Focus on commonalities to bridge generational divides

Focus on commonalities to bridge generational divides | practice (split each time) | Do your ergonomics include a full sensory experience? Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( May 24, 2024 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT Leading the Way [] [Focus on commonalities to bridge generational divides]( [Focus on commonalities to bridge generational divides]( (Bike_Maverick/Getty Images) Sharing stories to find common ground and experiences, mentoring each other in different skills and doing group activities such as volunteering can help bridge generational divides in the office, writes Harvey Deutschendorf, an emotional intelligence expert, author and speaker. "It is important to have reminders that we are all working together and that what we bring to the table makes for a stronger and more effective workplace," Deutschendorf writes. Full Story: [Fast Company (tiered subscription model)]( (5/23) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Don't underestimate [the power of laughter to form bonds]( between workers from different generations, Deutschendorf notes. "Look for opportunities to do fun exercises and games that everyone enjoys and that can lighten the mood of a workplace." MS in Nonprofit Leadership & Management The University of San Diego's 100% online Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership and Management prepares students to pursue and succeed in leadership, management and development roles across the nonprofit sector.[Connect today for a free app waiver.]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Do your ergonomics include a full sensory experience?]( [Do your ergonomics include a full sensory experience?]( (DrAfter123/Getty Images) Ergonomics such as good chairs, desks and keyboards, can improve employee comfort and productivity, but don't forget sensory elements such as pleasant fragrances, good lighting, plants, noise-canceling headphones and a comfortable temperature, writes Alexandra Cooper, an interior designer at Planner 5D. "You should modify your office to fit your employees, not the other way around," Cooper notes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (5/23) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: The sense of taste is also essential in the office, [which means encouraging your team to eat a healthy lunch away from their desks]( to avoid multi-tasking and mindless eating, Cooper notes. "Scarfing down a meal can result in poor digestion, and if your team's stomachs aren't happy, there's no way they can be as productive." Uncover the hidden force impacting performance Arbinger's latest survey revealed that 100% of workplace challenges that were reported, tie back to people and culture issues. Yet, cultural issues are largely underestimated as the culprit for workplace challenges. We've found an undeniable link between cultural strength and team performance. [Download Arbinger's new research report to see the data results for yourself.]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Smarter Communication [] [Give employees an easy out when making a request]( Make it easier for team members to refuse a request instead of feeling coerced into saying yes by giving them time to think about their answer, saying yes or no in an email and giving them specific language to decline, write researcher Rachel Schlund and university professors Roseanna Sommers and Vanessa Bohns. "Targets generally know they can turn down a request; the real problem is knowing how to do so -- that is, finding the words in the moment to say no while saving face," they write. Full Story: [Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model)]( (5/22) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: We may tell others, "You are free to say no," when we make a request, but research found that even then, [it's difficult to say no at the moment](, which is why giving people time and allowing them to respond in the email takes the pressure off. "One of the advantages is that it allows you to write and rewrite a potential refusal as many times as you would like until you feel satisfied with your response," the researchers write. Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [Nonverbal Communications Skills -- The 10 Skills You Need to Learn]( - [70+ Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows (Free Cheat Sheet)]( - [Best Practices for Email Etiquette]( - [11 Habits That Will Give You A Complete And Successful Life]( - [Creating Positive Habits - The Ultimate Guide]( [] Smarter Strategy [] - [3 signs that your company's strategic plans are a sham]( Digital Tonto blog (5/19) [] - [Use this 5 step process to speed up problem solving]( Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) (5/22) [] - [Radically transform your company's business model to achieve success]( PwC (5/21) [] Smarter Living Get your mind and body right each Friday [] [Tips on choosing the best hot dogs for your grill]( [Tips on choosing the best hot dogs for your grill]( (Pixabay) With the prospect of grilling hot dogs at a Memorial Day cookout in mind, registered dietitian Chris Mohr suggests choosing 100% beef hot dogs since they may contain fewer additives and adding vegetable-based toppings like sauerkraut or kimchi to boost the nutritional profile. Since hot dogs are processed meat, usually high in fat and sodium, they should be a "once in a while" food, Mohr says, adding "what we do most of the time is more important than what we do some of the time." Full Story: [USA Today]( (5/20) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Solar storms will fuel years of scientific discovery]( [Solar storms will fuel years of scientific discovery]( Solar storm in Australia on May 12. (SOPA Images/Getty Images) NASA says the auroras observed around the world from May 10 to May 12, triggered by Earth's most powerful geomagnetic storm in over 20 years, were among the most intense in 500 years, and scientists expect to be studying the event for years. Five back-to-back solar storms from sunspot AR3664 temporarily weakened Earth's magnetosphere, allowing vibrant auroras to be seen as far south as Florida and Mexico in the Northern Hemisphere and New Caledonia in the Southern Hemisphere. Full Story: [Live Science]( (5/23) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] Count me among those who didn't know Memorial Day is also National Moment of Remembrance, when Americans are asked to pause and remember those who died in service to the US for a minute at what time, locally? [Vote]( [Sunrise]( [Vote]( [Noon]( [Vote]( [3 p.m.]( [Vote]( [Sunset]( [] Editor's Note [] SmartBrief will be closed Monday, May 27 In observance of Memorial Day in the US, SmartBrief will not publish Monday, May 27. [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Chellew A few more of you wrote in to offer up [some jargon that gets your hackles up](. Mike L. says "optimize" is his bugaboo. The definition of the word means "to make as perfect, effective or functional as possible." What's irritating, Mike says, is that people expect to "optimize" something in their organization through small projects -- perhaps with new software or ways to save energy. "No one will optimize anything through one project," Mike observes. Katerina M. says the jargon she dislikes is "closure," mainly how it's used in her field of health care. "As if closure can really happen after a tragedy or loss," she writes. Scott D. is put off by the phrase "Get-R-Done," which was immortalized by Larry the Cable Guy and used repeatedly by some of his past managers. "I would rather have fingernails on a chalkboard hit my ears," Scott remarks. Thanks to everyone who wrote in to offer up their hated jargon. Now, let's go out and optimize that long holiday weekend! 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 praise? Criticism? [Drop me a note](mailto:candace.chellew@futurenet.com). And don't forget to send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off. [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=japnABMSAp [] [] Who Said It? In your life there are a few places, or maybe only the one place, where something happened, and then there are all the other places. 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