Learn from the shining star who reports to you If a direct report is getting more attention than you, instead of resenting them, try asking them about their secret to success, writes executive coach Nihar Chhaya. "They might be pleased to help you, and your gesture sends a signal that you have shared interests, which also enhances trust," he writes. Harvard Business Review online (tiered subscription model) (10/24)Improve your writing to improve your communication skills The practice of writing, instead of speaking, can improve your communication skills on many levels, forcing you to slow down and articulate your points in a more coherent way, writes John Rampton. Writing also allows for reflection and a way to form opinions on a topic. Business 2 Community (10/24)
Poll
Poll results: Is your office clean? The tone of an office is set by the bosses and how much they care for the physical space, such as cleaning up after themselves and expecting others to do the same. Think of it like how your your mom set the tone in your home!
Yes
49.82%
Sorta
31.93%
No
18.25%
The Landscape
Steps to elevate women in the workplace Claire Suddath gives possible solutions to addressing the gender parity problem in the C-suite, which was recently spotlighted in the annual Women in the Workplace report from Lean in and McKinsey. Suddath suggests companies should make promotional metrics the same at all levels and should avoid making review metrics so subjective. Bloomberg (tiered subscription model) (10/20)Less toxic behavior results in a more productive work environment Small businesses are often put in a difficult position when productive employees also exhibit toxic behavior, but eliminating bad behavior is always worth the effort, Brittany Spencer writes. "Your difficult employee may be more productive than other team members, but consider the quality of the productivity and how it's affecting your work environment," she writes. The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration News (free registration) (10/23)
Your Next Challenge
What's the real reason you don't get along with your boss? Not meshing with your team or boss might not be a matter of clashing personalities -- which you can overcome, write David Sturt and Todd Nordstrom. The tension might be that they don't "inspire you to become your best," which might be a sign it's time to look for a new job, they write. Forbes (10/24)
When humans lack sleep, they often crave carbs and sugar as an attempt to put their hormones back in balance. "Evolutionarily speaking, it was a big deal to have a high carb, high fat meal, because you didn't necessarily have those all of the time," says behavioral neuroscientist Erin Hanlon. CNN (10/23)
Portuguese red wine, South African Sauvignon Blanc, Vouvray, Alsace Riesling and Australian Cabernet Sauvignon all have one thing in common-- they get no respect according to one writer at Wall Street Journal who makes a compelling case for each wine. You might think under-the-radar wines like these might be super expensive, but surprisingly, you don't have to break the bank to try them. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (10/24)
Shadows cannot see themselves in the mirror of the sun.
