by Race in the Workplace special correspondent Erica Mauter

Leadership sans power - Leadership Turn
“The easiest way to nudge is by doing—just take the initiative and do something. That’s often enough to get everyone moving. Offering help to teammates who are stuck, in a manner that doesn’t undercut or offend them, is another way to lead (if you insist on using that term).”

What to do if your boss is Isiah Thomas - TIME’s Work in Progress
“focus on the problem; acknowledge it; ignore the behavior you dislike; and report what’s untenable. ‘Personally, I think she should have quit,’ [negotiating expert Michael Donaldson] says. ‘No one should have to put up with that. But if she really wanted to keep that job, she would have to have undertaken as a major project the changing of his behavior.’”

Job Search Rule #21: Use Good Telephone Skills - The Career Encouragement Blog
Some things that seem obvious, but that a surprising number of people probably don’t do. Such as not letting your kids answer your phone and listening to your voicemails before returning a call.

Let’s Get Rid of FUN at work! - Slacker Manager
Doing away with “coercive joviality.” i.e., if you have to tell someone to have fun, they’re not going to.

Too many office trinkets? Professional image may suffer - University of Michigan News Service
“If more than one in five items that adorn a worker’s office or cubicle are personal in nature, others may view that worker as unprofessional.” (via On the Job)

O.T. Isn’t as Simple as Telling Time - New York Times
“Because the woman, Carla Bird, is an assistant at Oprah Winfrey’s production company, Harpo Studios, and because some seemingly jealous co-workers spread the word to the news media, her $32,000 payout was the talk of those who pay attention to workload for a living. The work/life experts were predictably appalled that Ms. Bird had logged so many hours. And the labor lawyers? They were impressed — that she had actually collected her overtime pay.”

Immigration Absurdity - The Creative Class Exchange
“The economic benefits to diversity are two-fold. First, a greater variety of products and experiences for consumers, such as ethnic restaurants, fusion food, R&B music, or new holistic therapies that blend Eastern and Western influences. Second, and perhaps most importantly, diversity stimulates innovation.”

Recommended Reading is a weekly feature where we link to some of our favorite workplace-related blog posts and articles. If you would like to suggest a link to Erica, please email tips@raceintheworkplace.com