Archives for November 2018

Analytical Hope

November 29, 2018 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

We find analytical people often have difficulty promoting themselves without feeling slimy. If others do not know the contributions being made by the analytical contributor, it’s a loss to the organization, and to that person.

Just because things aren’t perfect does not mean progress is not worthy of celebration. Our counsel to such analytical people is to think of someone they respect who balances honesty and hope. People who present the tough results and are still able to be hopeful motivate others. Emulate them. It is important to do the work. It’s also important to provide hope.

Carol Keers – Executive Presence Tip

Surveillance

November 27, 2018 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

Tim Cook, Apple CEO, said “If we get this wrong, the dangers are profound…

“Platforms and algorithms that promised to improve our lives can actually magnify our worst human tendencies. Rogue actors and even governments have taken advantage of user trust to deepen divisions, incite violence, and even undermine our shared sense of what is true and what is false. “Our own information, from the everyday to the deeply personal, is being weaponized against us with military efficiency.”

Cook’s hook line for this message is strong. He is advocating for legal constraints similar to those in the European Union. There are two key points that affect us on a more personal basis. What has been already collected?… and how do you make adjustments that you feel you need to make to what is continuing to be collected?

Google

Google is one of the largest collectors (and users) of search data and phone tracking. They are also transparent about what they are collecting about you. You can go to see what data Google has collected on you at Google CHECKUP. It will show your searches, videos watched on YouTube including any “likes” and comments. Google Maps and Android phones show everywhere you have been on a specific day. You can also adjust what you want Google to be able to collect about you.

They will argue that all the data history helps them help you. It is true. It also allows them to send advertising that is more relevant to you. Google only gets paid when someone clicks on an ad, so customizing increases their revenue and their value to advertisers.

Google dominates the internet data as the:

Biggest browser company in the world.
Biggest video host.
Biggest email service.
Biggest search engine.
Biggest mobile operating system.
Biggest server of digital ads.

Google controls 42% of the digital advertising market which is vastly more than anyone else. It is significantly larger than Facebook, which is the second largest. Google’s tracking codes appear on three quarters of the top million sites on the web. Google has a vested interest in tracking people to serve them ads which deliver 86% of Alphabet’s (Google’s parent company) revenue.

Unfortunately, this puts Google at odds with the interests of its users’ privacy. Their Chrome browser was the last to include the “do not track” function. Many knowledgeable technology people refuse to use Chrome.

Facebook

If you go to Facebook’s Accessing Your Facebook Data page, you can download all the data Facebook has collected from you. It also has all the contact information of your friends, including phone numbers etc., for the contacts you are connected to, those you deleted, and those you turned down. Photos are obviously there, too, and they can recognize faces. When you use a Facebook or Google sign-in for other websites, information is shared in both directions.

There is data that they collect on you that they don’t share. Many sites have tacking pixels that keep track of what you do on those sites and send the information to Facebook. Your messages to your congressman about political issues are often collected. Facebook has a patent pending that will connect you to others because their location data says you were in the same place at the same time. You don’t have to be connected or even know the person’s name.

Which is why it was such a big deal that Cambridge Analytica gave information to the Trump campaign and others. There is little doubt the Russians and Chinese have the data, too.

All mobile applications

When we check the box to accept terms and conditions without reviewing them, the implications are significant. That is a broader topic. There are some helpful insights on Ted Talks on data collection and artificial intelligence.

What can you do?

Most people do not know what data they agreed to give away. Above are two of the big data collectors you can check and adjust if you are concerned. There are a number of people deleting Facebook or significantly restraining it’s use. If you don’t want them to track your location, sign-out when you are not actively using the app. (That is not just closing the app; you need to log out.)

There are knowledgeable people who say it’s too late. The concept of privacy is gone. Just as you cannot collect the feathers of a pillow once you have released them to the wind, the data already shared will not go away. I do believe we can make the choice to be more aware and to actively manage how many feathers are in the wind.

Tim Cook is raising the issue because it is important and because there is still time to have impact, on a personal and global level.

Holiday Advice that Applies All Year Long

November 22, 2018 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

Deal with reality as it is … not as you would like it to be.

How do you have gracious presence with your difficult family members this holiday season? We always have a choice about how we respond. Surprise is not one of the sensible response options if you are dealing with an often repeated behavior.

“Mom, you’ve always known that your family was screwed up – why do you keep being surprised by them when they do stupid things?” was the compassionate advice from my daughter several years ago.

There are also difficult people and situations at work. If there are repeated patterns, think about how you want to graciously respond and avoid feeling surprised, even if you are disappointed. You can choose to be your better self.

Carol Keers’ Executive Presence Tip

Benefits of Gratitude

November 20, 2018 By Tom Mungavan Leave a Comment

The wisdom of poets, philosophers, and common sense is often followed by scientific study. “Over the past two decades, studies have consistently found that people who practice gratitude report fewer symptoms of illness, including depression, more optimism and happiness, stronger relationships, more generous behavior, and many other benefits.” This is the declaration of the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California Berkeley, of which I am a member.

The organization is focused on comparing anecdotal perspectives with actual verifiable studies. Choosing to think about what you are grateful for is beneficial to your health and sense of well-being even if you do not share your gratitude with others. Taking time to write down what you are grateful for helps both healthy people and those suffering mental and physical pain.

Client Example

One of my clients who ran a large research and development organization received survey data saying that people thought he was always negative. When I said, “I’m sorry your people are so incompetent.” he reacted strongly, as I hoped he would, by telling me how his team is outstanding. I asked why his department did not see that view from him. In reality, he saw his people as doing 99% of things very well and 1% that he needed to point out and correct. The fallacy of the way he was projecting his viewpoint was obvious to him once in the light of day.

He resolved to correct the perception. With his morning coffee, he wrote down ten things his team was doing well. He committed to tell at least one person about every item on the list by the end of the day. He did that every day. The perception by his department was a dramatic positive shift. My client reported having much less stress and enjoying his job more than before. The truth was he did appreciate his team. He continued holding people accountable, in addition to showing appreciation. His focus on the negative had hurt his people and hurt him. Focusing on appreciation helped everyone.

Brain research

On the scientific side, Professors Joel Wong and Joshua Brown doing brain research sciences at Indiana University found:

Gratitude unshackles us from toxic emotions.
Gratitude’s benefits take time.
Gratitude has lasting effects on the brain.

They found the MRI brain scans differed for people who did things out of obligation compared to gratitude. People who are generally more grateful gave more money to a cause and they showed more positive brain activity in the area associated with learning and decision-making. This suggests that people who are more grateful are also more attentive.

Showing gratitude improves the lives of those you meet as well as improving your health and well-being.