We are all aware that in order to excel at any art form, ten thousand hours of rigorous practice has been advocated. Yet the absolute top experts, in addition to this minimum level of hygiene also add other key elements to the mix. One of the top violinists who was instrumental in setting this hour rule, has now gone on to say that this maxim was somewhat wrongly misinterpreted. In fact, there is wide variation among those successful. Instead of the number of hours crammed in, it is to do something better each time by constantly pushing the boundaries. For certain professionals such as medical practice, enormous data warehousing is another key ingredient as doctors need to read up a lot on case histories and other developments. They cannot take chances. In music and sports, there is a lot of time devoted to training as opposed to the actual work. In business, the opposite is true, with corporate training making up only about one percent of overall work. The experts are more interested in skills rather than cramming in facts. The education system though is the opposite so over the next few years and decades, improving the education system from the school level onwards, is the target for many.

Source:http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/anders-ericsson-book-interview-peak-secrets-from/

Uploaded Date:09 January 2018

For most people, agreeing amicably comes easier than disagreeing at work. This is why a lot of problems between people remain unresolved. However, repeatedly it has been observed in business that instead of delaying an argument, it is better to tackle it head on to resolve the crisis. This does not imply disagreeing for the sake of it, but instead managing them well to lead to better work outcomes. A strong feedback loop usually leads to better opportunities to learn and grow. While there may be short-term conflicts, relations at work tend to improve in the longer run. A study has even found out that managed disagreements leads to improved job satisfaction levels. An interesting piece of talent management advice shared by contributors to a Rotman Management article states that homogenous groups tend to have fewer disagreements but diverse teams have greater conflicts of opinion. So, if resolved in the right manner, diversity at work can only improve leading to a greater pool of creative talent. Once a professional is past that stage of wanting to be liked by all, he/she can focus on the bigger picture of the corporate strategy. Finally, one ought to locate a role model and try to replicate. One must remember that disagreement does not imply meanness.

Source:https://hbr.org/2018/01/why-we-should-be-disagreeing-more-at-work?utm_campaign=hbr&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

Uploaded Date:09 January 2018

It is well known that being able to focus is a key ingredient to attain final success. However, in today’s digitally connected times, loose focus tends to be an unfortunate periodic occurrence. On management training and executive coaching sessions, trainers often end up hearing that the subjects feel completely overwhelmed, workload is insane or mentally feel exhausted. To rectify this state, one can start off by increasing one’s self-awareness.One will then notice and need to answer several questions on oneself such as the reason for feeling the stress or anxiety, the feelings when focusing gets difficult, why this focus gets lost and specific times when it occurs. The American Psychological Association (APA) via a study conducted in 2017, suggested going for a Digital Detox as a solution. Here all digital devices would be shut down for a time period so that “constant checkers” could be at least temporarily eliminated from one’s life. The brain too needs adequate rest with up to seven or eight hours of sleep per night. Mindfulness training in particular will help. And instead of focusing too much on ourselves, inducing stress, diverting thoughts towards other’s bigger needs will be far more pertinent.

Source:https://hbr.org/2017/12/break-the-cycle-of-stress-and-distraction-by-using-your-emotional-intelligence?utm_campaign=hbr&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

Uploaded Date:09 January 2018

A quality that some of the most effective leaders tend to have over others is the ability to churn deeper insights out of regular conversations. The flow of the day is well-planned as opposed to reactive leaders who respond only to sudden exigencies which keep arising. Some actions have been identified to increase mindfulness. To start with the professional must be aware of his/her self and surroundings. For this, writing down five most dearly held values to begin with, will help. Periodic deep introspection will help fortify memory, learning and emotional control. It will help gauging business intelligence from everyday occurrences. Meditation, yoga, hiking, running or even quiet walks may help in this. Introspection may get boosted by periodic meetings with oneself. It can work best at twenty-minute periods at the end of each week. Specific patterns of breathing also help in combatting stress. Attention to detail is crucial in the times of multitasking, so task presence need be practiced. One needs to focus on the task at hand such as the meeting, issue or challenge. A true leader will not practise mindfulness just for himself/herself but will get the entire team to do so in order to improve productivity. For this “rapid fire lightning” rounds have been known to successfully instil these values.

Source:http://smartbrief.com/original/2017/11/how-practice-mindful-working

Uploaded Date:14 December 2017

Allison Kruger is today considered a talent management guru who trains several organizations on best ways to improve employee affairs. One aspect she has stressed on lately is executive presence, which is the way business leaders showcase themselves in front of an audience. First impressions here get important because it is through a certain gravitas that leaders can control a room full of people. Social outings are key touchpoints for forging fresh connections. In order to develop one’s executive presence, professionals ought to be conscious of their appearances. They need to work on their communication skills, to be aware how they are using their voice and its modulations. A certain sense of energy must emanate so that negative impressions are not piled on those beholding. Finally, a sense of uniqueness must emerge to the spotlight through blogs or podcasts. Executive presence in a way differs between men and women. While the former often take up work with sixty percent surety, women need to be a hundred percent before embarking on a project.

Source:https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/improve-your-executive-presence?utm_source=TWITTER&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Insights&Date=20171202&linkId=45415505

Uploaded Date:13 December 2017

A lot of financially rich people tend to be unhappy. This is because of a typical lack of balance. To find genuine success, one needs to balance the spiritual, physical, financial and relational aspects in life. One needs to constantly grow at one’s work, trying new things along the way. One also needs frequent rests, by not working too much. Instead, there ought to be the occasional sabbaticals or mini-retirements. The balance sought needs sacrifices by cutting down on unnecessary items and entertainment. One any opportunity is missed, it is unlikely to return. To dream up the bigger things, professionals need to experiment with business innovations time and again. This will also entail giving up on bad habits.

Source:https://www.inc.com/benjamin-p-hardy/why-most-people-will-never-be-successful_1.html?cid=sf01001&sr_share=twitter

Uploaded date:13 December 2017

Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook lost her husband two years back and wrote a book with Wharton professor of psychology Adam Grant on recovering from the trauma. The duo came to the conclusion that building resilience was crucial in sustaining relationships throughout one’s life. A lot of resilience gets naturally built in during periods of such tragedy. Little gestures can help the aggrieved to return back to a somewhat normal life. At Facebook, due to excellent talent management practices, employees are afforded enough time to get back after suffering personal setbacks of such multitude. There exist three Ps that are responsible for holding back the healing process. The first such is Personalization, where the sufferer blames oneself for the tragedy. The next is Pervasiveness which assumes that post the tragedy, every facet of life will be touched by it, and normal relations or work cannot go on. The final one is Permanence which confines the initial grief forever. One needs to get past these 3 Ps as rapidly as possible.

Source:http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/what-to-do-when-life-hands-you-option-b/

Uploaded Date:13 December 2017