Back off before stepping in to help a colleague

Why melding of minds is better than homogenous thinking | practice | Fostering respectful behavior at work Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( May 24, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT Leading the Way [] [Why melding of minds is better than homogenous thinking]( Why melding of minds is better than homogenous thinking (Annaspoka/Getty Images) Leaders who know about different types of thinkers, such as visual vs. verbal, likely will find what researchers have: Homogenous-thinking teams tend to end up in conversations with few results, while mixed-thinking teams often thrive and make progress, explains Colorado State University professor and visual thinker Temple Grandin. Managers must understand that "highly specialized work calls for highly specialized minds" and that "accommodations are not special favors" but ways for each colleague to lead with their strengths, Grandin explains. Full Story: [Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model)]( (5/23) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Learn the specific strengths of employees or job candidates, such as object visualization (those who make the trains) vs. spatial visualization (those who run them). A job that requires extraordinary attention to detail may be a great fit for a person with autism, [Grandin writes](, adding that bringing people with different strengths together can "increase creativity, ignite problem solving, and lead to more cohesive workplaces." UofL Master's in HR & Organization Dev. Now requiring only 30 credit hours, UofL's 100% online MS in HR & Organization Development can be completed even faster! Our SHRM-aligned curriculum will prepare you to sit for the SHRM-CP exam. Graduate and make a lasting difference! [LEARN MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Fostering respectful behavior at work]( [Fostering respectful behavior at work]( (Pixabay) Two-thirds of respondents to a survey by The Muse deal with a toxic work environment regularly, and 56% say leaders aren't the problem, S. Chris Edmonds says in this video. Leaders can survey employees regularly to ensure they know what's really going on in the company and deal appropriately with any toxic behavior in the ranks, Edmonds suggests. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (5/23) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Use one or more feedback methods that work best for your colleagues to learn what's happening, and offer metrics to better gauge any problems. Among [Edmonds other suggestions]( are acting on your findings and celebrating respectful behavior. [] [Read more]( from S. Chris Edmonds on SmartBrief on Leadership [] Smarter Communication [] [Back off before stepping in to help a colleague]( Mentoring, coaching or managing colleagues doesn't mean always rushing to their aid, because "challenge brings out people's best," Dan Rockwell writes. Ask a handful of questions before diving in, Rockwell suggests, because helping too much at the wrong time can lead employees to think you find them incompetent, untrustworthy or irresponsible, among other things. Full Story: [Leadership Freak]( (5/23) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Approach the issue in seven ways, including clarifying expectations, looking for initiative and asking about similar situations the employee has handled that might offer inspiration for this one, [Rockwell says](. Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [2023 State of B2B Content Consumption and Demand Report for Marketers]( - [Best Practices for Email Etiquette]( - [70+ Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows (Free Cheat Sheet)]( - [Creating Positive Habits - The Ultimate Guide]( [] Smarter Strategy [] - [Differentiation requires letting go to hold on]( Forbes (tiered subscription model) (5/23) [] - [Leadership's 3 A's: Accountable, adaptable, assertive]( AndNowUKnow (5/22) [] - [The "anatomy of great leadership"]( Financial Times (5/21) [] In Their Own Words [] [Marketing exec relies on a variety of viewpoints]( Creating a "lean in circle" of women throughout a company and attending industry events have expanded leadership skills for Ocean Outdoor Marketing Director Marie Le Hur, who talks in this Q&A about a variety of leadership topics. "External viewpoints are critical in ensuring you aren't just hearing your own echo chamber; however, I do believe taking the time to really listen and learn from your team members and those around you can be equally as impactful," Le Hur says. Full Story: [LBBOnline]( (5/22) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Alleged microwave policy: $2 per use; $30 monthly pass]( Alleged microwave policy: $2 per use; $30 monthly pass (The Washington Post/Getty Images) A health care worker discovered a piece of printer paper taped next to the break room microwave asking for $2 for a one-time use of the microwave or $30 for a monthly pass. This information came from Reddit and could be a joke, but it no doubt raises eyebrows and ire if you only have a few minutes to eat and are standing there with a Lean Cuisine to heat up. Full Story: [Fox News]( (5/22) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 with what song? Check your answer [here](. [Vote]( ["Dancing Queen"]( [Vote]( ["Fernando"]( [Vote]( ["Mamma Mia"]( [Vote]( ["Waterloo"]( [] Pets of SmartBrief Leaders [] Meet Cooper, the Chief Furry Officer Meet Cooper, the Chief Furry Officer (Becky Livingston) Becky Livingston sent in this picture of Cooper, her CFO, or Chief Furry Officer. Becky says Cooper loves "the social media spotlight" and keeps her "motivated throughout the day by asking me to get up and walk around with him." In this photo, Cooper is "catching some rays while spending time in the 'dog house' under my desk," Becky notes. What non-human companions keep you company while you work? [Send photos](mailto:candace.chellew)! [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] About The Editor [] Diane Benson Harrington Diane Benson Harrington Harrington Temple Grandin is a remarkable, inspiring woman who has done so much to advance general knowledge about autism and other neurodiversities. If you're not familiar with her story, please [watch the movie](, starring Claire Danes of "Homeland," about her early career. Grandin also is the author of a New York Times bestseller, ["Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions,"]( among many other books. Knowing, working with and interviewing people who are different than I am for the last several decades has been my lifeblood. I never hesitate to say I don't know something, because I always want to learn something new (much to the chagrin of my now-grown kids, from whom I learned -- and won't let go of -- "True dat!"). We've made it to the midpoint of the week. Here's to an excellent slide toward the weekend for all of us! -- Diane [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [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 [] [] I encourage adopted people to tell their stories, our stories, and let no one else define these experiences for us. [Nicole Chung](, writer, editor May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [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, a division of Future US LLC © Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036