A layoff memo will be scrutinized. Here's what to say

Find this sweet spot to move up the leadership ladder | practice (split each time) | A layoff memo will be scrutinized. Here's what to say Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( May 30, 2024 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT Leading the Way [] [Find this sweet spot to move up the leadership ladder]( [Find this sweet spot to move up the leadership ladder]( (Alexey Yaremenko/Getty Images) Make yourself more visible as a potential leader by working on confident body language, being diplomatic when speaking and positioning yourself near others with more influence so you become "powerful enough to be listened to but attractive enough to be followed," says Suzanne Peterson, an associate professor at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. "And that is a difficult balance, but [...] the best leaders seem to hit that just in the middle where you say, I really feel compelled to listen to this person, but I'm rooting for them," Peterson says. Full Story: [Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model)]( (5/29) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: To move into a leadership role, [be strategic in every situation](, Peterson says, such as diplomatically disagreeing during a meeting instead of complaining afterward or asking questions to show you're listening and open to ideas. Whatever tactics you may use, stick with what feels authentic to you, Peterson advises. [Get the AI Insider Advantage]( Join the Nexis+ AI™ Insider Program for free and get exclusive early access to new AI solutions. Be first to preview developments, provide feedback to shape future products, and stay ahead with exclusive content on innovations. Don't miss out -[join the Nexis+ AI Insider Program now!]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Smarter Communication [] [A layoff memo will be scrutinized. Here's what to say]( [A layoff memo will be scrutinized. Here's what to say]( (No-Mad/Getty Images) Layoff notices are never easy to write, but they can help employees who are left behind if they are clear, concise, include the CEO or other leadership taking responsibility, recognize the contributions of those leaving and are honest about the challenges ahead for those who remain, writes Tom Corfman, a senior consultant with RCG. "Messages announcing job cuts are likely the most closely read and widely shared communication by employees in every organization. Every word counts," Corfman writes. Full Story: [Ragan]( (5/29) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Refrain from surprising employees with a layoff, Corfman advises. Instead, [be upfront with them if the company is struggling](, and if the day arrives when layoffs are necessary, don't bury the news under a bed of platitudes at the beginning of the message. [] [Why employees aren't coming through your "open door"]( An open door policy will only work if employees are comfortable approaching you, writes author and global leadership strategist Jane Hyun, who recommends bosses use one-on-one meetings and other conversations to learn about their team members and their preferred ways to communicate. "Some employees need to be encouraged to share their point of view with psychological safety, especially if they've worked for managers who did not allow this," Hyun writes. Full Story: [Fast Company (tiered subscription model)]( (5/28) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Approach each conversation with curiosity and [prepare yourself with three questions](: "What is their thought process?" "How will I best connect?" and "How do I demonstrate curiosity about their point of view?" "Meeting regularly with your team provides multiple opportunities to bring their point of view," Hyun notes. Unlock Your Leadership Potential at SHRM24 Do you want to enhance your leadership abilities? Or equip your team to tackle key HR challenges? Join us at the SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2024 (SHRM24) to gain the tools you need to successfully lead your organization into the future (5/28) [] - [Could your next career coach be an AI bot?]( The Washington Post (5/29) [] - ["New collar" jobs will prioritize skills over formal education]( Forbes (tiered subscription model) (5/28) Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [Marketing Technology Planning Guide]( - [How to Create Lasting Change]( - [How to Introduce Yourself]( - [On the Radar: AKATI Sekurity's award-winning managed security services]( - [Course: Introduction to Getting Things Done]( [] In Their Own Words [] [AIA CEO: Leaders need to challenge the status quo]( Lee Yuan Siong, AIA group chief executive and president, took the helm in 2020 just as the pandemic began, requiring them to quickly transform their status quo of face-to-face to virtual, which is a skill leaders need even when not faced with a crisis. "One of the most common questions I ask my colleagues is, 'Why are we doing it in this way?' The answer I don't want is, 'Because this is the way we've been doing it for the past ten years.' I want my colleagues to constantly be thinking about how we can do things better," Siong says. Full Story: [McKinsey]( (5/28) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [How the French make US school lunches look even worse]( [How the French make US school lunches look even worse]( (Pixabay) School lunches in US schools may serve "mystery meat" and floppy pizzas, but in France, children receive up to four courses, including a cheese course, while Brazilian schools have switched to all-vegetarian meals. The US is moving to make lunches healthier by adding grains and requiring lower amounts of sugar and salt, but it's a long way from how the French used to do it -- serving beer and wine in elementary schools until 1956 and ending the practice in high schools in 1981. Full Story: [Atlas Obscura]( (5/27) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] Milk preservation has been a challenge since the mid-1900s. Evaporated milk was one such effort. Who received a patent for it in 1856? [Vote]( [Nicolas Appert]( [Vote]( [Gail Borden Jr.]( [Vote]( [John Meyenberg]( [Vote]( [Louis Pasteur]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Chellew If you're seeking to move up in leadership, [the Harvard Business Review podcast with Arizona State University's Suzanne Peterson is a must-listen]( (or read, if you prefer transcripts). She makes the point that while you may be good at task-oriented jobs, leadership requires many intangibles that make you both respected and likable. Interestingly, it's not so much about the personality of up-and-coming leaders, Peterson says, but their behaviors. Personality can be challenging to change, but behaviors are malleable, and where you should put your focus. If, for example, you've been told you're too abrasive, changing behavior, such as not interrupting or asking more curious questions instead of making declarative statements, can change others' perceptions. Peterson says people either give off "power" behaviors -- such as confidence -- or "attractive" behaviors -- such as being approachable. The key is to find that balance of both, where people listen to you and want to follow you. The trick is to find ways to improve both your power and attractive behaviors in ways that feel natural to you because if you force it, you -- and everyone else -- will know it. 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 [] [] A lot of people understand what not saying anything means, so, in effect, not saying anything is really saying a lot. [Bill Walton](, professional basketball player, television sportscaster 1952-2024 [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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