4 ways leaders can infuse jobs with meaning

Why persistence doesn't always pay off | 4 ways leaders can infuse jobs with meaning | Read more from Alaina Love on SmartBrief on Leadership Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( March 23, 2021 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] Leading Edge [] [Why persistence doesn't always pay off]( Being persistent when your goal remains elusive is a recipe for failure, writes Dan Rockwell, who recommends exploring different options instead of waiting for a breakthrough. "The difference between grit and boldness is the willingness to try something new," Rockwell writes. Full Story: [Leadership Freak]( (3/22) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [4 ways leaders can infuse jobs with meaning]( The fatigue of the ongoing pandemic has employees searching for meaning in their work, writes Alaina Love, who suggests providing growth opportunities and showing teams the significance of their jobs. "Purpose should become a thread that runs through all of your communications with employees and an anchor for your team meetings," Love writes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (3/22) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Read more]( from Alaina Love on SmartBrief on Leadership [] Strategic Management [] [3 hallmarks of a good executive succession plan]( Succession plans should focus on a vision for the position, not the person who will eventually fill it, and any moves should be made deliberately and give a successor time to settle in, writes Chris Schultz, president of Raba Kistner. "Particularly for a family business or an organization that has seen minimal change over the years, it can be helpful to gather insight from a third-party source," Schultz writes. Full Story: [Texas CEO Magazine]( (3/18) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [The pandemic shook up loyalty rewards. Here's how]( Customers' expectations about incentive programs have changed during the pandemic and may not ever revert, writes Theresa McEndree. They may now prefer rewards that can be used toward necessities rather than treats, and that "integrate with the unified commerce of the future," McEndree writes. Full Story: [CustomerThink]( (3/21) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Better hiring. Better jobs. Better lives. The pandemic continues to radically change how we work and how we support employees through adversity. These tumultuous times emphasize the need for empathy, moving employee happiness and well-being to the forefront in attracting and keeping talent. [Register for IndeedWorks today! 3/25, 2pm CT]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Smarter Communication [] [How employee groups can improve diversity and insights]( Companies can create a sense of diversity and inclusion by encouraging the creation of employee resource groups and supporting the advocacy and ideas that emerge from them, writes Anne Chow. "Leaders can tap into the power and insight of their employees through these groups," Chow writes. Full Story: [Chief Executive online]( (3/19) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( 3 Leadership Trends for 2021 The past year has turned the workplace upside down. Leaders have been tasked with managing teams, inspiring performance, and finding new ways to lead in unfamiliar circumstances. What's next for leaders as we enter 2021? [Learn more]( ADVERTISEMENT: Featured Content Insights for leaders and managers from SmartBrief Originals - [Do people trust you? Advice for building trust and inspiring confidence]( - [How to run an effective virtual meeting: Stop blaming Zoom!]( - [5 leadership styles and the one that outperforms them all]( - [It's time to rouse your inner Churchill]( - [How to stop being so defensive]( [] SmartPulse [] How do you handle situations where you warn someone of something, they don't listen, and then it happens? I proudly declare "I told you so!" 6.15% I gently highlight: "We knew this could be an outcome or risk" 45.07% I don't say anything then but make stronger warnings in the future 12.11% I try to figure out why they didn't listen to me in the first place 20.85% I just move on and don't say anything -- not listening was a choice 15.82% [] A gentle "I told you so." A slight majority of respondents prefer to tell people "I told you so" when something goes wrong that they warned of previously. Most respondents choose to do so gently. Push yourselves beyond hindsight and think forward. Look at the 21% who try to understand why the person didn't listen and combine that behavior with the 12% who make stronger warnings in the future. While it's great to be right (and make sure other people know it), it's even better to figure out how to be listened to in the future to prevent more issues down the road. -- Mike Figliuolo is managing director of [thoughtLEADERS](, which includes TITAN -- the firm's e-learning platform. Previously, he worked at McKinsey & Co., Capital One and Scotts Miracle-Gro. He is a West Point graduate and author of three leadership books: ["One Piece of Paper,"]( ["Lead Inside the Box"]( and ["The Elegant Pitch."]( [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] POLL QUESTION: When delivering bad news, how do you handle it? [Vote]( [I'm very direct and matter of fact]( [Vote]( [I soft-pedal it and try to cushion it]( [Vote]( [I try to find a cheery upside to balance it out]( [Vote]( [I avoid it and don't deliver it or ask someone else to]( [] In Their Own Words [] [NBA VP: Always play and work with integrity]( NBA VP: Always play and work with integrity Cash (Jason Kempin/Getty Images) Former WNBA star Swin Cash, who is now the vice president of basketball operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, says she intends to use her platform not just to improve basketball but to work for social justice. "[A]s soon as you get into a position where you feel that keeping a job is more important than protecting your rights, your son's rights or your family's ability to just exist, then you've compromised all of your integrity," Cash says. Full Story: [NBA]( (3/15) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Why it's best to fly a rhino upside down]( Cornell University researchers have discovered that when conservationists need to relocate African rhinoceroses, flying them upside down suspended by their legs is the best strategy. The study showed that position opened up the rhino's airways and improved blood oxygen during the trip to their new home. Full Story: [CNN]( (3/17) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] About The Editor [] Paula Kiger Paula Kiger Hello! I'm editing SmartBrief on Leadership this week while [James daSilva]( takes some well-deserved time off. I was a reader of this newsletter long before I had any idea I would end up working for SmartBrief, and feel fortunate to be on this side of things now. 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:paula.kiger@futurenet.com) or visit [SBLeaders]( on Twitter. [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [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 always write in pencil, so I can erase. Elsa Peretti, jewelry designer, model 1940-2021 March is Women's 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