Asking questions can build collaboration

This leadership tip is not just for the birds | practice (split each time) | Asking questions can build collaboration Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( July 8, 2024 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT Leading the Way [] [This leadership tip is not just for the birds]( [This leadership tip is not just for the birds]( (Pixabay) Birds only sing when there are no predators around, which is why bird songs make us subconsciously feel safe and content, something executive coach Henna Pryor writes should inspire leaders to send a strong message of safety to their teams by encouraging curiosity, normalizing mistakes and asking for feedback. "When employees feel heard and see their ideas put into action, it significantly boosts their sense of belonging and commitment to the team," Pryor writes. Full Story: [Inc. (tiered subscription model)]( (7/5) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Birdsong leadership is "about being present and vocal" as a leader to create "[a continuous, audible assurance of safety](," Pryor writes. "What steps do you take to make sure you're chirping loudly enough for everyone to hear?" [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( We make work, work. When we digitize the workplace, we make a difference. From secure remote working to automating mundane tasks, and everything in between. [Streamline your workplace »]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Smarter Communication [] [Asking questions can build collaboration]( [Asking questions can build collaboration]( (Pixabay) Encourage a collaborative attitude amongst your team by asking simple questions such as "How can I help?" and "What can I do?" to create a culture of togetherness, writes Lolly Daskal, executive leadership coach. Daskal also encourages co-workers to appreciate team members' efforts and tackle problem-solving together to promote unity. Full Story: [Lolly Daskal]( (7/5) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Remember there's no "I" in team, but there is a "U" in success. "[The language of leadership is collaboration](, and the dialect is encouragement, appreciation, unity, and support," Daskal writes. [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Why you should recognize your team every week]( Recognizing your team members for a job well done on a weekly basis can create a sense of psychological safety, but psychologist Jordan Scott Birnbaum says we resist doing that because we may feel such frequency will only pump up an employee's ego. Recognition, though, isn't the same as a compliment, Birnbaum clarifies; it's a clear message that their work matters to the organization and their job is secure. Full Story: [Psychology Today]( (7/5) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Although managers are busier than ever, don't be tempted to skip weekly feedback for employees. "[Withholding recognition never makes people work harder](; it makes top performers leave and locks everyone else into a level of performance just above getting fired," Birnbaum writes. [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Smarter Strategy [] - [Don't confuse "innovation theater" with the real thing]( Kellogg Insight (7/6) [] - [Survey: CFOs say automation is a top priority]( Distribution Strategy Group (7/3) [] - [Master both the managerial and changemaker mindsets to lead effectively]( Digital Tonto blog (7/7) FREE EBOOKS AND RESOURCES Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [2024 AI Outlook: Ten Predictions]( - [ITPro Today 2024 IT Salary Survey Report]( - [How AI Prompt Engineering Empowers IT]( - [8 Hot AI Stats from InformationWeek Research]( [] Smarter Working A weekly spotlight on doing more without working longer [] [Look, a squirrel! Use distractions to motivate you]( Being easily distracted from the task at hand may be your brain's way of asking for a break just to daydream, rest or process information, writes JiJi Lee, who recommends blocking out some time on your calendar to allow your mind to wander. If the distraction is not helpful, such as doomscrolling social media, stop yourself when you notice and make a list of 10 other useful actions you could be taking, Lee recommends. Full Story: [Ink+Volt]( (7/4) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Your heart beats in tune with other concertgoers]( [Your heart beats in tune with other concertgoers]( (Pixabay) Concertgoers listening to live music can get into the groove with synchronized heartbeats, according to research from the Waseda University in Japan. "Music-induced synchronization of heart rate may be the mechanism underlying the coherent behavior of a large audience in a theater," said researcher Ryota Nomura, who also found that heartbeat synchronization doesn't depend on listeners' musical preferences or mood. Full Story: [Earth]( (7/5) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Most Read by CEOs The most-clicked stories of the past week by SmartBrief on Leadership readers [] - [Find the "magic ratio" to positively lead a divided team]( Deseret News (Salt Lake City) [] - [8 ways to protect yourself from unpleasant surprises]( LeadToday [] - [Overcoming the fear of using your phone as a ... phone]( SmartBrief/Leadership [] - [5 ways to make your team look forward to meetings]( Lolly Daskal [] - [Employees giving change the cold shoulder? Try SCARF]( Ragan [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] The US Secret Service wasn't originally under the Department of Homeland Security. What Cabinet was it under at formation? [Vote]( [Commerce]( [Vote]( [State]( [Vote]( [Treasury]( [Vote]( [War]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Chellew Like me, you've probably worked in companies and organizations where recognition for a job well done was scarce. In fact, in most of the places where recognition was rare, leaders created a culture of fear and loathing. One radio job and one university job were like that for me. The bosses in both places felt intimidation was more effective than recognition. In fact, you didn't really want to be on the boss's radar at all. You did your job and really hoped no one noticed one way or the other. I didn't last long at either job, and neither did anyone else with the talent and motivation to find a different place with a culture of recognition and connection. In a job where fear generates the culture, you feel connected to others through that traumatic emotion. When you're in a culture that values your skills, though, the connection to your team runs deeper. You have time to explore each other's qualities and get to know each other outside of being huddled together in terror that one of you will be gone the next day. As leaders, it's up to us to create that psychological safety our teams need to do their best and bring their best selves to the job every day. [Henna Pryor writes that leaders must provide that "birdsong"]( that lets everyone know there are no predators around, ready to pounce on any mistake or perceived shortcoming. [Jordan Scott Birnbaum emphasizes the need for weekly recognition]( of accomplishments and progress and not just hollow compliments that they may soon resent. [Lolly Daskal suggests asking questions]( such as "How can I help?" and "What do you think?" to reassure your team that you support them and want their ideas. How are you supporting your team? Are you chirping loud enough so they know they're safe to stretch themselves, make mistakes and learn and grow? 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 [] [] You want to become a master at overcoming hard moments. That to me is the sign of a champion. [Roger Federer](, professional tennis player [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](mailto:leadership@smartbrief.com) | [ADVERTISE](mailto:lengel@smartbrief.com) [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.