ARTICLE OF THE MONTH: "Ha, Ha, Ha!" by Tracy Knofla
Humor gets more people in trouble in the workplace than you can imagine. Personally, I enjoy the ability to joke with coworkers. But over the years I have learned that my sense of humor isn't everyone's cup of tea. I tend to keep most humorous comments to myself. And I think that ultimately makes me more successful.
There is so much room for misinterpretation in a joke; particularly if there's sarcasm or a little snark involved. I won't even get into the gray areas of what some people think it's appropriate to discuss, let alone telling jokes that might be considered off-color or denigrating to others. Comedy isn't easy. Just stop in to any open mic night around the country and my point is painfully made.
"10 Killer Leadership Skills: The Great Differentiators?" by Tara Jaye Frank from Be Leaderly
Last week at Hallmark I hosted a couple of gentlemen from a partner company. During our return trip to the airport, I asked them to share their greatest business challenge. One of them paused for a moment, then answered with a simple word: TALENT. He went on to explain how there are many passionate, bright, technically adept candidates out there who are close to "having it all."
Except for one thing. They can't write.
He then shared his belief that if someone can't write clearly, he or she isn't thinking clearly either. Which made me curious as to what the rest of you believe, because I'm not the best person to provide an unbiased opinion on whether writing is important.
I tell stories for a living, and so I obviously think it matters a great deal.
But is it the great differentiator? If not, what is? By the time you get past the "price of entry" leadership skills—drive for results, building effective teams, business acumen, organizational savvy—which REALLY make the best leaders stand out from the crowd?
Click here to learn the 10 Killer Leadership Skills that I believe set the high bar for greatness.
Five Surprising Ways to Boost Your Productivity by Kenya Rutland from KJR Consulting
As we advance in our careers and in life, our list of tasks, priorities, obligations, and deadlines increases exponentially. With every additional responsibility we take on, and every new goal or aspiration we try to achieve, there is more and more for us to do and only the same, short 24 hours to do it in.
We talk to many clients who feel as though they are running on a hamster wheel at full speed with no signs of slowing and no way out. And we are often asked for advice, tips, and strategies for how to prioritize better, be more effective, and squeeze more productivity out of every waking hour.
Well, here are five surprising ways to boost your productivity as outlined by Josh Davis Ph.D. in his book Two Awesome Hours: Science-Based Strategies to Harness Your Best Time and Get Your Important Work Done.