Director Briefing - June 24, 2024

Update to Mediated Computer Purchasing

Last week, Bob let Directors know that laptops are available again for mediated computer purchasing, with a new model and a $10 price drop. The updated form is dated 6/18/2024.

https://docs.owwl.org/Members/MediatedComputerPurchasing

Contact Bob and the CANS Department with any questions by emailing support@owwl.org.

HBR: Tip of the Day

5 Traps to Avoid as You Gain Power as a Leader

As you transition to a leadership role, your relationship to power changes: You gain more of it, and people start acting differently around you due to your authority. How can you avoid the hidden traps of gaining power, which shapes you in ways you may not realize?

The Savior Trap. You may be trying to solve everyone’s problems, micromanaging projects or products, and offering suggestions that are not needed or outside your scope. To avoid becoming overconfident in your own prowess and to continue to encourage helpful feedback, ask one question before giving an answer; be honest with yourself about the usefulness of your suggestions; and actively listen to feedback or concerns from your employees.

The Complacency Trap. You assume you understand the problem and fail to solicit further. Complacency puts you at risk of missing data essential to making good decisions, and doesn't encourage your team to become critical thinkers or self-sufficient problem solvers. To combat laxness, ask questions that get to the root cause of assumptions and problems; proactively share your learning with others; and be present in meetings and conversations.

The Avoidance Trap. Avoiding the unpleasant parts of your role may lighten your load in the short term, but it eventually saps your ability to address challenges, and sends a message to your team that being accountable to your role is optional. Actively turn towards challenges by reflecting on the responsibilities of your role; develop a mindset that stress can be beneficial; and work with a coach or mentor to identify where you procrastinate, which can signal feelings of inadequacy that must be addressed internally.

The Friend Trap. When leaders don’t embody the power of their position by holding people accountable or making tough decisions, and when they share confidential information or play favorites, the team they lead don't know what's expected of them. Reflect on why you were the right person for this role; make peace with your power; and take diligent inventory of your strengths so you may effectively leverage them in your role, including your amiability.

The Stress Trap. Your own unmanaged stress can create "secondhand stress" in your environment. Actively manage your stress by developing mindfulness techniques or seeking therapy; improve your daily routines by taking breaks in your workday and by getting adequate sleep, nutrition, and exercise; and take time before responding to challenging requests, even limiting your work communications and notifications to workday hours only.

Although these traps are inevitable to some degree, how you respond to and correct these power dynamics is integral to strengthening your leadership capabilities, empowering those around you, and creating a generative environment for the organization as a whole.

This tip was adapted from "5 Traps to Avoid as You Gain Power as a Leader" by Julia Diamond, Lisa Zigarmi, and Leli Mones.