Engage employees with continuous learning opportunities

CEOs take precautions as they see mixed economic factors | practice | Engage employees with continuous learning opportunities Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( February 14, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT Leading the Way [] [CEOs take precautions as they see mixed economic factors]( [CEOs take precautions as they see mixed economic factors]( (z_wei/Getty Images) Nearly 75% of CEOs say they expect a slowdown in global economic growth this year, according to a PwC survey, while 41% of CEOs surveyed for Chief Executive's CEO Confidence Index predicted this month that business conditions will improve this year. Wes Bricker, a vice chair at PwC, says most leaders are coping with expected changes by shoring up diversity and sustainability efforts, remaining flexible about workforce location requirements and reviewing technology investments to help retain workers. Full Story: [Insider]( (2/12), [Chief Executive]( (2/13) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Many companies are reshuffling workers, streamlining their organizational structure and rethinking strategies -- which are all necessary to survive in an unpredictable market, PwC's Bricker says. "I have optimism that we'll get through this adjustment," says Bricker. "This is a correction." [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Move the Needle on Employee Engagement Create employee engagement programs that work. Check out the report to discover engagement best practices that benefit the business by: increasing talent retention, improving productivity, and meeting evolving customer needs. [Read the Report.]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Engage employees with continuous learning opportunities]( [Engage employees with continuous learning opportunities]( (girafchik123/Getty Images) Embedding learning and development programs that allow employees to enhance their skills and put them to immediate use can boost employee engagement, which will create long-term benefits for the company, writes Kathy Gersch, chief commercial officer at Kotter. "When people are doing things they are interested in and equipped to do well, the confidence and autonomy to produce great work can spark a movement that drives innovation every day and unleashes new energy across the organization," Gersch writes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (2/13) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Focus on training employees in leadership and change management skills, Gersch notes. "Having the knowledge, strategic context and communication skills to navigate change effectively will increase the trustworthiness and respect a professional already possesses," Gersch writes. [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Smarter Communication [] [Communication is paramount to building trust]( More than 60% of respondents to the [Edelman Trust Barometer]( say they trust business and their own CEOs more than government and the media, which means it's time for leaders to step up their communication with employees, as well as to other stakeholders about their social and economic commitments, writes Debbie Field, vice president at The Grossman Group. "Delivering on this expectation means now is the time for business leaders to hone their skills as communicators by elevating their voices, engaging employees at all levels, and articulating a clear vision for the future," Fields writes. Full Story: [LeaderCommunicator Blog]( (2/13) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Many employees are worried about the economy, and especially how it may affect their jobs. It is imperative, Field notes, that leaders constantly communicate with their teams through town halls and more personal messages. [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [4 Simple Productivity Improvement Points To Dominate Your Day]( - [The Ultimate Guide To Developing Self-Discipline]( - [30 Life Lessons Learned in 30 Years]( - [How to Find Average Salary Information for US Workers]( - ["I Will Teach You to be Rich" Book Summary]( [] Smarter Strategy [] - [Equifax exec has advice on how to build a strong risk culture]( Strategy+Business (2/13) [] - [ESG faces backlash, but sustainability is still good business]( MIT Sloan Management Review (tiered subscription model) (2/7) [] - [Need a new outlook on strategy? Try a game of badminton]( The Economic Times (India) (2/11) [] SmartPulse [] When you have to deliver a tough message, what best describes your approach? I deliver it directly and without apology or cushioning 31.84% I strike a balance between tough news and positive news 62.29% I soft-pedal the message and risk it not being received 4.49% I avoid delivering the message and hope they'll figure it out on their own 1.38% [] Total responses: 288 [] Beware the "But" Sandwich. 62% of you report delivering tough news but trying to balance it with positive news. Another 6% soft-pedal the feedback message or don't deliver it at all. That's not fair to the person who needs to get the message. For the 6%, you've deprived them of an opportunity to improve. They are likely unaware of the issue (which is why it's happening) and would probably like to rectify it if they know about it. For those who are balancing a tough message with a positive one, it probably sounds like "You're great, but … here's some tough news … but, here's why you're great." The risk is they hear everything before the first but and everything after the second but and the part in the middle that's the tough message gets minimized or missed. While this approach might make you feel better and make it easier to deliver the tough message, you're risking them not getting the message and the behavior recurring. Step up. Deliver the tough message and instead of soft-pedaling, talk about how you'll help them correct the behavior and improve their performance. -- Mike Figliuolo is managing director of [thoughtLEADERS](, which includes TITAN -- the firm's e-learning platform. Previously, he worked at McKinsey & Co., Capital One and Scotts Miracle-Gro. He is a West Point graduate and author of three leadership books: ["One Piece of Paper,"]( ["Lead Inside the Box"]( and ["The Elegant Pitch."]( [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] POLL QUESTION: In team meetings, how good are you at creating an environment where everyone is comfortable participating? [Vote]( [I'm great at it. Everyone offers their thoughts and I just guide the discussion]( [Vote]( [I'm good at it. Most people offer thoughts and I drive some of the discussion]( [Vote]( [I'm OK at it. I drive a lot of the discussion and offer some time for input]( [Vote]( [I'm not good at it. I have to actively remind myself to create space and not dominate the discussion]( [Vote]( [I'm poor at it. I dominate the discussion and no one feels comfortable joining in]( [] In Their Own Words [] [Innovative leaders can connect seemingly diverse dots]( Leaders who are strong in ideation -- or the ability to connect disparate ideas -- can help their teams think more creatively and drive innovation, says Jaclynn Robinson, a Gallup learning and development consultant. "I think people never have that sense of feeling stagnant or stuck, because that leader is saying, 'What else can we do? Let's break through and let's innovate. Let's create,' " Robinson says. Full Story: [Gallup]( (2/13) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [A "Phantom" fanatic? This night could end on a high note]( [A "Phantom" fanatic? This night could end on a high note]( Palais Garnier in Paris (Pixabay) Attention all opera fans! To commemorate the success of "The Phantom of the Opera," you can spend the night in the Box of Honour at the Palais Garnier in Paris through a special Airbnb promotion -- for just around $40, plus taxes and fees. The catch: You and one guest can only spend one night -- July 16, 2023 -- and booking requests will be taken starting on March 1. Full Story: [Thrillist]( (2/12) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] POLL QUESTION: On this day in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell applied for a telephone patent. What day did he officially receive it? Check [here]( for the answer. Learn more about the [historical controversy]( behind the invention of the telephone. [Vote]( [Feb. 15]( [Vote]( [March 7]( [Vote]( [One year later]( [Vote]( [It was never officially issued.]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Candace Chellew If the pandemic has taught leaders anything, it's that everything can change in a moment. [Many are prepared for slower growth](, even as [many more are optimistic]( that this year may bring an economic turning point. Layoffs have been the inevitable outcome in some sectors, but leaders are doing what they can to help their employees [and communicate what's going on]( and how changes will affect them. This is why business leaders continue to be trusted by employees. Don't take that trust for granted though. Keep your employees' needs in mind and [give them the training and skills they need](, even as you make organizational adjustments to weather economic challenges. 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 [] [] Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. [Leo Tolstoy](, writer [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