrace change, to be willing (and able) to reinvent ourselves—and our businesses—as needed.
Success will be determined by those who can swiftly adapt, shift, monitor and adjust. Constant change is the norm, and the sooner accepted, the better equipped we are to ensure our teams are poised for growth. Internally, people are looking to their leaders to provide direction, guidance and support.
9 Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make if You’re a Leader
In this edition of The Future of Leadership, we uncover nine ways that will kill your leadership effectiveness. In other words, watch out for these negative behaviors — it could be the whole reason your people are quitting on you. Also, I sit down and chat with one of the top-rated executives, Robert Glazer, about how to effectively lead in this remote work age. He’s got a great new book out on thriving in the virtual workplace. Join us.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/9-mistakes-you-dont-want-make-youre-leader-marcel-schwantes/
:: Resources on Change Management
Ten Tips For Effective Change Management That Puts Your Team First
More so than ever right now, teams are working in a fully remote or hybrid way. This means it’s more important than ever to have effective change management strategies in place, to suit this new way of working.
For leaders, an important part of this is making sure that we do everything in our power to make our hybrid and remote teams feel appreciated and listened to. When organizations take an approach to change management that is process-driven, systematic, and transactional, ultimately these essential ingredients can get lost.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt
Heather Younger Interview – How to Design a Change Management Experience that will Encourage Buy-in
Heather Younger is a former attorney and the founder/CEO of Employee Fanatix, a management consulting firm that quips companies with the intelligence they need to improve the quality of work life for their employees. On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Heather joins us to share her experiences with big organizational change, the process for developing a change management experience, how to create the right environment for change, and more.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MZB3iSorbymNl2u1Fvvl7
:: Resources on Communication
3 Rules To Express Your Thoughts So That Everyone Will Understand You
Whether you are a public speaker or having a heart-to-heart, it can be challenging to express your thoughts clearly. Alan Alda recommends making no more than three points, explaining difficult ideas in three ways, and repeating key points three times. However, these strategies will fall flat if not paired with an honest desire to connect with other people.
3 rules to express your thoughts so everyone understands:
- Make no more than three points.2. Explain difficult ideas in three different ways.
3. Make important points three times.
https://bigthink.com/the-learning-curve/3-rules-express-your-thoughts-clearly/
:: Resources on Mental Health and Self-Care
Small Joy Triggers That Will Make You Feel Happy Every Single Day
We often talk about “finding happiness” as a massive long-term goal, but in reality, happiness can be found in the small moments of joy that fill our day-to-day lives. And in times of stress or overwhelm, it’s even more important to seek out little pick-me-ups that can help us shift gears to a happier, more optimistic mindset.
We asked our Thrive community to share with us the small things they do that spark joy in their daily lives. Which of these will you try today?
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/little-joy-triggers-for-daily-happiness-creative-tips
“If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.” — Oprah Winfrey
Self-Care Ideas: Simple Ways That Strengths Can Fill Your Empty Tank
You can’t go very far when you’re running on empty, no matter how hard you push. And that’s why Lisa Cummings from StrengthsFinder has come up with this fun episode for you — consider it a virtual “filling station.” All you need to do for now is hit the brake, find clarity, and refill your tank with self-care ideas that use your natural talents.
Just like operating from your unique strengths, practicing self-care makes a world of difference. Self-care is not self-ish, because it results in giving your world the best of you.
https://leadthroughstrengths.com/self-care-ideas/
:: Upcoming Events
CSN Coaching Circle Training Exercise
(This is a repeat of our December 1 event)
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.
January 31, 2022
1:00 pm-2:30 pm
Online via Zoom
Register at https://go.wisc.edu/t6o001