Change Notes #25 | February 3, 2021
Welcome back to another edition of our Change Notes newsletter. This week we’re slip-sliding through the cold and snow to bring you the best of experts from the worlds of change management, leadership, project management, learning and development, and more. So find a nice cozy spot and settle in for a snackable bit of Change Notes goodness.
Thanks for reading!
Work-at-home culture and leadership
Kevin Eikenberry literally wrote the book on how to balance new technology with timeless leadership principles. According to Eikenberry, leadership still means helping our teams to get valuable outcomes. For this to happen, we need the 3-O’s model: outcomes-others-ourself. Leadership comes first, location is second.
https://www.leadershipandchangemagazine.com/work-at-home-culture-leadership/
3 Myths About Managing Multiple Projects That Are Blocking Your Promotion
Managers promote people who are a safe pair of hands, who know how to get the job done, and can work efficiently at all levels of the organization. Being able to manage multiple projects is one way to evidence that you can do all of that. Here are 3 myths you might be telling yourself about what it’s like to manage multiple projects: myths that might be stopping you from taking the next leap in your career and showing your boss you can do it.
https://www.girlsguidetopm.com/myths-managing-multiple-projects/
100+ New Tools & Apps to Get Stuff Done
I admit it. I’ve got a thing for tools. Especially good ones that help you work smarter, not harder. Here is a big collection of over 100 tools worth checking out in categories like video review, graphic design, and more. There is something for everyone in here:
https://mike-taylor.org/2021/02/02/tech-toolbox-january-2021/
What I Learned: Aligning Purpose with L&D
Purpose may sound like a fluffy idea better suited for a self-help book than a serious workplace. Some stakeholders may think purpose can be dictated because a person holds a particular role. Many people may not take time to reflect on the connection between work and purpose. Nevertheless, purpose plays a constant role in our professional lives. It influences what we prioritize, how we spend our time and what we value most. Dive in and see what JD Dillon has learned about purpose and L&D.
https://learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/what-i-learned-aligning-purpose-with-landd
How Many Managers Does It Take to Change a Lightbulb?
Jennifer Aaker, a Stanford professor, and Naomi Bagdonas, an executive coach, say that, even in times of stress and crisis, leaders should use and encourage good humor and levity at work as a way of building employee morale and engagement. That doesn’t mean you have to tell jokes all the time. Instead, figure out what kind of humor works best for you and learn to pinpoint the opportunities for using it to best effect. They explain what makes things funny (hint: surprise) and the pitfalls managers should avoid. If you like this conversation, check out their book “Humor, Seriously: Why Humor is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life.”
https://hbr.org/podcast/2021/02/how-many-managers-does-it-take-to-change-a-lightbulb
About the Author: Mike Taylor
With over two decades of real-life, in-the-trenches experience designing and delivering learning experiences, Mike Taylor understands that effective learning isn’t about the latest fad or trendy new tools. Known for his practical, street-savvy style, Mike is a regular and highly-rated speaker at industry events and consults on organizational learning design and technology at Change 4 Growth in Columbus, Ohio. Mike holds an MBA degree from Ohio University and a master’s degree in educational technology from San Diego State University.