Issue #182: The #1 In-Demand Skill (According to LinkedIn), Doing This on Walks Is Profoundly Healthy, and More

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INSIGHTS (on leadership/self-leadership)

Research from Berkeley just might change how you take walks.

The study involved people 75 years and older, who were more likely to be facing depression about the end of life, and more commonly experiencing some form of body pain. Researchers broke participants into two groups; those asked to take a walk, and those asked to take a walk with a specific directive. As the researchers put it to that group:

?“On your walk, go someplace where you might feel a little child-like wonder and look around - look at the small things and look at the big things and just follow that sense of mystery and wonder.”

?The results were astounding. Those asked to go on “awe-walks” over time experienced less pain and distress, and began to experience more and more awe. In fact, the researchers asked awe-walkers to take a picture of themselves during each walk. Over time, they noticed the subject was farther and farther off to the side, not trying for a perfect “selfie,” but focused on the broader world they were experiencing.

In other words, by opening up their senses and mindfully taking in the details of their surroundings, placing focus on the broader world of wonder we live in, they were manufacturing healing, heartening perspective. You can too.

You can do this even in the midst of your daily grind, by engaging in a practice I call “Grindfulness” (as I shared in my recent book, The Mentally Strong Leader - here’s a link for 60% off the audiobook version!) It’s a combination of gratitude and mindfulness. It’s about finding joy in the daily grind of life. Gratitude alone isn’t enough to sustain positivity because?psychology research?shows we struggle to express it on a consistent basis, sometimes laboring to find things worthy of showing gratitude for. On the other hand, just being mindful each day of what to be thankful for isn’t enough either, you have to act on your observations. In the middle is grindfulness, being present in daily life, noticing details, and expressing appreciation for them, in the moment.?

IMPERFECTIONS (a mistake many make)

The #1 most in-demand skill for 2024 according to LinkedIn, is a skill that’s an annual contender for “most needed” by companies all over the world.

Communication.

And it’s a skill that many still struggle with, make many mistakes with.

So, what’s new to share about this old staple? My brand new LinkedIn Learning course on the topic, 10 Habits of Effective Communicators. In it, I highlight the SHARP model for communicating clearly and concisely (we all know someone who doesn’t) which breaks down as follows:

Start by thinking, not talking.

Think through what you want to say, before you say it. Remember who you’re talking to, why, their beliefs and biases perhaps, and tailor your approach accordingly. It’s basic, but often forgotten.

Hone in on the main idea quickly.

Doing so triggers evaluative vs. judging thoughts from your audience. You want them evaluating what’s being said vs. judging who’s saying it. Triggering evaluative thoughts means they’re considering your point, listening for more info/perspective, deciding if they agree. That’s what you want. Take too long getting to the point, and your audience fills the time with judging thoughts that distract them like, “Will you ever get to the point? Do you really know what you’re talking about?” As further help here, remember, when you wander, your audience wonders…about you, and what your point is!

Add details sparingly.

Support what you’re saying, providing the “so what,” without over-explaining.?Give just as much context and information as needed to strengthen your key messages and make the audience care. To determine what’s important vs. an unnecessary offramp, know this. Detail you share should do one of four things; help the audience feel, understand, believe, or want to do something in relationship to the main message points. I’ll explain.

Does it help the audience feel something, emotionally, about a key message point that makes it stick? (like a story you tell). Does it help the audience understand a message or clarify something important? Does it help the audience believe what you’re sharing, helping to credibly make the case? Does it help compel the audience to want to do what you’re asking them to do?

Read the room.

Pay attention to the audience’s reaction, questions, and body language, and adjust what you communicate, as needed. For example, you sense the need to give more details, or less, or that you can move right to your conclusion, or that you need to back up and clarify something. It’s about ensuring that you’re leading the audience, not losing them.?

Precisely conclude. This is where you land…the…plane. Summarize your main point, and give a clear call to action.

So, stay SHARP in your communications by using the SHARP model.

IMPLEMENTATION (one research-backed strategy, tip, or tool)

My older brother shared this concise list with me for becoming more impactful at work, and I thought it was spot on:

10 things that require zero talent:

• Being on time
• Making an effort
• Being high energy
• Having a positive attitude
• Being passionate
• Using good body lingo
• Being coachable
• Doing a little extra
• Being prepared
• Having a strong work ethic

I didn’t come up with this list (in fact, you can get a poster of it on Amazon), but it did get me thinking. What else should be added to it? I’d tack on truly listening (which my new course, 10 Habits of Effective Communicators, can help you with). Let me know what you’d add by responding to this issue with your thoughts. ?

? Share this publication with a friend, see the keynotes/workshops I give at scottmautz.com and check out my menu of LinkedIn Learning courses, taken over 1.5 million times (and counting)!

? Order my new book, The Mentally Strong Leader: Build the Habits to Productively Regulate Your Emotions, Thoughts, and Behaviors, called an “indispensable resource” by Dan Pink, and hailed by Starbucks new CEO, Brian Niccol (among other top-execs)