You may feel like a hero, but you may be someone's villain

You may feel like a hero, but you may be someone's villain | practice (split each time) | Empowered employees can lead to greater teamwork
Created for you  |  Unknown Title at Unknown Company
For more relevant content - Update Your Profile  |  Web Version
November 11, 2024
CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF LinkedInFacebookX
SmartBrief on Leadership
Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve.SIGN UP ⋅   SHARE
 
Leading the Way
You may feel like a hero, but you may be someone's villain
(Pixabay)
When you're frustrated by a team member, avoid the temptation to paint them as a villain by realizing that we're all the hero in our own life story acting in ways we think are beneficial, writes executive coach Ed Batista, which can give us the perspective we need to form collegial relationships, even with rivals. "We can protect our interests and work toward our goals in a competitive environment while viewing other parties realistically and dispassionately," Batista writes.
Full Story: Ed Batista Executive Coaching (11/7) 
LinkedIn X Facebook Email
Put it into practice: When we start to tell a story to ourselves about how the other person may be a villain, Batista recommends slowing down and realizing we may not have all the information we need to make that decision. Some people, though, may prove to be untrustworthy, Batista writes, "and we'll need to respond appropriately."
SmartBrief on Leadership
Empowered employees can lead to greater teamwork
(lemono/Getty Images)
Empowering employees can give them a sense of ownership and boost long-term retention, writes Naphtali Hoff, a psychologist and executive coach, as well as raising productivity. "When employees feel empowered, they are more inclined to mentor others, share knowledge and contribute to an overall atmosphere of teamwork and collaboration," Hoff writes.
Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (11/8) 
LinkedIn X Facebook Email
Put it into practice: The best way to make employees feel empowered is to give them authority and resources, while avoiding the dreaded specter of micromanagement. "Trust is key -- leaders must trust employees to manage responsibilities and solve problems independently," Hoff writes.
Read more from Naphtali Hoff on SmartBrief on Leadership
Smarter Communication
Research challenges the conventional wisdom that working-from-home prevents coworkers from getting to know each other, with video interactions as a top source of information, write researchers Beth Schinoff, Ashley Hardin, Kris Byron and Rachel Balven. They suggest simple steps such as unblurring video backgrounds or using prompts to spur conversation about non-work topics for employees to feel closer to each other.
Full Story: Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) (11/8) 
LinkedIn X Facebook Email
Put it into practice: Allowing coworkers to glimpse personal interests through video interactions can provide incentives for cooperation. "For example, an employee who rock climbs might just leave their rock-climbing gear hanging behind them, rather than scurrying to put it away and tidy the camera view," the researchers write.
Free eBooks and Resources
Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors
Smarter Strategy
Smarter Working
A weekly spotlight on doing more without working longer
Your productivity -- and that of your team -- can take a dip during the holiday season, but Chris Laudadio, the founder of VersaDesk, writes that adding movement and creating spaces that balance individual work and teamwork can improve comfort and sustain focus and energy. "Our physical environment plays a crucial role in productivity, so improving work conditions for more efficiency and comfort can help your team approach their tasks," Laudadio notes.
Full Story: Entrepreneur (11/8) 
LinkedIn X Facebook Email
Daily Diversion
Why do dogs shake off when they're wet? Science knows!
(Pixabay)
The instinct to shake off when wet is common among many furry mammal species and is sparked by specific neurons that respond to touch and send signals from the back of the neck to the brain, according to a study in Science. The neurons, called C-fiber low-threshold mechanoreceptors, encircle hair follicles and are associated with pleasant sensations in response to a soft touch but also alert animals to water, dirt, a parasite or a drop of oil on their skin.
Full Story: Science (11/7),  Nature (11/7) 
LinkedIn X Facebook Email
Most Read by CEOs
The most-clicked stories of the past week by SmartBrief on Leadership readers
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
Poinsettias say Christmas, Easter is for lilies, and anthuriums (what? not the rose?) is for lovers on Valentine's Day. Per the VA site, what flower listed here is the official one for Veterans Day?
VoteCarnations
VoteOrchids
VotePoppies
VoteTulips
About The Editor
Candace Chellew
Candace Chellew
Chellew (Photo credit: Lester Boykin)
We humans are fantastic storytellers. We make stories up all the time, and often those stories are about how awful other human beings are. I am guilty of this. I encounter plenty of villains throughout the day -- the person who cut me off in traffic, the rude cashier, the friend who doesn't answer my text quickly enough or the unhelpful customer service rep.

In my story, they're the villains, and I am the poor, put-upon hero. But, in their stories, perhaps I am the villain. I am the poor driver, the exasperating customer, the overbearing friend or the customer with unrealistic expectations. There are two sides to every story, it's been said, and we only concoct the one we like.

As Ed Batista cautions, we must remember everyone is the hero of their own story. No one gets out of bed planning to be the villain. We all want to think that we're good people with good intentions.

That being said, as Batista notes, there are people out to manipulate and us and will prove to be untrustworthy, but they are still the heroes of their world. When someone shows us who they are, it's best to believe them, as Maya Angelou observed. We must act appropriately and shield ourselves from the harmful acts of others -- intentional or not.

But, if we paint everyone who offends us as villains without seeking to understand their behavior, we cut ourselves off from potentially fruitful relationships. Caution is needed, but taking a beat and realizing that we may be basing our judgments on shoddy evidence can help us weed out the good from the bad, and could lead to some heroes being able to team up to do good in the world.

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 any feedback you'd like to share? Drop me a note. And while you're at it, please send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off so we can share them.
LinkedIn X Facebook Email
Sharing SmartBrief on Leadership with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free.
Help Spread the Word
SHARE
Or copy and share your personalized link:
smartbrief.com/leadership/?referrerId=ozrlmJyztp
What I learned early was that there was always somebody who knew more about a thing than you did, and the trick was to ask them the right question.
Jim Hoagland,
journalist, editor, Pulitzer Prize recipient
1940-2024
LinkedIn X Facebook Email
 
SmartBrief publishes more than 200 free industry newsletters - Browse our portfolio
Sign Up  |    Update Profile  |    Advertise with SmartBrief
Unsubscribe  |    Privacy policy
CONTACT US: FEEDBACK  |    ADVERTISE
SmartBrief Future
Copyright © 2024 SmartBrief. All Rights Reserved.
A division of Future US LLC
Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036.

Older messages

What leaders can learn from elite archers

Friday, November 8, 2024

What leaders can learn from elite archers | practice (split each time) | 5 reasons to celebrate small wins in your team Created for newsletterest1@gmail.com | Unknown Title at Unknown Company For more

Use "halftime" to refocus your leadership priorities

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Use "halftime" to refocus your leadership priorities | practice (split each time) | Why isn't your leadership development program working? Created for newsletterest1@gmail.com | Unknown

Employee preferences reshape return-to-office policies

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Get a handle on emotions now to avoid being triggered | practice (split each time) | Employee preferences reshape return-to-office policies Created for newsletterest1@gmail.com | Unknown Title at

How leaders can transform anger into a catalyst for change

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Handle election day stress with civility and guidelines | practice (split each time) | How leaders can transform anger into a catalyst for change Created for newsletterest1@gmail.com | Unknown Title at

Why leaders should embrace "fierce internal debate"

Monday, November 4, 2024

Win or lose, the best leaders can remain steady | practice (split each time) | Why leaders should embrace "fierce internal debate" Created for newsletterest1@gmail.com | Unknown Title at

You Might Also Like

Managing unpredictability: 5 lessons from a safari

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Managing unpredictability: 5 lessons from a safari | practice (split each time) | 5 questions to ask when you disagree with a superior Created for newsletterest1@gmail.com | Unknown Title at Unknown

Talk to your boss before quitting, but be strategic

Monday, December 2, 2024

Being blamed at work? How to stay calm and carry on | practice (split each time) | Talk to your boss before quitting, but be strategic Created for newsletterest1@gmail.com | Unknown Title at Unknown

460 — Drew Barontini

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Chief Product Officer at Differential ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏​ ͏

Weekly Jobs Update - 28 Nov, 2024

Thursday, November 28, 2024

New jobs at Fuel Labs, Conduit, Goldsky, Avara, P2P.org, Arrakis Finance, Gelato, Everstake, Autonomys Network, Symphony Labs, Re7 Capital, Octant, Nimbus, ZetaChain and more ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

NoDesk: Issue #346

Thursday, November 28, 2024

A weekly newsletter with the best new remote jobs, stories and ideas from the remote work community, and occasional offbeat pieces to feed your curiosity. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

4 Companies with a 4 Day Week 🔥

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Plus: a short history of the 9-5...͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌

How savoring the moment can improve your leadership

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

How savoring the moment can improve your leadership | practice (split each time) | 5 ways senior leaders can build a positive work culture Created for newsletterest1@gmail.com | Unknown Title at

When your top talent leaves, seek to understand why

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

How to master AI as a leader, before it masters you | practice (split each time) | When your top talent leaves, seek to understand why Created for newsletterest1@gmail.com | Unknown Title at Unknown

When your top talent leaves, seek to understand why

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

How to master AI as a leader, before it masters you | practice (split each time) | When your top talent leaves, seek to understand why Created for newsletterest1@gmail.com | Unknown Title at Unknown

[Arbinger Institute Research Report]: 2025 workplace trends

Monday, November 25, 2024

Download the Report Created for newsletterest1@gmail.com | Web Version This is a paid advertisement for SmartBrief readers. The content does not necessarily reflect the view of SmartBrief or its