We aren't built to be happy

Jonathan Clements, who writes a column for the Wall Street Journal, says "rather, we are built to survive and reproduce. We wouldn't be here today if our ancestors didn't struggle mightily to protect and feed their families. The promise of happiness, meanwhile, is just a trick to jolly us along."

A Harvard professor offers further advice. Author of "Stumbling on Happiness," he says:

Suppose you think you will be happier if you move to a small rural town,
adopt a child, or quit your job and become a high school math teacher.

Don't rely on the opinions of people who live in small towns, have adopted
kids or become teachers. Instead, spend some time observing these folks --
and see whether they're happy.

Gossip is a message to leaders

Gossip has a negative connotation, but it could also be called "strategic information sharing", says Michael Morris, professor at Columbia Business School.

"Gossips fills an information void, and it can be considered a warning to management to do a better job of communicating to employees", Says Mitch Kusy, professor at Antioch University.

Gossip is a natural part of human evolutions, says David Sloan Wilson, an evolutionary biologist at Binghamton University. "Human beings are voracious consumers of information...That's why we call gossip 'juicy.' It's like tasty food and we hunger for it. And because humans are cooperative animals, when I get a piece of information you need, I just have to give it to you"

- from Career Couch, Eileen Zimmerman, New York Times

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Women are more honest leaders?

I was intrigued by this recent passage :

An MIT economist, Esther Duflo, looked at India, which has
required female leaders in one-third of village councils since the mid-1990's.
Professor Duflo and her colleagues found that by objective standards, the women
ran the villages better than men. For example, women constructed and maintained
wells better, and took fewer bribes.

- 2/10/08 article in the New York Times by Nicholas D. Kristoff

Stop unwanted communications

One big time-killer is unwanted communications, such as phone calls, mail, and email. A good overview is "Top 10 Opt-Outs" posted on a web site called:

http://www.worldprivacyforum.org/

Two other websites that I have found to be effective:

Direct Marketing Association (DMA) website: http://www.dmachoice.com/

And my wife's favorite site to stop unwanted physical mail (and plant trees!): http://www.greendimes.com/

History of Religion

I think the best single map to understand today's world issues (as well as simply a good example of how to display complex data) is at:

http://www.mapsofwar.com/ind/history-of-religion.html

But Need to be Tough Executive In Touch Positions

As a contrary to "soft powers" of teamwork and flexibility, it looks like more hard-nosed skills are needed for business success at buyout companies.

The study by University of Chicago professors looked at 225 CEO's, primarily in among buy-out companies and was reportedin 11/19/07 WSJ report by George Anders.

Traits That Mattered included: Persistence, Attention to Detail, Efficiency, Analytical Skills, and Setting High Standards.

Lower Ranking Traits included: Strong Oral Communication, Teamwork, Flexibility, Enthusiasm, and Listening Skills.

Hint: Seems like better employee life at at a PRE buy-out company!

Top Management, Today, Needs "Soft" Powers

Joseph Nye, dean of Harvard's School of Government, came up with the term "soft power" to describe the nonmilitary ways that a nation can influence others.

But the term is applicable for executives as well, says Fortune writer Goeff Colvin in a 12/10/07 article. CEO's once ruled by fear, but that is not effective in a world marked by powerful shareholders, new competitors, and skeptical employees.

The new executive attribute is "soft power" to inspire and activate employees rather than "hard power" to command them.

Hobbies raise self-esteem and confidence

A nice article in the NY times by Eilene Zimmerman emphasizes the surprising vital role of hobbies in lives of professionals.

She cites medical studies that activities you enjoy stimulate the "feel good" part of your brain. And this enjoyment then can help you think more creatively and give you confidence.

The hobby also allows you to hedge your bets in the cycles of ups and downs in your emotional life (i.e. you're not totally dependent on your job) and allows you to have perception of yourself outside of work and family.

Manage Family Calendars

Good article in 10/30/07 WSJ on managing multiple family calendars.

Options included Google (calendar.google.com), Yahoo (calendar.yahoo.com), and Famundo.com (which even offers a family message board!).

Then there is the old written calendar on the family fridge or pantry door. That is how summer is planned out in our house!

Get Your Employees Fired Up!

Some great stories in a new book by Yum Brands CEO David Novak called "The Education of an Accidental CEO":

He reminds us to do "whatever it takes to get people fired up." Praise is a key feature. "You can never underestimate the power of telling someone he's doing a good job. ..The higher up the ladder you are, the more important it is to give credit rather than receive it...Be on the lookout for reasons to celebrate the achievements of others."

He sends out congralutory handwritten notes to subordinates, with smiley faces.

I have found this to be excellent advice. When I worked at Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, managers were even ranked on their success in celebrating achievements. It worked, even when a bit canned, because it's the "reality show" of human emotions (drama of giving and receiving praise).