Ask these questions to improve performance reviews

What do leaders need to agree on? | Work is changing, and DEI is part of that | Why Oatly is moving beyond branding Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( November 22, 2021 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] Leading Edge [] [What do leaders need to agree on?]( Empower leaders in your organization by emphasizing a collaborative atmosphere where the group agrees on values, purpose and vision, write Bob Vanourek and Gregg Vanourek. "People in the organization, regardless of title, then have a license to lead, as long as they uphold the organization's shared values," they write. Full Story: [Triple Crown Leadership]( (11/19) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Work is changing, and DEI is part of that]( Diversity, equity and inclusion are foundational issues for anyone trying to understand the Great Resignation, how leadership has changed and what still must be done, writes Jennifer Brown, CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting. "Vulnerability, understanding and empathy -- qualities that were once seen as signs of weakness -- have now emerged as the very qualities expected of leaders," Brown writes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (11/19) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( A primer on advanced recycling How it works, how it can help reduce plastic waste from landfills, and our plans to scale it up. [Read our newsletter.]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Strategic Management [] [Why Oatly is moving beyond branding]( Why Oatly is moving beyond branding (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Storytelling is quickly overtaking branding to create a more loyal set of consumers who view their support as an identity, not just a brand, writes Adam Davidson. This article outlines how the milk substitute company Oatly is using storytelling to build loyalty and why Oatly's efforts are different from the branding seen at companies such as Squarespace. Full Story: [Every Media]( (11/19) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Smarter Communication [] [Every leader has moments to step up or shrink back]( Leaders facing difficult workplace situations must lean on their core values and emotions to find the courage to speak up, writes Paul Thornton. Thornton shares two examples from his sports days, one in which he failed to say anything and the other in which his actions set a definitive tone. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (11/19) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Ask these questions to improve performance reviews]( Performance reviews should be a two-way street where you ask reports about your performance, what you can improve and how your communication's been, writes Know Your Team CEO Claire Lew. "Ideally, as a leader, these are questions you are asking not just once or twice a year during performance reviews -- but consistently and regularly, so you can be constantly improving your own performance," Lew writes. Full Story: [Know Your Team]( (11/18) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Position yourself to succeed in the gig economy The Gig Economy is growing and demand for highly skilled white-collar solopreneurs is rapidly increasing. Learn how to market yourself and your business to interested executives with [Solopreneurship and Thriving in the Gig Economy](. ADVERTISEMENT: Featured Content Sponsored Content from The Grossman Group [People-first leadership takes adaptability, attention]( The pandemic has ushered in urgency when it comes to leadership that is resilient, adaptable and open to rapid change. David Grossman's book Heart First: Lasting Leader Lessons from a Year that Changed Everything shares examples of leadership that rose above the circumstances of the pandemic to build more adaptable, happy teams. [Read the blog post]( to learn more about what he had to say about the inspiration and catalyst for writing this book. [] Smarter Working A weekly spotlight on doing more without working longer [] [You won't get it all done, but you can prioritize]( Get more checked off of your to-do list by pre-planning as much as possible, figuring out an organization system and letting go of perfection, writes indipop founder Melissa Blatt. "That neverending to-do list is still there and the world won't explode if you take a minute for yourself," Blatt writes. Full Story: [YourTango]( (11/19) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] In Their Own Words [] [Secrets to leadership success from a former CEO]( Keeping a short to-do list and hiring a team "to do the things well that I do badly" were among the keys to success for Giam Swiegers, the former CEO of Deloitte Australia and Aurecon. "I could never work on a team of people that don't have the courage to stand up to me and to challenge what I'm thinking," Swiegers says. Full Story: [Yahoo]( (11/12) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] ["Darth Blader" among the new names for Vt. snowplows]( Vermont elementary school students were asked to [name snow plows]( that will clear roads in their districts, and they did not disappoint. Some of the names include "Jennifer Snowpez," "Frosty's Demise," and many "Star Wars"-inspired names such as "Snowbegone Kenobi," "Darth Blader" and "Baby Snowda." Full Story: [Boston]( (11/17) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Most Read by CEOs The most-clicked stories of the past week by SmartBrief on Leadership readers [] - [Use this 8-step process to make better decisions]( Root Inc. [] - [3 actions to summon the courage you need]( SmartBrief/Leadership [] - [Why you should document your successes]( SmartBrief/Leadership [] - [3 ways to turn scarcity into abundance]( SmartBrief/Leadership [] - [9 ideas for overcoming self-doubt]( Gregg Vanourek [] About The Editor [] James daSilva James daSilva Hi, it's your SmartBrief on Leadership editor! 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? [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 [] [] Be brave and fearless to know that even if you do make a wrong decision, you're making it for a good reason. 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