Business
How Do Consumers Feel When Companies Get Political? (via Harvard Business Review)
With the rise of corporate social responsibility (CSR) the increasingly political polarization, companies may not be able to dodge picking a side on certain issues such as environmental protection, workers rights, etc. One study (granted n=168 and I’m not sure how broadly it sampled) said that presenting a company as conservative had negative effects, while presenting a company as liberal had no effect.
Are Your Company’s Leaders and Data Scientists on the Same Page? (via Harvard Business Review)
- Give a dose of reality — to both sides
- Build on past successes and achievement
- Let data scientists do the talking
Career
How to Succeed When You Have Big Shoes to Fill (via Harvard Business Review)
- Do your homework before you start
- Be yourself
- Understand and manage stakeholder relationships
- Assess the team
- Check your mindset (e.g., impostor syndrome)
- Seek ongoing feedback and support
What to Do If You Think Your Job Is at Risk (via Harvard Business Review)
- Cultivate a broad network
- Seek advice
- Conduct a financial wellness check
- Update your branding
Don’t Quit Your Job Before Asking Yourself These Questions (via Harvard Business Review)
This post has a fantastic set of questions to help you determine if you’re working for the right company, in the right position, and positioned to focus on your future career.
Culture
How to Mend a Work Relationship (via Harvard Business Review)
- Reset the emotional tone — raise the issue, suggest a time out, commit to a shared relationship goal
- Craft your shared narrative — what went wrong, it’s about us, reflect on your history
- Build relational agility — plan to improvise, pay attention and get curious when the unexpected happens
Don’t Just Put on a Happy Face at Work (via Harvard Business Review)
To regulate emotions, people can surface-act (feel one thing, express another) and deep-act (change how you feel internally so you can express authentic emotions). Deep actors fare better (e.g., less burnout) because they’re not having to be two people at once.
Leadership
Don’t Let Negativity Sink Your Organization (via Harvard Business Review)
Humans have a negativity bias where we respond with stronger emotions to negative events. Leaders need to remind people of progress being made. Beware the jerk, the slacker, and the downer.
How to Overcome Your Obsession with Helping Others (via Harvard Business Review)
It’s a positive effect that “leaders as coaches” is becoming the norm — people feel safe to ask for help. However, some people get too wrapped up in helping and become enmeshed. This article has some questions you can ask yourself to determine if you’re too close to the fire. To help set healthy boundaries, (1) commit to being an equal partner, not a savior, (2) avoid dependency by measuring improvement, (3) and don’t shy away from applying pressure as coach.
Every Leader Needs to Navigate These 7 Tensions (via Harvard Business Review)
There are two primary styles of leadership: traditional and emerging. Today’s leaders will need balance the two styles and apply self-awareness, contextual awareness, and a willingness to learn, adapt, and practice.
- Expert vs. learner
- Constant vs. adaptable
- Tactical vs. visionary
- Teller vs. listener
- Power holder vs. power sharer
- Intuitive vs. analytical
- Perfectionist vs. Accelerator
Great Boss Starter Course (via Scott Drake)
Great bosses 1) get results, 2) lead an engaged team, 3) have enthusiastic customers, and 4) create more leaders. They must work through others to get things done. What made you successful up to this point will require a mindset shift, as the game you’re playing is different.
Process
Our book club discussed chapters 13-15.