Curing busyness so that we can be compassionate beings - Humankinda

JetBlue has created a 16-minute video called "Humankinda" shines a light on the disease we have called busyness.  People wear busyness like a badge of honor.  It makes us appear important and accomplished. 

But this busy frenzy is taking its toll.  Failure to take breaks and connect with real people has a range of unintended consequences:

• high stress
• lack of creativity
• failure to build trust
• disconnectedness (not approachable)
• unhappiness
• bad health

I could go on.  All these and more create a volatile environment.

Watch the video.  It's very funny (Veep's Sam Richardson is perfect in his narrator/helper role)

But don't gloss over the humor, do something about it.  Spread the word and stop the madness!


See Fast Company's take on it also see "The Busy Trap" by Tim Kreider in the New York Times

Don't fear or loathe networking -- it's essential for success in the current work environment

I often hear people say they hate networking events.  They fear them.  When you meet people superficially, it seems like you're using them.  Or it seems fake. 

Given that the work environment has become increasingly complex and that those who collaborate improve the bottom line for businesses by over 10 percent (source: Corporate Executive Board), then  it makes sense that networking is an essential tool for getting things done.

Networking helps us:

• share knowledge and contacts
• help others
• build relationships before we need them
• get "just-in-time" help
• get more done with less effort

Networking can be strategic or serendipitous-- a planned or chance encounter.

Everyone should be ready for networking opportunities.  A starting point -- understand your goals and interests.  What's your value proposition?  This is the part that will make you memorable when the person you meet realizes there is something you have to offer them.  This will also make you feel better about networking since you will have the opportunity to become a "giver,"  not just a "taker."  See Wharton Professor Adam Grant's books Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success.  You can also read his HBR article on the same subject. 

People also experience what Never Eat Alone author Keith Ferrazi calls the "frontier ethic."  Some just never want to show any sign of weakness and don't ask for help.  They have a "tough as nails" exterior and would rather keep things close held.

Remember that it's not about selling yourself but about providing enough information that the other person can associate something with you.  Be confident and approachable and watch your body language.  See Amy Cuddy's TED Talk on body language. Follow up after the event.

Lastly,  network on your own terms.  Choose the time of day you're at your best.  Create your own communities of interest, clubs, social get-togethers. 

Set a goal today--  introduce yourself to one new person a week. (You can find this person in the networks of your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc.)

Good luck!

Be Inclusive for a High-Performing Culture

 

Stereotyping applies beyond the realm of gender, and raising awareness of unconscious bias is known to reduce it.  Encouraging people to correct for biases creates opportunities for women and minorities.  Having greater diversity in leadership and followership can have huge benefits not only to corporate America, but to our society as a whole.  Diverse groups have healthy debate, are more creative, and solve challenging problems.  Different strengths fuse to make the unit stronger.

 

As Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant not in their article “When Talking About Bias Backfires” NYT 7 Dec 2014:

 

Knowledge of the prevalence of stereotyping can lead to greater stereotyping, but awareness can correct biases.  Studies have shown that when women lead, performance improves.

 “To break down the barriers that hold women back, it’s not enough to spread awareness. If we don’t reinforce that people need — and want — to overcome their biases, we end up silently condoning the status quo.”

In “Speaking While Female,” NYT 12 Jan 2015, the same authors highlight why women don’t speak up, and I believe the same could go for others-- whether shy, introverted, or humble.  It is often men who dominate meetings and interrupt women.  With this awareness, they can help by being on guard for this behavior and by using their voices to bring attention to the contributions of those who don’t have the loudest voices and are not dominant.

 

Having practices that foster inclusion and see to it that everyone’s voice is heard would ensure that the best ideas are surfaced regardless of gender, age, race, etc.  This would contribute to a high-performance culture.

 

Lastly, in Madame CEO, Get Me a Coffee, NYT 6 Feb 2015, Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant discuss gender stereotypes and helping behaviors.  When women don’t step up to help they are seen in a far worse light than their male counterparts.  Many helping behaviors are seen as women’s work:  taking notes, setting up refreshments, etc.  Again, just having the awareness that this is happening can enable men to step up and take their turn.

 

 

Thanks to Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant for framing these important issues.  Having them out in the open enables us to continue the inclusive conversation.