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Ideas for Impact

Archives for October 2023

The Trouble with Accusing Someone of Virtue Signaling

October 30, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

The Trouble with Accusing Someone of Virtue Signaling The pejorative culture-wars phrase ‘virtue signaling’ has become an ad hominem scorn—a shoddy substitute for intelligently addressing the substance of the argument you’re purportedly discussing.

If you declare somebody is ‘virtue signaling’ when you have an ideological disagreement with them, you’re probably more interested in making groundless and unfalsifiable speculation about their motives. You’re unhesitatingly framing their intellectual or emotional foray as an act of narcissism. (Paradoxically, wielding the term sometimes serves as virtue signaling in itself. You’re pleading a moral high ground by calling out virtue signaling.)

You can’t rebut a person’s subjective position merely by discrediting that person or dismissing their opinions as grandstanding. You can’t denigrate people’s motives without speaking to their argument. Even if you think someone is likely virtue-signaling, keeping your speculation to a minimum is better.

Idea for Impact: Don’t judge the motives of others. It rarely helps to respond to a conflict by indicting them of a personal sin that is internal and, therefore, inscrutable to anyone else.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Avoid Control Talk
  2. “But, Excuse Me, I’m Type A”: The Ultimate Humblebrag?
  3. Narcissism Isn’t Confidence—It’s a Crisis of Worth
  4. Avoid Trigger Words: Own Your Words with Grace and Care
  5. Why It’s So Hard to Apologize

Filed Under: Effective Communication, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Assertiveness, Attitudes, Etiquette, Humility, Likeability, Listening, Manipulation, Personality

Inspirational Quotations #1021

October 29, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi

I’m carrying on a tradition. But I’d rather be a first-rate version of myself than a second-rate version of somebody else. I’m proud of my parents, and the only way that I can prove it to them is to take what they gave me and work my head off.
—Liza Minnelli (American Singer, Actress)

Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.
—Maya Angelou (American Poet)

Be glad of life because it gives you to chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars.
—Henry van Dyke Jr. (American Author, Educator, Clergyman)

Individualism is cherished because it produces freedom, but the gift is conditional.
—Garrett Hardin (American Ecologist)

The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for whites or women for men.
—Alice Walker (American Novelist, Activist)

Prejudice renders a man’s virtue his habit, and not a series of unconnected acts. Through just prejudice, his duty becomes a part of his nature.
—Edmund Burke (British Philosopher, Statesman)

History has now been for the first time systematically considered, and has been found, like other phenomena, subject to invariable laws.
—Auguste Comte (French Philosopher)

When crisis hits, we don’t turn against each other. No, we listen to each other, we lean on each other, because we are always stronger together.
—Michelle Obama (American First Lady)

It’s very, very hard to affect culture. And you can get surprised thinking you’re farther down the path of change than you really are because, frankly, most of us like the way things are.
—Carol Bartz (American Businesswoman)

You need people who can walk their companies into the future rather than back them into the future.
—Warren Bennis (American Management Consultant)

The story of a man’s soul, however trivial, can be more interesting and instructive than the story of a whole nation.
—Mikhail Lermontov (Russian Novelist, Poet)

Filed Under: Inspirational Quotations

Employee Surveys: Perceptions Apart

October 28, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Employee Surveys: The View From The Top, And The View From The Bottom Employee engagement surveys offer a stark illustration of the disconnect between the viewpoints of lower-ranking employees and top management. The Economist notes that bosses often believe their companies are compassionate, but their subordinates tend to hold a different perspective.

A [meta study on engagement surveys] found that bosses often believe their own guff, even if their underlings do not. Bosses are eight times more likely than the average to believe that their organisation is self-governing. (The cheery folk in human resources are also much more optimistic than other employees.) Some 27% of bosses believe their employees are inspired by their firm. Alas, only 4% of employees agree. Likewise, 41% of bosses say their firm rewards performance based on values rather than merely on financial results. Only 14% of employees swallow this.

The disconnect between senior management and rank and file employees often arises from limited direct interaction, information filtering, hierarchical barriers, and differing workplace cultures. Senior leaders don’t always fully grasp the day-to-day challenges and concerns of front-line workers.

From my viewpoint, many HR professionals tend to be overly optimistic when evaluating employee engagement, which can diverge from reality. This is partly because rank-and-file employees often perceive HR as less reliable in addressing their concerns, given the belief that HR prioritizes the organization’s interests. Concerns about transparency and inconsistent policy enforcement within HR exacerbate this perception.

Idea for Impact: From the lofty heights where they preside, leaders (and HR folk) can’t make out a world from which they hide.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Employee Surveys: Asking for Feedback is Not Enough
  2. Can’t Ban Political Talk at Work
  3. Giving Feedback and Depersonalizing It: Summary of Kim Scott’s ‘Radical Candor’
  4. These are the Two Best Employee Engagement Questions
  5. What To Do If Your New Hire Is Underperforming

Filed Under: Leading Teams, Managing People, MBA in a Nutshell Tagged With: Conversations, Feedback, Group Dynamics, Human Resources, Leadership, Workplace

Shrinkflation: It’s All About How We Conceive the Changes We Perceive

October 27, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Shrinkflation: It's All About How We Conceive the Changes We Perceive Shrinkflation is a pricing tactic where manufacturers covertly reduce the size or quantity of familiar products while keeping the package price the same, or even slyly increasing it. Shrinkflation is a subtle means for consumer goods producers to conceal a rise in unit prices by giving customers less product at the same cost. This strategy is frequently deployed during periods of inflation and impending economic downturns.

But why not simply raise the prices outright? Consumers are generally understanding of price hikes if they perceive them as reasonable. However, when it comes to products like food and shampoo, they might not fully comprehend the reasons behind these pricing adjustments. As they feel the economic pressure mounting, consumers tend to find shrinkflation and the preservation of familiar package prices more palatable than a direct price increase.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. The Mere Exposure Effect: Why We Fall for the Most Persistent
  2. The Loss Aversion Mental Model: A Case Study on Why People Think Spirit is a Horrible Airline
  3. Decoy Effect: The Sneaky Sales Trick That Turns Shoppers into Spenders
  4. Flying Cramped Coach: The Economics of Self-Inflicted Misery
  5. Airline Safety Videos: From Dull Briefings to Dynamic Ad Platforms

Filed Under: MBA in a Nutshell, Mental Models Tagged With: Biases, Innovation, Marketing, Persuasion, Psychology

Innovation: Be as Eager to Stop Zombie Projects as You Are to Begin the New

October 26, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Be as Eager to Stop Zombie Projects as You are to Begin the New Innovation entails not only the disciplined creation and implementation of new ideas that add value but also the acumen to identify and cease zombie projects.

Has a project consistently failed to deliver expected outcomes despite substantial investments? Could the project’s objectives be achieved more efficiently through alternative means? Have shifts in strategic direction made the initial goals irrelevant?

Idea for Impact: Instead of pouring additional resources into a zombie project in the hope of eventual success and payback, consider the risk of squandering more funds. In an era of limited resources and unmet demands, making careful resource allocation is a crucial aspect of effective innovation.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Overcoming Personal Constraints is a Key to Success
  2. Kickstart Big Initiatives: Hackathons Aren’t Just for Tech Companies
  3. Defect Seeding: Strengthen Systems, Boost Confidence
  4. Restless Dissatisfaction = Purposeful Innovation
  5. HP’s “Next Bench” Innovation Mindset: Observe, Learn, Solve

Filed Under: Leading Teams, Mental Models, Project Management, The Great Innovators Tagged With: Creativity, Decision-Making, Innovation, Mental Models, Parables, Problem Solving, Thought Process

Cultural Differences and Detecting Deception

October 25, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Cultural Differences and Detecting Deception Spotting a liar isn’t an exact science; factors like eye contact, direct versus indirect communication, and many of the frequently highlighted “sure signs” of a liar may not always hold up across different cultures.

If you’re seeking more reliable indicators to help you discern truth from fiction, here they are:

  • Inconsistent Stories: Liars often weave a web of contradictions, changing their narrative as they go. When the story keeps evolving, it’s a red flag.
  • Lack of Detail: Liars tend to avoid specifics, offering vague responses that leave you with more questions than answers.
  • Defensiveness: While a poker face can hide the truth, excessive defensiveness can signal deception. When confronted, liars may become overly protective of their secrets.

Idea for Impact: Cultural sensitivity is essential when navigating the complex realm of truth and deception.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Ethics Lessons From Akira Kurosawa’s ‘High and Low’
  2. Conscience is A Flawed Compass
  3. The Sensitivity of Politics in Today’s Contentious Climate
  4. How Understanding Your Own Fears Makes You More Attuned to Those of Others
  5. How to Speak Up in Meetings and Disagree Tactfully

Filed Under: Effective Communication, Managing People Tagged With: Biases, Conflict, Conversations, Ethics, Integrity, Manipulation, Questioning, Relationships

Build, Then Optimize

October 24, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Build, Then Optimize Startups often emphasize the importance of optimization, which can lead to significant gains, but only if your business is already functioning well.

Focusing on anything other than garnering interest for your product or service is pointless if no one is genuinely interested. Premature optimization wastes time and resources.

Idea for Impact: Get the basics right, then optimize. Prioritize getting the basics right before becoming fixated on optimization. In fact, avoid targeting incremental improvements when a step change is what you really need.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Creativity by Imitation: How to Steal Others’ Ideas and Innovate
  2. Many Businesses Get Started from an Unmet Personal Need
  3. Overcoming Personal Constraints is a Key to Success
  4. You Can’t Develop Solutions Unless You Realize You Got Problems: Problem Finding is an Undervalued Skill
  5. Van Gogh Didn’t Just Copy—He Reinvented

Filed Under: Mental Models, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Entrepreneurs, Getting Things Done, Mental Models, Perfectionism, Thought Process

Job Crafting: Let Your Employees Shape Their Roles

October 23, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Job Crafting: Let Your Employees Shape Their Roles Employees invest a quarter of their lifetime in the realm of work; therefore it becomes a moral imperative to allow some of their waking hours to be a canvas upon which they paint the strokes of purpose and significance.

Isaac Getz, professor at Paris’s ESCP Europe Business School and author of the bestselling book Freedom Inc. (2012,) asserts that granting employees autonomy can tailor their learning and development and unlock the doors to realizing their full potential: “A company is liberated when the majority of employees have complete freedom and responsibility to take any action they themselves—not their boss—see as being best for the company’s vision and purpose.”

Idea for Impact: Encourage job crafting. Within reason, allow employees to take the initiative to actively and intentionally shape the contents of their jobs to better align with their skills, interests, and motivations and make them more purposeful. It’s a key talent retention strategy.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. These are the Two Best Employee Engagement Questions
  2. People Work Best When They Feel Good About Themselves: The Southwest Airlines Doctrine
  3. Managing the Overwhelmed: How to Coach Stressed Employees
  4. Putting the WOW in Customer Service // Book Summary of Tony Hsieh’s Delivering Happiness
  5. Treat Employees Like Volunteers

Filed Under: Leading Teams, Managing People, MBA in a Nutshell Tagged With: Human Resources, Likeability, Mentoring, Motivation, Performance Management, Workplace

Inspirational Quotations #1020

October 22, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi

Life is complicated. It’s filled with nuance. It’s unsatisfying. If I believe in anything, it is doubt.
—Anthony Bourdain (American Chef, TV Personality)

The most hateful human misfortune is for a wise man to have no influence.
—Herodotus (Ancient Greek Historian)

Always remember, money isn’t everything—but also remember to make a lot of it before talking such fool nonsense.
—Earl Wilson (American Newspaper Columnist)

Example moves the world more than doctrine. The great exemplars are the poets of action, and it makes little difference whether they be forces for good or forces for evil.
—Henry Miller (American Novelist)

Public opinion is always in advance of the law.
—John Galsworthy (English Novelist, Playwright)

It is not fit that every man should travel; it makes a wise man better, and a fool worse.
—Owen Feltham (English Essayist)

Those who have succeeded at anything and don’t mention luck are kidding themselves.
—Larry King (American TV Personality)

Fatigue makes cowards of us all.
—George S. Patton (American Military Leader)

What people with disabilities want is to relate. This is something unique. It makes people who are closed up in the head become human. The wonderful thing about people with disabilities is that when someone important comes, they don’t care. They care about the relationship. So they have a healing power, a healing power of love.
—Jean Vanier (French-Canadian Humanitarian)

Hope not for impossibilities.
—Thomas Fuller (English Cleric, Historian)

Democracy is the recurrent suspicion that more than half of the people are right more than half of the time.
—E. B. White (American Essayist, Humorist)

If a scientist were to cut his ear off, no one would take it as evidence of a heightened sensibility.
—Peter Medawar (British Immunologist, Writer)

Two are an army against one.
—Icelandic Proverb

It has ever been since time began, and ever will be, till time lose breath, that love is a mood—no more—to man, and love to a woman is life or death.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox (American Poet, Journalist)

Filed Under: Inspirational Quotations

Listening is Not Just Waiting to Talk

October 19, 2023 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Listening is Not Just Waiting to Talk In our fast-paced world, one of the most counterproductive—insidious even—listening habits is the tendency to construct our response while the other person is talking. It’s like mentally hitting the pause button on their words and drafting our own script for the moment they pause.

This habit often arises from a lack of active listening skills. Planning our responses can sometimes feel like our way of actively participating in the conversation. Additionally, societal norms can play a role; in certain contexts, rapid and assertive replies are highly valued, reinforcing this behavior.

But here’s the catch: when we’re pretending to listen while internally rehearsing our response—or even a counterargument,—we’re not truly grasping the speaker’s message. We miss the nuances and subtleties within it. Even worse, we signal to the speaker that we’re not genuinely interested in what they have to say.

To break free from this and other detrimental listening habits, cultivate self-awareness and consciously work on enhancing our listening skills. Rather than crafting a response in parallel, focus on fully comprehending the speaker’s viewpoint.

Idea for Impact: Let the other person complete their thoughts before you chime in. Allowing a brief pause to organize your thoughts. By practicing patience, active engagement, and empathy, you can transform into a more effective and attentive listener. This transformation will not only enhance your communication skills but also deepen your relationships.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Listen to Understand, Not to Respond
  2. Signs Your Helpful Hand Might Stray to Sass
  3. Avoid Trigger Words: Own Your Words with Grace and Care
  4. Silence Speaks Louder in Conversations
  5. “Are We Fixing, Whinging, or Distracting?”

Filed Under: Effective Communication, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Conversations, Getting Along, Likeability, Listening, Mindfulness, Social Skills

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About: Nagesh Belludi [hire] is a St. Petersburg, Florida-based freethinker, investor, and leadership coach. He specializes in helping executives and companies ensure that the overall quality of their decision-making benefits isn’t compromised by a lack of a big-picture understanding.

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Unless otherwise stated in the individual document, the works above are © Nagesh Belludi under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND license. You may quote, copy and share them freely, as long as you link back to RightAttitudes.com, don't make money with them, and don't modify the content. Enjoy!