Want to be an inspiring leader? Watch your language

Want to be an inspiring leader? Watch your language | practice (split each time) | Data is great, but it's useless without understanding Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( March 28, 2024 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] Leading the Way [] [Want to be an inspiring leader? Watch your language]( [Want to be an inspiring leader? Watch your language]( (Westend61/Getty Images) Leaders can better connect with their teams and inspire their success by ditching hedging phrases such as "seems like" or "I believe," asking thoughtful questions and using pronouns such as "we" to build collaboration and "you" to increase engagement, says Wharton School marketing professor Jonah Berger. Using words to become a persuasive and inspiring leader is something anyone can learn, and Berger suggests recording yourself to catch verbal ticks that may be undermining your leadership. Full Story: [Big Think]( (3/27) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: When asking your team to help on a project, [turn the action into an identity]( by asking them to be a "helper," Berger suggests. "We all want to see ourselves as smart, competent, and intelligent in a variety of different things." [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Data is great, but it's useless without understanding]( [Data is great, but it's useless without understanding]( (We Are/Getty Images) Analysis of data is crucial for a company's success, but developing a deep understanding of how that data will play out in an ever-changing operating environment is what separates success from failure, writes executive coach Dave Coffaro. "With understanding, leaders can choose to initiate change intentionally (or react to forces evolving in the organization)," Coffaro notes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (3/27) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Business leaders [face constantly changing variables](, including customer desires, competing companies, technology and economics, which means data must be understood to make the right decisions, Coffaro notes. "Leaders must be tuned to conditions in the present moment to infer and inform actions taken today, aligned with future success." [] [Read more]( from Dave Coffaro on SmartBrief on Leadership Act Now and Save $75 on SHRM Certification. Enhance your skills and increase your earning potential by earning the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® certification. Save $75 when you apply by March 31. [APPLY TODAY]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Smarter Communication [] [Strategies to improve communication with customers]( Form a genuine connection with customers by actively listening to their concerns, expressing empathy, offering genuine compliments and balancing friendliness with professionalism, writes Ian Miller. "Good rapport is not just about resolving the immediate issue at hand; it's about creating an emotional connection that can lead to a long-term relationship," Miller notes. Full Story: [CSM]( (3/26) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Use clear, jargon-free language when talking with customers to avoid misunderstandings [and be sure to thank them for their loyalty and understanding](, Miller advises. "Remember that every customer is different, so be adaptive and genuine in your efforts." Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [The Communication Process: Skills to achieve desired outcomes]( - [Microsoft Excel: Unlocking the Power of Spreadsheets]( - [The Top 75 Leadership Quotes of 2023 - Part 1]( - [ChatGPT Newbie: Your Essential Handbook for Navigating ChatGPT]( - [The Visual You - Why Body Language Matters When You Speak]( [] Future of Work Your work future could include ... [] - [Technology, sustainability set to flourish in future of work]( Boston Consulting Group (3/22) [] - [What is the role of a Chief Future of Work Officer?]( UNLEASH News (3/21) [] - [Why there could be fewer bosses in the future workplace]( The Wall Street Journal (3/26) [] In Their Own Words [] [Tony Robbins: Don't let fear guide tough decisions]( [Tony Robbins: Don't let fear guide tough decisions]( Robbins (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images) Decisions made from fear, or delayed until more concrete information comes in, will fail, writes life and business strategist Tony Robbins, who recommends writing down your thoughts about a decision, clarifying your goals and selecting options that "can move the ball forward and discovering if it's right or not." "It can be a tough choice you're making, but if it aligns with what matters most to you and the organization, you are propelling yourself in the right direction," Robbins notes. Full Story: [Real Leaders]( (3/26) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] ["Titanic" floating door, other movie props, auctioned off]( The balsa-wood door prop that saved Kate Winslet's Rose in the movie "Titanic," but apparently didn't have enough room for Leonardo DiCaprio's Jack to join her has been sold at auction for $718,750. Other movie props also fetched high prices, including Indiana Jones' bullwhip from "The Temple of Doom," fetching $525,000, and a can of shaving cream from "Jurassic Park" that Wayne Knight used to smuggle out dinosaur embryos, selling for $250,000. Full Story: [The Guardian (London)]( (3/26) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] NHL great Wayne Gretzky started his career with the Edmonton Oilers and scored a majority of his 1,072 total goals with them. But his last goal was scored as a member of what team? [Vote]( [Arizona Coyotes]( [Vote]( [Los Angeles Kings]( [Vote]( [Edmonton Oilers]( [Vote]( [New York Rangers]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Chellew How a leader speaks and the language that they use can have a significant impact on how well your team performs. When I worked at a university in Georgia, the vice president of our division had a nasty habit of using belittling and sarcastic language. Not just once in awhile, but all the time in all situations -- maybe especially in those that required some manner of empathy. She was well aware of how she came across, and she liked being intimidating and off-putting. As a result, she lost a lot of good, competent staff, myself included. I've had other bosses who were careful with language and were open to hearing how they could improve their communication. The leader of a grant project I worked on at a South Carolina university was such a person. When she spoke, you knew that she cared, but when she needed to assert herself, she always did it in a way that made you want to do your job better. [As Jonah Berger put it, she turned actions into an identity](. You weren't just her employee, you were a helper, a professional who could excel in their job given the right resources. She was a joy to work with, and I was sad when the grant was over, and we all had to find other jobs. Watching your language doesn't mean you have to stop being an assertive leader. Instead, it's learning to understand how your words can either motivate or discourage your team and finding the right way to help them fully engage their talents. If this newsletter helps you, please tell your colleagues, friends or anyone who can benefit. Forward them this email, or [send this link](. What topics do you see in your daily work that I should know about? Do you have praise? Criticism? [Drop me a note](mailto:candace.chellew@futurenet.com). And don't forget to send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off. [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Sharing SmartBrief on Leadership with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free. Help Spread the Word [SHARE]( Or copy and share your personalized link: smartbrief.com/leadership/?referrerId=japnABMSAp [] [] I'd stay up until 3 or 4 in the morning, as long as anyone would play with me. I worked eight or 12 hours a day on chess. [Lisa Lane](, chess player, US women's chess champion 1933-2024 March is Women's History Month [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email](   SmartBrief publishes more than 200 free industry newsletters - [Browse our portfolio]( [Sign Up]( | [Update Profile]( | [Advertise with SmartBrief]( [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy policy]( CONTACT US: [FEEDBACK](mailto:leadership@smartbrief.com) | [ADVERTISE](mailto:lengel@smartbrief.com) [SmartBrief Future]( Copyright © 2024 SmartBrief. All Rights Reserved. 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