INSIGHTS (on leadership/self-leadership)
A recent study showed that the more back-to-back meetings you have, the more you act like a jerk towards co-workers (are disrespectful, impatient, and rude). It turns out the lack of focus time creates irritability that we pass onto others. It highlights the need to step back and examine your workplace’s meeting culture. Ask 3 questions as you do:
1. Is our meeting cadence out of whack? (i.e. are we allowing enough focus time for people in between meetings?)
2. Are we asking, “Can this upcoming meeting be an email instead?”, or, “Is there any reason we can’t cut this meeting time in half?”
3. Are we following the “one-pizza” rule? Amazon started this – invite no more people to a meeting than you can feed with one pizza. It forces attendee selectivity.
I like sharing this joke with audiences:
I know that you know you’re already in too many meetings. But it’s costing you more than you think, so it’s time to rethink.
IMPERFECTIONS (a mistake many make)
You’ve heard the term “Nice guys finish last.” While that’s not true at face value, research published in the Psychology Bulletin does show there’s a type of niceness that doesn’t help careers, and a type that does.
What type doesn’t help? It’s a mistake many make. When, in an attempt to be respectful and not cause turmoil, you’re overly compliant, conflict avoidant, and unassertive – that has proven to be unhelpful to your career. It’s tricky because people engaging in this behavior often feel they’re being empathetic and kind. Of course, balance here is key.
To exert a kind of kindness that will be career-boosting, exhibit a strong desire to help others. This consistently correlates with higher career progression. Again, as long as you maintain balance – prioritize a mindset of servitude and helping others, but not at the cost of performing your own job well.
IMPLEMENTATION (one research-backed strategy, tip, or tool)
In this hybrid work world, many people are struggling to maintain a sense of company culture and connection with co-workers.
Try holding a few Gratitude and Growth sessions. These are get-togethers (virtual, in-person, or a mixture of both) intended to celebrate successes, have fun, and provide learning opportunities for personal growth. That’s it – no business on the agenda, per se. They serve as a trigger for purposeful bonding experiences (people don’t have time to get together just to get together) and helps address two of the biggest things hybrid employees struggle with: a sense of loneliness and disconnectedness, and feeling under-appreciated. These sessions really work – I’ve seen it first hand, and have clients that have built some form of these sessions into their culture.
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