Why we need more laughter at work

Clean your mind's windshield to regain perspective | 3 ways to keep flourishing despite the pandemic | Read more from Michael Lee Stallard on SmartBrief on Leadership Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [Update Profile]( | [Web Version]( February 10, 2021 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT Leading Edge [] [Clean your mind's windshield to regain perspective]( Perspective can be lost when we forget the big picture, make problems bigger than they are, judge people and let emotions control us, writes Frank Sonnenberg. "While a dirty windshield hampers your ability to see the road effectively, you won't even know how much these mental filters distort your view of the world unless you take time to notice," he writes. Full Story: [Frank Sonnenberg Online]( (2/9) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [3 ways to keep flourishing despite the pandemic]( The pandemic continues to be a threat to physical and mental health, but you can push ahead by focusing on a few key goals, being deliberate in connecting with people and being optimistic but grounded, writes Michael Lee Stallard. "Thrivers keep the expectation of a brighter future in front of people while not minimizing the sobering time we are in," he writes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (2/9) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Read more]( from Michael Lee Stallard on SmartBrief on Leadership Require or don’t require the vaccine? We asked. In West Monroe's Quarterly Executive Poll, leaders are grappling with back-to-work decisions: 51% lean toward requiring employees to take a COVID-19 vaccine. And remote work is looking less appealing: 47% say they'll be on-site most or all of the time when it's safe to return. [Get the data.]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Video Insights on Leadership [] [] [3 ways leaders can reengage and reenergize employees]( Help employees maintain their motivation through formal structures such as rewards and recognition programs and employee resource groups, says Denise Lee Yohn in this [video]( and blog post. "And when you give positive feedback or express gratitude, don't simply tell someone they did a good job -- specifically show them the difference they made," she says. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (2/9) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Read more]( from Denise Lee Yohn on SmartBrief on Leadership From a leading expert on bias Harvard social psychologist Robert Livingston helps transform your organization's approach to diversity and inclusion with strategies informed by the science underlying racism and bias. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky calls [The Conversation]( "a critical tool for anyone seeking to advance equality." ADVERTISEMENT [] Strategic Management [] [These are the attributes of resilient companies]( Company resilience today requires technology and digital capabilities that are applied to supply chains, culture and sustainability, according to this McKinsey analysis. "When you're critically dependent upon the cyber technologies, you need to up the level of resilience, and design your applications and your infrastructure in a way that never goes down," says IBM CEO Arvind Krishna. Full Story: [McKinsey]( (2/9) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( 5 Ways to Hire Like It’s 2021 We dug deep to learn what job seekers want from an employer for 2021. While there are more candidates seeking work, there's also more competition among businesses for the most qualified people. [Get the leading edge with this free guide](. ADVERTISEMENT: Sponsored content from The Wall Street Journal Free to read exclusively for SmartBrief readers - [Take the Guilt Out of Takeout]( - [How to Win the War Against Clutter]( - [The Lies We Tell During Job Interviews]( - [Forget Positive Thinking: How Sweatpants Managers Can Stay Motivated]( - [What to Expect From Travel in 2021]( [] Smarter Communication [] [Why we need more laughter at work]( Humor can alleviate stress and help managers be more respected and approachable, say Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas of Stanford University's business school. They outline four humor personality types along with ways to keep humor from becoming offensive or self-deprecating. Full Story: [Nir & Far blog]( (2/8) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Honestly, you should ditch these phrases. Trust me]( Using phrases such as "Can I be honest with you?" or "No offense, but" can undermine your message and suggest you're being dishonest or manipulative, writes Ken Downer. "If something needs to be said, say it, but always be respectful," he writes. Full Story: [Rapid Start Leadership]( (2/9) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] In Their Own Words [] [King: Business has "a responsibility to humanity"]( King: Business has "a responsibility to humanity" King (Paras Griffin/Getty Images) Bernice King, the youngest daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., says she's optimistic about race relations in the US and that corporations have a special role to play. "They have a responsibility to humanity, not just as a corporate citizen and an entity that has the right and the free market enterprise to make money, but also a role and responsibility to invest in the people and invest in the uplifting of that and the fairness of society," she says. Full Story: [LinkedIn]( (2/8) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Eat a great doughnut no matter where you live]( Whether you're in Texas, Minnesota, Idaho, Florida or Oregon, there's an amazing doughnut shop somewhere nearby, according to this 50-state guide. Whether you're a fan of crullers, beignets, brioche or deep-fried delights, there's a shop for you. Full Story: [Food & Wine]( (2/5) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Editor's Note [] James daSilva James daSilva Hi, it's your SmartBrief on Leadership editor! I've had the great fortune of editing this email for nearly 10 years. Before that, I was a copy editor, including at a small daily newspaper in upstate New York. My last haircut was Jan. 27, 2020. I remember being 4 or 5 and living for a year on the Connecticut shoreline, and we used to go to this doughnut shop during nice weather. Now, I live next to a Dunkin', which is more convenient but not as special. Thank you for reading and subscribing. 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? A favorite story from The Onion? [Drop me a note.](mailto:jdasilva@smartbrief.com) 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 [] [] In everything you write, write something that is brave enough to be hopeful. Amanda Gorman, poet, first National Youth Poet Laureate February is Black History Month [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [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, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004