Why office superheroes need to take off the cape at home

Being decisive, logical and goal- and task-oriented at work can be your superpowers, but at home, they can get in the way of genuine connection with your family members who may feel unappreciated or ignored, says sociologist and author Jennifer Gunsaullus. "What we're looking for in our most intimate relationships is to be seen and understood for the emotions that we're feeling. To be treated as a fellow human, not like a robot," Gunsaullus notes.

Put it into practice: Make sure your family members feel appreciated by setting a timer on your phone to remind you to compliment them on their strengths, Gunsaullus suggests. "It may feel awkward at first, but what you're doing is retraining your brain to pay attention to different things."

Workplace changes, namely the rise of remote and hybrid working and declining employee well-being and engagement, require managers to be more people-oriented, communicative and flexible, says S. Chris Edmonds with The Purposeful Culture Group. Edmonds highlights two practices -- clarity and validation -- that leaders can model to boost well-being and engagement.

Put it into practice: Discuss and agree on measurable goals to provide clarity on expectations for your team, Edmonds advises, and be "present and aware so you can recognize efforts, ideas and actions that meet company goals and wow customers."

General advice such as, "Get an education" or "Invest wisely," isn't helpful for those facing unique, individual situations, writes Ken Goldstein, chairman and CEO of ThriftBooks Global, who suggests engaging in deeper conversations that inspire another to choose their path. "My goal is for you to feel great about your choices and decisions," Goldstein writes.

Put it into practice: When you feel like giving advice, instead try using ideas and inspiration to encourage personalized thinking and creative problem-solving, Goldstein recommends. "[T]his means active listening combined carefully with real-time conversation, avoiding the trap of prescriptive solution crafting."

If John Mackey, co-founder and former CEO of Whole Foods Market, had not moved into a vegetarian housing co-op in his early 20s, the food market may never have come into existence because it was his curiosity (he wasn't a vegetarian) that led him to make the move, and there he learned about eating and cooking healthy. "Having an open mindset allows you to learn things from others that you may not have been exposed to otherwise," Mackey says.

Future bases on the moon could be constructed out of ... wait for it ... LEGOs made not from plastic but meteorite dust blended with a polymer to create the black bricks needed to lock together to keep future lunar visitors safe and secure. The European Space Agency and LEGO have partnered on the project, and you can get a peek at the 3D-printed bricks as they tour several LEGO stores in the US between now and September 20, including Bloomington, Minn., Chicago and the Disneyland Resort in California.

This is a first! We've seen a lot of puppies and kitties in our "Pets of SmartBrief Leaders" section, but Doris marks our first chicken!

Marta C. sent in this photo of Doris attending a Zoom meeting with her husband, Matt, who is affectionately called "Chicken Daddy." Marta says poor Doris was getting "pecked" on by the other chickens and "needed a bit of extra lovin'."

Marta adds: "Doris also watches Clemson football." Just keep your distance from those tigers, Doris.

What non-humans keep you company on Zoom calls or greet you when you get home from work? Share their photo with us!

"If you want my advice ..." is a lousy way to start a sentence when you're talking with someone, whether they are a member of your team or your family. As Ken Goldstein reminds us, "advice," though it may be well-meaning, is rarely valuable to others, especially if it's generalized and not germane to their particular situation.

What people long for is a chance to be heard, to have their desires understood by someone who may then inspire them to move in a direction that will fulfill them in the long run. Maybe they're struggling over a decision to leave one job for another. Jumping right in and telling them what you would do isn't helpful. They're the ones who must live with the decision.

In this case, taking time to listen to their concerns and helping them sort through the pros and cons of their decision can not just improve their chances of making the right move for themselves, but it can create a deeper connection between you and them.

This is truly what we all want. Keep your advice to yourself. Make a more meaningful connection instead.

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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.