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“Knowledge is the key to opening doors you didn’t even know existed”
~ said by someone smarter than me

Owl logo wearing a crown holds a branch and arrow.

I had a great time in Barcelona and am excited to be back here with you working to advance better workplace culture for everyone.

This week, I’m thinking about the concept of normalization. And by that, I mean when we allow something negative to continue because we don’t want confrontation, we tell ourselves “it’s not that bad,” —we normalize it, allowing things to worsen.

In the past when I was learning to lead, I was guilty of avoiding tough conversations around others’ bad behaviors often because I was unsure of what I was observing. I would ignore early warning signs thinking maybe I was misreading a situation. I learned the hard way that the first observation is a red flag, the second requires action.

This week, look for something in your work team culture you might be normalizing, either in your own behavior or the behavior of your colleagues. Can it be improved by addressing it?

For advice about having difficult conversations in the workplace, here are two excellent resources:

I’d love to hear from you on this, so please share what you’re experiencing and how you’re handling it.

🦋 Content Shares to Inspire Workplace Culture Shifts

Each week, I share info to help you see the real impact of negative workplaces and the positive value of connected ones. By fostering our best selves in our work lives, we gain strengths that benefit the rest of our lives, too.

  • There are lots of discussions going on around the question, “Will AI increase or decrease jobs?” I think both will be true. In the short-term, the answers don’t lie in the extremes. This TechCrunch piece features Shopify’s CEO, Tobi Lütke, telling his team to think first about how AI can streamline workflows so they don’t need to add staff. So, it’s not job loss but workflow streamlining: net neutral. Think about secretarial jobs as computers began to be regularly used in offices. The jobs went away, but the people didn’t—they segued into roles that better leveraged their skills. What can you do to embrace and navigate the changes coming our way?
  • Years ago (in the late ‘80’s), Andy Grove, CEO of Intel, expressed the concept of anticipation in business another way: “Only the paranoid survive.” It’s hard to argue with his success and the success of his mentees, so I’m offering a reframing of “paranoia” to “relentless anticipation, analysis, and response.” What do you think?
  • Tips for retaining younger (GenZ) workers and optimizing in-office time: free food, specific places to work (no hot desking or hoteling), socializing opportunities, clearly articulated and supported pathways to their goals. Andrei Adam, Co-President of Canada’s largest Gen Z consulting firm, JED Consulting tells us more.

✍️ Increase Workplace Kindness With Our Downloadable Planner

A Better Paradigm’s journal/planner helps you set intentions for bringing more kindness to your workplace and reflecting on each week as it wraps up. Each week has a prompt to help you think about a different aspect of workplace compassion. Give it a try. It’s free and designed specifically for people who want to make their workplaces better.

📖 Book of the Moment: The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More

“From communication expert Jefferson Fisher, the definitive book on making your next conversation the one that changes everything.”

No matter who you’re talking with, The Next Conversation gives you immediately actionable strategies and phrases that will forever change how you communicate. Jefferson Fisher, trial lawyer and one of the leading voices on real-world communication, offers a tried-and-true framework that will show you how to transform your life and your relationships by improving your next conversation.

🌟 Do Good Spotlight: JAM #bethekindkid

In 2016, JAM was started by two students and a teacher who formed a club to help spread kindness in school. They make and sell items, like their #bethekindkid shirts, and donate 100% of the proceeds to charity. Learn more about them: JAM #bethekindkid.

Thanks to Jennifer Eisenreich for the recommendation!

🎉 Just for Fun

I never made the connection between “manifesto” and “manifesting” until Dave Gray’s post about the value of creating your own manifesto. I’m sharing his suggestion for drafting a manifesto to help you optimize all aspects of your life.

⏳Until Next Time…

Are you struggling through the “messy middle” of something? First, I’ve got a virtual hug for you, and then check this out.

You got this!

Niki

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Niki’s Notes for Compassionate Workplaces

Weekly news and insights on the compassionate workplace movement with commentary, spotlights on innovative companies, and not-for-profits that deserve extra love! Edited by A Better Paradigm Founder, Niki.