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Cal Wilson / November 29, 2022

For business owners, the 2020s might feel like an obstacle course with no end in sight. Recently, business owners across North America have reported some significant stressors impacting their outlook heading into 2023.  

In this issue of the Pulse, we look at these stressors and the impact they can have on business leadership.  

What is stressing out business leaders? 

According to the World Economic Forum’s Executive Opinion Survey 2022, North American business leaders are experiencing quite the array of concerns. The survey asked more than 12,000 business leaders to select “which five risks are the most likely to pose the biggest threat to your country in the next two years?” from a list of 35 global risks. 

It found that in the United States, the top concerns were: 

1. Debt crises 
2. Rapid and/or sustained inflation 
3. Geo-economic confrontation 
4. Failure of climate-change adaption 
5. Interstate conflict tied with employment and livelihood crises  

In Canada, the results were: 

1. Cost of living crisis 
2. Debt crises 
3. Rapid and/or sustained inflation 
4. Failure of climate-change adaption 
5. Asset bubble burst 

Business owners aren’t confident moving forward. 

Across both countries, these factors have reduced business owners’ confidence. In 2022, 29% of small businesses have worried about having to close. They’ve also reported taking the following steps to keep their businesses running: 

• 46% are working more hours than before the pandemic. 
• 33% are performing duties that were typically handled by someone else.  
• 29% have cut their own salaries. 
• 35% have had to raise their prices. 

For the time being, only 44% of business owners expect better conditions in the next six months.  

What is the impact of this stress on your team? 

At all levels of employment, employees are struggling with these same stressful conditions.  

One study from Deloitte Canada found that stress-related burnout led to 50% of managers contemplating leaving their roles since the beginning of the pandemic. Likewise, 70% reported stress impacting their ability to make decisions.  

Another study from global employee engagement firm, Reward Gateway, found that 72% of HR leaders “agree that stress resulting from cost-of-living increases is negatively impacting the work of their employees.” 

Global economic insecurity creates a baseline of unease that effects both leaders and the entire staff of your business. It’s important to check in with yourself and your team to make sure you aren’t ignoring its presence.  

Understand your feelings about money. 

For many of us, money has a stressful underlying connotation. Much of our economy-related stress is fueled by how we feel about money.  

Investigate the way money makes you feel; perhaps its anxious, avoidant, or irritated. Understanding this foundational emotion can help you rewire those associations in the future, and help you feel more calm and self-assured, even in challenging times.  

Label your feelings. 

It’s easy to push through the stress and fear that you might be feeling right now by throwing yourself into your work. Unfortunately, this is only likely to lead to more burnout and decreased quality of work.  

Michele Tugade, a professor of psychological science at Vassar College, says it’s important to acknowledge and label your economic-related anxieties.  

“It’s crucial to understand the root of your emotions by asking yourself questions like ‘how does this feel in my body?’ and ‘what is this emotion telling me about the situation?’” she says. “For example, identify where the anxiety is bubbling up in your body – your stomach? Your chest? Also, think about what made the anxiety come up – was it a news report about tech layoffs? Was it browsing the aisles at the shops?” 

If you can think about the root of your economic anxiety, rather than allow your brain to spiral about it, you can problem solve from a better mental headspace.  

In conclusion… 

With what has seemed like a constant stream of economic crises in the past few years, it’s only normal that many business owners, leaders, and employees are dealing with considerable stress. This can have serious impacts on a business’ operations, as well as business owners’ collective outlook moving forward. It’s important to address this stress and focus on the wellbeing of you and your team.  

Cal Wilson / November 15, 2022

Many of us have found ourselves trying to learn and adapt to the newest technology while on the job. Across all industries, it seems like there are new innovations every single day.  

In this issue of the Pulse, we share advice for learning new software programs you may come across in the workplace.  

1. Have a manageable goal.

When learning a new program, your first goal shouldn’t be to become an overnight expert. Create a practical, achievable goal that helps you implement the software into your work routine and focus on accomplishing that.  

2. Immerse yourself.

While it’s great to watch videos, read articles, and ask coworkers questions – and we suggest you do all these things – it’s even more critical to get your hands on the program you’re trying to learn. Your memory retention improves with hands on learning, so it’s important to physically go through the motions of using the software.

3. Don’t be click-shy.

Oftentimes, when opening up a new program, it can be intimidating, and users are nervous to click around and make mistakes. Meanwhile, software engineers have been paid a lot of money to try to break this program and find its flaws before it landed on your PC. Click things, learn how they work, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.  

4. Go on ‘do not disturb’ mode to practice. 

Sometimes when we are learning new or additional skills, we don’t feel we can prioritize them over our traditional work duties. However, if this is contributing to your work, then it should be a priority. 

Take some time to yourself, turn on ‘do not disturb,’ and focus all your attention on learning the new program. Don’t let emails, chats, or other tasks distract you.  

5. Utilize built-in tutorials. 

Most software programs have built-in tools or tutorials designed to assist new users. Whether it’s a specific tutorial walkthrough or a feature where hovering your mouse over a tool gives you an explanation of how to use it, there is almost always an aid at your disposal. Don’t rush through these tidbits; reading through them will help you learn.  

In conclusion… 

Learning goes better when you take the pressure off yourself and make it fun. Give yourself the space and mindset to put your best foot forward when acquiring new skills. 

Cal Wilson / November 1, 2022

We’ve all left a meeting and asked the age-old question, “couldn’t this have been an email?” 

On average, an organization’s staff spends 15% of their collective time in meetings. More if they’re in executive roles or senior leadership.  

 If you’re a team leader or manager trying to avoid making your staff ask this question, this issue of The Pulse is for you.   

It’s all about the clearest communication.  

We all consume, digest, and apply information differently.  

In any strong team, there’s a diversity of thinkers and communicators. Some of your team members are going to be better in meetings than others. Some will be more attentive to their emails. You might be stronger in one area than another.  

At the end of the day, it’s important that you know your team and what method of communication will be clearest and most effective for them. Even if it’s not the medium you personally prefer.  

When is a meeting necessary?  

There are certain times when a meeting can’t be avoided or is just a better choice than sending out an email notice. These include: 

• When you’re looking to build camaraderie among your team. 
• When you’re discussing a project or task that requires collaboration or input from multiple members of the team.  

When does an email suffice? 

On the flip side, it might be better to default to an email under the following circumstances: 

• If you are simply relaying information without need for collaboration. 
• If the collaboration is straightforward between one or two people.  
• If it’s an issue that can be easily resolved, or a simple question that needs answering. 
• If the group of people you’re speaking to is quite large, making a meeting confusing or unproductive.  

When to end or skip a recurring meeting.  

Recurring meetings are incredibly useful for ongoing projects or duties that are shared between multiple team members. They can be some of the most productive hours of your work week.  

However, recurring meetings likely aren’t needed every week indefinitely and it’s worth checking in for feedback periodically to ensure the meetings are still serving their intended purpose.  

If you’re unsure… 

If you’re still not sure whether to hold a meeting or send an email, ask yourself the following questions: 

• What is the purpose of the contact? Does it require collaboration or group input? 
• Is the issue complex? A difficult problem to solve or concept to explain might get lost in the “translation” to email process.  
• Has your team been bogged down by video meetings recently? Zoom fatigue is a real thing, and avoiding unnecessary video calls can be a kindness to your staff.  
• Will this meeting disrupt productivity on other important tasks or projects? 

Finally, the biggest question you should ask before you commit to a meeting over an email is this: is it worth company time and money to have this many staff in a meeting for this length of time? 

If the answer is no, an email notice, or conversation over another platform like Teams or Slack, is much likely a better route to take.  

Cal Wilson / October 18, 2022

Life is busy, and chances are you’re always going to have multiple things on the go at any given time. Without a proper plan in place to prioritize tasks, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, but with a few simple adjustments you could be managing your tasks effectively in no time.  
 
In this issue of the Pulse, we share eight tips on how to be more effective when it comes to task management, specifically in the workforce, but many of these could easily be applied to other areas of your life as well.

Determine the urgency and importance of each task

The first step of managing your tasks effectively is determining the urgency and importance of each task. What absolutely needs to get done today? What can wait until tomorrow? Next week? If you’re unsure which tasks should be prioritized, it might be worth having a conversation about it with your team or supervisor.

Have one list

Having one lists allows you to see everything at a glance and plan accordingly when looking at the week or even day ahead. This could be a list in a physical or digital planner, or a work management tool. Larger projects may need to be broken down into smaller tasks still, which can still be done on a separate list, but including it on your main list ensures it doesn’t get forgotten.

Consider a software to help organize your tasks 

If a physical or digital planner isn’t your thing, a work management tool might be a better fit for you. Trello is a great option for teams because it allows teams to collaborate on projects, organize workflows, and track progress visually, but there are lots of options out there.

Turn off your email push notifications  

As of 2015, the average office worker received 121 emails a day, according to the Radicati Group. Having that many notifications pop up during the day is surely going to be distracting and take you away from the task at hand. Instead, consider checking your email a few times throughout the day at set times. This might mean checking your email at 9am, 12pm and 3pm, but the important part is finding a schedule that works best for you.

Block out time and set your status to do not disturb  

If you’re having a hard time getting to tasks, block out time on your calendar, like you would for a meeting with your team, and treat it as such. Don’t be late to start or allow yourself to get sidetracked. This is important time that will allow you to get some quality work done without interruptions. This doesn’t have to be a long period of time. In fact, some studies dating from the 1990s suggest that due to natural variations in our cycle of alertness, we can only concentrate for 90 minutes before needing a break.

Don’t be afraid to say no or ask for help 

If you’re too busy to take on another project, simply say no. This is easier said than done for Type A personalities, but again will leave you better off in the long run. Taking on projects you don’t have time for can leave you feeling overwhelmed and will likely either cause the project to take longer than anticipated or have you working long hours to keep up. Either way, no one wins. If you are having a hard time completing an already started project, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Our workflows often ebb and flow, so while you may be feeling like you’re at capacity, one of your team members might have a more flexible workload and chances are, they will be happy to help, as most people are.

Don’t be afraid to delegate 

It’s easy for your day to fill up, but are you spending your time on the right tasks? Harvard Business Review’s research shows that knowledge workers spend an average of 41 percent on discretionary activities that could be handled competently by others. “We instinctively cling to tasks that make us feel busy and thus important, while our bosses, constantly striving to do more with less, pile on as many responsibilities as we’re willing to accept.” However, if you can get past this and start delegating more often, you’ll be better off for it.

Don’t overwork yourself 

By taking breaks throughout the day and not working past your regular hours, you give yourself adequate time to relax and recharge, which allows you to come back to tasks with a new sense of energy and motivation.  

In conclusion… 

Managing tasks effectively can be a challenge, but there are several practices and resources you can use to make the most out of your day and ensure the most important tasks are being taken care of in a timely manner.

Cal Wilson / October 4, 2022

If you’re reading this right now, know that literacy is one of your greatest privileges. The ability to read, reflect on what you’ve read, and share it with others, is an important skill that will serve you for your entire life. That is, of course, if you continue to use it.  

Whether it’s books, articles, studies – or whatever else captures your interest – reading is beneficial to you in several ways. In this issue of the Pulse, we cover why you should be reading every single day, and how you can build that habit.  

The emotional benefits of reading. 

Reading is more than just a hobby or pastime. It has the power to impact your mood, health, and career success.  

Adding reading to your daily routine – even in short doses – can boost you emotionally in the following ways: 

• Reading allows for escapism – this might sound cynical, but sometimes we all need a small mental break. Reading gives your mind space away from whatever is going on in real life, to be entertained and decompress.  
• Reading motivates – especially through reading fiction, memoirs, poetry, and other inspirational genres, reading can motivate us to work harder, overcome obstacles, and step outside our comfort zones.  
• Reading activates empathy – reading takes us outside ourselves and allows us to think from others’ points of view, building our capacity for empathy, a crucial quality in many areas of life.  
• Reading is a tool for mental health – some experts believe reading can help combat symptoms of depression, such as isolation and loneliness.  
• Reading fosters perseverance – reading, specifically finishing books, teaches us to push through to complete our goals, feel accomplished at milestones or checkpoints, and follow through on commitments.  

The physiological benefits of reading.  

Reading is food for your brain that nourishes your entire body. There are several ways reading is good for your physiological health: 

• Reading is a cognitive exercise – it challenges your brain to intake and process information, then recall it later, sharpening your memory function.  
• Reading helps your sleep cycle – the destressing and calming function of reading is a great way to transition from the business of your day into the right headspace to get some sleep. Next time you’re stuck awake, try reading just a single chapter.  
• Reading reduces stress – as previously mentioned, the escapist function of reading reduces stress, lowering heart rate, blood pressure, and overall, contributing to better physical health.  
• Reading can combat cognitive decline – as we age, it’s important to adopt habits to keep our brains active. Reading is just one great strategy.  

The career benefits of reading.  

An avid reader has an advantage, no matter what their field of work. If you’re looking for an easy route to self-improvement, sharpening skills, and giving you an edge up in the job market, reading more is an easy strategy.  

Reading can give you the following career advantages: 

• Reading improves concentration and focus – if you’re someone who struggles with concentration and focus, no matter the reason, reading can be a good skill to train your brain. Even if you’re practicing focusing on the small details for only short bursts, it’s still beneficial to your performance in other areas of your life.  
• Reading improves your literacy – by encountering new words, phrases, and sentence structures, reading can improve your vocabulary and understanding, thus boosting your overall literacy. Your literacy will aid in your communication skills, both written and verbal.  
• You learn when you read – whatever you’re reading, chances are you’re going to learn something new at some point. Diversifying your reading will help you build a wide bank of knowledge to draw from in real life situations. You can take this a step further by seeking out materials on relevant topics to your career.  
• Reading enhances your imagination – many jobs value innovation, creativity, and original approaches to problem solving. Reading helps you foster that part of your mind.  
• Reading boosts your analytical skills – analytical, critical thinkers tend to be better decision makers. This is important, especially if you’re in a leadership position.  

How you can read more.  

If you’re sold on the benefits of regular reading, but unsure of how to incorporate it into your daily routine, there are steps you can take to implement the habit: 

• Always have a book on hand – keep it in your desk, your car, your bag, wherever. If there’s always a book on hand, you’ll be able to fill empty space in your schedule, such as time spent in a waiting room, with reading.  
• Make manageable goals – instead of taking on War and Peace this month, maybe start with 20 pages a day, and adjust as that goal becomes easier.  
• Don’t waste time on something you don’t enjoy – if you’re a hundred pages into a novel you’re hating, it’s easy to become stuck. Better to put the book down in favor of one you enjoy, than avoiding reading altogether.  
• Read what you like, not what you feel like you should read – you’re going to hear a lot of opinions from a lot of people on what you should be reading. The most important thing is to read what will keep you reading. If that’s a book on entrepreneurship, great! If not, the only thing that matters is that you’re engaged.  

In conclusion… 

Our ability to read, and access to reading materials, is one of life’s greatest gifts. Not only can reading have a positive impact on your mood and health, but it gives you a leg up in your career as well. 

At Schooley Mitchell, we have always believed in reading a business book each month; but in general, any way to incorporate more reading into your regular life will only stand to benefit you.  

Cal Wilson / September 20, 2022

Teamwork is a critical component of success for many jobs, across all industries. No matter what your job title, if teamwork is a part of the equation, it’s a skill you should work on fostering in yourself and supporting in others.  

In this issue of the Pulse, we look at ways you can develop your own teamwork skills, as well as support teamwork in the workplace.  

Improving on your own teamwork skills. 

No matter what kind of team you’re on – in the workplace, in your personal life – these skills are critically important: 

• Communication skills – building your communication skills includes practicing better listening, being effective and clear in the language you use to convey your thoughts, and being fluent in the latest methods of communicating with your colleagues, such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Zoom. 
• Mindfulness – while there are always going to be aspects of teamwork you don’t like, such as difficult tasks or differences with teammates, being able to control your thoughts and focus on what is going well will aid you in building better relationships and getting the job done.   
• Flexibility – no, not your yoga skills, but rather your ability to cope with change, adapt to new methods of doing things, and accommodate differences.  
• Reliability – this may seem obvious, but not everyone comes across as reliable. Are you on time, responsive, and meeting your deadlines? Can others trust you not to flake out on responsibilities? This is all about self-awareness, taking accountability, and following through.  

Be a good team member.  

Each team structure is going to look a bit different, especially depending on where you are in that structure. Maybe you were an exceptional team player on a school sports team, but work life is a bit more complicated.  

Here are some good practices to employ: 

• Understand your role on the team – understand your job description and responsibilities versus those of others, and where you fall in the team structure. Know what you and your coworkers each bring to the team.  
• Show gratitude for your teammates – say thank you, acknowledge what you appreciate, and be someone your team members want to work with.  
• Know your strengths – if you understand your strengths and weaknesses, you will better understand when to offer help and when to ask for it. Both actions are integral to good teamwork.  
• Don’t argue over getting credit – there is no need to bicker or fight for credit. Show appreciation, shout out your teammates, and hope they do the same for you. Grappling for the spotlight will make you seem argumentative and ego-centric, even when you might deserve it. Likewise, don’t be quick to blame other people when things go wrong.  
• Think with a team mindset – when it comes to work-related decisions, are you thinking about what is best for you, or what is best for the overall good of the team? 

Foster teamwork in the workplace. 

This is going to look different if you’re in a managerial or authority role, versus a subordinate role. If you’re the person in a leadership position, here are some ideas to foster better teamwork among your staff: 

• Lead by example – demonstrate your hard work, dedication to the job, and commitment to the overall success and wellbeing of the team. Be a boss that inspires teamwork. Leaders’ attitudes are often infectious and can empower or deject staff.  
• Plan team activities – occasionally organizing non-work-related activities can allow your team to bond better, without the pressure of the job. Games, meals, or outdoor activities are great examples of ways to connect.  
• Establish good boundaries for your sake, and for the sake of everyone on the team.  
• Make the ‘why’ clear – when establishing a rule or assigning a new task, make sure the purpose is clear, and not just “because I said so.” The latter will leave employees feeling unenthusiastic, but with the right ‘why’ in place, employees will be invigorated with a sense of purpose.  
• Recognize wins and great work – whether this is a simple shout out, or a more tangible award, making your employees feel appreciated goes a long way in motivating a team.  
• Offer a collaborative workspace – if possible, having a room or office dedicated to employee collaboration can be a great way to incite teamwork without disrupting other workplace procedures.  
• Play to your employees’ strengths – teams that focus on strengths every day have 12.5% higher productivity. 

Why does this matter? 

Functional teamwork matters. In fact, poor teamwork can have serious consequences. For example, a recent study found that 86% of employees cite lack of collaboration for workplace failures. Likewise, 81% of workers would feel more grateful if they felt their boss was appreciative of their work.  

In conclusion… 

Teamwork is an incredibly important part of being a leader and an employee. There are simple skills, habits, and commitments you can make to be a better team player, that will go a long way in improving workplace relationships, job performance, and overall morale.