In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Benjamin Johnson about leveraging goal setting and OKR's to create maximum efficiency in your team. Benjamin Johnson is a serial technical co-founder with a track record of success and hands-on open-source programming experience. He has a wide range of being both a board-level advisor and founder but also an in-depth understanding of how things work. Through his 20+ years as a software developer and leader, he has gained extensive experience with remotely distributed development teams and business hacks. Benjamin is the CEO & Founder of Particle41, a dev firm founded by industry veterans that aims to help companies accelerate their initiatives through Software Development, DevOps, and Data Science. Check out all of the podcasts in the HCI Podcast Network (https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/HCI) !

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Benjamin Johnson about leveraging goal setting and OKR's to create maximum efficiency in your team. Benjamin Johnson is a serial technical co-founder with a track record of success and hands-on open-source programming experience. He has a wide range of being both a board-level advisor and founder but also an in-depth understanding of how things work. Through his 20+ years as a software developer and leader, he has gained extensive experience with remotely distributed development teams and business hacks. Benjamin is the CEO & Founder of Particle41, a dev firm founded by industry veterans that aims to help companies accelerate their initiatives through Software Development, DevOps, and Data Science.

This video examines the issue of microaggressions in increasingly diverse workplaces, which refer to subtle verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights that communicate negative messages about a person's marginalized identity. Research shows that the cumulative effect of microaggressions can negatively impact minorities' mental health, job satisfaction, and sense of belonging. The video outlines strategies for both individuals and organizations to address microaggressions. Individual approaches include educating respectfully, debriefing privately, seeking support from allies, and prioritizing mental wellness. Organizational strategies involve implementing implicit bias and microaggression training, clear anti-discrimination policies, accountability structures, leadership commitment to inclusion, and safe spaces for marginalized groups. By taking these steps, the video argues, companies can foster truly inclusive work cultures where diverse identities feel respected and able to thrive.

Organizations seeking long-term success must thoughtfully evolve their leadership approaches to stay relevant in changing times. While past achievements are valuable, leaders must resist complacency and focus on anticipating and shaping the future. This involves scanning the external environment for shifts in demographics, technology, competition, and social/cultural trends, and establishing foundational leadership practices like vision, strategy, learning cultures, stakeholder engagement, and performance management. Recognizing the limitations of traditional hierarchies, leaders must also empower distributed decision-making, apply adaptive leadership principles to tackle complex challenges, and foster continuous improvement through experimentation, data-driven decisions, and reflective practices that embrace inherent organizational paradoxes - blending stability with openness to adaptive evolution in order to transition from past success to future relevance.

Abstract: The article explores the benefits of utilizing Friday afternoons as a strategic planning period to maximize productivity and prepare for the week ahead. Research shows that the reduced cognitive load at the end of the workweek allows for more reflective and forward-thinking perspectives. Taking time to review accomplishments, assess priorities, and outline plans supports knowledge-building and provides a short mental break that boosts subsequent performance. The article provides practical guidance for organizations to implement structured Friday planning sessions, including communicating upcoming focuses, setting reminders, and role modeling the behavior. Examples from leading technology and professional services firms demonstrate how the practice can pay dividends in productivity, clarity, and continued progress for both employees and the broader organization.  

This video examines why some high-performing employees feel overlooked and underappreciated in the workplace, despite their hard work and contributions. The video identifies several organizational factors that can lead to "invisible employees," including lack of clear performance metrics, unassertive communication styles, undervalued roles, internal politics, and work overload. To address this issue, the video recommends that companies implement objective performance measures, encourage employees to take ownership of their visibility, support innovative initiatives, provide stretch assignments, and develop political acumen. The video also emphasizes the importance of intentional leadership in counteracting attribution bias and ensuring valuable employees feel seen and recognized. By adopting these strategies, organizations can better retain and advance their top talent, benefiting both individual careers and overall organizational success.

Abstract: This paper explores four key attributes that define great organizational leaders: confidence, connection, commitment, and courage. Academic research and practical examples demonstrate how these qualities of character are equally significant for leadership effectiveness as technical skills and strategic abilities. Confident leaders believe in their vision and inspire optimism, while connected leaders build trust and motivation through strong relationships. Committed leaders prioritize organizational and individual development over self-interest, while courageous leaders persevere through challenges with integrity. Cultivating these four attributes provides a critical foundation for maximizing positive influence and impact as a leader, regardless of industry or context. The research and application show that developing confidence, connection, commitment, and courage is vital for any aspiring or current leader aiming to drive success.

# resilience #positivepsychology #neuroscience #personaldevelopment #shorts