Another month has passed — we’ve acclimated the students to our campus, and are navigating change in more ways than one. Let’s check in on how to be more productive, more kind, and more connected in our resources today.
:: Image of the Week
The 5 Unconscious Questions
We are all trying our best; we may be working for a promotion, trying to be present for our kids, building value in our business, trying to keep paying the mortgage or simply getting through the day in one piece. Whatever is being worked on, and however much effort is applied, we found that there are 5 important questions that sit at the very heart of matters.
From world leaders to janitors, from social media influencers to tax advisers, and from royalty to your neighbors, everyone is simply trying to figure out the answer to these basic 5 questions:
- Am I good enough?
- Do I belong?
- Am I deserving?
- How am I responsible?
- Am I loved?
Age, religion, culture etc. is irrelevant. As humans we need to feel that we can answer these – and answer them positively. However, they are sitting in our subconscious and are therefore often controlling externally behaviors. In addition to that, we can unconsciously succumb to the five, and / or overcompensate for them. Our starting point for these questions, and how they impact us, begins in early life based on our early experiences from care-givers. Each of the questions exist for survival reasons – if you look at them, they are all connected to being in a cave with our tribe! No matter what challenges you’re facing and how you show up, we can trace things back to the 5 questions and how you’re responding to them. This is true for everyone around you too.
From Dana Saveker’s weekly newsletter
https://www.visualsynopsis.com/about
:: Work Culture & Team Development
Building Elevated Teams with Traci Austin
In this insightful and energizing episode of The Build Zone Podcast, brought to your by Optiline Enterprises, we sit down with Traci Austin, Chief Talent Officer of Elevated Talent Consulting, to explore what it really takes to build high-performing teams through intentional HR practices and values-driven leadership. Traci brings over two decades of experience in human resources, organizational development, and talent strategy to the mic—and she doesn’t hold back.
As the driving force behind Elevated Talent Consulting, Traci partners with growing organizations to rethink how HR can serve not just compliance needs, but as a strategic force that fuels company culture, accountability, and measurable results. In this conversation, she shares the real-world tools and frameworks that help businesses go from reactive HR to proactive people development.
We dive into how leaders can align their core values with hiring, onboarding, and retention strategies that don’t just fill seats, but build meaningful engagement. Traci discusses how companies can move away from outdated annual reviews and toward consistent, values-based performance conversations that spark growth and clarity. She also opens up about her personal passion for helping managers step into confident, people-first leadership—no matter their industry or experience level.
Whether you’re a business owner, HR professional, or just someone looking to build a healthier workplace culture, Traci’s approach is both refreshingly practical and deeply human. She shares actionable tips for creating an employee experience that attracts top talent—and keeps them—while driving business performance.
Listeners will walk away with a new perspective on how HR can be a catalyst for transformation, rather than a box-checking department. And you’ll learn why the best HR leaders are coaches, culture carriers, and courageous truth-tellers.
Key Takeaways:
- Why values-based HR is the future of team success
- How to turn managers into culture champions
- Common mistakes growing companies make with talent—and how to avoid them
- How Elevated Talent Consulting helps businesses develop HR systems that actually work
Note: this interview was geared towards the construction industry, and the concepts and takeaways are valid for many other environments like the one you’re in! The actual teambuilding interview starts at 9:45 (the beginning is them chatting about a golf outing).
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-elevated-teams-with-traci-austin/id1634070830?i=1000715012128
“People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.” – George Bernard Shaw
Simon Sinek’s Advice For Leadership
In this motivational and inspirational video, we will hear from Simon Sinek as he talks about leadership, finding your passion, finding your why, rules that will change your life, and much more! Simon Sinek famously said, “Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love, is called passion.” Get Inspired and motivated with this powerful motivational video of Simon, author of Leaders Eat Last, The Infinite Game, and Start With Why.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCIu7Ja_TE0
:: Productivity and Innovation
Give Me 12 Minutes and I’ll Give You 30 Years of Productivity Advice
In this video, author Dan Pink distills 30 years of productivity research and wisdom from dozens of books into six timeless lessons that actually work.
You don’t need hacks, gimmicks, or 18-hour workdays. You need a system that helps you do less, focus on what matters, and build habits that last. Here’s what he’ll cover:
– Why doing less ruthlessly is the secret to accomplishing more
– How to protect your “golden hours” for deep, focused work
– The simple rules that clear clutter and eliminate distractions
– Why tracking progress motivates better than praise or pressure
– How elite performers use breaks as fuel, not laziness
– The real key to long-term success: consistency over intensity
These aren’t tips for cramming more into your day. They’re principles for designing a life where you get better work done with less stress — and keep doing it for years. Watch through to the end to see how these six lessons fit together into a blueprint you can start using tomorrow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN_LkumE3Ig
Is your life all work — and no playlists?
You’ve watched
Dan Pink’s video on productivity above; now get to work! But if your concentration needs a boost, Atlassian has assembled
some Spotify playlists, backed by science, to help you focus.
:: CSN’s Book of the Week Recommendation
Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives
Celebrated scientists Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler explain the amazing power of social networks and our profound influence on one another’s lives.
Your colleague’s husband’s sister can make you fat, even if you don’t know her. A happy neighbor has more impact on your happiness than a happy spouse. These startling revelations of how much we truly influence one another are revealed in the studies of Dr. Christakis and Fowler, which have repeatedly made front-page news nationwide.
In Connected, the authors explain why emotions are contagious, how health behaviors spread, why the rich get richer, even how we find and choose our partners. Intriguing and entertaining, Connected overturns the notion of the individual and provides a revolutionary paradigm-that social networks influence our ideas, emotions, health, relationships, behavior, politics, and much more. It will change the way we think about every aspect of our lives.
https://a.co/d/ftkEXgJ
:: Self-Leadership Development
10 Ways Fear Undermines Your Leadership Skills and What to Do to Fight Burnout
What if the secret to becoming a more confident leader and fighting burnout is learning to recognize how fear is running the show?
Fear doesn’t just sit in the background—it hijacks your leadership, clouds your judgment, and quietly fuels burnout. If you’ve ever avoided a tough conversation, felt isolated at the top, or found yourself paralyzed when the stakes are high, this episode is for you. David explains how fear disguises itself as caution, control, and perfectionism—and offers guidance on what to do instead.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-ways-fear-undermines-your-leadership-skills-and/id1458803180?i=1000718094461&at=1000l3ctA&ct=leadership-without-losing-your-soul-eplink&itsct=podfollow_podcasts&itscg=30200&ls=1&mttnsubad=6442463604
“Preparation is never wasted, regardless of outcome.” – Bill Belichick
Control Your Anger When Work Drives You Nuts: 5 Proven Strategies
At one point or another, we’ve all felt totally irritated while at work: You pull an all-nighter on a project that then gets scrapped, a client criticizes your team for no apparent reason or your co-worker shows up late for a meeting again, dumping all the prep work on you.
Anger can be a complicated emotion, especially if you consider yourself to be a Sensitive Striver. Because you strive for excellence and place high expectations on yourself, you may internalize your emotions more deeply.
When anger arises, it may overwhelm you, causing you to shut down or retreat. You may suppress your feelings altogether in an attempt to maintain your status as “the nice person” who doesn’t cause conflict. You may also doubt yourself.
Here’s the thing: experiencing anger at work is completely normal from time to time. Better yet, there are ways you can control your anger constructively and keep your reputation intact. Melody Wilding tells us 5 strategies to counteract anger in the workplace.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/control-your-anger-when-work-drives-you-nuts-5-proven-wilding-lmsw-bwkhe/
:: Mental Health and Self-Care
6 Simple Science-Based Stress Relief Strategies
Stress is an inevitable part of life. Bills come every month, family schedules are hectic, unexpected bumps in the road, and work never seems to slow down. Stress gets a bad rap, because we need it to survive. Good stress is vital for a healthy life.
The right kind of stress keeps us focused, helps us meet challenges and motivates us to reach our goals. In fact, you can even
leverage stress for success, ultimately making you a smarter, happier and healthier person
Dr. Melissa Hughes dives into the science of stress relief strategies for your daily challenges of work.
https://www.melissahughes.rocks/post/6-simple-de-stress-strategies?cid=9d357a21-8c12-4875-9aae-89d0deaed78c
“Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.” – Benjamin Franklin
:: Kindness in Leadership
Kindness Boundaries: When Saying No Is the Kindest Choice You Can Make
Do you ever say “yes” when you really mean “no”? You’re not alone. But here’s the truth: every unnecessary yes is really a no to yourself—your health, your energy, your peace.
In this episode of The Kindness Advantage, host Cindy Rowe explores how setting boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s actually one of the kindest things you can do. Through a personal mental-health story and practical tips, you’ll learn how to say no with clarity, compassion, and confidence. In just 10 minutes, you’ll discover:
The difference between boundaries and barriers
Why saying no protects your mental health and relationships
A personal story of burnout from too many “yeses”
3 simple, guilt-free strategies for setting healthy limits
A weekly challenge to help you practice boundary-setting with kindness
Boundaries aren’t about pushing people away. They’re about protecting your energy so you can show up as your best self—for yourself and others. Welcome to The Kindness Advantage with Cindy Rowe!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1QNqPENseE
Cindy is the keynote speaker at LMD this year!
https://hr.wisc.edu/leadership-and-management-development-conference/keynote/
“Work hard, be kind, and good things will happen.” — Conan O’Brien
:: Change Management
The Three Most Important Words
What are the three most important words when it comes to leading change? Communication, Communication, Communication!
See this post from David McLean on how to plan to communicate throughout a change management initiative.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/davidmcleanatgetkeepgrow_changemanagement-humanresources-hr-activity-7371704215246761984-vO08
:: Communication
Argue Less and Talk More with Communication Expert Jefferson Fisher
No matter who you’re talking to, The Next Conversation gives you immediately actionable strategies and phrases that will forever change how you communicate. Jefferson Fisher, trial lawyer and one of the leading voices on real-world communication, offers a tried-and-true framework that will show you how to transform your life and your relationships by improving your next conversation.
Whether it’s handling a heated conversation, dealing with a difficult personality, or standing your ground with confidence, his down-to-earth teachings have helped countless people navigate life’s toughest situations. Now for the first time, in his book The Next Conversation, Fisher has distilled his three-part communication system (Say it with control, Say it with confidence, Say it to connect) that can easily be applied to any situation.
The Next Conversation gives you practical phrases that will lead to powerful results, from breaking down defensiveness in a hard talk with a family member to finding your own assertive voice at the boardroom conference table. Your every word matters, and by controlling how you communicate every day, you will create waves of positive impact that will resonate throughout your relationships to last a lifetime.
Everything you want to say, and how you want to say it, can be found in The Next Conversation, the definitive book on making your next conversation the one that changes everything.
This video replay is available for a limited time – check it out today at
https://libraryc.org/midlibrary/88770/866025
:: Upcoming Events
Take Charge of Your Career On Campus
Career Development@UW is a new virtual training series offered at no cost to UW–Madison employees through Learning and Talent Development. This series provides practical strategies, tools, and resources to help you navigate your career path, identify opportunities within UW–Madison, and build career resilience.
There are a range of opportunities to invest in your professional growth and explore new ways to advance your career at UW–Madison. This coming month’s session is below:
Navigating Your Next Move: Job Search Strategies for UW–Madison Employees
Kelsey Harrington and Yingya Yang, Employee Career Counselors
Date: October 8, 2025
Time: 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Location: Virtual over Zoom
https://hr.wisc.edu/career-management-series/home/navigating-your-next-move/
Grow, Lead, Succeed: Resources for Personal and Team Development
Are you exploring ways to help your team thrive? Looking for professional development opportunities for yourself or your staff? Curious about coaching or self-leadership tools available right here on campus?
Join representatives from the OHR Learning and Talent Development, the Campus Supervisors Network, and the Office of Strategic Consulting. We will cover professional development opportunities at UW-Madison related to our respective areas of expertise, most of which are free of charge:
- Personal Growth: Enhance individual skills with workshops on time management, communication, emotional intelligence, and more, designed to support both personal and professional success.
- Leading and Supervising: Explore programs that build leadership capacity, covering topics like effective supervision, conflict resolution, and team motivation—ideal for current and aspiring leaders.
- Organizational Effectiveness: Discover tools and strategies to improve team performance through change management, strategic planning, and process improvement.
Whether you’re a supervisor, team lead, or simply passionate about growth, this session will connect you with valuable campus resources to help you and your colleagues succeed.
Date: October 14, 2025
Time: 2:00-3:00 pm
Location: Marquee Theater, Union South (during the Employee Resource Fair)
https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/employee-resource-fair/
Leadership and Management Development Conference Registration Deadline Approaching
The annual Leadership and Management Development Conference will take place on Wednesday, October 22, at Union South. The conference provides a full day of professional development to help emerging and advanced leaders develop the skills to lead and manage more effectively. The registration fee is $135 for employees of UW–Madison and affiliates.
Register by October 7 to secure your participation at the conference.
https://hr.wisc.edu/leadership-and-management-development-conference/