Welcome to the Deploy Yourself Newsletter. Every two weeks I share about what impactful coaching and leadership look like. I also share the most insightful lessons and stories I encountered in the last two weeks. You can also read this issue online.

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The Neuroscience of Trust, And Treating People Like Adults

The latest neuroscience research has found that the hormone oxytocin reduces fear and increases trust and empathy in the workplace. If you are wondering why trust is important, it leads to 74% less stress, 106% more energy at work, 50% higher productivity, 13% fewer sick days, 76% more engagement, 29% more life satisfaction, and 40% less burnout.

Below are some simple ways I have found in my research to foster trust and improve performance. This is especially important if you are in a managerial position.

  1. Give recognition immediately after a task well done
  2. Give people autonomy to decide how they do their work
  3. Flexible job responsibilities based on people’s strengths and project requirements
  4. Transparency in communication
  5. Caring about the whole person, and not just the employee
  6. Being vulnerable and sharing

You cultivate trust by setting a clear direction, giving people what they need to see it through, and getting out of their way. It’s not about being easy on your employees or expecting less from them. High-trust leaders hold people accountable but without micromanaging them. They treat people like responsible adults.

If you are a manager, what one small step you can take right now, right after reading this email, to increase the trust among your teammates?

If you are not a manager and work in a low trust environment, hit reply and I can share what has worked for me when I have dealt with similar situations.

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Articles and Stories Which Have Fascinated Me

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One

How To Overcome Negative Emotions And Create Positive Energy?

This one is from my desk. Read this article to understand how can we process human emotional waste. Just like the waste generated in our households and cities is processed to create energy, we must process our emotional waste too. If we know how to deal with our emotions, they can be used to move towards meaningful goals that lead to joy and fulfillment.

Just like crude oil can turn to fuel used to drive vehicles, our toxic emotions like anger, frustration, resignation, etc can also be turned into fuel to power something beneficial in our lives.

From my article titled How Can We Overcome Negative Emotions And Create Positive Energy To Achieve Joy And Fulfilment?

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Two

Why We Sleep Review

I just finished reading the book “Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams” by neuroscientist Matthew Walker, and was completely fascinated by the book. I knew sleep was important, but I never knew it was “this” important. It impacts everything we do – from our physical and mental health, learning, memory, decision making, creativity, and productivity. In this book, Matt Walker explains the new science that is rapidly solving this age-old mystery of what happens when we sleep.

Bill Gates calls this book one of his favorites, which he says took him a little longer than usual to finish — ironically, because he kept following Walker’s advice to put down the book a bit earlier than he was used to, so he could get a better night’s sleep.

I found this a must-read book about the importance of sleep and the dangers of a lack of it. And it contains stunning information I have never read anywhere else. I always prefer to read science-related books that are written by scientists, and this book does not disappoint.

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Three

How to Take Back Your Power at Work

“Reclaiming your power means you stop behaving in ways that make your stomach twist and churn. You stop putting up with some jerk executive berating you and others in the room. You stop living in fear in the office.

When I reclaimed my power, I started sharing my thoughts and opinions, even when I knew they weren’t popular. I began asking the tough questions others were afraid to ask because they were afraid of losing their jobs. I spoke up even when the senior exec across the table would shout and curse at me.

Powerful people get as much, if not more, out of their jobs as they are putting in. When that balance changes or someone tries to make them give up their power, they move on quickly.

When you’re powerful and talented, opportunities continually flow your way. You will always be in the position to call the shots at work when you know that you can land a new job at any time.

Don’t let any company or boss take that freedom away from you.”

From an article titled How to Take Back Your Power at Work by Larry Cornett

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That’s it for now. If you have any questions, just hit reply. All the best,

Sumit

(Twitter) @SumitGupta
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