Circle Three: the thirteenth
Good job. Learning. Connections.
Welcome back to Circle Three!
Nothing beats a good connection of ideas. I had one such great moment this past week while learning about sales and persuasion in Daniel Pink's Masterclass. The sixth lesson of the series brought up the 5 Why's that I mentioned in the links a few weeks ago. It was also the most-clicked link from the tenth issue.
Not only is the 5 Why’s a powerful tool, but it resonates across industries and use-cases, from sales and persuasion to product research. You’ll be hearing more about what I’ve learned from Daniel Pink.
In the meantime, look through some awesome links this week about USPS and a video database.
Cheers,
Dan
So what’s Circle Three? For new readers, the name comes from Seth Godin’s Linchpin, where he posits that the internet has created a circle beyond family and business: a tribe. Where knowledge is exchanged and our gifts are shared.
Thanks for being a part of this third circle. Let’s create something.
One Big Idea
“Learning stuff was less important than learning about oneself. Exploration is not just a whimsical luxury of education; it is a central benefit.” ― David Epstein, “Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World”
Learning is one of the only constants in life. To live is to experience; to grow and age is to learn. During formal education, it’s crucial to explore through internships and class subjects. As working professionals, we can continue that exploration to learn about ourselves.
Circles of Thought
Both the Lindy effect and Bitcoin have been on my radar the past year. Here they combine to explain why Bitcoin may be here to stay if examined through the lens of the Lindy Effect.
Anyone who has shipped recently with USPS knows there are package delays. USPS delivers 500 million pieces of mail per day with their recognizable Grumman LLV vehicles, which tend to be self-immolating. Yes, they catch fire. Quite frequently I might add (34 times in 2020, check out the pictures). Talks have been underway for more than five years to upgrade the vehicle.
Mixkit is a free, online, high-quality video database for your next presentation or project. It’s an amazing resource for your presentation arsenal.
A great discussion of OKRs within startups, with examples from experiences at recognizable corporations.
I, like many millennials/creatives, have an online portfolio. This designer redesigns his portfolio every year to be reflective. Learn more about his discoveries here.
Inner Circle: Good Job
Positive and negative comments and saying “good job”
Positive and negative comments. One intrigues, while the other makes for sweaty palms.
Something I’ve done for a couple of years now is telling the server at a restaurant “good job" when wrapping up the meal if he or she did good work. Most people are not comfortable with being told or telling someone good job. We aren't used to it. And even making that comment can get some curious glances.
The Harvard Business Review studied the effects of positive and negative criticism. They found the ideal ratio of positive to negative feedback hovered around five. Dr. Gottman of the Gottman Institute found the same in his study of hundreds of married couples.
That means five positive criticisms to every one negative criticism!
One look at comments online or in the typical workplace and you know that's not the usual ratio. It's easy to give someone negative criticism, pointing out where he or she comes up short and where to improve.
One way to offer positive criticism is appreciation, something I've talked about and continue to be drawn to the applications in everyday life.
To revisit: Appreciation = empathy * information * action
Intentional and outward appreciation fosters healthy relationships and puts both parties at ease.
It helps to reach that 5:1 ratio, and true appreciation counters negative criticisms that are so easy to latch onto.
Heaps of praise can be undone by one complaint or outspoken unsatisfied customer.
Waiters and waitresses are undervalued and under-appreciated. Certainly not a position that hits the magical 5:1 ratio. A simple “good job” usually brings a smile to the server’s face, shows recognition of their work, and even boosts my mood. It combines empathy to understand that the work can be a struggle, information to know what to appreciate, and an action to offer the comment.
This week's call to action: try to notice small moments of positivity and create more positive interactions in your day. Do you contribute to building an environment that has a 5:1 ratio of positive to negative comments/criticisms?
State of the Circle
Dan is a mechanical design engineer interested in the intersection of design and technology. I love making connections between concepts and passions. Start a conversation and reply to this email with what you’re working on.
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