Last weekend Naomi Osaka won her third career Grand Slam at the U.S. Open Tennis tournament. At 22 years-old, she is the first woman to win the championship after losing the first set in a quarter of a century.
After she claimed the championship, she was asked, “What did you tell yourself and what did you do differently after the first set?”.
Necessity might be the mother of invention, but our brain is the father of innovation. Through structured thinking, we can turbocharge our ability to innovate.
Barbara Frederickson’s research has shown us that positive emotions enable us to broaden our perspective and see more options to consider. Alternatively, our brains respond to negative emotions by limiting the options we consider.
For example, if you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed with a long to-do list, you might find it hard to take just one small action to get started.
We each have strengths and weaknesses. We work best when we are using our strengths; however, we are all required to perform tasks that might not be a strength.
We all know there is always a weakest link on any team (always someone else, of course!). As the old saying goes, "a team is only as strong as its weakest link." But have you ever thought of your own personal weakest link? It's that certain skill or habit you really have to work at—the exact opposite of what you are naturally gifted at or your strongest link.
The human brain is the defining aspect of our humanity, it separates us from every other life form. The gift of thought unites us. We can begin thinking about our own thinking by the time we are nine years old.
Cognitive scientists at the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas at Dallas have created a brain training program to improve our cognitive capabilities. The program focuses on the executive, higher order thinking skills including integrated reasoning, innovation and strategic attention.
Leading remote teams, particularly during uncertain times, forces leaders to elevate their game around connecting, communicating, being productive and remaining positive.
The sustained nature of this remote working environment has moved past virtual happy hours and daily check-in calls to build a positive culture. Continuing to lead remote teams is now forcing leaders to elevate their culture-building creativity and skills.
Before to the current pandemic, an intact team had prior connections and a shared history once they went remote. As your team evolves you might not have as much relational equity to draw upon.
So, how do you build and nurture a positive team culture today and moving forward?
Without a doubt, your personal integrity is your most prized possession. Each day, that integrity is constantly tested, and you have an opportunity to prove it or lose it with every decision you make.
Doing the right thing is not always the easiest thing – but it is always the right thing to do. Choosing to do the right thing – even when it’s painful – ensures you will maintain your most precious possession throughout your personal and professional journey.
