That's it, what to say about... Oh wait up, what's this? An email alert from the boss. Can't ignore that. And my phone just pinged me. And before you know it, an hour's gone by and this blog is going nowhere.

It's a problem we've likely all faced. It's difficult to give your attention to just one thing over the course of a working day. When did you last manage it? So many other nudges, notifications and essential updates jostle for your attention.

And that's just the work stuff. Add all the funny noises my phone makes, and a bad day can be a constant battle to concentrate on anything.

A Crisis of Focus

This is a relatively recent phenomenon. But it's getting worse. How much worse? Well, as Johann Hari is keen to explain in his book "Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention," the forces determined to attract and keep our attention are everywhere, and they're enormously powerful.

And we aren't doing enough to help ourselves. Sound like something from the "Matrix" movie franchise? It's not. "Stolen Focus" isn't a bunch of conspiracy theories. It’s based on many interviews with leading experts in everything from Big Tech to sleep deprivation.

And the picture they paint is a disturbing one.

The Battle for Attention

First, they really are out to get us. There are whole industries dedicated to grabbing our attention. They offer what we think of as rewards – bonus points, membership privileges, that sort of thing – and in return we give them our data.

Then they use that data to build complex profiles of us so that they can put adverts before us for things they know we want.

If that sounds sinister, consider what else behavioral scientists and data analysts can use that data for. They can predict not just what we might want to buy, but what we think about bigger issues. Even how we might vote. If they can predict something, they will likely try to influence it.

Sure, we can switch off our devices. We can lock them away. If we're lucky, we can escape to remote locations – as Hari does. But we're still susceptible. We're still experiencing something close to addiction.

How We Steal Our Own Focus

Second, we harm our own attention from the moment we get up. All too often we grab high-fat, high-sugar snacks rather than proper food. We expose ourselves to brain-damaging pollution daily.

When we do finally put aside the screens to go to bed, we can't sleep properly. So our brains are exhausted, and our ability to focus takes another knock.

Many of us also live in cultures that value the quick fix. So doctors prescribe vast quantities of drugs to treat ADHD, depression and sleeplessness, while leaving the root causes untouched.

In some cases, these causes are to do with innate psychological problems and brain chemistry. But for many people, maybe most, it's the environment in which they live that's the problem.

The Will to Change – and Why We Often Can't

There's another insidious factor at work, and again it's cultural. Hari calls it "cruel optimism." We all want to believe that we can change. That belief should be empowering.

But it's double-edged. If we fail to give up junk food, Twitter, or playing video games until 3 a.m., it's on us. Our willpower's the problem. Never mind that billions of dollars are spent every year trying to overcome that willpower.

Reclaiming Our Attention

It's a grim picture. So are there any positives? Well, we can take steps to change the way we behave as individuals, cruel optimism or not. Hari outlines them. And we can learn lessons from some societies that have taken steps to address this constant erosion of attention.

But Hari's main targets throughout are larger scale. They're industrial complexes and dysfunctional societies. And they will only change how they behave through collective action. Whether it's because customers or activists demand it, or governments enforce it, it'll still be a long-term battle.

"Stolen Focus" is a wake-up call. It deserves our attention – if we can spare it. Because the consequences of whole societies being in a state of distraction are dire. They certainly go beyond whether this blog gets finished or not.

So I'll definitely be turning off the laptop earlier, and spending more time with a good book. As soon as I've checked Twitter, obviously.

Listen to Our "Stolen Focus" Book Insight

We review the best new business books and the tested classics in our monthly Book Insights, available as text or as 15-minute audio recordings.

So, if you're a Mind Tools Club member or corporate user, listen to the "Stolen Focus" Book Insight now!

If you haven't already signed up, join the Mind Tools Club and gain access to our 2,400+ resources, including 390+ Book Insights. For corporate licensing, ask for a demo with one of our team.

About the Author

Simon has been researching, writing and editing non-fiction for over 30 years. In that time he's worked on educational courses, scientific journals, and mass-market trade books about everything from popular psychology to buying houses in Bulgaria. In the last 20 years he's specialized in simplifying complex subjects, and helping readers to learn new skills. Away from work he listens to good music, watches bad football, and is fascinated by medieval history.

The post Time to Focus on Our Dangerous Lack of Focus appeared first on Mind Tools.

I frequently ask thought-provoking questions like these to get people really thinking in a way that they won't usually do by themselves.

Why don't they? Well, maybe because the process of being coached means that you have to "open up" and essentially be vulnerable. Which most of us – me included – are not comfortable doing naturally.

I often hear people compare coaching sessions to therapy and in many ways it is. As a nutrition coach, I know all too well how a discussion about unwanted habits and behaviors can open up waves of emotion very quickly. After all, these habits and behaviors stem from previous life experiences.

Let Your Coach Be Your Guide

So why do people seek out coaching? Well, they're looking for answers. However, as I said, good coaches don't necessarily have the answers.

Instead, they have the unique ability to guide people and get them thinking differently, to effectively find the answers themselves… the answers that they had all along.

And that's just it, true coaching isn't telling people where their next career step needs to be or how many calories are in an avocado… that's what Google is for!

A good analogy for this and something I often remind myself of is:

"A good coach is like a mountain guide. They can lead you up the right path, they know when to adjust the pace, and they can keep you motivated throughout the climb. But what they won't do is chuck you on their back and carry you up the mountain themselves."

Why I Started to Coach

For a number of years now I've been fortunate enough to be able to pursue my passion for coaching, specifically nutrition coaching. Almost 10 years ago, I found myself falling head over heels in love… with CrossFit.

But don't worry, I won't be talking about that today! My interest in how nutrition has a huge part to play in performance consumed me, I needed to know more.

From counting calories and experimenting with different diets, I found that people would come to me for advice, and you know what? It felt good. That warm fuzzy feeling you get when you help someone progress and get better is just second to none. And I wanted more.

Helping people with performance was great, but, for me, it was kind of a temporary fix. I wanted to help on an almost life-changing level. And soon I found myself asking what everyday people usually struggle with and how I can help them make bigger, long-lasting lifestyle changes.

The health and fitness industry is filled with endless agendas, false claims and expensive products. So I wanted to empower people with the knowledge, understanding and, more importantly, the self-belief to navigate that tsunami of misinformation.

The Power of Coaching

So we now know that instead of giving people the answers they need, the most impactful way of coaching is to ask the right questions.

That empowers people to find the answers that they were searching for, and the decision to change is theirs instead of someone else giving orders.

For example, giving someone direct advice would look like:

"You really need to stop eating three takeaways a week and binge drinking on weekends."

However, coaching someone would go something like:

"Do you feel your current habits are helping you reach your goals?"

Think about it, when someone tells you what to do what's your instant reaction? Likely to reject them immediately, with a side order of, "Don't tell me what to do." Especially if it comes across in a forceful way.

But a conversation can be subtly steered so that someone will come to a conclusion and make a decision themselves. And this is the ultimate catalyst for change.

5 Essential Qualities of a Great Coach

While everyone coaches slightly differently, I've found that there are a few essential qualities to being a successful coach. A great coach will:

• Ask questions… a lot of them.
• Connect with their client.
• Let the client set the tone.
• Know when to shut up!
• Identify the resistance to change.

I Like Your Style

While coaching principles remain the same, coaching styles can differ. And this all depends on who you're coaching. For example, you may be coaching someone who is confident and "shoots from the hip," and requires a more direct set of questions with a slightly firmer tone.

On the other hand, some will feel more vulnerable to the coaching process, and so you want to tread lightly with direct questioning and approach with more empathy.

With this in mind, it's important to truly understand someone and what they have going on in their lives. It's so vital that you connect with the individual. A good coach will even know how to adjust the pace or intensity, depending on how the person being coached is feeling that day.

Shut Up and Listen

So how do you know how and when to adjust your style? Easy… you shut up and listen. It sounds so straightforward, but the simple act of listening and "leaving the space open" allows the client to open up.

This is your opportunity to pay attention to what they're saying, especially at the start when they will be more scared of change and resistant to your efforts. Because seeking out and identifying this resistance to change is the key to moving in the right direction.

Do you have experience as a coach or being coached? What do you think makes a great coach? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

About the Author:
Joe is an experienced Marketing professional and Nutrition Coach, with a drive to change people's habits and beliefs to help achieve life-changing health and fitness goals. He's also a husband and father with a passion for CrossFit and Olympic Lifting.

The post What Makes a Great Coach? – 5 Essential Qualities appeared first on Mind Tools.

With Juneteenth 2022 fast approaching, we answer the top questions about the holiday and explore the history behind it.

When Is Juneteenth?

June 19 – hence the name! (June + nineteenth = Juneteenth.)

Originating in Texas, Juneteenth has been celebrated since 1879. And last year (2021) President Biden made it a federal holiday.

What Is the Juneteenth Flag?

The official Juneteenth flag (right) consists of the American flag colors, and two stars in the center. The five-point star represents Texas (as the Lone Star State) but also the freedom of enslaved people in all 50 states. The larger star around it signifies a new beginning for African Americans. In 2007, white text was added to the right side of the flag: June 19, 1865.

Many people also use the Pan-African flag (below) to represent Juneteenth.

History of Juneteenth

Juneteenth was founded at the end of the Civil War, when the Union (Northern states) wanted to abolish slavery, but the Confederates (Southern states) did not.

At the beginning of 1863, in the middle of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln issued a piece of legislature that supposedly freed enslaved people in the 11 Confederate states. This was called the Emancipation Proclamation.

But it wasn’t until the end of the Civil War, when the Union military defeated the Confederacy, that enslaved people fully gained, and began to learn of, their legal right to freedom.

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and shared the news with the African-American population. Word spread through the state, eventually reaching all 250,000 enslaved people there.

That December, slavery in America was formally abolished with the adoption of the 13th Amendment.

What Does Juneteenth Mean Today?

The holiday still commemorates the day that Texan slaves learned of their liberation, but in the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, as well as those in the more recent Buffalo shooting, Juneteenth has added significance today. It has always been a time to celebrate life and Black culture with family and friends, and to remember the people who fought for Black freedom and rights, but now more than ever it is a time for reflection, too. To examine how far we have come – but also how far we have to go.

Systemic and historic racism has created a ripple effect that is still impacting Black lives today. We see it in the poverty divide, for example. In 2021, there were more than twice as many Black people living below the poverty line in the U.S. as there were white people in the same position.

Clearly, we still have a way to go.

You can read a personal story about the effects of racism in our blog, Racism, George Floyd, BLM, and Me.

How Is Juneteenth Celebrated?

Today, Juneteenth is typically celebrated with cookouts, rodeos, street fairs, performances and parades, picnics, and more. Historically, Juneteenth celebrations included political rallies and helping Black people to register to vote.

How to Celebrate Juneteenth as an Ally

Regardless of the color of your skin, it's important to know about Black history so that we can ensure a fairer future. And the more you understand about other people's struggles, the better an ally you can be for them. The simplest thing you can do to show your support this Juneteenth is to learn more about the holiday and about Black history.

Another practical step you can take is to support Black creators and buy from Black-owned businesses. You could also donate to non-profits and charities that support Black communities.

How We Are Celebrating Juneteenth

We wanted to know how our colleagues, friends and followers plan to celebrate Juneteenth. Here are some of the things they have planned for the holiday:

Sonia Harris – Coach/Moderator at Mind Tools and Owner of Vizbrandent, LLC

"I first learned about Juneteenth midway through college and still have mixed emotions about this important day. Juneteenth has largely been excluded from classroom discussions, the social studies curriculum that includes American history, and many textbooks in the United States.

"Juneteenth is an observance that has been around for decades in the United States, and our current president just signed it into law as a federal holiday in 2021. For me, this day serves as a regular reminder that my country has grown but still has a long way to go.  Though not mandated, there is a stronger opportunity for education now that the observance is official and national. I do enjoy learning history, but admittedly, I do not celebrate June 19th or July 4th."

Mike Barzacchini – Coach at Mind Tools and Director of Marketing Services at Harper College

"I work at a large community college outside of the city of Chicago. We commemorate and celebrate a number of equity and DEI holidays and observances throughout the year, including Juneteenth.

"For the first time, our state, Illinois, is recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday. And each year, I've noted a growing number of celebrations, festivals, markets, and music and poetry performances in our neighborhood and nearby communities.

"Along with attending one or more of these, I'll also use my day off from work as a time of personal reflection about our country's history as well as how I can take personal responsibility and action to help create a free and equitable society now and in the future."

How are you celebrating Juneteenth? Whether you're doing something small or big, we want to know... so please share what you're planning for Juneteenth in the comments section, below.

The post What Is Juneteenth? – All You Need to Know appeared first on Mind Tools.

Who We've Been Learning About for Black History Month

From entrepreneurs Madame C.J. Walker and Ade Hassan, to civil rights change-makers Harriet Tubman and Maya Angelou, here's an inspiring selection of women recommended by colleagues at Mind Tools, this Black History Month:

Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) – Slave, Abolitionist, Spy, and Care-Giver

Nominated by Vicky Williams, Group CEO at Mind Tools' parent company, Emerald Group.

"If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the wood, keep going. If there's shouting after you, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going."

Harriet Tubman.

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in 1822 in Maryland, U.S. But after her owner died in 1849, she escaped to the North and to freedom. But she didn't stop there. Instead, she dedicated her life to helping others do the same by becoming the famous "conductor" of the Underground Railroad.

Between 1850 and 1860, she made 19 trips guiding more than 300 people, including her parents and siblings, to freedom in the North. She became a prominent abolitionist before the Civil War and, during the war, became the first woman to lead an armed expedition, which liberated more than 700 slaves in South Carolina.

Despite falling into financial ruin, Tubman dedicated the last years of her life to looking after her friends and family. But head injuries she'd sustained earlier in her life while she was a slave became more painful and debilitating. After she died, she was buried with military honors at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn.

Vicky says of Tubman, "I didn't know much about Harriet Tubman until I watched The Underground Railroad, but she was absolutely fearless and helped so many slaves escape the plantation system to freedom. She also worked as a spy during the American Civil War! So brave, so selfless, and relatively overlooked until recently."

Henrietta Lacks (1920–1951), Tobacco Farmer, and unwitting contributor to cell biology and medicine

Nominated by Harriet Bell, Marketing Director at Emerald Publishing.

"I keep with me all I know about you deep in my soul, because I am part of you, and you of me. "

Deborah Lacks, Henrietta's daughter.

Henrietta Lacks (born Loretta Pleasant) came from Roanoke, Virginia. After her mother died, her father moved the family to Clover, where Lacks and her siblings could be looked after by family. Lacks ended up living with her maternal grandfather in a two-storey log cabin, that was once the slave quarters on a plantation that had been owned by Henrietta's white great-grandfather.

It was here she met her husband and started work as a tobacco farmer. They went on to have five children together. But, in 1951, Lacks was referred to hospital after finding a lump that was later diagnosed as cervical cancer. Although she received treatment, she died.

Without her and her family's knowledge at the time, hospital doctors had taken a sample of her cells and were astonished to see that they could replicate indefinitely, making them hugely valuable to medical research. These "immortal" cells, now known as the HeLa cell line, underpin much of modern medicine, including cancer research, immunology, and infectious disease control. But for decades, her family were frozen out of decisions made by the medical community in regards to her name and the contribution she made (without consent) to science.

It's only in recent years that the family of Lacks, and Lacks herself, have been properly celebrated and acknowledged. Her life has been brought to wider attention by Rebecca Skloot's 2010 book, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," and the 2017 film, based on the book and produced by Oprah Winfrey.

Harriet says, "I was blown away when I read 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,' so I always try to celebrate and remember her."

Maya Angelou (1928-2014), Singer, Actor, Poet, Playwright, Author, Activist

Nominated by Lucy Bishop, Senior Editor at Mind Tools.

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."

Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Annie Johnson) is perhaps one of the most famous of all U.S authors. Known widely for her poems and autobiographies, she was also an accomplished actor and screenplay writer, appearing in popular films such as How to Make An American Quilt and Look Away, as well as the television series, Roots.

Not only did she make literary history with her memoir, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," which became the first non-fiction bestseller from a Black author in the U.S., she was also the first Black female director in Hollywood. And, this year, she became the first African American woman to appear on a U.S. coin.

Her childhood included the double trauma of being raped and then blaming herself for the murder of her abuser after she spoke up about him. Yet Dr Angelou became one of the most successful writers in the world, as well as a prominent campaigner for racial equality.

Lucy says of Maya Angelou, "I've been learning about Maya Angelou for Black History Month and beyond. It amazes me that someone who experienced something so awful in their childhood, and was mute for five years after, could eventually go on to speak and share such wonderful words.

"It's her poems that I love the most. Some are so short, but I feel like I immediately know her when I read them. She has a distinctive style that's so lyrical, sharp, witty, and beautiful, all at once."

bell hooks (1952-2021), Author, Professor and Activist

Nominated by Carolina Marques Moriera, Latin America Marketing Manager at Emerald Publishing.

"Dominator culture has tried to keep us all afraid, to make us choose safety instead of risk, sameness instead of diversity. Moving through that fear, finding out what connects us, reveling in our differences; this is the process that brings us closer, that gives us a world of shared values, of meaningful community."

bell hooks, from "Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope," 2001

bell hooks was born Gloria Jean Watkins but adopted her great-grandmother's name. She always spelled it in lowercase because she wanted readers to focus on, "the substance of books, not who I am."

She grew up in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, attending a racially segrated public school, before moving to an integrated school in the 1960s. From there she had an esteemed academic career, obtaining her BA in English from Stanford University, as well as a Masters from Wisconsin-Madison. After this she began teaching English, first at the University of Southern California, and then Yale, and the City College of New York.

She published more than 30 books in her lifetime, including "All About Love" in 1981, which is still considered to be one of the most influential books on feminism, race and intersectionality.

Madame C.J. Walker (1867-1919) and Annie Turnbo Malone (1877-1957), Entrepreneurs

Nominated by Sally Wilson, Publishing Director at Emerald Publishing.

Madame C.J. Walker

"I am a woman who came from the cotton fields of the South. From there I was promoted to the washtub. From there I was promoted to the cook kitchen. And from there I promoted myself into the business of manufacturing hair goods and preparations."

Madame C.J. Walker

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Madame C.J. Walker (born Sarah Breedlove) is recorded as the first self-made millionaire in the U.S. Her success was founded on haircare products designed for Black women, which she produced after suffering from hair loss herself. This she marketed as "Madam C.J. Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower," a scalp conditioning and healing formula, which she later claimed came to her in a dream.

After travelling door to door selling her products throughout the South and Southeastern parts of the country, by 1910 she'd made enough to build her own manufacturing center, which included a factory, hair and manicure salon, and a training school.

She also used her wealth to give back to her community, donating to the YMCA and the NAACP's (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) anti-lynching movement.

She encouraged her employees to get involved in activism too. And used her house in New York City, which she commissioned an architect to build for her for $250,000, to become a gathering place for community leaders.

Madame C.J. Walker's story, now the subject of Netflix series Self-Made, is intertwined with that of another black businesswoman of the time, Annie Turnbo Malone.

Annie Turnbo Malone

Malone, too, is considered to be one of the first African American women to become a millionaire, and became famous for developing a line of cosmetics for Black women. She even employed Madame Walker for a time, before eventually becoming a business rival.

Her story began back in 1869, when she was born the 10th of 11 children to Robert and Isabella Turnbo. Young Annie was often sick, and missed school as a result. But, although she didn't graduate, she did discover she had an aptitude for chemistry. It was this that led her to experiment and develop a hair product designed to straighten African American women's hair without damaging it, unlike other products on the market.

The business soon grew, but, as a Black woman, Turnbo was denied access to regular distribution channels to sell her products. Instead, much like Walker, she sold her products door to door, and gave demonstrations. After continued success, in 1904, her product went national. And by the end of the First World War, she was a millionaire.

Also like Walker, Malone used her wealth to raise up those around her, setting up her own cosmetology college in 1918, and becoming a great philanthropist.

She donated much of her money to support charities across the U.S. including the YMCA, Howard University College of Medicine, and the St. Louis Colored Orphans Home, which was renamed the Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center in her honor.

Sally sums up, "Self-made millionaire Madame C.J. Walker advocated for economic independence for Black people, in particular, Black women. And Annie Turnbo Malone also empowered women and people of color, through employment opportunities and charitable activities."

Ade Hassan MBE (1984-present) – Businesswoman and Entrepreneur

Nominated by Sonia Harris, U.S. Coach and Community Moderator at Mind Tools.

"My nude isn't the nude I see in shops."

Ade Hassan.

Sonia explains, "For Black History Month, I would like to highlight Ms Ade Hassan, MBE, a pioneer who helped redefine 'nude' in fashion.

"She is the founder of and creative mind behind nubianskin.com – a London-based company whose products include more inclusive shades of lingerie and hosiery for women of color.

"I had the pleasure to meet Ade during her 2018 U.S. tour, where she visited a Washington, D.C. boutique to promote Nubian Skin. I had been following her on social media since 2017 and was excited to meet the founder of a product that I need and would buy.

"Ade recently celebrated Nubian Skin's seventh year in business. She now has multiple products and has even expanded her line to include menswear."

Mary Jackson, Katherine G. Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan – NASA "Computers" and Engineers

Nominated by Katie Danes, Custom Sales Manager at Mind Tools for Business.

"I don't have a feeling of inferiority. Never had. I'm as good as anybody, but no better."

Katherine Johnson, NASA Statements on John's Medal of Freedom, 2015.

Katie says, "I recently watched the film 'Hidden Figures.' It tells the amazing story of three female mathematicians in the 1950s and their roles at NASA, as well their achievements. However, their fight for recognition and equal working conditions at a time when race and gender went against them is what's truly inspiring. The three women I'm celebrating for Black History Month are:

• Physicist and mathematician Katherine G. Johnson (1918-2020). She calculated trajectories, launch windows, and return paths for many of NASA's major missions between the 1950s and 1980s. In 2015, at age 97, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.
• Mathematician Dorothy Vaughan (1910-2008). She was the first African-American woman to be promoted to Head of Personnel at NASA. While there, she led a team of African-American female mathematicians through several crucial space projects.
• Mary Jackson (1921-2005). Jackson was a mathematician and became NASA's first Black female engineer, in 1958. After trying unsuccessfully to break into management-level grades, she made a dramatic career change, leaving engineering to become the NASA Langley Federal Women's Program Manager. She used this position to help others like her break through the glass and concrete ceilings by impacting hiring and promotion opportunities for future female employees."

Mae C. Jemison (1956-present) – Astronaut and Physician

Nominated by Amy Jones, Technology team at Emerald Group Solutions.

"There is a fascination with the idea that one has seen someone else do something before one can achieve it. I knew what I wanted to do."

Mae C. Jemison

Mae C. Jemison became the first African American woman to be admitted into NASA's astronaut training program in 1987 and the first to fly into space.

Growing up with a love of science, especially astronomy, young Mae spent much of her time in the school library and was a particularly talented student. She graduated as an honor student and went on to study at Stanford University on a National Achievement Scholarship.

While there she also served as head of the Black Student Union, and after her graduation went on to study medicine at Cornell University Medical College. After obtaining her M.D. in 1981, she worked as a general practitioner, and worked for the Peace Corps as a medical officer for Sierra Leone and Liberia.

It was not until her return to the U.S. in 1985 that Jemison made the decision that would eventually see her enter the history books. She applied to NASA's astronaut training program.

After finally making it into space, she left the astronaut corps in 1993, and began teaching at Dartmouth, before becoming Professor-at-Large at Cornell University. She also established the Jemison Group, which does research into the sociocultural impact of technological advancements and design.

She even earned a spot on famous sci-fi series, Star Trek, as Lieutenant Palmer, becoming the first real-life astronaut to appear on the show.

Amy said that she's been learning about Mae C. Jemison for Black History Month because, "...she was the first Black woman to travel into space and the first person from Star Trek in actual space (before William Shatner). My 6-year old daughter told me she was inspired by Nichelle Nichols (Lieutenant Uhura from Star Trek) to become an astronaut and, after that, managed to get a speaking part on Star Trek: The Original Series."

Claudia Jones (1915-1964) – Journalist and Activist

Nominated by Jennifer Bough, Content Coordinator at Emerald Publishing.

"A people's art is the genesis of their freedom."

Claudia Jones.

"Claudia Jones was a feminist, Black nationalist, political activist, community leader, communist, and journalist. She is most commonly known as the mother of Notting Hill Carnival. But was also the founder of Britain's first black weekly newspaper, The West Indian Gazette in 1958.

"Born in Trinidad and Tobago, her family migrated to the U.S., where Jones became an active member of the Communist Party. Her main focus was creating '...an anti-imperialist coalition, managed by working-class leadership, fuelled by the involvement of women.'

"Her best known piece of writing, "An End to the Neglect of the Problems of the Negro Woman!," written in 1949, demonstrates her radical politics through (what later became known as) intersectionality within a Marxist framework. Her involvement in the party lead to imprisonment and eventual deportation to England in 1955, where she became involved in the British African-Caribbean community, campaigning for equal rights and basic access to facilities.

"While in London, her campaigning continued until her death, aged 49.  She is buried in Highgate Cemetery, to the left of the Karl Marx memorial."

Who Have You Been Celebrating for Black History Month?

Join the conversation and tell us who you've been remembering and celebrating during Black History Month.

Perhaps you're learning about a famous historical figure, a celebrity or current public figure. Or you just want to celebrate a friend or family member who you're particularly proud of.

Whatever the case, please share your recommendations and stories in the Comments section, below.

The post Who Are You Celebrating for Black History Month? appeared first on Mind Tools.

If you don't set resolutions, congratulations! If you do set them, you'll most likely ditch them at some point in the next 12 months.

According to some studies, nearly half of all Americans regularly make New Year resolutions (incidentally, just over a third never do), but fewer than 10 percent of people are successful and achieve a positive end result.

So, how are we supposed to reach our dreams, and set achievable goals?

Hope Instead of Resolution

Well, here's the alternative I can offer you: a Hope Letter. I've been testing it with my coaching clients for the past 15 years and it works. And here's why.

Drawing upon extensive research, just over two decades ago, professor of clinical psychology at the University of Kansas, C. R. Snyder, wanted to figure out what role hope played in reaching one's goals. He found that having a goal, though very important, was not enough on its own. We need two other ingredients: pathways for achieving our goals and a belief in our ability to reach them.

A Resolution for Any Time of Year

So, the process of constructing a Hope Letter is relatively easy. First, date the letter one year from the day you sit down to write it.

Second, write it as if everything in your life (career, health, relationships, finances) has gone the way you hoped it would. Write about all aspects of your life and what specifically you did to have such a fabulous year.

You can write a letter anytime. You don't have to wait for the start of the New Year or your birthday. You can write your Hope Letter whenever and wherever you want. Just set yourself a reminder to look at it again in exactly one year. Better yet, share it with someone close to you and ask them to mail it back to you.

Surprise Yourself Next Year

We always feel better when we're planning a positive change in our lives. It's a proactive act, something we can control and guide. And, as our lives move on and we get older (and hopefully a little wiser), the desire to take steps to "make things happen" can strengthen.

Always remember that some of what you write in your Hope Letter will not come true. But I think you'll be surprised by just how many things do. So, who has the courage to write a Hope Letter?

... ... ...

Margaret H. Greenberg is an executive coach and international speaker. She is co-author with Gina Greenlee of the 2021 book, "The Business of Race: How to Create and Sustain an Antiracist Workplace" and, with Senia Maymin, of “Profit from the Positive: Proven Leadership Strategies to Boost Productivity and Transform Your Business.”

You can hear Margaret and Gina in a future edition of the Mind Tools Podcast. And Mind Tools Club members can hear our review of Margaret and Senia's book, here.

This blog has been adapted from one originally published elsewhere on February 26, 2015, under the title, "Be a Positive Deviant – Write a Hope Letter."

Another way to look to the future with hope – and to achieve success – is to join the Mind Tools Club and access our thousands of career-boosting resources!

The post Replace Your New Year Resolutions With a Hope Letter appeared first on Mind Tools.

"I want everyone to be aware of what their superpower is because I believe that we all have superpowers."

My love affair with reading and books began when I was very young. Our family's weekly visits to the city library became my highlight of the week soon after I learned to read.

I clearly remember my mom sending me to bed with a stern warning that I had to sleep, not read. Of course, all I wanted to do was to read! So I often resorted to "undercover reading," or what's commonly known as the tried-and-true "flashlight-under-the-blanket" method.

But what was it about books that cast such a powerful spell on me?

Superpowers Aren't Just for Superheroes

In part, it was the words. I love words and language. But it was also the characters I met in those books – especially the ones who were able to perform magical and powerful acts like flying, shapeshifting or breathing under water.

When I read of those superpowers, I dreamed of having them too, because I wanted to help people, to rescue animals and heal all kinds of ills in the world.

Fortunately, we don't need to be Spiderman or Black Panther to have a superpower and make a difference in the world.

Superpowers in the Everyday

One of my best friends, Steve, grew up in rural Kenya in a setting that couldn't have been more different from my own.

I grew up in a city with all the comforts it offered and two parents earning an income. His parents had to make a living off the land, in an environment where they were at the mercy of the seasons and the elements.

School might not have been high on his agenda, but his mother wouldn't have any of that nonsense of missing lessons. During his first few years of school, they had an afternoon routine. Before he set about his chores, Steve had to write down a few things that he'd learned that day.

His mother would then take her red pen and mark what he had written. Without fail, she'd mark half the sentences right, and the other half would get a red "x."

It was only after five or six years of this that he learned his mom was illiterate. She pretended to read his work every day. But her message was clear: push yourself and be the best you can be.

Reading might not have been Mama Mululu's superpower, but she wanted her children to be educated, so she came up with a creative way to encourage them. This was her superpower.

And it paid off! Steve has built a very successful business from nothing and is a pillar of strength in his community.

Superpowers at Work

How do you like the idea of being able to talk to someone who isn't engaged with anything else but your conversation, at that moment?

In today's technologically connected but impersonal society, mindful listening is a superpower. I'd say that it sounds like the kind of superpower that can help others to work through some tough emotional issues and workplace challenges. It can also make them feel heard and respected.

Another superpower that increases trust and connection, is the ability to be fully present in the moment, wherever you are. In a space (even a virtual one) where you're fully present, your energy is visible and palpable, and you can instantly touch and inspire people.

Do you know someone with the ability to step back from a situation and to think things through before they comment, judge, make decisions, or give advice? In the highly reactive world we live in, that's a person whose superpower is priceless and rare – stay close to them.

Superpowers and Creativity

A friend of mine who has now passed on, always used to say, "You can run out of money, as long as you don't run out of ideas."

At the time, I was still young and I didn't appreciate his statement for the sage advice it was. However, later in my career I understood the value of a person who can always come up with a plan or idea. It's a creative superpower not to be messed with!

In 1958, Paul Torrance – "Mr Creativity of the 20th Century" – wrote that your technical skills and academic intelligence will not give you a particular advantage. He said that it is only your creativity, your creative insight and your energy that will you give you an edge.

Oh, and did I mention that my rottweiler, Helmuth, also has a superpower? You'd be forgiven if you think that it's his size or strength, but it isn't. It's his ability to use all kinds of goofy tricks and antics to extract treats from humans – and make them laugh, in the process, too!

What's Your Superpower?

In our #MTtalk Twitter chat this Friday, we discussed how to find and use your superpower. Here are all the questions we asked, and some of the best responses:

Q1. How would you define a superpower in real life?

@JKatzaman A superpower is the strength to get you through days when walls seem to close in.

@SarahH_MT I find the whole idea of having a "superpower" a bit challenging TBH. This question really made me dig deep for some reason. I suppose for me it's describing a highly-developed strength that has the power to be transformative.

Q2. Is a superpower just a strength or is it more than that? Explain.

@CaptRajeshwar A superpower is a superpower when, once you have it, you feel the strength to accomplish your goals with [a] smile.

@ColfaxInsurance I think it's more than that, it could be a variety of things. A mindset or strong beliefs, a skill, an attitude, a process you use, etc.

Q3. What skills/talents/tasks can you do better than anyone else you know?

@DhongdeSupriya An exceptional superpower to connect to fellow humans! Anywhere, and to anyone, I feel genuinely connected.

@SoniaH_MT Areas where I excel include: planning, policy development, making how-to guides.

Q4. What skills/talents/tasks have other people said you excel at? Do you agree?

@PmTwee Easy-going character makes anybody feel comfortable. It is essential!

@J_Stephens_CPA My passion for teaching others and myself, see how happy I am being back in a teaching/helping role. Service, empathy and faith too have me discerning another role.

Q5. Do you know when you're using your superpower? Does it just happen? How does it feel?

@DrKashmirM Yes, I know when patients say they benefited – after 14 years of treatment from other counsellors with no results. I enjoy such small joys and don't wait for "big joys" to come.

@HloniphileDlam7 For me, it just happens, especially when I see someone in pain or suffering. I don't decide to help... I get this urge to take action. I "make a U-turn" if I have to.

Q6. When might someone not use their superpower? Should they?

@pavelStepanov77 Anything that is too much is never good. Learn to know your place and the right time to use it.

@bluesummitsupp Restraint is a superpower in its own right! Being humble and giving someone else the floor can be valuable in their own personal development. It may even give them the chance to develop a superpower of their own, thus allowing them to help others in the future!

Q7. How does your superpower complement the efforts of others/help them?

@MindfulLifeWork The delivery of the superpower is everything. If someone is thirsty you don't spray them in the face with a firehose, nor do you give them a thimble of water... you give them a pitcher of water and a glass, so they can portion appropriately.

@MikeB_MT A listening superpower can help others' ideas, contributions, and viewpoints emerge. I like to amplify the superpowers of others.

Q8. How have you nurtured or grown your superpower?

@JulieHongNimble Part of nurturing resilience is admitting weakness and vulnerability in order to start working on it and preparing for the next time I get hit with the feeling of helplessness. Not beating myself up over a mistake is also something I had to recently learn to do.

@Midgie_MT I've grown it through simply life experiences. Also, by reminding myself that I have faced challenges in the past and come through them, and that I will be able to do it again.

Q9. How might you help someone to develop their superpower?

@LDresslerplus Help them notice when they experience a state of flow, positivity and zest. Brainstorm how they might create more situations/opportunities like this for themselves.

@Yolande_MT Help them address their excuses and fears regarding their personal growth and developing their superpower.

Q10. What superpower would you like to have, and why? How will you develop it?

@viviantmsg  I want to become better at handling stress and change in my life. COVID has shown us just how fragile life as we know it really is, and I want to learn how to stay resilient and keep my hopes high in the face of crisis.

@SizweMoyo Keeping a calm head is a superpower I'd like to have, I tend to get overwhelmed with excitement at random times. Deep breathing is always suggested, I'm giving that a shot.

To read all the tweets, take a look at the Wakelet collection of this chat here.

Coming Up on Mind Tools #MTtalk

Cultivating the ability to learn from your failures and successes is an invaluable superpower. Next time on #MTtalk we're going to talk about how being pruned can create space for new shoots. How have you recovered from job loss or surprise setbacks? Did you start again? Or rediscover a new direction or skill?

Ahead of our upcoming chat, we're running a Twitter poll this week to find out which area of your life you think is most in need of pruning.

Relevant Resources

In the meantime, if you want to explore the topic that we covered this week, check out the resources below. (Please note that some of these may only be available in full to members of the Mind Tools Club and to Mind Tools for Business licensees.

Managing Gifted People

Benziger's Personality Types

StrengthsFinder

The Nine-Box Grid for Talent Management

Talent Management

Gardner's Multiple Intelligences

The Flow Model

Transformational Leadership

PEST Analysis

Managing Rebels

The post What's Your Superpower? - #MTtalk Roundup appeared first on Mind Tools.

We know that delegation gives us more time to focus on other, perhaps more important tasks. We know that it helps others to develop new skills and to enjoy more responsibility, and we know that it builds trust and demonstrates our confidence in the people around us.

But there are still the nagging doubts! We might ask ourselves, "What if they mess up and I get the blame?" "Will they do the job as well as I would?" or "Hold on, what if they do a better job than I would?" We might just feel that it would be quicker and easier to do it ourselves.

The bottom line is that we fear the loss of control. This means that even when we do delegate a task or project, we tend to "hover over the shoulder" of a now flustered and under-pressure team member, who sees us as an irritating, micromanaging pain in the proverbial!

So, how can we solve the delegation dilemma?

We wanted to hear your experiences of this common managerial pain point, so we threw out this question to our friends and followers on social media: How do you achieve the perfect balance between delegation and staying in the loop?

Delegate Clearly and Collaboratively

Clear communication and effective collaboration were common themes in many of the responses that we received.

For example, Facebook friend Ty Heilman, a sales and marketing manager from Madison, Wisconsin, U.S., said, "The word 'delegation' only applies to an effective and successful collaboration.

"Micromanagement only applies to a perceived pressure on the subordinate. To achieve the perfect balance, the leader has got to set the tone and the team members need to know how to be in tune. Then, nobody can phase each other out."

The discussion proved to be particularly popular on LinkedIn. Careers adviser Marcus Burton, from Yorkshire, U.K., said, "Delegate clearly, communicating your expectations, and check understanding with effective questioning.

"Diarize to check that the task is undertaken effectively. Offer support where necessary. However, stand back and let the other person grow and make mistakes, because that's how most people learn best. It's a lot like raising a child and teaching them to grow and become independent."

Stay in the Loop

Learning and development manager Steve O'Neill, from Portsmouth, U.K., composed an eloquent and detailed reply, and warned against taking a too hands-off approach to delegated tasks.

Steve said, "In my experience, delegation is only truly that if you do stay in the loop. Too many people make the mistake of believing they're delegating, but actually they're either abdicating or, worse, passing off a job they don't want to do themselves.

"Some important elements that I've discovered to support good delegation (and staying in the loop) are:

• Be clear why you're delegating. Your reasons must include helping the other person to grow.

• Set out exactly what your expectations are. People will be comforted by the clarity.

• Agree the regularity of how and when you will check on their progress, and stick to it.

• When you check in, agree how they are performing against your original expectations. Falling short? Meeting or exceeding? How could you help them? Give specific praise about what they have done well so they can repeat it.

• Most importantly, find out how they feel about the way things have gone. The learning here is not solely about the delegatee; you must also work out what you've learned and how you can do it all again next time, even better.

"These things can only be achieved by taking time to stay in the loop. Otherwise, I don't think it is delegation."

Delegate to the Right People

Identifying tasks that can be delegated is probably the easy part. Knowing the best person to delegate those tasks to can be the bigger challenge.

Facility manager Jodeane Anderson-Taylor, from Newcastle, Australia, said, "Having the right people in your team to delegate to is the most important thing. Having good working relationships and knowing how each team member works is very important.

"If you can’t trust the staff you're delegating to, this is when micromanaging creeps in. That does no one any favors."

L&D consultant David Heathcote, from Cambridge, U.K., added, "In my view, we should match our approach to the capabilities of the employee or team member.

"We can broadly use situational leadership and The Skill/Will Matrix to help us think about the approach. For some team members, delegation may be appropriate. For others, performance management and short-term objectives may be necessary."

Labor market innovator Louis Goulmy, from the Netherlands, appeared to suggest that delegation was a dirty word in management, and that it was the duty of managers and staff to work together outside a hierarchy.

Louis said, "There are tasks and responsibility within a team. If the team and its members want to achieve a common goal, people can go without delegated tasks or micromanagement or even managers. What you need is transparency and good communication (and trust)." (Please get in touch, Louis, if I have misinterpreted your thinking!)

Preparation Is Key

Business strategy expert Cleo Eleftheriades, currently working in Buenos Aires, Argentina, said, "I believe that the issue is to achieve efficient delegation without micromanagement. That is, to: 1) Clearly delegate a set of tasks (though not an entire project before you trust the other person); 2) Schedule overview micro-sessions on key micro-milestones; 3) Establish trust, and be supportive on follow-through, instead of controlling on follow-up. Efficient delegation demands excellent preparation, and that is what most managers fail to do."

Our Twitter followers naturally kept their responses short and sweet: @mokshaangel, from Belton, Missouri, U.S., said, "It depends how well your team communicates." And @RanaTassawar, a health professional from Karachi, Pakistan, said, "First, I delegate any task. After that, I regularly take feedback."

Feel free to continue the discussion by sharing your views in the Comments box, below!

Further reading (some resources are only available in full to Mind Tools Club members):

The Delegation Dilemma

Successful Delegation

How to Accept Delegation

How Well Do You Delegate?

Empowerment and Delegation

The post To Delegate, Or Not to Delegate? Your Top Tips! appeared first on Mind Tools.

How Urgent Is the Decision?

Is the boss's unavailability really a problem? Or are you worrying about nothing? How applicable is Admiral Grace Murray Hopper's famous saying: "It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission"?

Consider the scale of the problem. If it's a relatively small decision, you're probably OK to go ahead with what you think is right. But if it's a big one, start by assessing the urgency of the situation. As my old boss, Rich Baek, once recommended, "Don't make any difficult decisions until action is required. Who knows, circumstances might change and you won't even need to do what you dreaded." So, if it can wait, prepare yourself to make the decision, but don't cross that line just yet.

Your ability to make the decision will also depend on your experience. Perhaps you've been at your company a long time and are familiar with how your boss thinks. If so, you'll likely feel comfortable and confident making decisions while he or she is away. Alternatively, you might be new to the company and feel completely unequipped to make the right choice. (Although you might find that your "newness" protects you from the consequences of a bad decision.)

Don't forget to take your company's culture into consideration, too. Your organization may have a culture that aims to empower its staff and prizes self-starters. If this is the case, you'll likely feel more positive about making high-level decisions on your own.

Don't "Go It Alone"

Whoever said you have to make the decision on your own? Why not consult your co-workers? After all, "two heads are better than one."

Getting their advice will help you to weigh up the pros and cons of the situation and earn support for your final decision. It could also "soften the blow" of a decision "gone bad," particularly if your judgment is called into question later.

Discussing your thoughts with your colleagues (particularly those with a lot of experience) will also help you to identify where the boundaries lie. And you may even learn something that will have a significant impact on your choice. Jim Bolosic recalls an employee who, while the boss was away, switched the company's phone service to a cheaper provider. "What she didn't know was that we were two months away from the end of the contract and were going to get a credit that would have gotten us a free year of phone services."

Manage Your Boss's Expectations

You may have a boss who trusts your decisions and is happy for you to take on decision-making responsibilities in thier absence.

Alternatively, you may have a boss who finds it hard to give up control, and who refuses to delegate decisions while they're away.

If this is the case, don't be afraid to ask them for more information. Arrange a meeting with your boss, and set up a clear agenda to discuss the problems that you are encountering. Say: "Thank you for your valuable time. My aim is to keep our clients happy and our operation running efficiently. To do this, sometimes decisions need to be made when you are unavailable. Please help me to better understand my boundaries and options for these urgent decisions." Make sure that your tone is constructive and your message is delivered tactfully, without a whiff of complaint.

Have a specific example to hand (or build a realistic hypothetical situation). For instance, you might ask, "What should I do when a client requests a refund and you're not here to sign off on it?" And limit your follow-up questions. Consider: "What might go wrong? Do we agree on solutions?"

Add that you would appreciate feedback from her about the decisions that you make when she's absent.

Michael Kerr has useful advice if the boss is often away. He suggests asking your boss, "What can I do to support you and the team in your absence?" This will show that you are a real team player, and that he can have trust and confidence in your ability.

Above all, don't let indecision hold you back. Stepping up to the plate and showing that you can think through decisions clearly and objectively could bolster your reputation. It will also demonstrate to your boss that you're strategically focused and capable of taking on extra responsibilities.

Take It Easy

There are also times when your boss is away and there are no major decisions to make. Assuming that you are used to working long hours, why not ease your foot off the gas a little?

Brian Moylan offers a handy guide to working when the boss is away. First and foremost, he advises that you avoid calling in sick. If you do this, you'll be seen as unreliable and self-centered. But, you can afford to wind things down just a little bit. Take a leisurely lunch (and not at your desk – instead, go out with your team!). And, just this once, leave on time!

Moylan continues, "Do one thing really well and you are far less likely to have your productivity questioned while the boss [is] away." Take some time to really bond with your co-workers. This will help you to boost team morale, motivation and collaboration.

Have you ever had to make a difficult decision while your boss was away? Did you "step up to the plate," or "cave" under the pressure? Was your boss happy with your decision or was he horrified? Share your story in the Comments section, below.

The post How to Deal With a Big Decision When the Boss Is Away appeared first on Mind Tools.