Are you feeling like you’re always super busy, yet when you review the month it doesn’t look like you have accomplished that much? Do you look enviously at your colleague who never seems frenzied yet turns in high quality work on time? If so, it is time for you to pick up Slow Productivity by Cal Newport. Learn to choose your work of the day better, find a natural rhythm and pace to work, and turn out quality.

One of the best discussions and explanations of quantum computing I have ever heard came during this interview of Dario Gil, IBM Chief of Research by Guy Kawasaki. They also touch on AI and other modern technologies.

Kevin Rose interviewed Chris Dixon on his revitalized podcast on “Building the Next Era of the Internet.” One of the best blockchain discussions I’ve heard in many years.

Want to feel like an idiot? Blow the pronunciation of someone’s name when introducing them. Although I have dealt internationally for 40 years, I’ve lived most of my life where everyone has similar German or Irish names. Many people do not have ears tuned to listening to words and names that sound unfamiliar. This MIT Sloan Management article gave some tips.

It’s crucial to remember that everyone makes mistakes and that the willingness to learn and improve is most important — but it’s imperative not to presume pronunciation or put the onus of correcting your mistakes on others. In recognizing these challenges, we offer the following suggestions.

Ask. Various interactions afford you the opportunity to learn a name’s pronunciation. For example, upon meeting someone, ask how to pronounce their name. Even when the spelling of a name is consistent, its pronunciation can nonetheless vary. For example, Cassandra could be pronounced kuh-SAN-druh or kuh-SAHN-druh, and Xavier could be pronounced ZAY-vee-er or ex-ZAY-vee-er. (The authors show a little regional bias, could also be HAV-ee-er.) If you are going to introduce or meet someone whose name you have read but not said aloud before, ask them how to pronounce their name or whether your pronunciation was correct after saying it for the first time. 

Avoid unwanted nicknames. When you struggle to pronounce a name, do not resort to nicknaming the person without their permission. As a leader or manager, reflect on the potential message you might convey to an employee and their colleagues when using an unwanted nickname. When people sense a lack of effort in getting their name right, they could come to feel overlooked. This, in turn, may have adverse effects on future interactions and performance; research has shown that when employees feel seen, creativity and satisfaction increase while absenteeism rates fall. Additionally, using unwanted nicknames may inadvertently create a norm of doing so within your team or organization. Demonstrating care and dedication by actively practicing and remembering names, rather than shifting the responsibility onto individuals to adapt to a name they didn’t choose, request, or receive at birth, is essential for helping employees thrive and feel included.

Practice. As with most things that don’t come naturally to us, practice makes perfect. If you’re unfamiliar with the correct pronunciation of a name, it can be challenging to get it right. This is where practicing can go a long way. Write down the phonetic spelling of the name to help commit it to memory, or use mnemonic devices to help you remember the correct pronunciation. The key here is to keep trying and show respect by making the effort to get it right. Such efforts do not need to be advertised or used as a means of self-promotion.

Own your mistakes, and be open to feedback. When you misspeak, correct yourself and apologize. Again, modeling this behavior will foster a culture wherein employees feel comfortable voicing concerns and providing important feedback — such as how to properly say their name — and they feel welcome and valued. Research suggests that employees do not voice suggestions if they perceive that such efforts are futile. Further, you should encourage others to correct you, and react positively when they do; this is particularly important if you hold a position of power in your organization. Showing that you are open to feedback is important to model and will help set the tone for how people respond to being corrected in general. Over time, you will help cultivate a space where everyone feels comfortable speaking up or voicing feedback.

I have released a couple of podcasts available on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or direct download from automation.libsyn.com. The first contains thoughts on standards development. The second fleshes out more thoughts on Slow Productivity.

I have arranged a special deal with energy drink makers Magic Mind. Listeners can visit here and get up to 56% off your subscription for the next 10 days with my code GARYM20. After 10 days, you can still get 20% off for one time purchases and subscriptions. 

My website sponsor is Inductive Automation. Check out their flagship product Ignition and the Cloud and Edge editions.

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You can find my business and technology blog The Manufacturing Connection.

You can find my personal development blog Faith Venture.

Do a colleague a favor and forward this newsletter. Questions or comments, hit reply.

Gary