Most workers think they have good self-awareness, which can lead to being a better manager and worker, although few really do. "While the research found that when leaders see themselves as their employees do, they are more effective, they also discovered that as people gain more experience and attain more power, their self-awareness is likely to diminish," writes leadership coach Amy Kan. Full Story: Fast Company online (12/14)
Top 3 skills for getting ahead To move up the career ladder, be kind in your interactions at work; show your ability to solve problems on your own; and go above and beyond in your tasks. Problem-solving can mean researching answers on your own as well as knowing who and when to ask for help. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (12/11)
If change is happening, talk about it and be supportive The same things that support employees through change in a conventional environment, such as describing why it's taking place and having a communication plan, are still key when most employees are virtual, writes Tony Gigliotti of UPMC, a health care provider and insurer. Gigliotti suggests equipping employees with encouragement and resources as depending solely on their internal motivation is shortsighted. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (12/11)
The Landscape
Eye strain is a serious employee wellness concern Antonio Moraes writes that digital eye strain is becoming more common as people increase their screen time while working from home, and employers should view it as a key workforce health concern. "With an estimated 65% of the 130 million workers in the US suffering from digital eye strain symptoms, this could mean over 8.4 billion hours lost in productivity," he writes. Full Story: BenefitsPRO (free registration) (12/11)
POLL QUESTION: Do you have eye strain from technology?
Study links personality changes to career success Young adults whose personality development showed higher levels of conscientiousness, emotional stability and extraversion were more likely to enjoy greater career stability, growth and advancement, according to a study in Psychological Science. "The study showed you're not just stuck with your personality traits, and if you change over time in positive ways, that can have a big impact on your career, said Kevin Hoff, Ph.D. Full Story: Ladders (12/7)
This was an impressive -- and successful -- rescue effort. Endangered Nubian giraffes were threatened by rising water levels that cut their peninsula off from the mainland, and the people living nearby really stepped up to the plate. They designed and built a special raft to float the animals safely across a crocodile-infested lake. Pretty impressive engineering feat, considering the beasts are 20 feet tall and weigh up to 2,500 pounds. Full Story: Interesting Engineering (12/11)
Sharing SmartBrief on Your Career with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free.
