Living with Corona Times -- HBR tells us Not to Worry About Declining Social Invites Because of Covid-19

Harvard Business Review tells us Not to Worry About Declining Social Invites Because of Covid-19

In Corona times, You've been invited to a social gathering, but you're a little concerned about the Covid-related risks. What should you do?

Researchers found that we're unlikely to communicate our concerns if the invitation is coming from someone we want to impress, like a colleague or boss. They also found that we're more likely to say "yes" to our closest friends, because we worry that they’ll think we’re being overly cautious or judgmental.

But these studies ultimately found that our fears of the social costs of saying no are misguided. In some cases, people actually appreciated the honest rejection, and even said they felt closer to their friends after hearing their concerns.

To prepare for these uncomfortable conversations, remember that you’re taking care of yourself and your loved ones by declining the invite. Focusing on welfare instead of social concerns can help you gain the courage both to say “no” and to communicate the risks.

And you can feel confident when you do so: The data suggests that the real interpersonal benefits of being honest are likely to outweigh the imagined costs.

 

Interested to know more?

Read the complete article at:

https://hbr.org/2020/08/its-okay-to-say-no-to-social-events-during-covid

Beautiful Quotes by Charlie Chaplin

Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin KBE (16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, "The Tramp", and is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the film industry.

Have a look at the Beautiful Quotes by Charlie Chaplin which we can implement in our day to day life.

Living with Corona Times -- HBR tells us to Set Clear Boundaries When Working From Home

Harvard Business Review tells us How to Set Clear Boundaries When Working From Home

 Balancing work and family has never been easy, but the global pandemic has led to a whole new set of challenges. If you’re struggling to be productive, consider setting boundaries for yourself and your kids. For example, you can make it clear to your family when you’re on and off the clock, trying to stay out of your office area during your “home” time.

 If something urgent comes up (and it will), be transparent with your family about why you’re putting in the extra hours and apologize. You don’t want your kids thinking that you’re choosing work over them.

To avoid interruptions, consider posting signs by your work area.

A red sign might mean you can only be interrupted if there’s an emergency.

Yellow could signal that a brief interruption is okay if it’s urgent.

And green says that they can come in and maybe work alongside you quietly, but not distract you.

Having clear boundaries can make the impossible circumstances that many parents are working under a little bit more manageable.

Interested to know more?

Read the complete article at:

https://hbr.org/2020/07/hbr-readers-on-juggling-work-and-kids-in-a-pandemic

7 leadership lessons from Dhoni for corporate bosses

 M S Dhoni is an Indian Cricketer who was also the captain for Indian cricket team in all formats of the game

 Early on in his career, Dhoni created a marketing stir with Ernst &Young (E&Y) releasing a report on the rise of the small town hero.

 The consultancy firm's report – ‘The Dhoni Effect-The Rise of Other India’ – said that from small-town Ranchi, the cricketer had turned a big-city icon. The report argued that Dhoni's rise epitomized the corresponding rise of small-town India. That was in 2008! 

 Dhoni today is leadership personified.

 Outside of the aspiration arc fueled by Dhoni’s dare-to-dream syndrome, his illustrious career showcased him as a leader par excellence.

 It is important to examine what leadership lessons can India Inc draw from his enduring performance on and off the field.

 Here are seven key takeaways for chief executives at corporate India

When I wear a mask in public...

When I wear a mask in public, or decline an invitation to a party or to come inside, I want you to know that:

+ I am educated enough to know that I could be asymptomatic and still give you the virus.

+ No, I don’t “live in fear” of the virus; I just want to be part of the solution, not the problem.

+ I don’t feel like the “government is controlling me;” I feel like I’m being a contributing adult to society.

+ The world doesn’t revolve around me. It’s not all about me and my comfort.

+ If we all could live with other people's consideration in mind, this whole world would be a much better place.

+ Wearing a mask doesn’t make me weak, scared, stupid, or even “controlled.” It makes me considerate.

+ When you think about how you look, how uncomfortable it is, or what others think of you, just imagine someone close to you - a child, a father, a mother, grandparent, aunt, or uncle - choking on a respirator, alone without you or any family member allowed at the bedside.

+ Ask yourself if it was worth the risk?

+ Wearing a mask is not political.

Stay home.. it's not safe to socialize yet even at your friend's house.

Living with Corona Times -- HBR tells us How to Prepare Yourself for a Return to the Office

Harvard Business Review tells us How to Prepare Yourself for a Return to the Office

In the coming weeks, as quarantine restrictions loosen, companies around the world will begin bringing people back to the workplace.

While some may be eager to finally get out of their house, a good number of people are still anxious. And if you’re among them, you aren’t alone.

Seventy percent of over 1,000 workers in a survey said there are several factors preventing them from wanting to return to work, with 51% citing fear of getting sick as their major worry.

For others, fear of using public transportation and having no reliable solutions for childcare or homeschooling are also concerns.

To prepare yourself for the transition back to the office, here are some approaches to minimize the stress and adapt as quickly as possible.

• Monitor your anxiety.
• Stock up on patience and flexibility.
• Manage expectations.
• Be a source of joy.
• Stay focused on the bigger story.

Interested to know more?

Read the complete article at:

https://hbr.org/2020/07/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-return-to-the-office

In Corona Times – Harvard Business Review advice for Leaders

Lead with Optimism, Even in Difficult Times:

Even in dire circumstances, you can still lead with optimism, helping your team and your customers stay resilient amidst uncertainty.

The first step is to be a role model. Lip service alone won’t work.

Also, keep in mind that a positive outlook is easier to adopt as a group, so help employees foster a sense of connection with each other.

This can be as simple as celebrating when a team or department hits a milestone, or starting meetings with each person saying one thing they’re grateful for.

Any regular, routine expression of positivity will help.

And keep motivation up by demonstrating a clear connection between the positive energy people are putting in and your achievements. It may even influence other teams to adjust their own mindset.

Things are hard right now — there’s no doubt about it. But as a leader, you have an opportunity to set the conditions for a collective positive outlook on your team. Take advantage of it.

For Further Read, follow the link below:

https://hbr.org/2020/06/what-leading-with-optimism-really-looks-like

In Corona Times – Harvard Business Review advice for New Grads

New Grads, Take These Steps to Find Your First Job:

While the whole world is fighting the Corona Virus. Here is Harvard Business Review advice for New Grads.

This is a scary time to be new to the job market. What should you do if you’re a recent graduate hunting for your first job in the midst of this crisis? 

• First, hone the skills that will make you a more marketable candidate for the field you’re trying to break into. Do your research. Ask around to find out which skills are highly valued. Could you learn a new programming language, software package, or sales technique?
• Second, find someone in your network who already works in the field you’re most interested in. Well-connected professors or your university’s career services office are a good place to start. Reach out to that person. If they’re responsive, ask them if they’d be willing to review your resume and cover letter. You want honest and constructive feedback.
• Third, give structure to your days by finding a part-time volunteer role. Job searches typically involve a lot of downtime, so make sure you’re doing something useful that also gives back to your community or a cause that you’re passionate about. This will keep you feeling productive and fulfilled, while also giving you another line on your resume.
• But more important than helping yourself, you’ll be helping people — and there are many — who need it right now.

 For Further Read, follow the link below:

https://hbr.org/2020/05/graduates-position-yourselves-to-get-hired

In Corona Times – Another Gem from Harvard Business Review

Try Silence During Your Next Remote Brainstorm:

While the whole world is fighting the Corona Virus. Here is another gem from Harvard Business Review 

Research shows that embracing silence during a brainstorm helps teams produce significantly more — and higher-quality — ideas. Silent brainstorming can be particularly useful in remote meetings. So what does it look like in practice?

First, starting with the meeting invite, make sure everyone understands the goals of the brainstorming session. Then, at the beginning of your meeting, share a working document (such as a Google Doc) with key questions that need to be answered. Encourage all participants to contribute to the document for 10 to 20 minutes without talking. During this time, attendees can actively ideate and respond to each other in the document. The leader can also participate, providing direction and asking attendees to elaborate on specific ideas as they’re being formed.

Once the silent phase of the brainstorm is complete, you can begin a discussion if your group is relatively small. If the group is large, you can end the meeting, review the document, and follow up with an email that shares conclusions and next steps. Or, you might consider sending out a quick survey where participants can react or vote on options to move forward.

This tip is adapted from “Break Up Your Big Virtual Meetings,” by Liana Kreamer and Steven G. Rogelberg

For Further Read, follow the link below:

https://hbr.org/2020/04/break-up-your-big-virtual-meetings

In Corona Times -- Good Read from Harvard Business Review

How to Answer Tough Questions About the Crisis: 

While the whole world is fighting the Corona Virus. Here is a great read from Harvard Business Review 

In these times, leaders and managers are often being called upon to answer especially difficult questions that you may not know how to answer. But that doesn’t mean you can’t provide a helpful and honest response. For example, if someone asks you about the future of the company, avoid a canned answer like, “I assure you we’re doing everything in our power to weather this storm,” which could come off as dismissive. Instead, listen for what’s behind the question. People under stress are often unable to communicate as clearly as they'd like.

You can acknowledge the question that was asked, but say something like: "I suspect some of these questions are rooted in concerns about job stability and how a recession could impact the company. Let me tell you how we’re beginning to think about these things.” Don't take it personally if people’s questions come off as angry or frustrated. Think about the stress that they’re under, and show compassion. Even if you can’t alleviate the uncertainty of the moment, you can still provide a sense of solidarity and stability that will go a long way.

This is adapted from “How to Answer an Unanswerable Question,” by Ron Carucci 

For Further Read, follow the link below:

How to Answer an Unanswerable Question

10 Inspiring Martin Luther King JR Quotes That Can Change the World

A talented speaker, Martin Luther King had a knack for words and a way of delivering them that is often unmatched by today’s public speakers.

Here is a selection of some of his most poignant sayings, which still ring as true today as when they were first spoken.

17 Uplifting Bob Marley Quotes That Can Change Your Life

Bob Marley continues to inspire and enlighten with his
lyrics and words, through his music as well as in recorded interviews and

concerts.

Assembled some of his most inspiring quotes that can help brighten your day,

and could even change your life if it gets you into a better frame of mind on a daily basis.

Quirky Albert Einstein Quotes on Everything

—Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics.  —Einstein may have been a physicist, but he sounded off on all sorts of topics in a way you’d only expect from a certified genius.  —Albert Einstein quotes are quirky, fun, and at times encouraging and always thoughtful. Here are some of his best quotes on all sorts of topics. 
 

Do you drive your Innovation as an Art or Science?

          After my Six Sigma Black Belt and PMP certification, which happened few years ago, I was elated to take on any challenge that the Innovation throws at me. I held the basic premise that Innovation was a scientific discipline and the certifications would suffice.

My perception of Innovation as a Science was developed from the fact that logic and order are fundamental to guiding a process improvement or a project to success. Innovation as seen through the certifications like Six Sigma Black Belt, appear primarily about defining and applying process. However as time passes and as you gain experience with Innovation, it makes you realize you were wrong... You were so very wrong!!!

By defining Innovation as Art... I do not mean to view an inefficient process flow chart, as a thing of beauty. It essentially is and should be treated as a list of facts with an order and relationship between them.

What I mean is… when Innovations go off track or innovative ideas do not come then the creative, improvisational skills of the person really come into play. It’s an essential art to adapt to changing circumstances. The art of bringing the Innovation along with us on the improvement journey essentially helps us to achieve what is needed.

So... Is Innovation an art that you're born with or a science that you can learn? The truth is, it's both…

          Innovation is one area which requires both a creative and technical approach to achieve success. The two aren’t naturally compatible and it often takes someone with an appreciation of the nuances of each to keep the art i.e., creativity going and deliver the science i.e. a good solution.

          The key is donning the right cap to occupy the Innovation facilitator role: to practices both art and science. One without the other is like a car with an accelerator but no brakes. Your Innovation may get to its destination, but you will leave a trail of accidents behind you.

So... Do your drive your Innovation as an Art or Science?

I’m more art inclined than Science now

What are you? Write in comments below and let us know…

Signing off with a quote by John Maeda: “Innovation is born when art meets science”