Latest US jobs report, communication skills, and Olympic rowing

Data, listening skills, and teamwork, oh my!

It’s helpful sometimes to take a step back and look at what the data tells us. 

We’ll do that in a quick analysis of the US Jobs report.

It’s also good to gain some awareness of areas of improvement, especially around communication.

We’ll do that too.

And… great stories are fun as well! So check out the Book of the Week!

In today’s newsletter:

• Trends in US jobs and how they might impact you

• The 2 keys to great communication

• An Olympic story you’ll want to know

• Hot jobs

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CAREER TIPS

There are Two Key Elements to Effective Communication

Effective communication is a dynamic exchange that requires both listening and sharing. Without both, it’s just information getting shared and not received, or it might not be shared at all.

So if you want to be a great communicator (I highly recommend that you do), let’s talk about cultivating both parts of great communication!

Awareness of Communication Preferences

Communication styles vary from person to person, with some individuals naturally inclined towards sharing while others lean towards listening. Recognizing your communication tendencies is the first step towards enhancing communication skills. You may find it easier to share information, while others excel at listening attentively to others' perspectives.

Start with this awareness, build on your strengths, and see where you can improve!

Becoming aware of your communication tendencies is crucial to avoid becoming a bottleneck in communication flow. Those who solely focus on sharing may overlook valuable insights from others, stifling collaboration and innovation. Similarly, individuals who primarily listen may fail to contribute their perspectives, hindering effective decision-making and problem-solving.

The Importance of Listening AND Sharing

Listening is a cornerstone of effective communication. It involves actively engaging with others' ideas, perspectives, and concerns. Prioritizing listening demonstrates empathy and respect for others' viewpoints, fostering trust and collaboration within teams. Moreover, effective listening enables you to gain valuable insights, leading to informed decision-making and problem-solving.

Sharing, on the other hand, is essential for conveying ideas, information, and opinions. When you excel at sharing you contribute to the exchange of knowledge and foster innovation within teams. By articulating your thoughts and experiences, you enrich discussions and promote clarity and understanding among team members.

While both listening and sharing are integral to effective communication, finding a balance between the two is key. Communication should be a reciprocal process where individuals both listen and share actively. A healthy balance ensures that communication remains dynamic and inclusive, allowing for the free flow of ideas and information in any setting.

Encouraging a Culture of Open Communication

Leaders play a vital role in fostering a culture of open communication within teams and organizations. By encouraging active listening and promoting sharing, leaders create an environment where all voices are valued and respected. This inclusive approach not only enhances teamwork and collaboration but also cultivates a sense of belonging and engagement among team members.

Effective communication hinges on including both listening and sharing. By recognizing and addressing individual communication tendencies, you can contribute to a dynamic exchange of ideas and information within teams and organizations. Whether you lean towards sharing or listening, embracing both aspects of communication is essential for fostering collaboration, innovation, and engagement.

 HOT JOBS OF THE WEEK

> Data Engineer at Comerica Bank (Apply)

> Kubernetes Engineer at Accenture Federal Services (Apply)

> Network Engineer at Booz Allen (Apply)

> Lead / Sr. Lead Embedded Engineer at Quest Global (Apply)

Nikola Tesla, born on July 10, 1856, in Smiljan, Croatia (then part of the Austrian Empire), was a brilliant and enigmatic inventor, engineer, and futurist. He immigrated to the United States in the late 19th century and quickly gained recognition for his innovative work in electrical engineering. Tesla's contributions include the development of alternating current (AC) electrical systems, numerous inventions related to electricity and magnetism, and pioneering work in wireless communication. Despite his incredible accomplishments, he faced financial challenges and spent his later years in relative obscurity, but his legacy as one of history's greatest inventors endures, with his name associated with countless technological advancements and the Tesla electric car company bearing his name in the 21st century.

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📚 BOOK RECOMMENDATION

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

This is one of my favorite books, and not just because I’m an alumnus of the University of Washington. It’s a nonfiction book that reads like a gripping novel. 

Plus, the Olympics are coming up soon, and this is a fabulous story that captures the true spirit of sports in my opinion.

It’s a story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times—the improbable, intimate account of how nine working-class boys from the American West showed the world at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin what true grit really meant.

It was an unlikely quest from the start. With a team composed of the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team was never expected to defeat the elite teams of the East Coast and Great Britain, yet they did, going on to shock the world by defeating the German team rowing for Adolf Hitler.

The emotional heart of the tale lies with Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not only to regain his shattered self-regard but also to find a real place for himself in the world. 

This book has insights on overcoming personal challenges, coming together as a team, and connecting with a purpose bigger than yourself. Enjoy!