Let’s get curious this week in PP. We’ll also shift to a better mindset and thrive using the resources below. We hope to see you at Showcase!
:: Image of the Week
Comparison is the thief of joy.
:: CSN’s Book of the Week Recommendation
Shift: Managing Your Emotions—So They Don’t Manage You
Whether it’s anxiety about going to the doctor, boiling rage when we’re stuck in traffic, or devastation after a painful break-up, our lives are filled with situations that send us spiraling. But as difficult as our emotions can be, they are also a superpower. Far from being “good” or “bad,” emotions are information. When they’re activated in the right ways and at the right time, they function like an immune system, alerting us to our surroundings, telling us how to react to a situation, and helping us make the right choices.
But how do we make our emotions work for us rather than against us? Acclaimed psychologist Dr. Ethan Kross has devoted his scientific career to answering this question. In Shift, he dispels common myths—for instance, that avoidance is always toxic or that we should always strive to live in the moment—and provides a new framework for shifting our emotions so they don’t take over our lives.
Shift weaves groundbreaking research with riveting stories of people struggling and succeeding to manage their emotions—from a mother whose fear prompted her to make a spur-of-the-moment decision that would save her daughter’s life mid-flight to a nuclear code-carrying Navy SEAL who learned how to embrace both joy and pain during a hellish training activity. Dr. Kross spotlights a wide array of tools that we already have access to—in our bodies and minds, our relationships with other people, and the cultures and physical spaces we inhabit—and shows us how to harness them to be healthier and more successful.
Filled with actionable advice, cutting-edge research, and riveting stories, Shift puts the power back into our hands, so we can control our emotions without them controlling us—and help others do the same.
“A blueprint for navigating the emotional curveballs that life throws at us every day.”—The New York Times
:: Communication
Are You a Good Listener at Work?
You might think you are because you put your phone down, make eye contact, and nod your head when someone’s talking to you. You might even repeat back your conversation partner’s points to show that you’ve heard them.
These are all good things to do, but there’s more to active listening than nodding or paraphrasing. Amy Gallo went deeper into what this skill is and how to build it in a Harvard Business Review article earlier this year called What Is Active Listening?
The Holidays: A Perfect Time to Practice Active Listening?
As we head into the holiday season, our listening skills may be put to the test. The holidays can be fraught and this year, after an incredibly contentious U.S. presidential election that left many of us discouraged, uncertain, and scared, I suspect that listening might be extra challenging.
Amy respects anyone’s decision to NOT listen, to decide that they need to preserve their empathy and energy at this time. But if you do want to connect with those around your holiday table (or conference room!), now seems like a good time to check in on this skill. Below are some highlights from my article, which you can read in full on hbr.org.
https://hbr.org/2024/01/what-is-active-listening
“Powerful and sustained change requires constant communication, not only throughout the rollout but after the major elements of the plan are in place. The more kinds of communication employed, the more effective they are.” – DeAnne Aguirre
:: Mental Health and Self-Care
How Awe Can Transform Your Life
When was the last time you felt truly awe-struck? Awe isn’t just about breathtaking sunsets or Olympic feats—it’s a powerful psychological state that can boost happiness, lower stress, enhance creativity, and even improve your brain and body. In this video, we dive into the science of awe, exploring how it triggers feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins, making us calmer, kinder, more connected, and even less egotistical. Plus, you’ll learn simple ways to invite more awe into your daily life for greater success and well-being. If you’re curious about how awe can rewire your brain and elevate your life, this is a must-watch!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xu4oYZY6iU
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Be Well, Work Well: How Employees Can Thrive as Their Whole Selves
On this episode of The Work-Life Equation, DeAnne Aussem, Managing Director and Wellbeing Leader at PwC, shares her inspiring journey as a female executive while navigating work, parenthood, and finding harmony across life’s different spheres. DeAnne provides an inside look at PwC’s pioneering “Be Well, Work Well” initiative launched in 2017 to prioritize employee wellness across six dimensions: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, financial, and social. DeAnne also opens up about her own experiences as a wife, mother of two, and a caregiver. Her authentic storytelling offers insights into modeling work-life integration, the importance of self-care, and creating truly inclusive cultures where employees can thrive as their whole selves.
https://www.brighthorizons.com/resources/podcast/deanne-aussem
:: Change Management
Future-Proofing Leadership: What it Takes to Thrive Amidst Change and Disruption
Leaders unintentionally get in their own way when navigating change. Research uncovered a growing gap between what today’s world demands and our human instinct to self-protect—a disconnect we call the Stuckness Zone™. Future-Proofing Leadership: What it Takes to Thrive Amidst Change and Disruption, breaks down the data, the seven core Faulty Programs, and the critical behavior leaders need to create more human, effective workplaces.
Download this white paper from Dr. Rosie Ward today!
https://uwmadison.box.com/s/p7qg6tfu7uttign9v66527fpkqq9pfvj
“Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go.” – Herman Hesse
:: Developing Better Habits
The Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change)
The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) focuses on the decision-making of the individual and is a model of intentional change. The TTM operates on the assumption that people do not change behaviors quickly and decisively. Rather, change in behavior, especially habitual behavior, occurs continuously through a cyclical process. The TTM is not a theory but a model; different behavioral theories and constructs can be applied to various stages of the model where they may be most effective.
The original studies around TTM were based on quitting smoking, but could be applied to any behavioral change in our lives or at work.
:: Communities of Practice
Find a Community at UW-Madison
Communities of practice are groups of people interacting regularly to develop their skills. Campus Supervisors Network is an example of a CoP; there are many others at UW-Madison ranging from IT-related topics to sustainability to payroll and benefits groups. There’s even a CoP for leaders of CoPs!
If you don’t see a community focused on the topic you are looking for, consider starting a new community of practice.
https://hr.wisc.edu/professional-development/communities/
:: Kindness in Leadership
The Most Powerful Leadership Tool: Kindness
The most powerful leadership tool costs $0. (And you already have it.) Kindness.
Most people think success comes from being tough. From pushing harder. From demanding more. But here’s what the research shows:
Teams led with kindness are…
➟ 70% more engaged
➟ 40% more resilient
➟ 21% more productive
➟ 4x more likely to stay
Because kindness isn’t weak. It’s a strength multiplier. See the rest of this post from Justin Wright, along with an infographic showing 9 acts of Kindness
:: Managing Up
Melody Wilding Wants You to Manage Up
Have you ever felt like you lack agency at work, like your boss doesn’t hear you, or like you want to shift your relationships with the people in charge? Managing up might be the key to creating positive, lasting change. In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel talks with Melody Wilding, author of Managing Up: How to Get What You Want from The People in Charge to give you the roadmap to managing your manager.
Listen in for Melody’s take on
• Five conversations you can have with your boss to improve your working relationship
• How managing up is a skill that anyone can learn
• How and when to set boundaries at work
https://youtu.be/-5sZpo-lf_A?si=ZarxG7ZJkqYgTwlH
:: Self-Leadership Development
The Power of Curiosity in Uncertain Times
In times of volatility and change, keeping an open and inquisitive mind is more important than ever. Brené Brown, Kenya Barris, and Malcolm Gladwell highlight this idea and explore the role of curiosity in leadership, personal growth, and meaningful conversations. Rather than clinging to rigid strategies or outdated leadership models, Brown argues that embracing complexity, paradox, and storytelling allows people to make sense of rapidly changing environments. She challenges the assumption that human traits like empathy, trust, and emotional intelligence will naturally endure, emphasizing that these qualities must be actively nurtured—especially in workplaces that have deprioritized them for decades.
Another key takeaway is Brown’s concept of “cognitive sovereignty,” or the ability to reclaim control over one’s thoughts in an age of constant digital noise. She describes how taking a break from social media allowed her to think more clearly, underscoring the importance of creating mental space for reflection and independent thought. The article also explores how shame, particularly in educational and professional settings, shapes self-perception and limits personal growth. Brown, Kenya Barris, and Malcolm Gladwell advocate for a mindset of curiosity—one that prioritizes openness, adaptability, and lifelong learning as essential tools for both leadership and personal development. Read more on Why keeping an open, inquisitive mind is paramount in volatile times.
“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” – Lao Tzu
New Managers Need to Focus on Psychological Safety First
MYTH: As a new manager, you need to establish your authority first and prove you’re in charge before focusing on psychological safety.
Here’s the truth: Research by Harvard Business School and Google’s Project Aristotle showed that psychological safety (where people feel safe to take risks, voice their ideas, and admit mistakes) is the foundation of high-performing teams, not authority. And it needs to be established immediately.
Meanwhile Google’s Project Aristotle found that psychological safety was the most critical factor for team success. The data showed that teams with high psychological safety had:
– Better engagement and collaboration
– Reduced stress and improved morale
– Higher innovation
What actually works, backed by organizational psychology in this LinkedIn post by Tom Woodward: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7298612559627104257/
:: Upcoming Events
Working Hell to Working Well: Making Your Company Work for You with Lindsay Barnett
If you’re feeling the effects of burnout at work, you’re not alone. The ability to work from anywhere at any time is leading individuals to work themselves sick and become sick of working. The good news is that there are actionable steps you can take to change the focus back onto you and your well-being while still contributing meaningful work to your organization. Don’t miss this live webinar with Lindsay Barnett, author of the #1 New Release on Amazon, Working Hell to Working Well: Making Your Company Work For You.
During this one-hour event, you’ll discover practical tools you can use right away to take charge of your work life:
- Proven strategies to reduce stress and prevent burnout
- Actionable steps to own your choices and amplify your voice at work
- Techniques for driving positive change—no matter your role or title, and more!
Whether you’re a leader looking to boost morale or an individual seeking new practices of being, you’ll walk away with everything you need to move from hustle to harmony.
DATE: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
TIME: 12:00 pm CST
RSVP NOW to get the link
Coaching Circles
We all need connections, support, and colleagues we can count on to help us work through our challenges. Coaching circles are a tool for that. Coaching circles are not intended to give advice, they are places of deep listening and understanding. They provide you with an opportunity to create strong connections while practicing your listening and empathy skills.
Coaching circles join 5-6 people from different areas across campus and meet virtually once per month to share current challenges. The pods are self-directed with one person serving as the anchor to help guide things along the way. Unlock a diverse community’s collective wisdom, support, and inspiration while driving your professional development to new heights.
Upcoming Coaching Circles Intro sessions on Zoom:
- Wednesday, May 7 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
- Thursday, June 26 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
https://hr.wisc.edu/professional-development/programs/coaching-circles/