He also says, though, “75 percent of job successes are predicted by your optimism levels, your social support and your ability to see stress as a challenge instead of as a threat.”
So what do you, as a manager, do to build that optimism and resilience among your team? I’ve written about the need for feedback, both constructive and positive, in the past. How can we link that to building that ability to see stress as a challenge and not a threat?
I’ve incorporated several of Shawn’s lessons in my life, including keeping a running gratitude list.
Even on the most craptastic days, there is always something out there that can add beauty to our lives. And if I am really struggling to find something, I create something to be grateful for. On those days, I reconnect with friends, set a (virtual!) coffee date, or even plan a trip (one of my favorite activities!). I usually write my list before I even get out of bed in the morning as a way of framing the day in the most positive sense possible.
What are our post-pandemic happy secrets to better work?
As I consider this Ted Talk, I think about how times have changed since Shawn delivered this talk. When Shawn delivered this talk, we were not coming out of a several-years-long global pandemic. One of the lessons that I learned through managing a remote team during COVID was that we built and constantly reinforced the expectation that we will change, evolve, and pivot as needed to address COVID. In some ways, knowing that more change will come, even if we don’t know what it will be, disallows the team to settle into complacency or routine. The routine IS change. That clear-as-can-be communication has been crucial. As I consider my work going forward, I will take that lesson with me: to build a resilient team that is adaptable to change.
Tell me about your happy secrets!
- What is your happy secret to better work?
- How have you built up your own optimism and resilience?
- What tricks do you have up your sleeve for keeping the optimism on your team?
- How have those skills served you now, given that we are living through this pandemic?
- What new skills have you been able to tap into?