Week 4, 2018 - On masterminds, self-awareness, compliments - and more

Sunday, January 21st, 2018

When reading the January 2018 Leadership Development Carnival from Ellen Snyder and the Lead Change Group (a place, where time spent is actually time very well spent as well). I became aware of an interesting piece by Stephanie Skryzowski.
I did not know what a "paid mastermind" was either, until I read The best investment I've made in my professional development  - an interesting concept for sure. However, I am a bit intrigued by the rhetorical question of the text: "why can’t a group of people just get together, be accountability buddies, and slap a 'mastermind' label on it?" - as I am pretty sure that some of my wonderful friends would be able to overcome the two reasons why not. And if anyone is game, I could be persuaded to try it out... just let me know.

Monday, January 22nd, 2018

As a person who is very much focused on self-awareness (and doesn't hold an MBA), the heading Self-Awareness Can Help Leaders More Than an MBA Can of the article by Rasmus Hougaard, Jacqueline Carter and Marissa Afton of Potential Project really caught on with me. The article is   not saying MBAs are not useful in leading an organization - merely that "the linear MBA-trained logic" should not become the sole focus at the cost of other skills. So to those of you out there fortunate enough to have an MBA - make sure to stay balanced!

Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018

We have all heard about the use of strawmen in discussions. But in the piece How to Win Arguments Without Making Enemies, Geoffrey James introduces the concept of steelmen. I for sure will try to incorporate this tool in my discussions in the future - I think I - and the people I have the discussions with - will be able to benefit from it.

Wednesday, January 24th, 2018

In the thought-provoking piece Three Reasons to Stop Setting Goals, Kathryn LeRoy gives exactly that - three very good reasons why our traditional goal setting does not work. And then discusses what we should do instead. From a technical point of view, I am delighted with the section  "How did I get here?" in which the background for the article is explained. I surely wish I was disciplined enough to use that method when I write something...

Thursday, January 25th, 2018

This is actually cheating - because it was not really something I read - but Taiye Selasi make's a very good point in the TED talk Don't ask where I'm from, ask where I'm a local: it should not really matter which country a person "comes from". It is actually much more relevant where I am a local. (And let it be given as a side note: Wherever I am, I do my best to carry out rituals and relationships accordingly - and feel blessed that I am able to be there, without restrictions prohibiting me to be there.)

Friday, January 26th, 2018

We do not like the situations when apologies are necessary. So much more reason to do it in the best way when we have to. A much appreciated post from Julie Winkle Giulioni pointed me to good advice from Jesse Lyn Stoner at How to Make an Effective Apology and Increase Trust - so now, I am in a better position next time I need to apologise. Because, let's face it: there will always be an next time.

Saturday, January 27th, 2018

I am terrible at receiving compliments. So I am happy that in Trisha Lewis' twitter feed, I found A Psychological Explanation for Why Compliments Are So Embarrassing - a nice piece where Suzannah Weiss gives explanations why I suck at it - and recommendations on how to handle it.

As always, I hope the above has been able to inspire you in your reading, and as always, I hope you stay tuned for seven new things next week.