IzLegal Illustrated
GRATITUDE IN THE WORKPLACE Should Be a Year-Round Initiative
OUTSIDE THE OFFICE Businesses don’t operate in
and negative feedback. And the benefits affect both the person expressing their gratitude and the person receiving it. EVERYDAY APPRECIATION During the holidays, it’s easy to take a moment to say thank you to the people who’ve made a difference in our lives over the past year. Sharing your appreciation, however, is just as important in March or August as it is in November. Gratitude begets more gratitude, creating what researchers Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough call an “upward spiral.” Once you set the spiral in motion at your workplace, you’ll see an attitude of gratitude multiply and spread. The easiest way to start is to create a public forum where employees can acknowledge one another. “We have an all-hands meeting once a week, and we finish the meeting by ‘giving props,’ which is recognizing people on the team for their accomplishments that week,” says Badger Maps CEO Steven Benson. “Anyone on the team can give props to anyone else on the team, which fosters an atmosphere of appreciation and teamwork.” Other companies have a thank-you wall or shoutout email chain where employees can share their kudos. The most important thing isn’t the method you use; it’s that you make it an important part of company culture. It starts with leadership. If you aren’t taking the time to recognize and appreciate people, how can you expect that anyone else will? Instilling a culture of gratitude within your company doesn’t require intensive training or extensive investment. All you need to do is encourage a certain perspective and approach.
Odds are that your company hosts some type of Thanksgiving festivity. Office potlucks are delicious and great for camaraderie, but there’s one element of the holiday that should be part of your team’s culture year-round: gratitude. “If we think about gratitude only once a year,” notes author David Horsager, “we overlook the immense power of practicing it daily, especially in a business context.” A study from the University of Warwick found that happier employees are 12% more productive. One of the easiest ways to put a smile on the faces of your team is to express your gratitude for them. It sounds simple, but it’s something far too many entrepreneurs, executives, and managers overlook. The holiday season is the perfect time of year to reflect on whether or not you’re saying thanks enough. THE BENEFITS OF GRATITUDE Over the course of his career as CEO of Campbell Soup Company, Douglas Conant wrote more than 30,000 notes to employees expressing gratitude and appreciation to them. “On the face of it, writing handwritten notes may seem like a waste of time,” Conant told Harvard Business Review. “But in my experience, they build goodwill and lead to higher productivity.” The number of studies that confirm Conant’s assumption are too numerous to list here, but there are a few that should raise the eyebrows of any business owner. A study from the University of Pennsylvania, for example, found that grateful leaders motivate their employees to be up to 50% more productive. Gratitude and acknowledgment have also been linked to increased self-esteem, happiness, empathy, and a better response to stress
a vacuum. They’re all part of the communities they inhabit, and your
company’s sense of gratitude should reach beyond your staff and customers. Community outreach is the best way to show your neighbors that you care about them. During the holidays, there’s so much you can do for those in need in your area. Simply raising money for a local food bank or donating turkeys will go a long way for a family during Thanksgiving. Holding a companywide fundraiser brings your team together and gives them a sense of purpose that’s much more powerful than a paycheck alone. Certainly, the power of donating to a worthy cause is reason enough to participate in some philanthropy this holiday season. As a bonus, companies that engage in outreach projects consistently demonstrate higher levels of employee engagement and retention, which goes to show what happens when you get the upward spiral of gratitude in motion. GO FORTH GRATEFULLY Creating a culture of gratitude and appreciation will benefit your company long after the last piece of pumpkin pie has been eaten. So take a moment this year to say thanks and show love to your team. And don’t stop doing it, even after the holidays have passed.
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GET READY FOR GOOD NUTRITION IN NOVEMBER! 3 Tips to Get Your Picky Eaters to Eat the Veggies Their Bodies Need
It began like any other hunting excursion. Neil Jacobs was walking softly through the bushes, looking for a spot to hunker down and watch for a flock of turkeys. The only problem was that someone beat him to that neck of the woods. James Kent had established a hunting spot for himself, and, when he heard rustling and gobbling in some nearby bushes and saw a flash of red, he took aim and fired. Unfortunately, the movement in the bushes was not a turkey. Kent was horrified to find that he had shot Jacobs. Jacobs promptly moved for a partial summary judgment against Kent on the basis that he had failed to determine that Jacobs was not a turkey but, in fact, a human being. Kent cross-moved for summary judgment, saying Jacobs should have expected risks when he stepped into a popular hunting environment. When their case came before the Supreme Court of the 4th District of New York, the courts denied both the motion and the cross-motion. They 1. LET THEM HELP. If your child has grown out of the toddler stage and is still resistant to eating their vegetables, child psychologists say you should have them help with the cooking process. The excitement and anticipation that comes with getting to prepare the vegetables can encourage kids to try a couple bites during dinnertime. appealing for your little ones. When making their favorite mac ‘n’ cheese dish, consider adding broccoli and peas to the sauce. The cheese will mask most of the veggie flavor, and your kids won’t care as much! Another option for really picky eaters is to purée vegetables, like sweet potatoes, into the cheese sauce. The bright orange 2. CHEESE IT UP! Cheese can undoubtedly make veggies more
color will mask the inclusion, ensuring your little one gets a good share of fiber-rich nutrients while being none the wiser. 3. GET ‘BEEFY’ WITH YOUR VEGGIES. If your kids are fans of meat-based pasta sauces, meatballs, or sloppy Joes, you can substitute some of the ground beef with finely chopped mushrooms. Since the meaty texture of the tasty fungi is similar to ground beef, it’ll be hard for kids to notice the difference. Riced cauliflower can also be mistaken for tender ground beef when cooked in darker sauces and gravies.
It might seem strange that November — when millions of Americans gather around the dinner table to show gratitude through lavish Thanksgiving feasts — has recently been dubbed Good Nutrition Month. But it’s true; now is the time to pay extra attention to the nutrients your body needs to maintain its healthy state through the new year. While mindful eating is a habit families know they should practice year-round, once the holiday season kicks into full gear, it becomes much easier to overlook. With colder weather keeping you inside, the cravings for heartier meals and delicious baked goods leave parents struggling to encourage their picky eaters to consume anything nutritious. If you’re finding it more difficult than usual to convince your child to eat their greens, here are some tips to keep in mind!
While it can be frustrating to negotiate with a picky eater, especially during the holidays, don’t lose hope. Try out these three tasty tips and observe Good Nutrition Month with a little more ease. NOT YOUR ORDINARY TURKEY SHOOT THE CRAZY CASE OF JACOBS V. KENT
agreed that Jacobs had assumed the inherent risks of hunting — just not the risks it would be unreasonable to assume, like getting shot by another hunter who thought you were a turkey. Beyond that, the courts did not pronounce judgment because they did not have enough verifiable facts. Jacobs asserted that turkey hunters should not shoot unless they can see the turkey and verify its gender. The court could not determine whether Kent had failed to follow this rule when he shot Jacobs. They also could not determine whether the doctrine of primary assumption of risk, which Kent pointed to in his defense, was even applicable. The court also called into question whether Jacobs had also been negligent. Ultimately, the case didn’t move forward.
Maybe next time, they should just try getting a turkey from the supermarket.
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THE RISKS OF E-SCOOTERS And How Injuries Are Occurring
between Sept. 5 and Nov. 30. Of the injuries, 48% were related to the head, and 15% of them were traumatic brain injuries. In Florida, people aren’t required to wear a helmet if they choose to ride an e-scooter, but riders have to be at least 18 or older. Although this might be the case, our team at Izquierdo Law Firm highly recommends always using a helmet. Many of the severe or even fatal injuries that have occurred in an e-scooter accident could have been avoided if the rider had been wearing a helmet. Additionally, you must remain focused when you are on a scooter; put your music and phone away so you can hear and see the traffic around you properly. It’s important to keep in mind the risks that these scooters, while convenient, may expose you to. Awareness is the first step in avoiding disaster.
You may have seen several electric scooters, or e-scooters, around town. While thousands of these scooters are being used daily, many people are unaware of the risks associated with them. Since their first release in 2017, e-scooters have become a popular means of quick transportation. Anyone looking to grab a bite to eat during a lunch break, run to the gas station for a quick drink, or get to class quickly find these scooters extremely useful. However, their level of accessibility also provides ample risk for injury. Accidents involving e-scooters are usually the result of a faulty scooter, uneven ground, or distracted drivers. The severity of the injuries is due mostly to not wearing the proper gear, such as a helmet. A study taken by the Public Health and Transportation Department in Austin, Texas, found that 190 people were injured while riding an e-scooter in 2018
Laugh Out Loud
Burnished Potato Nuggets There are countless ways to prepare potatoes, but not all are created equal. For irresistibly crunchy outsides and deliciously creamy insides, try this recipe. The result is sure to be the star side at yourThanksgiving table. Ingredients
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2 sprigs rosemary
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1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
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5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
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Kosher salt, to taste
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1/4 cup vegetable oil
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8 cloves garlic, crushed
Directions
5. Remove pan from oven and add potatoes, turning to coat thoroughly. Return to oven and cook for 30 minutes, turning every 10. 6. Toss in garlic and rosemary and finish cooking for 8–10 minutes. 7. Drain and serve.
1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In a large pot, pour water over potatoes to cover by 2 inches. Salt water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes. 3. Thoroughly drain potatoes and let stand for 10 minutes. Toss gently and season with salt. 4. Meanwhile, combine both oils in a large pan and heat in oven for 10 minutes.
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INSIDE this issue
1
The Importance of Gratitude at Work
2
Trick Your Picky Eaters
Not Your Ordinary Turkey Shoot
3
Think Twice Before Hopping on That Scooter Burnished Potato Nuggets
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History’s Most Successful Pirate
Ching Shih: History’s Most Successful Pirate LEGEND OF THE PIRATE QUEEN
Shih implemented a strict code of conduct. The code included rules for distributing booty, protecting female captives, and beheading anyone who disobeyed Ching Shih. Under her rule, the bloody crimes of piracy became a profitable business. The Red Flag Fleet would eventually clash with the British Empire, the Portuguese Empire, and the Qing dynasty of China, but no one could topple the pirate queen. After almost a decade of pillaging the high seas, Ching Shih decided piracy wasn’t the best retirement plan. In 1810, she walked into the office of a local governor-general, completely unarmed, and requested full pardons and government jobs for her entire crew — along with permission to keep all their stolen goods. In exchange, she promised to give up piracy for good. Thankful to be free of the Red Flag Fleet, the Chinese government agreed to her terms. Ching Shih’s second husband was even made an officer in the Chinese navy.
From Blackbeard to Jack Sparrow, pop culture teems with pirates who frequented the ports of the Caribbean. And while these pirates are well-known for their (sometimes fictional) accomplishments, the most successful pirate in history terrorized the seas of China instead. Her name was Ching Shih. Ching Shih, who was born Shih Yang, was working in a Cantonese brothel when she met the pirate Zheng Yi. He came from a long family of notorious pirates and was impressed by Ching Shih’s cunning. They married in 1801 and built a pirate empire known as the Red Flag Fleet. When Zheng Yi passed away suddenly in 1807, Ching Shih strategically maneuvered her way into leadership, taking control of over 60,000 pirates. Historians describe Ching Shih as a brilliant military strategist, a skilled businesswoman, and a harsh disciplinarian. After taking control of the fleet, Ching
Ching Shih returned to Canton with her vast wealth and spent the next 34 years living a life of comfort with her family and running a gambling den. In 1844, the legendary pirate queen passed away of old age at 69, a rare feat for pirates of her era.
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