Building Compassionate Workplaces with Intention

Hi,

I first learned “It’s not happening to you, it’s happening for you” from Kelly Stewart, and this advice has served me well for many years. Whenever I catch myself working too hard to make something happen, when it feels like I’m pushing against an unseen force, I’ve learned that’s a cue to ease up and let the current carry me for a bit, to let things happen for me. That was the theme last week: time and again I would feel myself pushing to no avail, so I stopped. And you know what? I ended the week right where I needed to be, refreshed and renewed.

At the start of this week, I held my first-ever intention pod. We said hello to each other, talked briefly, then sat quietly for a few minutes thinking about the upcoming work week. Each of us silently set an intention to model compassionate behaviors in our respective workplaces. Then, we wished each other a good week and off we went. 15 minutes. We do them every week. If you’re intrigued, email me and I’ll send the Zoom link so you can join us. Every Monday, 9:00-9:15 a.m. ET.

In the meantime, here’s info to inspire you to be your best self at work and help others to be their best selves too:

• Are you familiar with the sunk-cost fallacy? It’s a perspective that can keep people wasting resources on an initiative just because they’ve put so much into it already. And it’s a fallacy because decision-making works better when you focus on the future. Enjoy!
• Work just isn’t what it used to be. Since the pandemic, many people have decentralized or at least de-prioritized where work fits into their lives. And it’s not generational, it’s an epidemic. All the more reason to infuse kindness into the workplace to create genuine reasons for people to apply their resources for jobs well done.
• Speaking of drawing people to work by improving behaviors, Beverly Hills Manners has classes for companies to help their employees better relate to others in polished, professional ways.
• Another note on modeling compassionate behaviors. Ghosting. Just don’t. Not as an employer, not as an employment candidate. Robert Glazer explains why. But the short answer is just don’t.

Noteworthy ?? Brand Nexus–Your Trusted Partner in the AI Revolution

I met Pedro Laboy through super connector Michael Bendit, and we had a fantastic conversation about his passion for helping business leaders and their teams embrace AI for better workflows. His company, Brand Nexus, specializes in bridging the gap between AI and practical business applications. They are committed to demystifying AI tech for business leaders and their organizations. They offer hands-on training and upskilling programs tailored to the unique needs of each company. Their team, rich in expertise across artificial intelligence, technology, and business transformation, is dedicated to transforming AI concepts into actionable business strategies.

In short, Brand Nexus empowers professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to apply AI effectively and strategically in their specific business contexts. How great is that?

You can learn more about their various services here, which include one-day workshops, 4-week programs, and an 8-week bootcamp.

Brand Nexus is offering a free, 30-minute consultation if you are interested in learning how their services can specifically help your organization leverage AI in business-building ways. This is a strong recommendation from me—a winning solution.

Do Good Spotlight ?? The Katie Moore Foundation???

Patients of rare cancers are often faced with no clear treatment options. The Katie Moore Foundation was created to conduct critical research on rare cancers. Together with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, their goal is that one day, patients with rare cancers will be able to benefit from precision medicine and thereby drastically improve outcomes. Learn more: The Katie Moore Foundation. Special thanks to Joe McGarvey for sharing this recommendation!

• Gotta’ love Adam Grant: “Respect is a social responsibility.” This post feels tailor-made for Niki’s Notes. If you agree, share it with your team!
• Updating the cult of the entrepreneur with a culture of mission. It’s a great what not to do and what to do better by Bill Saporito for Inc.
• How do you handle a dog-friendly office when you’ve got employees who are uncomfortable around dogs? Alison Green has advice.

You Never Really Know..

I have read several heartbreaking stories recently. They were told by people who were going through something rough and people around them made unhelpful comments. I’m not sure this will become a regular feature in Niki’s Notes, but I thought I’d share this woman’s story in case it’s good fodder for conversations with your colleagues about how to be caring without overstepping. Because we so seldom really know what people are dealing with when they come to work.

Thanks for reading. If you have ideas or POVs to share on the kindness in the workplace movement, please let me know. I’m eager to learn and gain exposure to what people are doing in big and small ways. Let’s make ripples that turn into waves. And remember: stay strong, stay focused, and keep bringing your best self to all you do.

Niki