Here's a 5-step process to unify your leadership

Here's a 5-step process to unify your leadership | Purpose is paramount but changes as we change | Read more from John Baldoni on SmartBrief on Leadership Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( December 13, 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 [] [Here's a 5-step process to unify your leadership]( Executives and middle managers can struggle to carry out strategic directives because, while they are aligned, they lack unity in messaging, struggle to receive feedback from below or allow silos to form, according to research from Boston Consulting Group. This analysis offers five steps to help leaders get on the same page, particularly at the level below the executive team. Full Story: [The Boston Consulting Group]( (12/8) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Purpose is paramount but changes as we change]( Military veterans often struggle to reimagine their purpose once they leave active service, but none of us is immune from the need to evolve our purpose as circumstances change, writes John Baldoni, who also interviews former Army pilot Shannon Polson. "Civilians can learn from the importance of purpose that the military has identified and cultivated, and work on their own purpose, as well as helping others find theirs," Polson says. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (12/10) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Read more]( from John Baldoni on SmartBrief on Leadership Fighting illegal trade in America. Illegal trade may seem like a lower-profile crime, but it costs American taxpayers millions each year and funds dangerous operations, like drug, weapon, and human trafficking. Together, we can put illegal trade out of business. [Learn how.]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Strategic Management [] [Why "leapfrog" CEOs can succeed where others fail]( "Leapfrog" CEOs who come from a tier below the C-suite tend to perform best, on average, compared with chief financial officers, chief operating officers or divisional CEOs because of "their self-awareness and devotion to unlocking their full potential," write Claudius Hildebrand, Robert Stark and Seonaid Charlesworth of Spencer Stuart. This analysis offer research-backed guidance for all four types of future CEOs and how they can maximize their potential. Full Story: [Spencer Stuart]( (12/2021) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [How CPG brands can meet the 5 needs of stakeholders]( Consumer product brands must be more transparent about their mission, talent demands, commitments to diversity and sustainability, and how they'll manage physical and digital spaces, according to this McKinsey analysis. "Brands need deeper direct relationships with consumers to deliver the seamless experiences they have come to expect across channels," the authors write. Full Story: [McKinsey]( (12/9) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Key steps to develop an integrated ESG approach Embedding ESG into business strategy is imperative today. Companies can use ESG as a proactive source of new product and service innovation, and as a driver to adapt their spending and processes for greater sustainability and social responsibility. [Read the e-book >]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Smarter Working A weekly spotlight on doing more without working longer [] [When are deadline extensions a good idea?]( Many employees avoid asking for deadline extensions because they fear looking incompetent or inefficient, according to research from Harvard Business School assistant professor Ashley Whillans. While, in fact, there are many situations seeking more time is inadvisable, managers should "formalize policies that clarify when employees will be judged on the speed of their work, and when quality is more important," Whillans writes. Full Story: [Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model)]( (12/10) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email](   Featured Content Sponsored Content from 1440 Media [Tired of being told how to think?]( Check out 1440 - The fastest way to an impartial point-of-view. The team at 1440 scours over 100+ sources so you don't have to. Culture, science, sports, politics, business and everything in between - in a 5-minute read each morning, 100% free. [Sign up now!]( [] In Their Own Words [] [What does kindness mean in a corporate setting?]( Kindness is essential at mortgage company Kind Lending, which Chief Kindness Officer Mindy Stearns says is different than being nice because it provides boundaries and purpose for employees -- and encourages tough decisions to protect the group. One common misunderstanding about kindness is that people think, " 'They're too nice,' or 'They're too kind, they're weak,' when in fact, being kind is extremely powerful because it's a choice, it's an action," says Stearns. Full Story: [Success online]( (12/7) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Street photographer's subjects reunite decades later]( Street photographer Chris Porsz has captured images of people in everyday life over several decades and is now producing a "Reunions" series where those people re-create the original photograph. Two collections of this work encompass more than 300 photos and reunion updates. Full Story: [My Modern Metropolis]( (12/7) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Most Read by CEOs The most-clicked stories of the past week by SmartBrief on Leadership readers [] - [Brene Brown changes her mind about emotions]( Brene Brown [] - [How to avoid bad meetings and unnecessary tasks]( SmartBrief/Leadership [] - [The 7 types of rest teams need]( The People Equation blog [] - [The Better.com CEO keeps making it about him]( Medium (tiered subscription model) [] - [Good managers respond whether work is hybrid or on-site]( SmartBrief/Leadership [] 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. 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