What a leaf-sweeper's answer teaches about leadership

What a leaf-sweeper's answer teaches about leadership | practice (split each time) | Calibrate your culture to attract millennials, Gen Z Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( August 28, 2024 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT Leading the Way [] [What a leaf-sweeper's answer teaches about leadership]( [What a leaf-sweeper's answer teaches about leadership]( (Kelvin Murray/Getty Images) President John F. Kennedy introduced himself to a man sweeping leaves at NASA during a 1962 visit and asked him what he was doing, to which the man replied, "I'm part of the team that's going to put a man on the moon." The man knew that clearing debris that could affect the engines of aircraft was an integral part of the overall mission of NASA, a lesson leaders should take to heart and provide every team member with a sense that their job contributes to the company's ultimate purpose, write Barry Conchie and Sarah Dalton. Full Story: [Big Think]( (8/27) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Just knowing your company's values and mission isn't enough to give your team purpose, write Conchie and Dalton. They must be able to "[express this knowledge through the value they create in their own job](," they write. Serving up a bolder future for tennis with the USTA Deloitte is proud to be the Official Professional Services Sponsor of the US Open Tennis Championships. With transformative business strategies we're working with the USTA to enhance its membership program, elevate the US Open brand, and level-up its e-commerce strategy.[Learn more.]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Calibrate your culture to attract millennials, Gen Z]( [Calibrate your culture to attract millennials, Gen Z]( (designer491/Getty Images) Minor changes to your company culture can help attract millennial and Generation Z employees through a "culture calibration," says S. Chris Edmonds, an executive consultant and author. For example, 86% of millennials and 89% of Gen Z employees are looking for a sense of purpose at work, while 40% of millennials and 44% of Gen Z have turned down an employer due to a clash over personal beliefs. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (8/27) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Edmonds recommends conducting surveys to determine the company culture -- and how well the culture is articulated by management and followed by employees. "[Standardize their ideal work culture]( by defining the organization's servant purpose, values and behaviors and communicating those standards to all staff," Edmonds says. [] [Read more]( from S. Chris Edmonds on SmartBrief on Leadership Is your workplace really age-inclusive? Off-handed, dismissive age- or generation-related comments can prevent the kind of collaboration a thriving workplace needs. With five generations working together at the same time, subtle and overt discrimination isn't uncommon. [Read more from AARP to learn if your company is as inclusive as you think.]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Smarter Communication [] [Don't worry, "Brat" is now a compliment]( Don't get your feathers ruffled if someone calls you "Brat," a complimentary adjective in Generation Z slang for a person who displays confidence and authenticity rather than a term for a spoiled child. "The intersection of 'Brat' culture and Gen Z's values is changing company cultures in important, positive ways, as leaders find ways to celebrate each person's unique skills to create stronger, more resilient teams," says Alan Todd, vice president and general manager of Udemy. Full Story: [Forbes (tiered subscription model)]( (8/26) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: If you're confused by Gen Z slang, you're not alone. The TikTok Slang Dictionary contains a listing of common slang terms, [such as "rizz" for charisma and "yap" for talking too much.]( FREE EBOOKS AND RESOURCES Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [2024 AI Outlook: Ten Predictions]( - [ITPro Today 2024 IT Salary Survey Report]( - [How AI Prompt Engineering Empowers IT]( - [8 Hot AI Stats from InformationWeek Research]( [] Smarter A.I. A weekly spotlight on how A.I. is affecting leadership [] - [How middle managers can use AI to their advantage]( McKinsey (8/23) [] - [How to prepare employees for generative AI]( StrategicCHRO360 (8/22) [] - [Adding AI to cyberdefenses can address talent shortages]( Fast Company (tiered subscription model) (8/26) [] In Their Own Words [] [Leaders should take vacations to gain perspective]( [Leaders should take vacations to gain perspective]( (Pixabay) Leaders should take vacations to recharge, gain new perspectives and set a good example for employees, writes Dede Henley, the CEO of Henley Leadership Group. "When you openly prioritize and take a vacation, you send a powerful message to your team: self-care and work-life balance are important and integral to success," Henley writes. Full Story: [Forbes (tiered subscription model)]( (8/25) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Does your cat hate closed doors? They could have FOMO!]( [Does your cat hate closed doors? They could have FOMO!]( (Pixabay) If you have a cat, you know they want to be wherever you are, and a closed door is seen as an affront to them because, as Karen Sueda, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, notes, they have an innate need to be in control of their territory and they are curious about what you're doing, even if they don't want to participate. Closing off areas where your cat usually hangs out can cause them stress, says cat behaviorist Jane Ehrlich, which means if you don't want your cat in a particular room, make it off limits all the time. Full Story: [Live Science]( (8/24) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] Sakichi Toyoda, who founded a business that would eventually be Toyota Industries, was a prolific inventor. What did he start making when he formed his first successful business? [Vote]( [Delivery carts]( [Vote]( [Fighting swords]( [Vote]( [Hand looms]( [Vote]( [Trading cards]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Chellew I'm glad someone has finally clearly defined "brat" for me. The Generation Z term has been everywhere lately and I admit my middle-aged mind couldn't quite grasp it. Now that it's clear, though, [I like the term because it describes an authenticity that we often miss not just in the office but the world in general](. Team members who have a playful defiance and boldness can bring a fresh perspective to everyday challenges and willingness to see things differently and move beyond the status quo. Far from being "lazy," Gen Z is bringing a new sense of integrity to the workplace, seeking chances to learn, grow and thrive in new ways. And that's no cap -- as the kids say. 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 any feedback you'd like to share? [Drop me a note](mailto:candace.chellew@futurenet.com). And while you're at it, please send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off so we can share them. [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 [] [] My direction? Anywhere. Because one is always nearer by not keeping still. [Sebastian Faulks](, writer, journalist [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]( | [ADVERTISE](mailto:lengel@smartbrief.com) [SmartBrief Future]( Copyright © 2024 SmartBrief. All Rights Reserved. A division of Future US LLC Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036.