WB Reading List: Collaboration, Change, and Your Poker Face
7 Tips to Court Collaboration by Deb Mashek
Collaboration doesn’t just happen, we must cultivate it. These tips are practical ways to make collaborations happen.
Takeaway: “When you highlight the role others have played in your successes, you tell prospective collaborators that you have a history of working closely with others, that you are able to see and celebrate others’ contributions, and that you’re not one of those jerks who steals credit for others’ work. In other words, beyond doing right by your current and past collaborators, you’re telling your prospective collaborators that you will do the same for them.”
Change by Damon Centola
Fascinating research about social change. The stories of the spread of phenomena from viruses to Twitter are applicable to our personal lives and work. I highly recommend for anyone in leadership or interested in social science research.
Takeaway: Change doesn’t happen the way we think it does. But, there are effective ways to spread change through things most of us do well, which is establish strong relationships.
The $2 Billion Question of Who You Are at Work by Emma Goldberg
I have been assessed 7 ways from Sunday and I love it. This reporting is an interesting take on the current status and future of workplace psychometric testing.
Takeaway: “They should be one factor among many, advocates say, with the understanding that there’s a gap between the way people present themselves on a test and how they’ll act on any given Tuesday, or in a fight on Slack.”
When and How to Keep a Poker Face at Work by Melody Wilding
Generally being emotionally perceptive and caring is good for a leader. However, there are time when a poker face is useful. Wilding walks through how sensitive leaders can regulate their emotions.
Takeaway: “Having a poker face doesn’t mean suppressing your emotions or being robotic. It’s about being mindful of your facial expressions and body language in order to communicate effectively and achieve your goals.”