6 ways to improve virtual meetings in 2022

Why this exec is tough on problems, not people | Look for organizational values in potential leaders | 6 ways to improve virtual meetings in 2022 Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( January 5, 2022 [WFF Leadership SmartBrief]( [WFF Leadership SmartBrief]( Advancing and Empowering Women Leaders [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] A Leader's Edge [] [Why this exec is tough on problems, not people]( Schneider Electric's North American president and CEO, Annette Clayton, discusses her career path, influences such as General Motors CEO Mary Barra and why she tries to operate like a "neural network" where she can be "hard on the problems and easy on the people." "It's a particular way of leading through challenging times while still driving operational excellence," Clayton says. Full Story: [Reuters]( (12/30) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Career Progression: Developing Leaders [] [Look for organizational values in potential leaders]( Identify potential leaders by looking for employees who listen to others, show interest in co-workers and seek their help in making decisions, writes Jeff Smith, CEO of the SupportingLines Institute. "Our research shows that 80 percent of what makes somebody an effective leader tomorrow are the same things that make them a great colleague today," Smith writes. Full Story: [Association for Talent Development]( (1/3) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [6 ways to improve virtual meetings in 2022]( Remote video meetings can be improved when leaders choose curiosity over bombast, create space for everyone to speak and minimize distractions, writes Marlene Chism. "If you've been designated as the facilitator, explain that each person gets a certain allotment of time and then facilitate a round-robin -- with a timer, if necessary," Chism writes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (1/3) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Ways to short circuit the tendency to micromanage]( Micromanaging can be alleviated by understanding how others work and what motivates them. "Whether you prefer psychology or neuroscience, investing in the development of individuals and teams, fostering psychological safety, learning how the brain responds to different stimuli, and treating people as fully capable adults have been shown to yield significant dividends," writes Eric McNulty of the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative. Full Story: [Strategy+Business]( (1/3) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Diversity and Inclusion [] [Board diversity made strides in 2021]( Directors from nonwhite ethnic groups hold about 4,500 board seats for businesses in the Russell 3000 index, a 25% increase from the end of 2020, according to ISS Corporate Solutions. In addition, the data shows that 27% of directors are now women. While these numbers are trending in the right direction, observers say more progress is needed. Full Story: [The New York Times]( (1/3) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Resources to diversify board leadership are increasing]( Universities and law firms are creating training programs for board candidates as US companies set goals to diversify their boards by recruiting women and people of color. Laws in California impose penalties for certain diversity deficits and the Nasdaq's publication of diversity statistics is pushing companies to be more accountable. Full Story: [The Wall Street Journal]( (12/31) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [What it takes to build an inclusive team culture]( Allowing employees to take reasonable risks, establishing a shared team vision and encouraging managers to help employees grow their careers are vital steps toward creating an inclusive team culture that welcomes diverse perspectives, according to Melinda Briana Epler, CEO of Change Catalyst. "People thrive on teams where their expertise is valued rather than questioned or disrespected, their unique skills and talents are utilized, and their contributions are aligned with team goals," Epler writes. Full Story: [Society for Human Resource Management (tiered subscription model)]( (12/21) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Women-led startups lag in 2021 despite record funding]( [Women-led startups lag in 2021 despite record funding]( (Pixabay) Women-led startups in the US saw record venture capital funding in 2021, raising more than $40 billion in the first three quarters -- more than double the amounts from all of 2020 and 2019. That figure, though, represents only 18% of all VC backing for the year. Full Story: [New York University]( (1/3) [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!]( [] Women and Innovation in the Workforce [] [Women taking reins, leading differently during pandemic]( Recent studies show a rise in the number of female CEOs during the pandemic as well as a difference in leadership styles, with female CEOs favoring empathy, adaptability, accountability and diversity to a greater extent than their male counterparts. "Understanding women leaders as role models and the value they bring to our society is part of a changing vision of a world that needs to be more diverse, equitable and sustainable," concludes a 2021 report by S&P Global. Full Story: [The Business Journals (tiered subscription model)/Bizwomen]( (1/4) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Student-operated coffee brand nets $3M in funding]( Brewbike, a cold-brew coffee startup that offers college students entrepreneurial experience, has raised $3 million in bridge funding. The funding is supporting a direct-to-consumer launch and expansion from four college campuses to 11, said CEO Sierra Bloodgood. Full Story: [Food Business News (free registration)]( (1/3) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] WFF News [] [Five steps to take now for greater personal financial health]( With continued uncertainty around the course of the pandemic, a year that saw many folks spend big on durable goods, including outfitting home offices, and rising prices on the horizon, it may be time to get your personal finances back on track for 2022. [Read more](. [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( LEARN MORE ABOUT the WFF: [About the WFF]( | [Join the WFF]( | [WFF Programs]( [] [] You don't luck into integrity. You work at it. 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