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Being yourself is not always an easy taskespecially at work. But new research finds the ability to do so comes easier to some than to others, for a surprising reason. The ability to be authentic on the job also has a great deal to do with how well-liked you are. In a series of studies involving thousands of participants, social psychologists at Columbia Business School found that social status (defined as how well liked someone is) is deeply important when it comes to being yourself. Our findings suggest that social status may be as important as self-esteem in increasing authenticity, which is surprising, said Erica R. Bailey, a Ph.D. student who worked on the studies, said. Dr. James T. Carter, another one of the researchers and an assistant professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University, told Fast Company that the study used Bailey’s previous work, which developed ways to quantify authenticity. The studies involved conversations between strangers which took place over Zoom. The researchers then manipulated social status in follow up experiments. Researchers created scenarios, such as one where participants were told if they were selected or not for Employee of the Month, which was based on being “well-respected and admired by others.” They were asked to write about how the experience made them feel. Carter said the experiments showed that social status increased “felt and expressed authenticity.” The experiments seemed to indicate that popularity matters deeply (even long after high school). So much so, Carter says, that it’s an even more important factor than rank or position when it comes to being able to show up as yourself at work. “This is interesting from a research standpoint because prior work would argue that formal rank (or power) is critically important for authenticity, but we find the story is a bit more complicated than that,” Carter said. Carter added, Although both are relevant for authenticity, it is social status that really lets people be their authentic selves.” The ability to feel comfortable being authentic at work matters. Previous research has found that authenticity is a huge driver of happiness. A 2020 meta analysis found that authenticity is key to employee engagement and overall well-being. The latest research suggests that high school guidance counselors were wrong. Popularity does matter even after high school. In fact, it may be one of the most powerful tools one has at the office. And, perhaps, in life.
Category:
E-Commerce
If it feels harder to get people to accept your ideas in virtual meetings its not surprising. When so much communication is virtual, reaching and inspiring people with your thinking is more difficult than ever. Want to reach your boss, customers, or colleagues? This article presents the steps needed to get across your ideas in meetings. #1 KEEP THE CAMERAS ON First, urge everyone to keep their cameras on. In most meetings, maintaining visual contact is the norm. But if this is not the practice, urge the moderator or your colleagues to keep their cameras on. Body language and facial gestures play a big role in persuasion. Seeing others allows you to read your audience. Strong body language and eye contact on your part will strengthen your pitch. #2 CHOOSE THE RIGHT MOMENT Second, if you are going to get buy-in for an idea, broach your topic at the best time. If its a formal meeting, be sure to get yourself on the agenda. People will take your views more seriously if they see you have been allotted time on the agenda. But if the meeting is more informal, listen carefully for the right moment. For example, if your boss has said I want to assign you another client, dont rush in with your defensive reply, but wait for your boss to explain. Or if you are selling to a customer and the issue of pricing comes up, let your customer share their thinking about costs before you jump in. The more input you can get from others, the better your response will be. #3: BEGIN BY BRIDGING Third, begin your pitch with a reference to what others have said. This will show that you have heard and respect the views of others. If its a formal meeting and you have prepared your remarks in advance, begin by creating a context for your views. Acknowledge the input of colleagues and credit those who have made your proposal possible. Bridge, as well, by building on the exchanges at the meeting and crediting your colleagues for their ideas. For example: Our discussion has focused on the new hiring practices. And the HR team has done a great job defining these. Now Id like to suggest how we can get buy-in from the support staff. Avoid adversarial relationships and bridging words such as but, however, In contrast, or I dont agree. Find common ground. #4 MAKE YOUR POINT SUCCINCTLY Fourth, keep your remarks short and to the point. After bridging from what others have said, present your message in one sentence (and only one sentence!). It is often an I believe statement or something that clearly positions your thinking. For example: I believe that we should offer this client a second option. Or My view is that we should proceed with a more cost-efficient plan. Follow the message with proof points. These are arguments that support your message. There are several ways you can prove your message: (1) Give reasons; (2) Show ways to implement your plan; (3) Present an example that shows why your pitch is important. #5: END WITH A CALL TO ACTION Fifth, end with a call to action. Indicate the steps that need to be taken to implement your idea. It could be the action you want to take, steps you want your audience to follow, or a plan youll undertake together. Whatever the action, it should be something that your entire pitch has pointed to. With the call to action, you are moving your audience toward something tangible that youd like to see happen. With this final element, your pitch becomes actionable. You can find a full discussion of impromptu meeting scripts in my book Impromptu: Leading in the Moment.
Category:
E-Commerce
Student loan borrowers face an ominous deadline as Labor Day approaches. The Trump administration announced earlier this year that it planned to resume collections for borrowers behind on their student loan payments, setting a deadline of later this summer. In May, the Education Department began sending an estimated 195,000 student loan borrowers default notifications that their federal benefits would be subject to collections, starting in June. The agency said that later this summer, all 5.3 million defaulted student loan borrowers would receive notices that their wages could be garnished. The Trump administration hasnt announced an official date, but with summer almost over, student loan holders should expect the changes imminently. Student loan payments were paused early in the COVID-19 pandemic to provide financial relief as Americans weathered an uncertain economy. The student loan relief was originally intended to last for just a few months but was repeatedly extended, first by the Trump administration and then by former President Biden during his time in office. American taxpayers will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for irresponsible student loan policies, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in April. Going forward, the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury, will shepherd the student loan program responsibly and according to the law, which means helping borrowers return to repaymentboth for the sake of their own financial health and our nations economic outlook. During his time in office, Biden sought broad forgiveness for student loans, but ultimately, his most far-reaching plans were struck down in court. Between the mixed messages from the current and former White House, its been a lot for borrowers to keep track of. Payments on federal student loans officially resumed in October 2023, with interest kicking back in around the same time, though many student loan borrowers were likely hoping that Biden-era student debt relief proposals might override those changes. The most important change right now will be an unpleasant one for any student loan holders in default. Borrowers behind on their loan payments may again see their paychecks reduced as the federal government claws back its cash. Anyone at risk of wage garnishment can expect a 30-day notice, but its best to contact the government to get on a repayment plan or into a similar program before wage garnishments kick in.
Category:
E-Commerce
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