Stop Using Conference Calls and Start Using Videoconferencing

September 19, 2018
Stop Using Conference Calls and Start Using Videoconferencing
We all know what happens on conference calls. People dial in and then multitask, barely paying attention. You spend more time refocusing the conversation and getting people to participate than you do solving problems. The next time you have a meeting with people in another office or city, consider using videoconferencing instead. The visual connection ensures that people stay engaged and focused, and that those who are struggling to join the conversation can visually indicate that they’d like to talk. And unlike conference calls, videoconferencing allows us to consider not only the words being spoken but also the facial expressions, posture, and body language involved — all the cues we use to intuitively decode what’s really being said. The discussion will feel more organic, which will increase the quality of the ideas and the thoughtfulness of the comments, and make it easier for you to keep people fully engaged.

Adapted from “Stop Scheduling Conference Calls and Finally Commit to Videoconferencing,” by Scott Edinger

Pump Yourself Up Before a Presentation

October 4, 2018
Pump Yourself Up Before a Presentation
Giving a talk in front of an audience can be stressful, and our bodies react to that stress in different ways. If you’re someone who gets jittery and anxious, or whose energy levels flatline, try an exertion ritual before your next presentation. The ritual is just what it sounds like: You exert yourself in order to get your heart moving, feel in touch with your body, and boost your energy. You might do a brief workout before heading to the venue, dance in your hotel room, or even jump up and down backstage. An exertion ritual can amp you up while also reducing your levels of stress hormones. It can be especially helpful if you’re presenting at a high-energy event like a sales conference, or if you feel ambivalent about the subject of your talk and need to project enthusiasm. Choose an activity that suits you; the key is to tap into what helps you perform at your best.

Adapted from "How to Pump Yourself Up Before a Presentation (or Calm Yourself Down)," by Nancy Duarte

Don’t Let Your Inbox Boss You Around

October 15, 2018
Don’t Let Your Inbox Boss You Around
If you have moments of feeling overwhelmed by your inbox, you’re not alone. But don’t set up unrealistic habits for yourself, such as, I need to reply to my boss more quickly than she replies to me or I need to reply to any new email that day. Clarify expectations with others. Instead of assuming that your boss needs something done immediately, ask her when she needs it. Instead of dropping what you’re doing to write a detailed reply to someone, quickly let them know when you’ll get back to them. And don’t feel pressured to respond to emails sent after hours, or even late on Friday afternoon. Whoever contacted you as they were running out the door might not want a response during the weekend. If you don’t reply until Monday, most people will understand — and they may appreciate your helping them with their own boundaries.

Adapted from "5 Things to Do When You Feel Overwhelmed by Your Workload," by Alice Boyes

How to Email Someone You’ve Lost Touch With

October 18, 2018
How to Email Someone You’ve Lost Touch With
When you really need a favor from someone you haven’t talked to for a while, reaching out can be awkward. Re-break the ice by sending them an email with a clear subject line, like “Reconnecting.” Early in the body of your email, acknowledge that some time has passed since you last spoke, and briefly update them on what you’ve been doing professionally. This will provide useful context for your request. Then let them know what kind of help you need. You want to sound friendly and confident that your request is something they’ll want to say yes to. But give them an easy way to say no, and offer to return the favor either way: “I’m sure you’re really busy, so thanks in advance for considering it. Please let me know how I can be helpful to you, either now or in the future.” And then stay in touch — that way it won't be awkward the next time you want to say hello.

Adapted from "How to Email Someone You Haven’t Talked to in Forever," by Rebecca Zucker

How Women Can Build Relationships in a Male-Dominated Office

October 19, 2018
How Women Can Build Relationships in a Male-Dominated Office
When you’re one of the only women in the office, developing the genuine relationships you need to advance can be a challenge !! 

 Look for easy ways to connect: 
(1) Get to the office 10 minutes early and walk around to see who else is in. 
(2) Use 30 seconds in the elevator to catch up with a colleague, or to find a time to do so. 
(3) Arrive five minutes early to meetings and talk to someone you don’t know (instead of hiding behind your phone). 
(4) Walk to the train with a coworker who’s going your way. (5) Being fully present in the office can help you make many more crucial connections. 
Caution : 
And don’t force yourself to take up hobbies or participate in activities just because your male colleagues like them. If golf or late evening parties  isn’t your thing, that’s OK !! 
Decide what you do like and invite a few colleagues along for the fun.

Adapted from "4 Ways Women Can Build Relationships When They Feel Excluded at Work," by Brenda F. Wensil and Kathryn Heath

Should You Trust That Research Study You Read About?

October 9, 2018
Should You Trust That Research Study You Read About?

Academic studies in the social sciences often find very different results from each other, which makes it hard to know which ones to trust. To be a smart consumer of this type of research, do a few things. 
(1) First, don’t rely too much on any one study.
 Whenever possible, look for meta-analyses or systematic reviews that compare the results from many studies, as they can provide more-credible evidence and suggest reasons that results differ.

 (2) Second, pay attention to a study’s SAMPLE SIZE. Researchers are less likely to successfully replicate others’ results if the study looked at a small number of people or companies, for example. 

(3) Similarly, consider the PECULIARITIES  of the sample or the study’s methods.
(a)  How did the researchers come to study the specific sample they did? 
(b) What kinds of factors could have skewed the results?
(c)  Finally, always remember: If a study’s results sound too good to be true, they probably are ! 

Adapted from "How to Be a Smart Consumer of Social Science Research," by Eva Vivalt

Coaching and mentoring - Goal Setting

September 26, 2018
Help a Direct Report Who Doesn’t Have Clear Career Goals

As a manager, helping your direct reports achieve their career goals is part of your job. But what do you do if they aren’t sure what those goals are? First, tell the person that it’s OK — and sometimes even preferable — not to have a concrete career path in mind. Being overly attached to a specific plan can cause people to miss opportunities that aren’t on the prescribed route. Next, ask questions to understand what drives the employee, such as, “What problems excite you?” and “What types of work do you want to do less of and more of?”From there, encourage them to think about the skills they’ll need in the future, focusing on those that will be transferrable to other jobs or roles. Then suggest they try small experiments to learn more about what they like to do and where they need to develop.

Adapted from “How to Mentor Someone Who Doesn’t Know What Their Career Goals Should Be,” by Tania Luna and Jordan Cohen

Working Parents Don’t Have to Give Up on Networking

September 28, 2018
Working Parents Don’t Have to Give Up on Networking ! 

Working parents can struggle to find time for networking, especially since it often happens during after-work drinks or faraway conferences. But there are ways to fit networking into your busy life.

 The first thing to remember is that it isn’t always about meeting new people; it’s also about maintaining connections.

 Find people you’ve lost touch with, and look at their social media profiles for updates on their lives. Did someone get married recently, move, or get a promotion? These are all perfect reasons to reach out.
 Another way to strengthen your existing network is to introduce contacts who would benefit from knowing each other (just make sure they both know an introduction is coming).

 And if you’re looking to expand your circle, think beyond the coffee or lunch date. Use video conferencing to meet new people “face to face” without leaving the house or office. 

The great thing about these strategies is you can do them from almost anywhere, and whenever works best for you.

Adapted from “Making Time for Networking as a Working Parent,” by David Burkus