Resistance to change is futile; here's how to handle it

Curb the negative effects of toxic positivity | practice | Resistance to change is futile; here's how to handle it Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( October 16, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT Leading the Way [] [Curb the negative effects of toxic positivity]( [Curb the negative effects of toxic positivity]( (Pixabay) A positive attitude is a good thing, but it can become toxic when platitudes prevent teams from solving real problems, silences constructive feedback or creates a culture of emotional dishonesty, writes Jason Evanish, CEO of Get Lighthouse, Inc. Leaders can curb toxic positivity by encouraging critical thinking, openly discussing challenges and being empathetic to others' needs, Evanish suggests. Full Story: [Lighthouse]( (10/13) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Consciously shifting [how you speak can go a long way to curbing toxic positivity](, Evanish writes. For example, instead of saying, "Good vibes only!" Evanish suggests telling team members, "If anything's been bothering you, I'm here to listen." Destroy your internal limitations From the bestselling communicator who has coached CEOs, celebrities, and world leaders comes a radical guide that illuminates a path toward optimal performance and personal fulfillment.[Learn More]( ADVERTISEMENT [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Resistance to change is futile; here's how to handle it]( [Resistance to change is futile; here's how to handle it]( (matdesign24/Getty Images) Change in business operating conditions is inevitable, but the new "rate, breadth and depth of change" requires leaders to ask themselves several questions so they can cope well with it, Dave Coffaro of the Strategic Advisory Consulting Group writes. Change leadership "is a proactive, ongoing process that requires an organization to sustain a laser focus on continually evolving conditions" and develop a workplace culture of teamwork and input. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (10/13) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Don't resist change. Identify its earliest indicators, then [assess the pros and cons of reacting to change now]( or waiting for further developments, Coffaro advises. Let team members co-own solutions by empowering them to suggest ideas and actions, even before change comes into play. [] Smarter Communication [] [Reading others should be part of your workplace toolkit]( Learning to read a room and see what people are saying with their body language and how they're talking about something can "unleash magical new powers to get more out of meetings, and those around you," writes Jim VandeHei, co-founder and CEO of Axios. "Imagine the tension and misunderstanding that could be averted if we were better at reading others." Full Story: [Axios]( (10/12) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Actively up your emotional quotient by being more observant about how people interact. Talk to different people to learn who's in the room -- and why -- to give you [better context](. Watch facial expressions for clues, ask questions that don't create tension and take notes, VandeHei advises. Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [AI Terms Cheat Sheet]( - [Getting Started with Apache Hadoop]( - [12 Ways to Approach the Cybersecurity Skills Gap Challenge in 2023]( - [Data Center Acronyms Cheat Sheet]( - [6 Worthless Security Tactics That Won't Go Away]( [] Smarter Strategy [] - [Turn your team's resistance into an opportunity]( MIT Sloan Management Review (tiered subscription model) (10/9) [] - [When a "red ocean" strategy may be the most beneficial]( Ivey Business Journal (10/2023) [] - [Does your budget reveal a "people-first" priority?]( Chief Executive (10/13) [] Smarter Working A weekly spotlight on doing more without working longer [] [Chronically late? You may suffer from "time blindness"]( [Chronically late? You may suffer from "time blindness"]( (Pixabay) You could have "time blindness" if you're chronically late, find it challenging to meet deadlines or often switch between tasks and procrastinate, writes psychologist Mark Travers, who recommends breaking tasks down into smaller, more manageable ones, setting timers to signal when to change tasks or take breaks and creating calendars and to-do lists. "Check your schedule every day to ensure that you're on top of all your upcoming deadlines and events," Travers recommends. Full Story: [Forbes (tiered subscription model)]( (10/12) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Forget "boy and his dog." It's a girl and her water buffalo]( [Forget "boy and his dog." It's a girl and her water buffalo]( (Instagram) A boy and his dog are a classic pairing, but a girl named Chen Dongmei in China is changing the paradigm with her best friend, a water buffalo named Niuzai, which means "Cowboy." Chen [shares videos of their adventures on Instagram]( as she calls for Niuzai who comes running to play, share food and cuddle. Full Story: [My Modern Met]( (10/12) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] Skylab, an early predecessor of the International Space Station, was in orbit for how many years before it crashed back to Earth in 1979? [Vote]( [6]( [Vote]( [10]( [Vote]( [13]( [Vote]( [15]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Chellew I am a big fan of positive thinking, but [Get Lighthouse CEO Jason Evanish is right](; turning toxic, it can poison your workplace. You know positivity is toxic when your team doesn't feel safe to speak up or bring problems to you. Other signs include a decrease in productivity and increased stress and burnout. Have you experienced toxic positivity in your workplace? What were its effects and how did you curb it? [Tell me](mailto:candace.chellew@futurenet.com)! 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]( [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 feel like fairness is what it's all about -- and consideration. [Danny DeVito](, actor, director, producer [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