Uncertain times call for these 3 leadership traits

Why leaders shouldn't always have their hair on fire | Define the role of the office to entice workers back | Reducing friction increases competitive advantage Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( July 7, 2022 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT Leading Edge [] [Why leaders shouldn't always have their hair on fire]( Bosses who constantly practice "fire drill leadership" will lose credibility and focus and prevent the organization from being able to respond properly when a real emergency comes up, writes Scott Cochrane. "When everything is an emergency, eventually nothing is seen as an emergency," Cochrane writes. Full Story: [Scott Cochrane]( (7/4) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Define the role of the office to entice workers back]( Being inconsistent, vague or not clearly defining what the office is for when devising back-to-the-office plans can leave companies with ghost offices or workers unsure of how to plan their time, writes Anne Helen Petersen. Petersen offers several solutions, including allowing teams the flexibility to come to the office for collaboration and connection but then work from home other days. Full Story: [Substack/Culture Study]( (7/6) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Make SHRM Certification A Team Take your HR department's effectiveness to the next level with SHRM certification--from strategic thinking to applying best practices, your team will drive innovation, perform competently, and contribute to an inclusive workplace culture. [Get Started.]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Strategic Management [] [Reducing friction increases competitive advantage]( Reducing friction for customers in the form of smooth processes, efficient points of contact and reduced returns and refunds can build a company's competitive advantage, writes Bill Price, a former Amazon executive and founder and president of Driva Solutions. "Frictionless businesses have created new ways to share value with customers," Price writes. Full Story: [Real Leaders]( (7/5) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Leaders must ask key questions to create solutions]( Strategically minded leaders understand that success depends on asking innovative questions that encourage people to think creatively, writes David Burkus. The five most important questions leaders need to ask are about identifying the organization's top priorities, deciding what success looks like, identifying obstacles, figuring out needed resources, and deciding which people need to be on the team. Full Story: [David Burkus]( (7/5) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Smarter Communication [] [Ask this question to build the strength to give feedback]( People are generally hesitant to give others feedback, fearing a negative reaction, but university researchers boosted study participants' willingness to provide instruction by asking them to consider if they would like such feedback offered to them. "This simple process was enough to help the participants understand the value of feedback and therefore made them more inclined to give it," writes Adi Gaskell, citing the study. Full Story: [The Horizons Tracker]( (7/5) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our partners - [8-Step Guide: How to Overcome Laziness and Start taking Action]( - [How Technology Can help You Get a Good Night’s Sleep]( - [Effective Leadership Primer]( - [Quick Reference Guide – Time Management]( - [Quick Reference Guide – Office 365 Essentials]( [] In Their Own Words [] [Uncertain times call for these 3 leadership traits]( Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business, says she learned compassion from working with her physician father, and that trait, along with courage and confidence, is needed for leaders in an increasingly uncertain business climate. "You have to make difficult decisions, be confident in the path you're moving along, and yet have compassion for the fact that the decision that you're making with courage and confidence may have bad outcomes for other people," Erwin says. Full Story: [LinkedIn]( (7/6) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Photographer captures stunning views of the Milky Way]( Photographer Michael Abramyan has captured some stunning shots of the Milky Way, with images that include silhouettes of buttes, mountains and bodies of water. Astrophotography shots often require careful planning, but one stunning picture of Monument Valley in Arizona was the result of good fortune, Abramyan says. Full Story: [My Modern Metropolis]( (7/4) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Editor's Note [] More insights from SmartBrief SmartBrief publishes original analysis and insights in addition to its more than [200 free email newsletters](. Here's what you might have missed: - [Personal, planetary health drive appetite for plant-based foods]( - [Why personalization is more important than ever for brands]( - [Professionals need continuing education on inclusive language]( [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 [] [] Go on, say what you want. ... Whatever it is, say it to yourself. The truth will set you free. [Nick Hornby](, writer, screenwriter [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, a division of Future US LLC © 1100 13th St. NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005