Tag: personal development

Summer reading: New additions to the business collection

Linda

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If you have some time on your hands and are relaxing in the sun or under a tree, how about kicking off your new year reading with one of the recent business focused additions to our collection?

You’ll find all these and much, much more in Wellington City Libraries’ catalogue

The retention revolution : 7 surprising (and very human!) ways to keep employees connected to your company / Keswin, Erica
“Build a business with relationships at the center, and you will seize the competitive edge in today’s volatile job/or talent market”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Staying the distance : the lessons from sport that business leaders have been missing / Baker, Catherine
“Business leaders are very familiar with drawing lessons from elite sport, particularly around teams, leadership and high performance. But we have all been missing a trick. Day in, day out, sport has been showing us not only how to improve, perform and achieve, but how to do so on a sustained basis, consistently delivering results when it matters. This book shines a light on these unseen lessons, and provides a clear and practical roadmap for how to deploy them in the reader’s own leadership practices. “– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Thriving leaders thriving teams / Parsons, Lauren
“Feeling flat, tired or overwhelmed? Concerned you or your colleagues are headed for burnout? Poor health and mental distress are on the rise globally. People are suffering in silence. The talent shortage makes it critical workplaces set themselves apart as desirable employers, to attract and retain great people. Not enough leaders understand how to create true workplace wellbeing. Unfortunately, too many organisations – often inadvertently – treat people as ‘assets’ or ‘resources’ to be used rather than human beings to be nurtured, motivated and celebrated. This needs to change. A complete guide, packed with the latest research, inspiring stories, and practical tools to help you boost your wellbeing, energy and vitality, even if you’re busy and “don’t have time”; be a better leader and help others thrive, no matter what your role; cultivate a positive, energised workplace culture. Thriving Leaders, Thriving Teams is for anyone, from aspiring leaders through to CEOs. Just as master gardeners create the right environment for plants to thrive, leaders must cultivate the ideal environment for their people to flourish. This book shows you how.” Publisher.” (Catalogue)

The art of winning : 10 lessons in leadership, purpose and potential / Carter, Dan
“Ten timeless truths on leadership, purpose and potential – from the unique culture of the All Blacks, and the mind of a living legend”–Publisher information.” (Catalogue)
Also available as EAudiobook Libby

 

Big bets : how large-scale change really happens / Shah, Rajiv Janardan
“Rajiv J. Shah, president of the Rockefeller Foundation and former administrator of President Barack Obama’s United States Agency for International Development, shares a dynamic new model for creating large scale change, inspired by his own involvements with some of the largest humanitarian projects of our time”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

 

Team habits : how small actions lead to extraordinary results / Gilkey, Charlie
“We all know how important habits are for personal effectiveness, success, and happiness. We can apply many of the same principles and insights about personal habits to our teams. When we do, not only do we accrue the personal benefits for ourselves, but we accrue them with and for our team. If small habit changes lead to powerful results for individuals, imagine what it can do for teams. Focusing on improving how people work together at the team level means there’s no need for a top-down initiative or sign-off by the higher-ups to start making our working lives better…Gilkey offers tips on Communication (“What needs to be communicated NOW versus what can wait”), Meetings (“The ultimate question to determine whether your meeting was worth it”), Belonging (“Why getting your teammate coffee isn’t about the coffee”), and much more”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Python for data science / Mueller, John
“Python for Data Science For Dummies lets you get your hands dirty with data using one of the top programming languages. This beginner’s guide takes you step by step through getting started, performing data analysis, understanding datasets and example code, working with Google Colab, sampling data, and beyond. Coding your data analysis tasks will make your life easier, make you more in-demand as an employee, and open the door to valuable knowledge and insights. This new edition is updated for the latest version of Python and includes current, relevant data examples”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

Faking it : artificial intelligence in a human world / Walsh, Toby
“A prescient analysis of what makes artificial intelligence so … artificial. The brave new world of faking it … Artificial intelligence is, as the name suggests, artificial and fundamentally different to human intelligence. Yet often the goal of AI is to fake human intelligence. This deceit has been there from the very beginning. We’ve been trying to fake it since Alan Turing answered the question ‘Can machines think?’ by proposing that machines pretend to be humans. Now we are starting to build AI that truly deceives us. Powerful AIs such as ChatGPT can convince us they are intelligent and blur the distinction between what is real and what is simulated. In reality, they lack true understanding, sentience and common sense. But this doesn’t mean they can’t change the world. Can AI systems ever be creative? Can they be moral? What can we do to ensure they are not harmful?” (Catalogue)

The key to creativity : the science behind ideas and how daydreaming can change the world / Østby, Hilde
“In The Key to Creativity, Østby takes readers on a deep-dive into why we are creative and what conditions must be present in order for us to make our best work: whether that be a painting, a piece of writing, or simply a good email. Using characters from Alice in Wonderland for inspiration, Østby investigates why we have ideas that seemingly come out of nowhere, like the Cheshire Cat, and how we can quiet our inner critic, like the rule-obsessed Queen of Hearts. Along the way, she speaks with artists of all stripes and interviews psychiatrists and neurologists who specialize in understanding what happens in the brain when we are at our most creative…This engaging and ground-breaking book debunks the myth that you need to be a genius in order to be an artist or inventor. All you need is an idea and the tools to make your creative dream come true”– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Hidden potential : the science of achieving greater things / Grant, Adam
“This book illuminates how we can elevate ourselves and others to unexpected heights…Hidden Potential offers a new framework for raising aspirations and exceeding expectations. Adam Grant weaves together ground-breaking evidence, surprising insights, and vivid storytelling that takes us from the classroom to the boardroom, the playground to the Olympics, and underground to outer space. He shows that progress depends less on how hard you work than how well you learn. Growth is not about the genius you possess-it’s about the character you develop. Grant explores how to build the character skills and motivational structures to realize our own potential, and how to design systems that create opportunities for those who have been underrated and overlooked.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The art of explanation : how to communicate with clarity and confidence / Atkins, Ros
“Do you worry about holding people’s attention during presentations? Are you unsure where to start when faced with writing an essay or report? Are you preparing for an interview and wondering how to get all your points across? Explanation – identifying and communicating what we want to say – is an art. … BBC presenter and journalist Ros Atkins, … shares the secrets he has learned from years of working in high-pressure newsrooms, identifying the ten elements of a good explanation and the seven steps you need to take to express yourself with clarity and impact. Whether at work, school, university or home, we all benefit from being able to articulate ourselves clearly. Filled with practical examples, The Art of Explanation is a must-read for anyone who wants to sharpen their communication skills.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Why listen to, work with and follow you? : the 3 qualities of true leaders / Robertson, Larry
“Whether setting out on your career or already ensconced in the boardroom, you will not succeed on your own. You need others to choose to listen, buy into and come with you.  Global leadership expert Larry Robertson highlights communication as the most critical yet least well practised aspect of leadership, using his 3 Qualities of True Leadership: Authenticity (AQ), Empathy (EQ) and Intent (IQ).  WHY YOU? is packed with stories, examples and tools to help you lift your game holistically, both as a true leader and a better person”. –Publisher.” (Catalogue)

My brain has too many tabs open : untangle your relationship with tech / Goodin, Tanya
“Digital detox expert and tech therapist Tanya Goodin is on a mission to help us have a healthier relationship with our electronics. Here, she collects hours of conversations to form a fascinating compendium of everyday problems we all struggle with, plus solutions to stop them taking over lives.” (Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

 

The art of giving and receiving feedback

Linda

“You shouldn’t wear stripes dear.  That top makes you look like a little barrel”. 

So said one colleague to another in a former workplace. 

In a similar exchange (same workplace),  I was taken aside by a kindly co-worker who advised me that my chosen shade of lipstick was “too bright”.

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We’ve all had it at some point.  The “helpful”, unasked for, feedback someone feels obliged to give and which often catches us off-guard and leaves us feeling personally attacked.

The usual response to such “advice” is either stunned silence at the audacity/inappropriateness of the feedback giver or more often, a curt variation of  “If I want your opinion I’ll ask”.

In the above examples, whilst most likely well meant, the delivery of said feedback was not tactful, expected and ultimately not good for workplace relationships.

Alternatively, what about when you have received a glowing compliment only to shrug it off with an “Aww shucks, it was nothing” attitude when in fact you had worked darned hard to deliver?

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Giving – and receiving – feedback is a necessary part of communication in the workplace.  Effective feedback should encourage, train and guide us even if it challenges us.  Delivery, however, no matter the direction – upwards, downwards or sideways to a hoamahi (colleague) – requires a degree of tact, sensitivity or emotional intelligence.  

Unfortunately, when badly delivered, feedback can damage workplace relationships as it is perceived as threatening and the receiver can become defensive or even hostile.

Whether you are a manager of people, a co-worker or employee, learning how to deliver and accept feedback is a skill that can be developed with a little effort and awareness.

To assist this week’s blog features a compilation of resources for different workplace scenarios, all offering tips and guidance on how to improve your acceptance and delivery of feedback. 

First though, what is feedback?
This Hotjar blog sums it up nicely :

Employee feedback is any information exchanged by employees (formally or informally) regarding their performance, skills, or ability to work within a team. Both supervisors and peers may deliver feedback, and when done tactfully, the process can create a stronger, more harmonious workplace.

Positive and negative feedback is important because it helps break bad habits, reinforces positive behavior, and enables teams to work more effectively toward their goals.  

Why is it important to give feedback?  Research presented in this article discusses why employees want feedback and ways to make it constructive.

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How do you find ways to give feedback without offending?  
Approach everyone you give feedback to as if they are an iceberg, as there is more below the surface when you deliver structured feedback.

Striking the right balance when giving feedback is a fine line.  This Inc. article outlines words to use to make feedback more effective for the recipient while this article outlines the ABC Feedback Formula for those who find the giving of feedback a scary proposition.  However the skill is in not softening the feedback to a point where the message is lost on those to whom it is being given.

It is generally assumed that feedback should be given verbally, in person.  A recent HBR article presents a case for the times it is more appropriate to give feedback in writing.  The authors state :

Consider what works best for the context, audience, and goals of your specific situation. Spoken and written feedback are both necessary, and each has their time and place.

If you are sensitive to criticism, having your work practices or behaviours critiqued will not be easy.  This article suggests three things to do the next time you get criticism that stings while this one offers some tips to help you take feedback the right way.  This article explains how to tell whether the criticism is fair or unfair, before offering tips on handling criticism with good grace, and making it work for you.  

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It ‘s not just the giving and receiving of negative feedback that matters.  There’s a skill to providing and accepting positive feedback as this TED talk discusses.

As a leader,  do you compliment your team when they do something well?  Or even your team mates?  Praise can be a big motivator and an important leadership practice.  

As an employee you may be put in the position of passing feedback upwards.  It’s sometimes hard (and scary) to give feedback to your boss.  The advice in this article is to first develop a relationship with the manager, and as a manager, when feedback is offered, accept it graciously.

Remember though, there’s a difference between validation and feedback.  Sometimes feedback is requested when what is wanted is validation of behaviours rather than a critique.  If you find yourself faced with that situation there’s some advice to be found here. 

What if your manager or workplace just doesn’t do feedback?  Some companies, particularly if they are small, don’t prioritise performance appraisals.   That makes it difficult to track how you are performing.

In a recent Podcast from the Harvard Business Review team  “… an expert on interpersonal communication and organizational behavior, shares creative ways to draw out people’s perceptions of your performance and potential. She also offers advice on how to make sense of the feedback you do receive”.  

It’s easy to praise a standout employee or team performance.  But what about the majority of workers who calmly and quietly go about their jobs, doing them competently and being the engines that allow a smaller percentage of staff to shine?  Remember that they too are worthy of positive feedback.  They may not have pulled in $1000s of dollars of business in the last year, but their steady contribution to the smooth running of a workplace should be regularly acknowledged.


Recognising the contribution of average workers isn’t just good for these employees – it’s vital for employers. Keeping middle-of-the-pack employees engaged and on board literally keeps companies in business, since these workers keep day-to-day operations smooth. 

Amongst the Wellington City Library resources you will find this short film on the Kanopy platform – Work Place Excellence: Recognition & Feedback
Included in the the topics covered in this short video are how to :
* Give immediate recognition and feedback, 
* Be constructive with feedback,
* Implement feedback tools
* 360 degree feedback.

You will also find Linked In Learning has a range of video courses on feedback. You need to be a registered library user, then enter your library card and password and then search “feedback”.

As for that colleague (or family member) who offers you unsolicited feedback of a personal nature,  try this recommendation :

Simply smile, tell the person you appreciate them caring enough to give you that advice, and say that you’re not looking for advice on that topic at this time. And then smile again. Smiling softens most messages. Say nothing more. Most people will stop talking. What else is there to say?

If you want more, or different resources have a look at these ones :

Giving feedback : expert solutions to everyday challenges
“Good feedback is essential to helping employees perform better at work. It lets people know when they are meeting or exceeding expectations, and when they need to get back on the right track. This practical guide shows managers how to develop and refine this necessary skill.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Coaching and feedback for performance
“Why is coaching skill the hallmark of good management? Managers who provide consistent, constructive feedback run more efficient departments, equip their employees to become leaders, and gain the support they need for their efforts. Proficient managerial coaching aligns employees with company strategy, so that day-to-day activities ……” (Catalogue)

 

Thanks for the feedback : the science and art of receiving feedback well : (even when it is off base, unfair, poorly delivered, and frankly, you’re not in the mood) / Stone, Douglas
“The authors of the classic ‘Difficult Conversations’ teach you how to take criticism productively in this book. Receiving feedback is an important skill, and the rewards for learning well are substantial. But feedback can be painful, sometimes brutally so. This title takes an honest look at why feedback feels so hard, and gives readers the framework and tools needed to metabolize challenging information and use it to fuel real change.” (Catalogue) 
Also available on EAudiobook Borrowbox

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Building trust – in business and the workplace

Linda

The Oxford Learners Dictionaries define Trust as :
1 : to have confidence in somebody; to believe that somebody is good, sincere, honest, etc.
2 : to believe that something is true or correct or that you can rely on it 

“Trust” is a hot topic in the management and business literature at the moment.  Trust in leadership, trust in business, trust in teams .  What all agree on is that trust is an extremely important component in a workplace.

Some recent quick reads on Trust include :
In leaders we trust : how to build and inspire trust in 2022
Good leadership is about trust. Trust is the essential factor for success and is foundational for an organization to evolve, flex, pivot, adapt, and ultimately thrive in times of continuous change.

In the HBR’s How business can build and maintain trust author Tim Ryan,  U.S. chair of PwC and founder of the Trust Leadership Institute, writes that … “trust is fragile and businesses must manage it as carefully as they do their balance sheets… He details where consumers and business leaders agree on which actions drive trust and offers three takeaways for the business community: 1) It’s time for business to galvanize around trust and transparency; 2) To build trust, leaders must communicate the why behind their decisions; and 3) Leaders need to act with integrity, courage, and vulnerability.”

Leadership behaviors that diminish trust outlines “… four leadership behaviors that diminish trust and what to do instead.”

For longer reads, check out the following in the WCL book collection :

The trusted leader : bringing out the best in your people and your company / Galford, Robert M.
“Based on highly specific research and experience that covers a wide spectrum of managers and organizations, The Trusted Leader identifies the three critical types of trust that leaders need to master: strategic trust, organizational trust, and personal trust. It introduces a practical and effective formula for building organizational confidence, and provides a unique analysis of the obstacles to trust and the sources of resistance to the building of trust inside organizations. Through a series of interactive exercises, executives will learn how to determine where trust is missing and how it can be supplemented in people, departments, and even whole companies. Perhaps most timely are the book’s series of diagnostic tools and skills that help executives rebuild trust that has been broken or betrayed.”–BOOK JACKET.” (Catalogue)

Breaking the trust barrier : how leaders close the gaps for high performance / Venable, JV
“For former US Airforce Thunderbirds’ commander and demonstration leader JV Venable, inspiring teamwork was literally a matter of life and death. On maneuvers the distance between jets was just 18 inches. Closing the gaps to sustain that kind of separation requires the highest levels of trust. On the ground or in the air, from line supervisor to CEO, we all face the same challenge. Our job is to entice those we lead to close the gaps that slow the whole team down – gaps in commitment, loyalty, and trust. Every bit of closure requires your people to let go of biases and mental safeguards that hold them back. The process the Thunderbirds use to break that barrier and craft the highest levels of trust on a team with an annual turnover of 50% is nothing short of phenomenal. That process is packaged in this book with tips and compelling stories that will help you build the team of a lifetime.” (Catalogue)

Principled : 10 leadership practices for building trust / Browning, Paul
“When trust is destroyed in the workplace, how do you restore it? In the era of #metoo, ‘fake news’ and ‘alternative facts’ few would dispute that we face a global crisis around trust in the workplace and more broadly in society. When the CSIRO released its Australian National Outlook 2019, it identified trust as one of the future key challenges the nation faces in relation to governments, business, non-government organisations and the media. It is less likely that a company will be able to innovate and remain competitive if trust is low or absent. Prominent Australian educator Paul Browning faced this situation when the school he led became embroiled in The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Principled draws on Browning’s first-hand experience of navigating an organisation through this highly public ethical crisis and outlines the challenges he faced as a leader. Bringing together evidence-based research and over 20 years of management experience, Paul Browning offers timely advice on the 10 key practices that can help executives build and develop skills to become more trustworthy leaders.” (Catalogue)

Digital body language : how to build trust & connection, no matter the distance / Dhawan, Erica
“From Erica Dhawan, co-author of Get Big Things Done, the definitive guide to communicating and connecting wherever you are. Email replies that show up a week later. Video chats full of ‘oops sorry no you go’ and ‘can you hear me?!’ Ambiguous text-messages. Weird punctuation you can’t make heads or tails of. Is it any wonder communication takes us so much time and effort to figure out? How did we lose our innate capacity to understand each other? Humans rely on body language to connect and build trust, but with most of our communication happening from behind a screen, traditional body language signals are no longer visible — or are they? In Digital Body Language, Erica Dhawan, a go-to thought leader on collaboration and a passionate communication junkie, combines cutting edge research with engaging storytelling to decode the new signals and cues that have replaced traditional body language across genders, generations, and culture. In real life, we lean in, uncross our arms, smile, nod and make eye contact to show we listen and care. Online, reading carefully is the new listening. Writing clearly is the new empathy. And a phone or video call is worth a thousand emails. Digital Body Language will turn your daily misunderstandings into a set of collectively understood laws that foster connection, no matter the distance. Dhawan investigates a wide array of exchanges–from large conferences and video meetings to daily emails, texts, IMs, and conference calls–and offers insights and solutions to build trust and clarity to anyone in our ever changing world”– Provided by publisher.” (Catalogue)

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.