Reinvention – Leadership Questions

I must admit Reinvention: Changing your life, your career, your future by Arlene Dickinson, this month in our Leadership Book Club was a quick read – the mixture of stories and ideas had me bursting through the content.

Some people in our group found it hit a sweet spot – opening up a conversation they had been itching to have about what really mattered to them, and how they could get more of that in their day to day life (both at work and personally).  Others found,it may be easy to read this book without doing the hard work that comes next…

Leadership Book Club (2020)

After the launch of the Leadership Book Club last year, it is back  – and (hopefully) better than ever! If you didn’t get a chance to participate last year, we covered 4 leadership books over the year, sharing 10 questions you could use to lead your own group on this blog.

This year we’re going to try a slight pivot – moving to a few more books and a few less questions. I’m thrilled to get another chance to meet with inquisitive minds to share different perspectives and personal experiences on a host of leadership topics.  I hope you consider joining in – either sharing in the comments below, or starting your own book club group!

The following six books are on the 2020 roster, in case you’ll be joining in:

Never Split the Difference – Leadership Questions

The third book in our the Leadership Book Club (2019) was Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if your life depended on it by Chris Voss. This is likely my favorite of the series so far – for it’s counter-intuitive yet practical strategies, not only to win at negotiations but to manage conflict better (both at work, and in personal relationships).

Would love to know your thoughts on the following questions in the comments below (and/or use them with your own book club group) :

Dare to Lead – Leadership Questions

The second book in our the Leadership Book Club (2019) was Dare to Lead by Brene Brown. As we were finishing the book, Brene’s Netflix special – ‘the Call to Courage’ came out, which is a must see if you don’t have time to read the book!

As promised, here are some questions to spark conversation – feel free to use with your own book club group, and/or engage in the discussion below in the comments section:

Herding Tigers – Leadership Questions

The first book in the Leadership Book Club (2019) is Herding Tigers: Be the Leader that Creative People Need by Todd Henry.  If you haven’t already picked up a copy and devoured the contents, you need to pronto! This book is one that will stay on my shelves for reference.

As promised, here are some questions – feel free to use with your own book club group, and/or engage in discussion below in the comments section:

Leadership Book Club (2019)

A couple months ago, while curled up leisurely reading in front of a roaring fire, with my bestie at Nordik Spa (here in Ottawa) – an unexpected conversation launched with two other spa-goers inquiring about the books we were reading.

There was laughter. There was insight. It was awesome.

I left feeling more connected, uplifted, and motivated – longing to keep that sort of energy going, I posted on social media about wanting to start a Leadership Book Club.

Do you feel lonely? You are not alone.

With ever expanding avenues and opportunities for connection that technology provides, we may expect loneliness to be a thing of the past – but unfortunately that is far from the truth.

Loneliness can be defined as a subjective, unwelcome feeling of lack or loss of companionship. It happens when we have a mismatch between the quantity and quality of social relationships that we have, and those that we want (Perlman and Peplau, 1981).

This lack of connection and companionship varies in severity – from a feeling that comes and goes, happens primarily at certain times (like holidays), or it could be something you feel most of the time. Loneliness can be classified as emotional (when we miss a particular person and their companionship) or social (when we miss a wider group or network of friends). 

3 Key Insights for Increased Health & Happiness – from an 80 yr Harvard Study

 

Almost 80 years ago, a group of researchers at Harvard embarked on a research project that still continues today – one which has tracked the lives of 724 men and investigated their health (mental and physical), professional lives, as well as relationships.

In looking at the key factors in building a fulfilling, long life – this study has some surprising insights, which can help you appropriately invest your time and energy.

 

1 – Wealth, Fame, and Hard Work have Little Impact

So many of us get caught up in the rat race – pursuing success in the hopes of creating better more fulfilling lives, and supporting the people we love. A recent study asked millennials about their life goals – with 80% indicating wealth and 50% fame related goals. Metrics echoed by the study’s participants when they were of similar age, who said that they believed that wealth, fame and high achievement were key.

Connection Project

Connection.

It’s been a topic that has been on my mind often, as of late – although my curiosity first was peaked back in 2015 during my Happiness Project, where I researched and implemented 12 life hacks to increase positivity and balance after some especially difficult personal setbacks.

During the project, I tried gratitude journaling, meditating, exercising, creating uplifting playlists, disconnecting from technology, prioritizing sleep, auditing my life, making time for passions, giving back, saying no (setting boundaries), as well as investing in meaningful connection.

Invest in 5 intentional relationships – a sense of connection with others has been shown to increase happiness. Take time to really consider the people in your life – your friends and family – and determine 5 key relationships. If you can’t think of 5, it’s time to get out there and meet them! Find ways to invest in these people often: carve time out of your day to ask and listen to them, organize dinner parties, arrange coffee dates, go on nature walks, tell them how much you appreciate sharing moments with them.

Inspirational Person: Marilyn Spink, Engineering Advocate

Marilyn Spink has spent her 30-year career in Engineering (working on projects in mining, pulp and paper industries, steelmaking operations, and consulting engineering). She has led and supported teams of professional engineers and designers to complete projects around the world. She is a licensed professional engineer and a member of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE). In 2014, she was appointed by Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor to Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) and is currently Vice President Appointed. Spink is married to Jamie Gerson, also a professional engineer, who is extremely supportive of all her interests and a wonderful father to their three children.

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What has been one of the most rewarding parts of your career?

Building stuff and helping people. It is rewarding to see your ideas become real and improve the lives of the people who use whatever you built, or grow from the advice you have provided to them. I am always learning, but the more I learn the more I realize don’t know. My learning is mostly about self-discovery these days. I need to speak less and listen more!

With only 11% of Professional Engineers in Ontario being women, what unique value do you think the female perspective brings to solving Engineering problems?

Women are socialized differently than men. The unique value women bring to solving Engineering problems is simply a different perspective – period. A bunch of similar people (age, race, gender, backgrounds) speaking & working with one another hinders