The school kids building robots, more biggies turn donors, and more trending news

This week, the Daily Rundown is keeping you up to date with the world of work and the big ideas shaping 2018 (and beyond). Read on and join the conversation.

Building a robot is child’s play — literally. Several Indian tech startups, such as SP Robotic Works and Robokidz, are training children to build real robots — from simple machines that follow a line to complex ones that can clean a beach — with DIY kits. Not only will students learn basic programming, they also could have the chance to work on big projects or compete against peers: Robokidz gets students to participate in its annual robot building competition (Robotics Premier League) while SPRW’s students build machines for Tata Power Solar, Qualcomm and other companies.

Increasing numbers of the mega-rich are donating during their lifetimes, The Atlantic reports. Some argue the rise of “big philanthropy” contributes to an “unequal balance of power in society” — giving the Buffetts or Koch Brothers or the Mittals of the world influence previously only held by governments. But even politically motivated donations benefit society, argues Joel Fleishman, director of the Center for Strategic Philanthropy and Civil Society at Duke University; these massive gifts still attempt to tackle some of the world’s biggest issues. “If you have more individuals who want to spend their wealth in ways that they think benefits society, I believe society benefits significantly from it.

Starting a leadership role at a new company is like “merging into traffic.” Adam Bryant, who borrowed the phrase from F. Mark Gumz, ex-CEO of the Olympus Corporation of the Americas, explains: New leaders who come in with grand plans based on what’s worked in their previous roles are not usually well received. They’re the corporate equivalent of a driver taking an on-ramp at 80 miles an hour. “Your mandate may be to shake things up, but you have to win people over rather than making them feel defensive or threatened,” Bryant writes. Merging more effectively into the new role can be as simple as banning one phrase: “At my old company…”

When your coworkers won't accept reality, resist the urge to clobber them with facts. Maybe they hired the wrong person or pursued a failing strategy. Deep down, they may know that, but the facts alone won't convince them it's time for a change, argues Ohio State behavioral science professor Gleb Tsipursky. That's because they’ve built up an emotional stake in their version of events. If you want to make progress, opt for what Tsipursky calls "emotional leadership:" Start by asking questions that show a genuine curiosity in learning why they feel the way they do and show that you understand where they're coming from.

Idea of the Day: “Just being around different types of people does more magic than any kind of lesson, book or speech,” says Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman. That extra effort to boost diversity helps companies incorporate new perspectives. “It also helps us make more money.”

“Especially for people in power, going just a few feet out of our way to make someone feel welcome or to consider a different point of view can be transformative.”

?What's your take? Join the conversations on today's stories in the comments.

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