Listen more, appease less to be a courageous leader

Want to change your leadership mindset? Ask a Girl Scout | When the inner critic rages, here's how to shut it up | Listen more, appease less to be a courageous leader Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( January 5, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] Leading the Way [] [Want to change your leadership mindset? Ask a Girl Scout]( [Want to change your leadership mindset? Ask a Girl Scout]( (Rick Kern/Getty Images) Frances Hesselbein, who was the national executive director of the Girl Scouts of the USA from 1976 to 1990, used a circular organizational chart where employees moved toward the center and used storytelling and language to make the bottom line one of "changed lives," writes Harvard Business School's James Heskett. Of the circular management style, Heskett writes that Hesselbein "maintained that it helped associates achieve a different mindset toward collaboration and hierarchy." Put it into practice: Step back and consider how your company, product or service is making the lives of your customers better. If your list is short, you may want to revisit your corporate goals and mission. If your list is long, treat yourself to a Girl Scout Cookie or two (if you have the willpower to stop at just two). Full Story: [Harvard Business School Working Knowledge]( (1/3) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [When the inner critic rages, here's how to shut it up]( The inner critic that leads us to sabotage ourselves can be silenced by challenging its assertions -- especially when it tosses up generalizations such as, "You always screw up" -- and talking with trusted friends and colleagues about it, writes Dan Rockwell. "If you care for yourself develop relationships that withstand honest conversations about inner demons," Rockwell writes. Put it into practice: Most often, the inner critic isn't even your voice. Instead, it's the voice of a bully from your past, a parent or a former boss. Naming that voice will rob it of its power. Full Story: [Leadership Freak]( (1/4) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Listen more, appease less to be a courageous leader]( [Listen more, appease less to be a courageous leader]( (Pixabay) Listening more, appeasing less, setting boundaries and being honest with yourself as a leader all take courage, especially if you feel misunderstood or need to handle difficult situations, writes Marlene Chism. "No matter what the difficulty, leaders can develop the courage to cope with uncertainty, navigate through change and manage conflict effectively," Chism writes. Put it into practice: The first step to developing more courage as a leader is to make an honest assessment of where you are right now and identify areas ripe for improvement. "Once you have the courage to face reality, the truth stops hurting and instead sets you free," Chism notes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (1/4) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Read more]( from Marlene Chism on SmartBrief on Leadership [] Smarter Communication [] [3 ways that a prop can engage and delight your audience]( A TikTok video of a third-grade teacher using a blank piece of paper to illustrate the effect of harsh words on people is a reminder that props during speeches or presentations can make your topic come to life and simplify even the most complicated concept, writes John Zimmer. "A prop can add interest and variety to your presentation, which can help to keep your audience engaged," Zimmer writes. Put it into practice: Props are the reason we all get captivated by a good round of show and tell. They can be as simple as a sheet of paper or a whiteboard or as complex as one of your products or other objects that help you tell a story. Full Story: [Manner of Speaking]( (1/3) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [How Technology Can Help you Get a Good Night's Sleep]( - [10 Ways to Manage Stress in the Workplace]( - [10 Secrets For Managing Your Time]( - [The Life Changing Manage of Tidying Up Book Summary]( - [Microsoft Excel 2021 Basic - Quick Reference Guide]( [] Future of Work Your work future could include ... [] - [Better, unique experiences could be coming to your office soon]( Next Big Idea Club Magazine (1/3) [] - [How we use language in the office is already changing]( Fast Company (tiered subscription model) (1/3) [] - [A focus on wellness, flexibility ... and layoffs herald uncertainty in 2023]( Forbes (tiered subscription model) (1/2) [] In Their Own Words [] [Siemens CEO: Leaders must be able to let go of the wheel]( The challenge for leaders today is to empower their people to handle constant change and uncertainty while being focused enough to still consistently deliver what their teams and customers need, says Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA. "You have to be willing to step back, take your hands off the wheel and trust that you've created the conditions where others are going to be engaged and they have the thrill of the tactile response, either from their teams or from the market or elsewhere," Humpton says. Full Story: [LinkedIn]( (1/4) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [911 call by alleged burglar ends with trip to the pokey]( Police have arrested a Florida couple after they were caught apparently burglarizing a house after one of them placed a silent 911 call, telling police later that they wanted help moving items out of the house, along with a ride to the airport. "Deputies DID help them with their belongings, and DID give them a ride, but it wasn't to the airport ... it was to the Polk Pokey," the Polk County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. Full Story: [Miami Herald (tiered subscription model)]( (1/3) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Editor's Note [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Candace Chellew "The most powerful words you hear are the ones you say to yourself," writes [Dan Rockwell](, who provides us with some solid advice on how to handle that inner critic that seeks to undermine our confidence. Oh, how I can relate. I would never talk to anyone the way I talk to myself, raking myself over the coals for my mistakes or perceived shortcomings. That voice has been especially loud as I take on this new role at the helm of this brief. "Who are you to take on such a big task?" it asks. Truth is, we all contend with that inner critic who sows seeds of doubt and fear. Rockwell's advice is solid -- naming the voices of shame and no longer giving them the power to control our thoughts and actions. The best tip Rockwell offers, though, is to talk with those you can trust about your inner critic. If that voice can convince you that you're the only one feeling scared, inadequate or unprepared for challenges, it can keep you feeling isolated. We reclaim our power when we share our feelings with others. What's your inner critic saying, and what ways have you found to silence that voice? Feel free to share it with me and I'll pass on some of your wisdom in a future note. 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:candace.chellew@futurenet.com). And don't forget to send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off. [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 [] [] If I could do it over again, I wouldn't change many things. Not for myself. [Pele (Edson Arantes do Nascimento)](, professional football player, minister of sports of Brazil 1940-2022 [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 © Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036