SmartBrief on Leadership - Could your leadership use a tuneup?

Judging others can become a positive exercise when leaders use it to expand compassion for themselves and those around them and as a tool to recognize things within themselves they can improve, writes author and leadership expert Mike Robbins. New research shows that we routinely underestimate how others feel about us, believing that they harshly judge us, when in reality, most people like us and wish for more engagement.

Put it into practice: New research shows that other people like interacting with us much more than we believe, which should prompt us to reach out more to colleagues and friends and actively listen when talking with others. It takes a lot of courage to be open and vulnerable with others, Robbins acknowledges, "yet engaging authentically at this level can profoundly transform our relationships for the better."

The art of leadership shares similarities with car maintenance, drawing parallels that include the importance of regular scheduling, a step-by-step approach, embracing questions and recognizing personal limits, writes Fred Ende, director of curriculum and instructional services for Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. "If we don't set aside the time to proactively think through our work, and we don't make time for what is important, we run the risk of damaging our reputation, our outcomes and the overall health of the organization," Ende writes.

Put it into practice: Ende highlights the significance of proactive planning, methodical progress, reflective leadership and understanding one's capacity for effective leadership tuneups. "The idea is that we know ourselves and know what is possible in the moment, and we make sure that we don't overdo or underdo that which is facing us."

Making eye contact while giving a speech or presentation is critical to engaging your audience, writes Robin Stombler, author and president of Auburn Health Strategies. Stombler offers five strategies for developing the practice, including getting comfortable with looking yourself in the eye using a mirror and looking at one audience member per sentence during your presentation to avoid staring too long at a few people.

Put it into practice: Practice your eye contact skills by trying to notice the color of another person's eyes just at a glance, and during your talk, make eye contact with an audience member for the count of "three Mississippis" before turning your gaze on others, Stombler advises. "Using eye contact during your speech will make you appear confident and prepared, no matter the circumstances surrounding you."

Steps couples can take to regulate their emotions, focus on positive aspects about each other and take part in enjoyable activities will keep relationships healthy long after typical Valentine's Day gifts have been discarded, licensed clinical social worker Amy Morin writes. Morin also suggests seeing a therapist to maintain mental health, together if possible but as individuals if necessary.

Most of us have long put our old manual typewriters out to pasture, but London-based artist James Cook is using his collection of vintage typewriters to create stunning black and white renditions of famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben to famous artworks such as the Mona Lisa. Cook's rendition of Vincent Van Gogh's self-portrait is comprised mainly of the letters V, H, O, T, N, and G.

In observance of Presidents Day in the US, SmartBrief will not publish Monday, Feb. 19.

I typed out the day's stories on an old manual typewriter in my first few radio news jobs. I liked a particular Royal typewriter so much that I bought it from the radio station when they replaced all the manual typewriters with electric ones. It would be years before a computer would replace them all.

Artist James Cook may be typing out visual masterpieces on his old typewriters, but I like to think I painted a few pictures with my words back in the day.

I hope everyone enjoys the weekend! It's a long one for some of us, so I'll see you Tuesday morning.

If this newsletter helps you, please tell your colleagues, friends or anyone who can benefit. Forward them this email, or send this link.

What topics do you see in your daily work that I should know about? Do you have praise? Criticism? Drop me a note. And don't forget to send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off.