What's a great Zoom meeting? Depends on the person

Leadership lessons from Capt. James T. Kirk | Listen for these 4 concerns as offices reopen | Read more from Julie Winkle Giulioni on SmartBrief on Leadership Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( April 9, 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 [] [Leadership lessons from Capt. James T. Kirk]( "Star Trek" made lore of Capt. James T. Kirk defeating the seemingly impossible Kobayashi Maru challenge by inventing a third option instead of accepting two awful choices, writes Steve Keating. Leaders can emulate Kirk by thinking creatively and "breaking a rule or two that apparently didn't need to be a rule to begin with," he writes. Full Story: [LeadToday]( (4/8) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Listen for these 4 concerns as offices reopen]( Engagement and connection will remain important even as more people return to offices, and leaders will need to listen for signs of what people need and what ideas they've brought with them, writes Julie Winkle Giulioni. "Guiding people through this uncharted terrain into a future characterized by even greater cohesion, relationships and commitment is possible," she writes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (4/8) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Read more]( from Julie Winkle Giulioni on SmartBrief on Leadership Enter to win $50 for a charity of your choice We are seeking input from those in foodservice and hospitality to better understand the current attitudes about the state of diversity, equity and inclusion in the industry. Results will be included in a report that will identify action steps for the industry in exploring anti-racism initiatives and instilling sustainable programs. [Take the survey.]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Strategic Management [] [Here are best practices for board decision-making]( Boards make better decisions when they can have a good debate, have multiple sources of information and are not afraid to hear bad news, according to research. "For their part, boards can fall into the trap of asking a few tough questions but then effectively rubber-stamping the decision the management wants no matter what," says Aaron De Smet of McKinsey. Full Story: [McKinsey]( (4/8) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Top Workplace Tech Innovations Winners have been announced for the Innovation Awards for Workplace Technology, presented by SmartBrief and AV Technology. Each entrant submitted their product for consideration and was evaluated on uniqueness in the market, ability to solve a problem and suitability for use. Read more [here]( and view the winning innovators [here!]( ADVERTISEMENT [] Smarter Communication [] [Intentional feedback is direct and empathetic]( Empathy is an important part of leadership, but sometimes you must directly challenge someone to improve even as you continue supporting them, writes Dana Theus. "Coaching feedback doesn't tell someone how to do something, but creates a safe space within which they can try, fail and succeed to figure it out themselves," she writes. Full Story: [Inpower Coaching]( (4/7) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [What's a great Zoom meeting? Depends on the person]( Virtual meetings can be challenging because every participant has a different set of preferences and expectations, although some mitigating tactics include surveys, breakout rooms, asynchronous communication and meeting-free time blocks, write University of North Carolina at Charlotte researchers. "While navigating a paradox of sometimes contradictory preferences, leaders can still make a difference," they write. Full Story: [MIT Sloan Management Review (tiered subscription model)]( (3/30) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Featured Content Sponsored content from MHI Green Finance is Funding the Energy Transition]( it comes to project finance, investors are increasingly voting with their conscience. The Environmental, Social and Governance criteria for investing have grown exponentially as fund managers race to find assets that will satisfy customers' sustainability principles. Christopher Hurst, Director General of the Projects Directorate at the European Investment Bank, explained the burst of interest. [Read more](. [] Smarter Living Get your mind and body right each Friday [] [Why motivation doesn't help you form new habits]( Old habits are broken and new habits formed when people set intentions, write them down and start formulating actions to implement those desires, writes performance coach Zack Blakeney. Write out sticky notes outlining a new habit, he writes, and put them in places that tempt you, such as the pantry door that contains the junk food. Full Story: [Thrive Global]( (4/7) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] In Their Own Words [] [Imitate Amazon's 5 leadership processes for success]( Amazon has succeeded by distilling its leadership principles and weaving them into the essence of the company, write former Amazon executives Bill Carr and Colin Bryar. Carr outlines the five processes any company can emulate including how to effectively hire, hold meetings and form innovative teams. Full Story: [Next Big Idea Club Magazine]( (4/8) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a $3.25M Superman comic]( [It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a $3.25M Superman comic]( Action Comics #1 (Jerod Harris/Getty Images) A mint condition copy of "Action Comics #1" that introduced Superman in 1938 has been sold for the second time in three years, this time for $3.25 million. The comic book's latest sales fetched a $1 million profit for the seller. Full Story: [CNN]( (4/7) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Editor's Note [] [What are you reading today?]( What are you reading today? Every Friday, we chat on Twitter about the books that are making a difference in our leadership journey. Please [respond to this tweet with your #FridayReads fave](! [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] About The Editor [] 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. Thank you for reading and subscribing. I know you don't need to read SmartBrief on Leadership. Rather, you're here because you're on the lifelong journey of being a better leader, communicator and thinker. 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) [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 [] [] You will never be as smart as your subconscious. Jill McCorkle, writer, educator [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