Train Your Brain to Focus on Something You Find Boring

December 12, 2017

Train Your Brain to Focus on Something You Find Boring

We all have a few subjects that we find boring or dull. Fortunately, it’s possible to learn to like — maybe even love — topics that make your eyes glaze over. First, you have to overcome the pain. When we think about something we don’t like or want, it can activate a portion of the brain that’s connected to our experience of pain. This means, for example, that thinking about statistics (if you don’t like statistics) can cause you actual physical pain. As a result, you brain may divert your attention away from whatever sparked the pain — in other words, you procrastinate. So the next time you need to study statistics, force yourself to focus. Turn off all distractions. Set a timer for 25 minutes. Focus intently for those 25 minutes. And then reward yourself for at least five minutes by listening to your favorite song, talking with a friend, or getting coffee. Taking little breaks helps the brain consolidate what you’re learning, which builds understanding while minimizing frustration.

Adapted from “How to Get Excited About Topics That Bore You,” by Barbara Oakley

Praise Your Star Performer, but Not Too Much

December 06, 2017

Praise Your Star Performer, but Not Too Much

When you have star performers on your team, you may be tempted to lavish them with praise. After all, managing a supremely talented person is a boss’s dream, so why not tell them how much you appreciate them? But be careful that you don’t feed their ego too much, or they’ll constantly be looking for that level of adulation, which can be hard to maintain. So give them an appropriate amount of positive feedback and acknowledge their contributions. If they executed a project beautifully or made a stellar presentation, say so — but leave it at that. And be sure that high performers recognize and acknowledge the work of the other team members who help them be successful.

Adapted from “How to Manage Your Star Employee,” by Rebecca Knight

Help Your Employees Feel Less Lonely at Work

December 08, 2017

Help Your Employees Feel Less Lonely at Work

More and more people are feeling tired and lonely at work. No manager should want their team members to be disconnected and disengaged. You can help counter these feelings by encouraging your team to forge bonds with their colleagues. Tell them how important it is to have a developmental network — a small group of coworkers they routinely turn to for advice or emotional support. Connect employees with coaches and peers, and assign new employees a mentor. Offer to introduce employees who you think have things in common, including hobbies and interests outside work. Make sure everyone knows that you believe friendly relationships are a worthwhile use of time so that they don’t hesitate to go out for coffee with a colleague or block out time on their calendars to chat and catch up.

Adapted from “Burnout at Work Isn’t Just About Exhaustion. It’s Also About Loneliness,” by Emma Seppala and Marissa King

Start a Difficult Conversation by Focusing on What You Have in Common

Start a Difficult Conversation by Focusing on What You Have in Common

When you’re broaching a tricky topic with a colleague, your first few sentences can make or break the
discussion !

It’s normal to be defensive, and even to put blame on the other person, but implying that your
counterpart is wrong will make the tough conversation even worse.

Set yourself up for success by establishing COMMON ground between you and the other person.
State what you already agree on — where your goals overlap.

You might say “We both want to make sure our patients get the best care possible” or “We agree that the
new email system should integrate with our existing IT systems.”

If you aren’t able to pinpoint common ground, or you’re not sure what your counterpart’s goal is, the
easiest way to move forward is to ask questions.

Explain what’s important to you and then ask, “Is there any overlap with what you care about? Or do you
have another goal?” Questions like these set a collaborative tone.

(Adapted from the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, by Amy Gallo )

The Mortgage-Interest Deduction Mainly Helps the Rich Buy Bigger Homes

March 31, 2014

The Mortgage-Interest Deduction Mainly Helps the Rich Buy Bigger Homes

The average house size in the Washington, D.C., area, is about 1,400 square feet larger than it would have been if the U.S. government didn’t provide tax benefits such as the mortgage-interest deduction to promote home ownership, according to a study described by the Wall Street Journal.

 While driving up the size of houses in affluent areas, the tax breaks have done little to broadly encourage people to buy homes. The benefits cost the government $175 billion annually in lost revenue, the Journal says.

SOURCE: Mortgage Tax Breaks Trickle Up, New Study Shows

Blast Through an Email Onslaught

March 31, 2014

Blast Through an Email Onslaught

Email is one of the biggest productivity challenges that executives face. Sorting through the daily barrage consumes a ridiculous amount of valuable time that could be spent elsewhere. But this is a solvable problem if you learn how to efficiently manage your everyday communications. 

(1) Don’t check your email incessantly; only look at it every hour or two.
(2) Discipline yourself to read only the subject matter so that you can discard irrelevant or unimportant messages right away. You can purge more than half of incoming messages this way.
(3) Practice “OHIO” — Only Handle It Once. 
Immediately decide what to do with each email, and answer important ones quickly instead of filing them away. Because once you’re finally ready to tackle them, you’ll spend half an hour just searching through folders.


Adapted from “Executives' Biggest Productivity Challenges, Solved” by Gretchen Gavett.

" To Enhance Your Learning, Take a Few Minutes to Think About What You’ve Learned

Learning Research 
April 23, 2014
Tip : 
" To Enhance Your Learning, Take a Few Minutes to Think About What You’ve Learned " 
Experiment : 
Research participants who did an arithmetic brain-teaser and then REFLECTED  on their strategies for solving it went on to do 18% better in a second round than their peers who hadn’t set aside time to reflect . 
Reason ? 
The unconscious learning that happens when you tackle a challenging task can become more effective if you DELIBERATELY couple it with controlled, conscious attempts to learn by thinking, the research suggests.

Research Conducted by :  Giada Di Stefano of HEC Paris, Francesca Gino and Gary Pisano of Harvard Business School, and Bradley Staats of the University of North Carolina.
SOURCE: Learning by Thinking: How Reflection Aids Performance
Courtesy : Harvard Business Review 

Steer Your Kids Away from Feeling " Entitled " !

May 05, 2014

Steer Your Kids Away from Feeling " Entitled " ! 

Do you know what keeps the owners of the most successful businesses (or most parents) up at night? The thought of their kids growing up feeling ' entitled'  !! 

Money is not the only factor – some choices can substantially affect the development of entitlement in your children. 

Avoid the entitlement trap by asking yourself a few questions: 

(1) Do they hold down jobs? 
Jobs give your child the chance to gain experience and get honest feedback. Reality is one of the best ways to combat a false sense of entitlement.

(2) Are they allowed to suffer? 
Don’t set your kids up to fail, but don’t shelter them from fate’s hard knocks. Pain builds resilience – but don’t make your kids suffer too much.

(3) Are they grateful? 
Gratitude is almost the opposite of entitlement. Parents must model gratitude before kids can develop it, so show gratitude often. Chances are your children will thank you for it.


Adapted from “ Keep Your Kids Out of the Entitlement Trap” by Josh Baron and Rob Lachenauer.

How to Work with a Boss Who’s Too Nice

May 08, 2014

How to Work with a Boss Who’s Too Nice

People want a supervisor who is kind, encouraging of new ideas, and interested in their careers. This kind of boss shouldn’t be confused with one who’s too nice – who shies away from conflict, avoids sharing negative feedback, and gives in too easily. Conflict-averse managers can hurt your performance and career, so you must mitigate the potential damage. 

(1) Directly address the issue.
 Make clear what you need and be concrete. Express concern if you don’t have the resources you need, ask for insight if your boss is being too hands off, and make it easy for him to give feedback.

(2) Make the costs clear. 
Help your boss understand the costs of his behavior. Make the downsides evident, so he’ll be incented to change. Point to direct evidence, such as a team member’s disengagement.

(3) Tap your network.
 You may need to go above your boss and use your network to get feedback or resources – but don’t sneak around, bring your boss into those discussions.


Adapted from “ When Your Boss Is Too Nice” by Amy Gallo.

Sometimes You Have to Be the “Bad Guy”

March 26, 2014



The best way for mangers to be successful is to build a top-notch team. But when taking on new positions, they often hesitate to replace poorly performing incumbents. New team leaders don’t want to seem harsh, and they’re weary of offending key stakeholders who may have relationships with individuals on their team. In these situations, remember why you were given the reins – to lead your department to a higher level of performance. Assembling the strongest team as quickly as possible is the way to do that. If you have doubts about employees, test them quickly with an assignment, or do a rapid performance assessment by talking with their subordinates, peers, and partners. If you’re still not convinced that you have the best team, it may be time to make some tough calls. 

Adapted from “If You've Just Taken Over a Team, Quickly Let Underperformers Go” by Ron Ashkenas.

Founding a Hardware Start-Up Is Getting Easier

March 26, 2014

Founding a Hardware Start-Up Is Getting Easier

Only 3% of U.S. venture-capital investment was for hardware start-ups last year, but that represents a big increase from 1992–2011, when the figure was less than 1%, says the Wall Street Journal. Investors have long shied away from start-ups making gadgets such as wearable electronics, because of the challenges posed by manufacturing, distribution, inventory, and technical support. But help has arrived: Today’s contract manufacturers, such as PCH International, will not only make your product for you, they’ll also provide engineers and project managers in China; as a consequence, U.S. venture capitalists are taking a rosier view of hardware start-ups.

SOURCE: Venture Money Flows Into Hardware Startups

Get Specific When Giving Credit

April 09, 2014

Get Specific When Giving Credit

Most of us have witnessed moments when credit was given unfairly – a supervisor unabashedly claims credit for his invisible staff’s work, or a quiet performer is inadequately recognized for her contribution. This damages organizational culture and deflates employee motivation. (Why expend the effort if no one will recognize it?) If you regularly award credit to deserving individuals, people will see that the system is fair, and this will drive performance. 

(1) Recognize those who recognize others. 
Thanking team members who highlight others’ efforts shows that you value generous and honest attribution of credit.
(2) Elevate the quiet heroes. 
Quiet contributors are seldom concerned with taking credit, but making an effort to reward them will create a sense of integrity in your organization.
(3) Remember there’s plenty of credit to go around. 
There are no limits to how many individuals can be recognized for contributing to an outcome, but recognition loses meaning when everyone (even slackers) gets it. Specific attributions of credit always trump blanket statements of praise.


Adapted from “ The Importance of Giving Credit” by Sachin H. Jain.

War impoverishes everyone worldwide !! And how ?

April 30, 2014

War impoverishes all people  worldwide !! And how ? 

Creating violence of various kinds AND THEN attempting to contain and quell it - had cost the world $9.46 trillion in 2012 . 
That’s 11% of gross world product !! 
 By contrast, the recent financial crisis cost just 0.5% of 2009 global output, Talia Hagerty writes on Pacific Standard. 

The IEP (  international Institute of Economics & Peace  )   has posited eight “PILLARS ” that support peace: 
(1) a well functioning government, 
(2) equitable distribution of resources,
(3)  free flow of information, 
(4) a sound business environment, 
(5) a high level of human capital from factors such as education and health, 
(6) ACCEPTANCE  of the rights of others,
(7)  low levels of corruption, and 
(8) good relations with neighbors.
Reserach conducted by : the Institute for Economics and Peace. 
SOURCE: How Much Is Peace Actually Worth?
Courtesy : Harvard Business Review .
Exercise -1 : Rate India on the above 8 parameters, on a 10 point scale . 
Exercise - 2 : Rate ( bangaaru ) TelangaNa on the above 8 , on a 10 point scale. 

Every one will have a different rating but we all must know the parameters, shouldn't we ? 

Analysts’ View CSR activities of firms - positively !

Analysts’ View CSR activities of firms - positively ! 

Back in the 1990s, stock analysts tended to produce pessimistic recommendations for companies with high expenditures on corporate social responsibility, but over the subsequent decade-plus, they came to view these firms optimistically, according to Ioannis Ioannou of London Business School and George Serafeim of Harvard Business School. Analysts formerly saw CSR as a detriment to profitability—something whose main purpose was to make executives feel good about themselves—but they came to view CSR as essential to corporate standing and to perceive that it may generate financial value in the long run, the authors say.

SOURCE: The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Investment Recommendations

It May Be Time to Pull the Plug on That Outdated Project

December 01, 2017

It May Be Time to Pull the Plug on That Outdated Project

It’s hard to let go of a project or objective that you’ve invested time and effort in. But it’s important to put those emotions aside to judge each initiative on its merits — and kill projects that may be holding you or your company back. Simply put: If the value of what you are doing now is lower than the value of what you could be doing instead, change course. Don’t wait until everyone agrees that there’s no harm in abandoning the project. Make the initiative prove its value, taking into account other options and alternatives. Doing something that brings in $1,000 of value may seem worth doing, for example, but if it’s keeping you so busy that you can’t put resources into endeavors that may add $10,000 of value, you are saving dimes but losing dollars.

Adapted from the HBR Guide to Thinking Strategically

Use Potted Plants and Natural Light to Create a Healthier Workplace

November 30, 2017

Use Potted Plants and Natural Light to Create a Healthier Workplace

Have you ever responded to an overwhelming moment at work by closing your eyes and imagining yourself lying on a beach or strolling down a forest path? You may be onto something. Research shows that exposure to green spaces reduces stress and boosts general health. One study found that greener office environments increased employee productivity by 15%. Fortunately, there are easy ways to incorporate some nature into your day: Hold walking meetings outside. Use outdoor spaces for your lunch breaks. Open blinds to let in natural light. Tape a photo of your favorite nature scene to your cubicle, or listen to ambient sounds on your headphones. If you have a say in office decoration, suggest hanging nature photography or bringing in potted plants. These small investments in a more natural work environment pay off in terms of increased happiness, relaxation, and even stronger connections to your coworkers.

Adapted from “Why You Should Tell Your Team to Take a Break and Go Outside,” by Emma Seppala and Johann Berlin

Share Stories That Reinforce the Organization’s Values

November 29, 2017

Share Stories That Reinforce the Organization’s Values

Too many companies rely on a vague, generic statement to articulate what matters to it. If you want employees to embrace and express your organization’s values, use stories instead of a mission. 

Look for stories about coworkers supporting one another, representatives providing excellent customer service, and customers being delighted by your products. Then find unique ways to spread those stories. 

You could invite a customer to share their stand-out experience at an all-staff meeting. Or you could play a video of one of your best stories at employee orientation. 

Storytelling teaches your employees to pay attention to the experiences of real people and helps employees feel good about the values your organization stands for.

Adapted from “Use Stories from Customers to Highlight Your Company’s Purpose,” by Erica Keswin

value of immediate feedback

12) Idea of the Day:  01 Nov 2017 Wed . Value of immediate feedback . 

There’s a right way and a wrong way to give feedback, says author Andy Molinsky. One of the ways to ensure your feedback improves performance is to deliver it ASAP.

“Your impulse might be to wait — or even to avoid, but it's critical to seize the moment and provide feedback when memory is fresh and a person can better appreciate the impact of the advice you're giving.”

Climate change caused 8 fold increase in heat wave deaths in India

(11) Climate change - 31 Oct 2017 Tue . 

Climate change is killing more Indians than ever before. A Lancet report recorded an eight-fold spike in heat-wave-related deaths over 10 

years to 2,422 in 2015. About 130,000 cases of dengue were reported in 2016 from 20,000 in 2010. Climate change affects India more than 

most countries; a temperature rise of 1°C would result in a 1.33 percentage point drop in the Indian per capita output, according to a 

study by the International Monetary Fund. That’s higher than the global average for emerging economies of 0.9 percentage point.

Idea of the day: 26 Oct 2017 ( Reinvention )

(9)   Idea of the day:   26 Oct 2017 

The only thing you can count on in today’s world of work is change. 
Careers are transforming, industries are evolving, and new fields are emerging. How can you manage these shifts? Develop the right 

mindset . 
Don’t be afraid of reinvention ! 

“Continuous reinvention will dominate the future of work, and developing empathy for yourself and the grit to manage your internal 

critic will separate those who are successful in the future with those who struggle.”
 author Heather McGowan . 

Get Over Your Procrastination Problem

April 03, 2014

Get Over Your Procrastination Problem

We all find ourselves procrastinating on occasion. Sometimes you leave a project on the backburner, or hold off on returning a phone call. It’s possible to get better about not putting things off, but you need to figure out why you’re postponing something in the first place. 
If you’re afraid of screwing something up: Look at the task as a way to avoid loss – for example, to keep your boss and colleagues from thinking less of you, perhaps. Think of the dire consequences of doing nothing at all. It might feel awful, but it works.
If the task is difficult, tedious, or otherwise unpleasant: Use “if-then planning.” Decide in advance what you need to do, as well as when you need to do it. (“If it is 2pm, then I will stop what I’m doing and start working on that report.”) With a clear plan, you won’t rely on (often weak) willpower.


Adapted from “ How to Make Yourself Work When You Just Don’t Want To” by Heidi Grant Halvorson.

Strategic Thinkers Ask “Why” and “When”

3 steps to improve Strategic Thinking in the Team

April 04, 2014

Strategic Thinkers Ask “Why” and “When”

Encouraging routine strategic thinking may be the most important thing you can do as a leader. It’s not an easy skill to teach or learn, because it is as much a mindset as a set of techniques – but it’s not impossible. Consider these ways to cultivate strategic thinkers (since they often make the most highly effective leaders):

(1) Encourage people to ask “why” and “when.” Consistently asking these whenever a course of action is being considered enables people to fully understand the goal it aims to achieve and its impact.
(2) Have managers set aside time for strategic planning.
Make it a regular part of their job, and connect them with mentors who excel at strategic thinking.
(3)Keep people informed on what is happening in your organization and in your industry.
This will help elevate their thinking beyond the day-to-day.


Adapted from “ Develop Strategic Thinkers Throughout Your Organization” by Robert Kabacoff.

High Performers Are Covertly Victimized, Unless They’re Altruistic

April 04, 2014

Research Finding : 
High Performers Are Covertly Victimized, Unless They’re Altruistic

In a study set in a Midwestern field office of a U.S. financial services firm, high-performing employees were more likely than average workers to report that colleagues covertly victimized them through such behaviors as sabotage, withholding resources, and avoidance . 
Details of the study : 
 High performers’ average score on a 1-to-5 victimization-frequency scale (from “never” to “once a week or more”) was 3.37, with the greater the performance gap in the workgroup, the greater the victimization.
Observation : 
 The effect was most pronounced for high performers who were selfish and manipulative; those who were altruistic and cooperative suffered less victimization as their performance increased  . 

SOURCE: Is it Better to Be Average? High and Low Performance as Predictors of Employee Victimization

Research Conducted by :  a team led by Jaclyn M. Jensen of DePaul University.

Courtesy : Harvard Business Review 

Narcissists Can Be Manipulated into Caring About the Environment

May 23, 2014

Narcissists Can Be Manipulated into Caring About the Environment

Although narcissists tend not to care about the societal benefits of pro-environmental activities, their attitudes change if their “green” behaviors are likely to be seen and admired by others, say Iman Naderi of Fairfield University and David Strutton of the University of North Texas. For example, narcissists considered an environmentally friendly laptop computer to be more attractive when they were told it was for use in public, rather than at home (3.7 versus 2.7 on a seven-point scale). Narcissism may be on the rise in the U.S., the researchers say: A nationwide analysis shows that college students’ scores on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory rose steadily between 1982 and 2009.

SOURCE: Can normal narcissism be managed to promote green product purchases? Investigating a counterintuitive proposition

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Stop Trying to Control Employees or Make Them Happy

May 26, 2014

Stop Trying to Control Employees or Make Them Happy

For decades, two common thought processes have influenced management. Managers take a "hard" approach when it comes to addressing challenges − creating new structures, processes, and systems. And they opt for a "soft" approach when they need to boost morale − launching initiatives like off-sites or lunchtime yoga. The problem is that both of these are outdated in an age of mounting complexity. Stop trying to control people or make them happy; instead, give your employees more autonomy and encourage them to work with each other. Start by understanding what your employees do and why they do it, and foster cooperation by giving people the power and interest to do so. If you increase the total quantity of power (don't just shift existing power around), create direct feedback loops, and reward those who cooperate, employees will feel liberated and empowered to make critical judgments and to come up with creative solutions to problems. 

Adapted from " Stop Trying to Control People or Make Them Happy" by Yves Morieux and Peter Tollman.

When Pitching an Idea, Think Like a Salesperson

November 06, 2017

When Pitching an Idea, Think Like a Salesperson

The next time you have to pitch an idea or project to get stakeholder buy-in, take a tip from your sales colleagues and learn as much as you can about your “customer.” Long before you make your proposal, gather information that will help you sell your idea. Have a conversation with the stakeholder you’re trying to win over, and ask empathetic questions: What business problems do they need to solve? What do they need to accomplish? Do they have a personal goal, such as advancing in the organization? Once you’ve figured out your customer’s motivations, you can tailor your proposal to suit their needs. As a great “salesperson,” you should take a genuine interest in the stakeholder’s problems. Your pitch should describe how your idea or service will solve them.

Adapted from “How to Improve Your Sales Skills, Even If You’re Not a Salesperson,” by Rebecca Knight

“Accurate self-assessment is essential to great career choices . ”

Career Tip  of the Day 

“Accurate self-assessment is essential to great career choices . ”

 This is especially important for leaders (or would-be leaders), who need to be extra aware of their strengths and weaknesses.

“Only through a really accurate self-assessment can a leader put the right team and processes in place to maximize her or his own contribution.”

 Tom Monahan - of Norton Street Capital . 

Transparency and leadership - it helps !

Leadership Style idea of the Day Courtesy :  LinkedIn Daily Rundown (India) " Leaders need to be transparent and open if they want to be successful." “If it’s lonely at the top, you’re doing it wrong ! ” “To respect you, employees don’t always need to agree with you. But they do need to understand you and your leadership style. For example, your employees want to know what motivates you, why you did something and what you have in terms of facts, data and emotional input to make decisions.” Laura Desmond , former CEO of Starcom .