Prologue by NIDA’s Post

Procrastination Sparks Creativity Some level of procrastination can spark and enhance #creativity, says Adam Grant in this TED talk. I can attest to this in the design field, where a project that is assigned and you need to complete it immediately tends to be less creatively charged than work that you can ruminate on for a while. Your best ideas commonly come when you are away from the computer and out in the wild (or in the shower). Giving yourself some time to think and develop more creative ideas is the key to success in times when you’re tasked with design work or solving problems. Watch Adam’s humorous and entertaining talk here: The surprising habits of original thinkers | Adam Grant | TED https://lnkd.in/gEgFTQk4

In a world defined by rapid change, constant challenges, and intricate relationships, the ability to navigate emotions has emerged as a superpower. Daniel Goleman’s work on Emotional Intelligence (EI) transcends theoretical constructs; it is a call to action for living with authenticity, fostering meaningful relationships, and building resilient communities. At its core, Emotional Intelligence teaches us to master ourselves so that we can meaningfully contribute to others and leave an enduring legacy. The journey to emotional mastery begins within. Self-awareness and self-regulation form the cornerstone of personal transformation. Self-awareness is not merely recognizing your emotions—it’s about diving deeper to uncover patterns and understand your core values. https://lnkd.in/d_HBR3K5

We can’t let ourselves forget what Shakespeare said about the human experience. “All the world’s a stage…and one man, in his time, plays many parts.” Your experience, both professionally and personally, is part of your story; a story you write everyday. Be intentional about your Narrative. Who are you? What are your motives? Your goals? Write a story you want to read in 20 years. #professionaldevelopment #personaldevelopment

How to Handle Criticism Like a Pro! In this insightful chapter, we explore strategies for handling public criticism and overcoming challenges. Join Speaker_00 as they share their personal journey, revealing how to cultivate resilience and transform criticism into growth. Discover effective techniques to toughen up and navigate public scrutiny with confidence. #HandlingCriticism #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #LifeChallenges #PublicSpeaking #SelfImprovement #OvercomingObstacles #MentalStrength #ConfidenceBuilding #LeadershipSkills

Have you heard of the Scenery, Machinery, People framework? I hadn't until I participated in a workshop on "Developing Empathy" last week. The session was facilitated by the brilliant Kris Acheson-Clair, Director CILMAR and Aparajita Chatterjee Jaiswal, PhD, Intercultural Research specialist, CILMAR. The framework explores how we consider people in terms of Scenery, Machinery, and People. Scenery refers to those who are worth looking at and talking about, while Machinery includes those who help us accomplish goals and get work done. People, on the other hand, are well, people - family, friends, and neighbors with whom we have complex relationships that involve give and take. The workshop was eye-opening and made me reflect on who falls into each category for me. Have you considered who your Scenery, Machinery, and People are? And for whom are you Scenery, Machinery, and People? It's a fascinating exercise that sheds light on our relationships and how we view those around us. It definitely was an eye opener for me. #learning #interpersonalskills #empathy

Nice and effective concept,,, #crossculturalcommunicationskills

This course “Leverage the Power of Curiosity at Work to Adapt and Grow with Francesca Gino” was excellent and I could really relate to the creative environments where I have thrived, and the times when I have struggled because of a constrained environment that lacks Curiosity. I Highly recommend this video.  https://lnkd.in/e9iRZYSs #personaldevelopment.

The third section of our Mastering the Art of Listening series focused on Navigating Emotions Through Listening, and Victor Manuel Melendez offered this powerful perspective: “Shifting from blaming to solving starts with recognizing our own defensiveness and focusing on understanding instead of reacting.” At ECI, we’ve seen how empathetic listening can strengthen relationships, build trust, and drive collaboration. Recognizing our own reactions is the first step in moving from conflict to resolution. What strategies have you used to manage defensiveness and focus on understanding? Let’s keep the conversation going! #EmotionalAwareness #EmpathyInLeadership #ConflictManagement #TrustBuilding #MasteringListening #SpeakerSeries #WeAreECI

We need to build a reflective habit to notice how we experience meaning at work. Equipped with this self-knowledge, we can craft more meaning into our work and course-correct early. The work of Teresa Amabile PhD also emphasised the need for reflection: the daily diaries or logs were instrumental in making visible what was meaningful and kept people engaged, leading ultimately to what we now know as Progress Principle. https://buff.ly/3Ui5vwq #reflectivepractice #reflection #coachingskills #meaningfulwork

The Monkey Shakespeare Project: A Lesson in Prioritisation Imagine you're tasked with teaching a monkey to recite Shakespeare while standing on a 10-foot pedestal. What's your first step? Build the pedestal or train the monkey? The real challenge is training the monkey, not constructing the pedestal. Dr Astro Teller of Google Innovations fame gave the Shakespeare monkey scenario as a way to explain the importance of working on the hardest parts of a problem first. In business, we often find ourselves "building pedestals" first: - It's tangible progress - It feels like we're halfway done - It can lead to short-term rewards (bonuses, promotions) Why? Egos are fragile. We praise pedestal-builders in meetings to avoid hurt feelings, instead of addressing the core challenge and more importantly reducing risk. Building the pedestal first removes zero percent of the risk. 💡 Lesson: Do the hard parts first. Focus on the high-risk, high-impact tasks first. Don't let the illusion of progress distract you from the real objectives. #DigitalTransformation #Prioritisation #MonkeyShakespeareProject