Go beyond to-do lists to improve your productivity Draw a task map that uses a hub-and-spoke design when a traditional to-do list isn't helping you organize tasks across different initiatives, suggests Chris Myers. It can also be helpful to use a prioritization matrix that factors in the time required, effort level and importance of specific tasks. Forbes (1/11)The key ingredients to good leadership Leaders must be willing to respect ideas and people they don't understand, writes Robert Safian, the managing director of Fast Company. Also, they should use face-to-face communication whenever possible as they work to show empathy and a willingness to listen to others. Fast Company online (1/10)
Any interaction can be an opportunity to expand your professional network, writes Carrie Kerpen, who shares a story about connecting with one of her idols in an airport. "[R]ather than expecting things to happen to you, you have to take the initiative and go after them," she writes. The Muse (1/11)
The Landscape
Tax law spurs Walmart to raise pay, give bonus Walmart plans to increase hourly minimum wage to $11 and to offer employees a one-time cash bonus of as much as $1,000. The retailer cites the recently passed tax law for the move. Reuters (1/11)
Your Next Challenge
Don't overlook these factors when choosing a job Focus on opportunities for growth as well as your salary expectations when choosing the right job opportunity, writes Emily Moore. Don't forget to consider factors such as the length of your commute. Glassdoor (1/11)
The Water Cooler
Antarctica's oldest forest is discovered Scientists report they have discovered fossils from 280 million years ago -- the oldest polar forest on record in Antarctica. While Antarctica was warmer and part of a supercontinent back then, tree rings on the fossils suggest the environment wasn't always friendly to tree growth. CNN (1/5)
All progress has resulted from people who took unpopular positions.
