Always Bring Value
It's easier than you think.
One of my goals in relationships, communications, and everything else is to always bring value. Our world is filled with junk, poor communication, and things that take from people. I don't want to be a taker; I want to be a giver.
I believe that there is an opportunity to bring value in every situation. Suppose I'm emailing someone to ask a question. In that case, I give them a lot of context about the question so they can answer without having to look something up or ask me a question to answer my question. If I'm talking to a friend, I try to ask what I can do to be helpful to them and let them know I appreciate them. At my son's tee-ball game, I chat with the umpire, ask about her day, and show her some kindness (she deals with angry parents enough).
Bringing value doesn't diminish me; it's the opposite. Bringing value to someone else benefits me too. Taking that extra moment in crafting a great email or speaking to a stranger that looks down brings value to them and brightens my day.
Bringing value isn't difficult either; it just takes a moment. One moment to be thoughtful. One moment to craft that communication to make the response easier. One moment to say thank you, leave a comment, forward an encouragement, text a friend, or hug someone. One small moment today can make a big difference.
What value will you create for someone else today?
Great leadership reading from this week
3 Effective Ways to Lead as a Coach Rather Than a Boss
More leaders need to think of themselves as coaches. That’s the only way to help those around us get better. Everyone needs a good coach, and every good leader should strive to be a good coach.Why you should schedule all your emails
I’m not sure I agree that you should schedule ALL your emails, but I do think we should schedule more of them. Scheduling emails is a great way to get control of your inbox, slow down communication a bit, and be more intentional about how we work.The Subtle Art of Doing What Matters
The best leaders work on what matters, but it’s not an easy skill to master. We often focus on getting rid of pain instead of leaning into the pain needed to work on what matters most.
Other interesting reading from this week
Stanford Neuroscientist: How to Train Your Self Control So You Don't Mess Up Your Life
This might be the best article in this week’s newsletter. It’s important to train ourselves to resist basic temptations (like that extra cookie) for our long-term health and well-being.
You just might be more productive if you work less
The current workweek came from the manufacturing world. Could it be that there is a different, and perhaps better, approach to work for knowledge workers? Could it be that working less than 40-hours a week will yield the same or even better results? It’s possible.A neuroscientist debunks the most annoyingly common productivity myths
My favorite debunked myth in this article is the “we all have the same 24-hours” myth. That’s just not true. Someone that works and has three assistants has a very different 24-hours than a single parent trying to work from home during an at-home-learning day.
Great podcasts from this week
360: Switched at Birth - This American Life
This episode is about two women in their 40s that found out they were switched a birth and raised just a few miles apart by the wrong family. It’s a fascinating look at nature vs. nurture and what it means to be a part of a family.
My Podcasts to check out
Tech Talk Y'all - My tech/comedy news podcast.
Real Pink - I host the national podcast for Susan G. Komen. If you want some inspiration or information about breast cancer, give it a listen.
Do me a favor?
Did you find anything helpful or interesting here? Pay me back by sharing it with someone. Thanks for reading!