This week, we’re reminding you that you are enough, we’re exploring psychological safety, and we’re maximizing our influence. We also do our part to raise the quiet voices in the room. Enjoy!
:: Image of the Week
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” – Epicurus
:: CSN’s Book of the Week Recommendation
The Fisherman’s Path to Leadership: 224 Lessons from the Wisdom of Nature
This book reveals how the secrets of nature can help you to become a better leader. Fishing is not about fish. It is about interacting and learning from nature. Nature is the wisest leadership coach available and helps one improve with every interaction. Nature is a source, not a resource.
Living in the era of AI, we neglect that no AI can beat or will ever change the emotions and feelings of a human connected with nature. We train AI to think like humans, but we can’t train AI to ground itself in nature. It can’t go out and ‘touch grass’.
How can you expand your mindset? How can you become better as a leader and a person? How do you lead people in challenging situations? Let’s explore these lessons together.
“The Fisherman’s Path to Leadership is unique, compelling, practically inspiring, and a great story-filled read. It might not inspire you to head to sea or pick up a fishing rod, but it will definitely make you think again about leadership and how you practice it.” – Stuart Crainer
“Oleg Konovalov’s unique perspective challenges traditional notions of leadership by drawing lessons from the world around us. Through captivating stories and practical advice, Oleg shares his wealth of experience as an executive coach, offering a fresh and thought-provoking approach to leadership. This book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their leadership skills and uncover new perspectives on what it means to be an effective leader.” – Dr. Marshall Goldsmith
We are part of nature, we learn from nature, and nature makes us better. Oleg illustrates how the wisdom of nature can be harnessed to become a better leader and reminds us that nature is a source of inspiration and guidance. Whether you are an aspiring leader or a seasoned executive, this thought-provoking book offers invaluable practical lessons and tips that will resonate with anyone seeking to enhance their leadership skills and deepen their connection with nature.” – Jenny M. Fernandez
Rich Gassen was fortunate to co-host an interview with Oleg on his vision of leadership, which was released last week. Listen to Jeff Ikler’s Cultivating Curiosity podcast, episode #328, with Rich and Oleg, at the link below.
We loved how Oleg discussed leadership using fishing analogies, including reading weak signals in your environment, adapting and handling changing conditions, and enjoying the journey instead of just focusing on the destination; hopefully, you will find some keepers in this discussion, too!
:: Mental Health and Self-Care
What If You Pursued What’s Interesting Instead of Happiness?
What makes for a good life? Is it pleasure or enjoying the passage of time, as James Taylor once sang? Or is it more about living life with purpose and contributing to other people’s well-being? Now, philosopher and researcher Lorraine Besser has written a new book, The Art of the Interesting, to explain what psychological richness looks like and how to attain it. She makes the case that pursuing what’s interesting to you can enrich your life beyond happiness and meaning, benefitting not just you, but society at large.
Read an interview with Besser on her thoughts of pursuing a more rich life.
“The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.” – William James
Employee Assistance Office moving to a new campus location
The Employee Assistance Office (EAO) is relocating to the 11th floor of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), 614 Walnut Street. Two parking spaces at WARF will be reserved for EAO clients. Visitors may also use the Madison Metro bus system. In-person appointments with EAO counselors at the new location will begin on Monday, August 26. Appointments are also available virtually and by phone. The EAO offers counseling and consultation for personal or work-related concerns at no cost to UW–Madison faculty, staff, graduate student employees, significant others, and family members. Through LifeMatters, the EAO provides free and confidential telephone access to professional counselors 24/7 and statewide. For more information, visit eao.wisc.edu.
:: Trust, Psychological Safety & Belonging
Psychological Safety: When You Have It, and When You Don’t
What are you doing to perpetuate dialogue, inclusiveness, and “psychological safety” for others in your organization? “It’s not psychological safety if people can only voice what you want to hear. The goal is not to be comfortable. It’s to create a climate where people can speak up without fear. Psychological safety begins with admitting our own mistakes and welcoming criticism from others.” – Adam Grant
Check out this post for more on psychological safety and a link to Adam’s podcast on the topic.
“A man who trusts nobody is apt to be the kind of man nobody trusts.” – Harold Macmillan
:: Self-Leadership Development
4 Traits That Quickly Identify Someone With Good Leadership Skills
Leaders have always been celebrated for the results they deliver. For many years, it was single-focused. In the business world, it’s shareholder returns; in government, it’s growth; in the nonprofit space, it’s funds raised.
What actions and traits delivered those results? Being number 1, 2, or 3 in your sector. Meeting customers’ needs. Highly efficient operations. But also, a cutthroat focus on delivering that efficiency with a heavy dose of leadership-centric, almost selfish behavior from the boss.
Joe Davis, managing director and senior partner at the Boston Consulting Group and former head of BCG in North America, says that the often-cited heroes of business drove the numbers, led from the top, and built command and control organizations.
The Flipside: The Generous Leader
In his book The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain, Davis explains why, in today’s disruptive world, leaders need more than technical skills. “Yes, you must deliver results,” Davis says, “but people today want generous leaders who will work to see beyond themselves–you must learn to lead with your heart. Being vulnerable with your staff is intimidating, but connecting with your people will not only help you grow as a leader and a person, but will grow your business as well.”
There are four key attributes of being a generous leader. Read on at https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/4-traits-to-identify-good-leadership-skills.html
“The high destiny of the individual is to serve rather than to rule.” – Albert Einstein
First Impressions: New Team Manager Edition
In this video, Heather Younger explores how to approach your role as a new team manager with a mindset of active listening and caring leadership. Transitioning into a new leadership position or meeting a new team can be both exciting and challenging, but by building authentic connections with your team and creating a culture of trust and support, you can set the stage for success. She’ll dive into ways to connect with your team on a deeper level and foster an environment where open communication and collaboration thrive.
The goal is to help you inspire confidence and ease the transition, showing your team that you’re not just there to lead but to truly listen and support them. By focusing on their growth and well-being, you’ll cultivate a strong, cohesive team that feels valued and motivated. So, whether you’re stepping into your first leadership role or looking for ways to strengthen your management style, this episode will offer insights that can make a lasting impact.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NN2UNJRwyM
:: Networking
How to Maximize Your Influence on LinkedIn (and Other Networking)
The LinkedIn Local Madison coordinators have an article in this month’s BRAVA Magazine on maximizing your influence on LinkedIn. They also give some great advice on building your network offline and making new connections. Take a look at page 82 of the September issue of BRAVA, and start developing your network!
https://issuu.com/chistylewed/docs/brava_september_october_24/84
:: Work Culture & Team Development
3 Big Ideas to Raise Quiet Voices at Work
Speaking up is essential to share ideas, question decisions, and challenge behaviors. Here are a few big ideas that can help any leader raise quiet voices. But the challenge of raising quiet voices is one leaders often struggle with. How do you help people move from a place of silence to finding their voice?
https://neuroleadership.com/your-brain-at-work/big-ideas-raise-quiet-voices-at-work/?_hsmi=320243724
The Work Positive Podcast
Dr. Joey Faucette interviewed some of the brightest persons in work culture during Season 2 of the Work Positive Podcast. He learned so much from gurus AND those leading HR in extraordinary companies recognized as Best Places to Work.
He distilled the wisdom gained from all of the episodes into five actionable keys. Regardless of where you are in your company’s culture journey, you can implement these today. If you’re ready to start and looking for the best place to begin, these five actionable keys are for you. Listen to this episode of the Work Positive Podcast to start fostering a more positive work culture today as you:
- Listen actively and seek to understand
- Lead by example
- Show genuine care and respect
- Foster psychological safety and inclusion, and;
- Prioritize employee wellbeing
https://www.workpositive.today/Season-2-Wrap-up
:: Recognition
UW–Madison Outstanding Women of Color Awards
Nominations are open for the annual UW–Madison Outstanding Women of Color Awards. Submit a nomination by September 27 to help us honor amazing women of color in the UW–Madison and greater Madison communities.
Each year, UW–Madison is proud to recognize honorees whose advocacy, activism, and/or scholarship have positively transformed their organizations or communities, and whose efforts advance equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging for marginalized populations.
In 2007, UW–Madison launched this annual recognition for women of color who have demonstrated outstanding service in higher education and beyond. We have honored ninety-seven recipients among UW–Madison’s faculty, staff, students, and in the greater Madison community since the establishment of this award.
Award criteria
The University of Wisconsin–Madison seeks nominations of women of color among UW–Madison’s faculty, staff, students (undergraduate or post-baccalaureate) and in the greater Madison community:
- Whose advocacy, activism, and/or scholarship have fostered social justice and organizational change
- Who have created positive transformation within their institutions and/or the community to achieve goals of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging
- Whose efforts are improving the climate for, or status of, diverse communities
Nomination process
Nominations are due by September 27. Submissions must include the following:
- Nomination letter (3-page limit)
- Two letters of support (2-page limit per letter)
- Nominee’s curriculum vitae
https://diversity.wisc.edu/2024/08/outstanding-women-of-color-awards-nominations-2024/#form
:: Upcoming Events
Leadership Improv is Back for the Fall Semester!
Some of you have participated in Leadership Improv in the past, and others are saying “What? That sounds scary!!”
Well, it’s a great way to practice your skills in thinking on your feet, leading with humor, and catching curve balls with grace in a safe environment, and CSN highly recommends it for everyone in a leadership position. Some of the planners are going to try and get to this next session; it’s a great way to get a mental boost or recharge. we hope to see some of you there! No RSVP is necessary – just plan to show up at Union South for some laughs and learning.
Date: Wednesday September 25th
Time: 12:00-1:00pm
Location: Union South, Landmark Room on the 3rd floor.
Email amanda.thornton@wisc.edu or jason.erdmann@wisc.edu with any questions.
https://it.wisc.edu/it-community/committees-groups/uw-madison-it-connects/leadership-improv/