Food For Thought (12/6/20)
This month I spent lots of time learning about self-awareness, leadership and how to set better boundaries.
Hi Friends,
How are you doing? I hope you are hanging in there and pushing through these strange times. This month I spent lots of time learning about self-awareness, leadership and how to set better boundaries. The resources below were eye-opening, and I got a lot out of them; I hope you do too.
Articles:
4 Ways to Manage Expectations of Others at Work
Managing your expectations of others at work asks you to be the leader of your own life instead of staying stuck and frustrated by your circumstances. By asking questions and watching when you are projecting your expectations onto others, you can learn not only about yourself but about the needs of your coworkers and your team. You also learn to set and maintain effective boundaries. Making the call and taking the lead will leave you feeling as though you made choices that are right not only for you but for others too.
Time is not a measure of productivity
Not so long ago, most people were working at an office desk, and were expected to show their face every single weekday. Arrive at a certain time, take a lunch break, and stay late enough that people know you are working hard.
Using principles from hourly work to define productivity in knowledge work has resulted in highly inefficient—and sometimes unhappy—work conditions for many employees. Faster employees are frustrated, useless meetings are filling time, and, instead of taking mindful breaks, people stay sitting at their desks even when there is no meaningful work to do.
As remote work is becoming increasingly common, management will need to adapt. Abandoning time as a measure of productivity will not necessarily result in less hard work. However, it will result in more impactful work and happier work conditions.
Book Recommendations:
With the wisdom, generosity, simplicity, and grace that have made him an international best seller, Paulo Coelho provides the framework for a rewarding life: hard work, passion, purpose, thoughtfulness, the willingness to fail, and the urge to make a difference.
Worth listening to:
Matt Ridley: How Innovation Works, Part 1: Innovation is the child of freedom
Matt Ridley: How Innovation Works, Part 2: Innovation is the parent of prosperity
Worth watching:
Most Leaders Don't Even Know the Game They're In | Simon Sinek
Trust and cooperation are not standard in our organizations and yet we know they should be. There are two attributes that every single leader has the opportunity to possess that will help them create the types of organizations we would be proud to call our own. Those two attributes are EMPATHY & PERSPECTIVE.
Picture highlighted:
I took this photo in the mission district in San Francisco. Boarded-up storefronts turned to a message, a piece of art inspiring us to do our part and wear a mask.
Until next time,
With love, Dena 👋🏽