We’re coming off our sugar buzz and have moved our clocks back an hour. Don’t let the shorter days discourage you from getting out for a walk, though—there’s proven science around moving and being outside benefiting your health and mind.
Let’s show up, listen, and question ourselves this week in PP. We’re also exploring the ripple effect of authentic choices and the rewards of teamwork. Enjoy!
Shout out to Jason for his positive feedback regarding this newsletter — we appreciate hearing how it benefits our readers!
“I’ve been on this CoP for a while, and I use what I get from it nearly every week. Sometimes as little as sharing the image of the week with my staff, sometimes digging into the many articles. I just wanted to take a quick minute to let you know how much I appreciate [it]!”
:: Image of the Week
Looks like a no-brainer! Get up and get out. Step away from your desk during the day or take a walk in your neighborhood after a great day of work.
:: TED Talks
How One Phrase Invites Creativity, Connection, & Innovation | Mary Messner | TEDxColumbiana
Creativity is the courage to pivot and keep going in a different way. Mary Messner knows this all too well and shares it in her new TED talk.
What if five simple words could transform how we create, connect, and innovate? In this TEDx talk, Mary reveals the phrase that fuels creativity, invites collaboration, and redefines how we work and lead. She is on a mission to transform workplaces into vibrant playgrounds of creativity.
See what she has to say to others when she’s stuck on a project and wants to collaborate with those around her.
A former corporate executive turned keynote speaker, Mary blends her expertise in innovation, imagination, and collaboration to inspire teams. A mid-career pivot to embrace motherhood sharpened her insights into how emotions influence decision-making, profoundly shaping her dynamic approach to leadership and creativity. Known for her engaging style and authentic presence, Mary guides organizations to break barriers, spark imagination, and encourage environments where creativity flourishes. Offstage, you’ll find her chasing adventures with her husband and two spirited daughters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBlQCc5y-hc
:: Change Management
4 Powerful Leadership Moves that Transform Resistance to Change
Stop fighting resistance to change and use this binge-worthy approach instead. You’ve been working hard with your colleagues on a new initiative—one you know will make things better. The strategy is sound, and the data backs it up, but when you present it to your team, instead of momentum, you’re met with blank stares, crossed arms, or polite nods followed by silence. If you keep pushing, the best you’ll get is barely there compliance. Your normally energetic team is suddenly showing resistance to change.
Now what? The team at Let’s Grow Leaders have some advice.
:: Self-Leadership Development
The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem
Self-esteem plays a crucial role in shaping our lives, influencing how we think, feel, and interact with the world. Nathaniel Branden, a pioneer in psychology and self-esteem research, explores this concept deeply in his book The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem. This book is not just about feeling good; it’s about building a foundation of self-worth that leads to success, fulfillment, and resilience.
In this post, we’ll break down Branden’s insights, exploring the six pillars of self-esteem and their impact on personal and professional life. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to cultivate a strong, healthy sense of self-worth.
https://www.wisermindset.com/2025/02/the-six-pillars-of-self-esteem-detailed.html
:: CSN’s Book of the Week Recommendation
The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It
Drawing from groundbreaking research, psychologist and award-winning teacher Kelly McGonigal, PhD, offers a surprising new view of stress—one that reveals the upside of stress, and shows us exactly how to capitalize on its benefits.
You hear it all the time: stress causes heart disease; stress causes insomnia; stress is bad for you! But what if changing how you think about stress could make you happier, healthier, and better able to reach your goals? Combining exciting new research on resilience and mindset, Kelly McGonigal, PhD, proves that undergoing stress is not bad for you; it is undergoing stress while believing that stress is bad for you that makes it harmful. In fact, stress has many benefits, from giving us greater focus and energy, to strengthening our personal relationships.
McGonigal shows readers how to cultivate a mindset that embraces stress, and activate the brain’s natural ability to learn from challenging experiences. Both practical and life-changing, The Upside of Stress is not a guide to getting rid of stress, but a toolkit for getting better at it—by understanding, accepting, and leveraging it to your advantage.
:: Communication
The Importance of Listening as a Leadership Skill
The most expensive leadership mistake isn’t a bad strategic decision—it’s failing to listen effectively. Harvard Business School reports that when employees feel genuinely heard at work, they experience greater internal motivation, increased creativity and stronger engagement. Yet most leaders retain only a fraction of what they hear in conversations, missing critical insights, early warnings and breakthrough ideas flowing through their organizations daily. While everyone focuses on speaking more persuasively, the real competitive advantage comes from listening more effectively.
Google’s extensive research on team effectiveness found that psychological safety—the belief that one can speak up without fear of negative consequences—was the number one predictor of high-performing teams. And psychological safety begins with leaders who actually listen. In my practice of communication coaching and consulting, I’ve observed that the most effective leaders listen differently than their peers. They don’t just listen for information—they listen for understanding. They don’t just listen with their ears—they listen with their full attention. And they don’t just listen to confirm what they already believe—they listen to discover what they don’t yet know.
Not all listening is created equal. Understanding these four levels will help you recognize where you currently operate and where you need to go:
“It’s a lot easier than you think to ‘beat the odds’ because the odds are based on average people. Show up and elevate.” – Dr. Julie Gurner
Six Questions Every Leader Should Ask Themselves, with Margaret Andrews
Virtually every book, course, and program on leadership begins with self-understanding. That’s no accident; it’s because managing ourselves helps us lead others more effectively.
On last week’s episode, Margaret Andrews and I explored the six key questions that will help you manage yourself better. She is the author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others: Why Great Leadership Begins with Self-Understanding.
Her six questions for self-understanding:
- Who, and whose thinking, has shaped you as an individual?
- What situations and events have helped shape your perspective?
- What does success look like for you?
- What are your core values, and how have these values changed throughout your life?
- To what extent are you aware of—and allow yourself to feel—your emotions?
- What feedback have you received over the years about how your actions and behaviors impact others?
Listen to this Coaching for Leaders podcast with Margaret here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmrZ8UiRh5Q
:: Networking
Build Your Network Before You Need It – Here’s Why and How
The people in our network can have a profound impact on our growth and progress. But you want to nurture these relationships before you need them. Here’s an article from Thrive Global on how to build a decent network of connections ahead of the need to access them for your own needs.
Whether you’re looking to build a career in employment or as an entrepreneur, building your network is a must. You may also just be looking to connect with more professionals in your area.
It’s easy to get into networking when the need comes up. But the need might sneak up on you quicker than you expect — a sudden change in job status, for example, where having a robust network in place will yield huge results for you.
https://community.thriveglobal.com/build-your-network-before-you-need-it-heres-why-and-how/
“Everyone can be a teacher and everyone can be a learner.” – Trevor McCray, PhD
:: Trust, Psychological Safety & Belonging
The Rewards of Teamwork
What are the benefits of true collaboration? Kristina Harrington and Gregg Potter dive into the rewards of teamwork in episode 25 of Gregg’s Twenty Minute Collaborations podcast.
Kristina is the Chief Executive Officer of GenAlpha Technologies, a technology company that enables original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to sell and service their equipment and parts online. As an advocate of manufacturing, she is a recognized thought leader in the B2B manufacturing digital transformation space, sharing her knowledge and experience through multimedia platforms including blogs, webinars, and podcasts.
“An employee’s job is to give his or her best work every day. A manager’s job is to give the employee a good reason to come back to work tomorrow.” – Liz Ryan, CEO and founder of Human Workplace
Empowering the Individual: The Ripple Effect of Authentic Choices
Hedinn speaks with Isabelle Fortin in an episode of Handson Coaching’ Inspiring Conversations about “Empowering the Individual.”
Cookie-cutter leadership is killing your culture. With military discipline and a human-first mindset, Isabelle makes the case for adaptive leadership. She shares how trust, boldness, and honoring uniqueness aren’t soft skills – they’re success strategies.
“Motivate. Validate. Elevate. That’s leadership.”
• Listen if you’re ready to drop the playbook and actually lead.
• For rebels who still believe in people.
https://www.youtube.com/live/O61GTiWf36U
:: Upcoming Events
Thriving In Later Life – with Dr Kerry Burnight
What if your future is brighter than you think?
We live in a world obsessed with youth and terrified of ageing. But what if growing older wasn’t something to fear – but something to look forward to?
At this special live event Dr Kerry Burnight, will share powerful insights from her decades of work in gerontology and her new book Joyspan. You’ll learn how to shift from a fear of ageing to a deep appreciation of the freedom and fulfilment that come with later life.
Drawing on cutting-edge research and real-life stories, Kerry will unpack the essential ingredients for boosting our happiness in later life. These include connection, meaning, growth, choice and contentment – all of which we can cultivate, whatever our age.
Whether you’re approaching later life, supporting ageing loved ones or simply interested in living with more joy and intention, this talk will provide practical ideas to inspire and empower you for the years ahead.
Date: November 11, 2025
Time: 1:00-2:00 pm, CST
Location: Online via registration link below
Capture the Spark — How Practicing Hope and Inspiration Elevate the Employee Experience
In today’s workplace, employees are juggling more than ever — constant change, new challenges, and growing demands that can take a toll on well-being. But when employees feel inspired, everything changes. They become more resilient, fulfilled, and motivated to do great work.
Join Cristen Dalessandro, PhD, and Daniel Patterson, Senior Researchers from the O.C. Tanner Institute, as they share insights from the 2026 Global Culture Report on how organizations can build inspiration and hope into everyday culture.
You’ll learn how to:
> Help employees feel inspired at work
> Turn hope from a passive feeling into an active practice
> Unlock innovation, fulfillment, and great work through daily inspiration
Don’t miss this powerful session on how to help your people—and your culture—thrive.
Date: November 11, 2025
Time: 1:00-2:00 pm CST
Location: Online via link
Register here: https://shorturl.at/2lOYa
Register For The 2025 Virtual Dream Summit
Calling all dreamers! Join us for the 7th annual American Family Insurance DreamBank Dream Summit – where inspiration meets action!
Featuring keynotes Mel Robbins, Valorie Burton and American Family Insurance brand ambassadors the Scott Brothers, plus an inspiring lineup of experts on tech, productivity, lifestyle, personal development and more, this free virtual event will empower you to explore your unique possibilities and dream fearlessly.
Don’t miss this chance to reinvest in yourself and reinvigorate your dreams. Register today and join us!
Date: Thursday, November 13th, 2025
Time: 10 AM – 4 PM CT (each session is stand-alone)
Location: Online
https://dreambankdreamsummit.com/series/2025-dreambank-dream-summit/landing_page
Growing Career Resilience in an Ever-Changing Workplace
Our workplaces continue to change at a rapid pace. So much so that we sometimes lose our ability to adapt in healthy ways. How can we grow our career resilience to work in the most effective ways through these constant changes? This workshop will share what career resilience is and how to grow it, while participants work through a challenge of their own to better work and develop in their careers.
Why should you attend?
- Understand what career resilience is
- Learn how to grow your career resilience
- Leave with resiliency strategies you can implement immediately
Presenter: April McHugh, Director, Employee Career Counseling Program
December 18, 2025
Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
Location: Online
https://hr.wisc.edu/career-management-series/home/growing-career-resilience/