Don't let the "flip-flop" fear lock you into a decision

Don't let the "flip-flop" fear lock you into a decision | practice | Remember your humanity when layoffs are necessary Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( February 15, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT Leading the Way [] [Don't let the "flip-flop" fear lock you into a decision]( [Don't let the "flip-flop" fear lock you into a decision]( (Nora Carol Photography/Getty Images) Politicians are branded "flip-floppers" if they change their minds, but leaders must give themselves room to reverse a decision, especially when they receive new information or realize how much bias and/or poor data might have influenced their first impulse, writes Michael Nathanson, CEO of The Colony Group. "At a minimum, we must allow ourselves to make small adjustments to our prior decisions even if a complete reversal is unnecessary," Nathanson writes. Full Story: [Chief Executive]( (2/13) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Create a culture where a change of mind is celebrated and not vilified by seeing mistakes as opportunities and empowering team members to ask questions. "The very leaders who have feared changing their minds must change their minds about changing their minds," Nathanson writes. Accelerated 22-Month MBA Program This stellar program was recently ranked the #10 Top US Exec MBA Program by Poets&Quants for 2022 - 2023. Attend classes 1 three-day weekend per month in NYC, gaining the skills and network needed to ascend to the C-Suite or to change careers. [Learn more.]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Remember your humanity when layoffs are necessary]( [Remember your humanity when layoffs are necessary]( (Getty Images) Laying off workers is one of the most painful tasks a leader can ever do, but Denise Lee Yohn says [in this video]( if you do it with "compassion, empathy and integrity" you will pass the leadership "litmus test." "Consider how you might preserve the dignity of those who are laid off by handling affairs with sensitivity and discretion; or how you might show sincere gratitude and respect for their contributions by communicating one-on-one and offering long-term support," Yohn notes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (2/14) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Don't forget to tend to the employees who remain after a layoff, Yohn advises. You'll need to reestablish trust with them, reorient them to your company's mission and goals, provide support and tend to their well-being. [] [Read more]( from Denise Lee Yohn on SmartBrief on Leadership [] Smarter Communication [] [How to use disagreement to show you're a team player]( You may be reticent to speak out if you feel your team is moving in the wrong direction for fear of rejection or retaliation, but speaking about the possibilities and alternate options and talking privately with others to garner allies can help bolster your view, says George Mason University professor Todd Kashdan. "Try to find someone who has good social stature in the group, who is willing to amplify your voice because you know that if it comes from them, it's more likely to get a hearing," Kashdan says. Full Story: [Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model)]( (2/14) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: After your initial disagreement with the status quo, some people may avoid you, but later on, Kashdan says the "sleeper effect" kicks in and "you find people will thank you and appreciate that you said what they've been wanting to say for years." Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [Tips & Tricks Guide - Microsoft Windows 11]( - [Career Planning Tips]( - [25 Cryptocurrencies You Should Know About]( - [Nonverbal Communications Skills – The 10 Skills You Need to Learn]( - [How Technology Can Help You Get a Good Night's Sleep]( [] Smarter Strategy [] - [Leverage your data to bring new value to customers]( MIT Sloan Management Review (tiered subscription model) (2/13) [] - [Succession planning isn't too difficult when you have a map]( TalentTelligent (2/13) [] - [How too much optimism can hamper company change initiatives]( NOBL Academy (2/12) [] In Their Own Words [] [Intuit CEO says leaders need these 3 things to succeed]( Leaders need courage and compassion as well as velocity -- "the combination of speed with the direction you've chosen" -- to keep up with the pace of change in business and bring their people along with them, says Sasan Goodarzi, CEO of Intuit. "Even though people may have a lot on their plate, if you focus on the direction and what's important, and you are relentless about it, people are resilient," Goodarazi says. Full Story: [LinkedIn]( (2/14) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Researchers try to get to the root of tree networks]( [Researchers try to get to the root of tree networks]( (Pixabay) New research is throwing shade on prior studies that showed trees communicate with each other through a so-called "wood-wide web," using underground fungi to ferry nutrients and "warnings" to their fellow trees. University of Alberta associate professor Justine Karst says the fungi, known as common mycorrhizal networks, "have an important role in forest management and conservation practices even if trees are not talking to each other through CMNs." Full Story: [University of Alberta]( (2/13) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] POLL QUESTION: Happy birthday, Matt Groening! Who inspired his Bart Simpson cartoon creation? Check your answer [here](. [Vote]( [Mark, his brother]( [Vote]( [Homer, his dad]( [Vote]( [Unnamed childhood friend]( [Vote]( [Himself, of course]( [] Pets of SmartBrief Leaders [] Never fear! Cooper's on the job Never fear! Cooper's on the job Kelly Sowell sent this picture of Cooper, a 3-year-old English cocker spaniel, whose talents include helping to review and edit documents. "He's a busy guy and loads of 'help'!" Kelly says. Do you have a furry helper? [Send me their photo](mailto:candace.chellew@futurenet.com)! [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Candace Chellew As a leader, it's never easy to change your mind and turn toward a whole new direction. Our people trust us to guide them, and sometimes we're reticent to revise our decisions, even if we're pretty sure it's not where we should be going. [Michael Nathanson's advice]( on considering new data, rooting out any biases that may have influenced the original decision and discerning if you're stuck in the "obstinacy paradox" is solid. As Nathanson says, your people are perceptive, and they'll sense if you're charging ahead out of stubbornness instead of wisdom. 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 [] [] That period of dreams and civil rights taught all of us in entertainment how to find our stepping stones. It taught us how to pull others up. [Diahann Carroll](, actor, singer, activist February is Black History Month [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