Bud Light brewed up trouble but leaders can raise the bar

Bud Light brewed up trouble but leaders can raise the bar | practice | Lay off the breezy, vague redundancy announcements Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( April 28, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] Leading the Way [] [Bud Light brewed up trouble but leaders can raise the bar]( [Bud Light brewed up trouble but leaders can raise the bar]( (Icon Sportswire/Getty Images) Leaders can learn valuable lessons on maintaining clear communication across departments, practicing effective management and observing the chain-of-command by studying the missteps of the Anheuser-Busch Bud Light branding controversy that has left many loyal customers rethinking their beer choices, writes Denise Graziano, the CEO of Graziano Associates. "A situation like this indicates there should be more collaboration in the C-suite and at the board level to mitigate risks, and still achieve inclusivity goals," Graziano writes. Full Story: [Chief Executive]( (4/26) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Anheuser-Busch's CEO issued a bland and non-committal statement that did nothing to quell the controversy. "Management lesson: Do not appear reactionary; say something substantial or nothing at all," [writes Graziano](. [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Real Talk: a 5G discussion series. Join T-Mobile for Business and other industry experts as we explore the ways 5G is optimizing operations, empowering teams, enhancing customer experiences, and accelerating new products and services—all in five minutes or less. [Watch now.]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Smarter Communication [] [Lay off the breezy, vague redundancy announcements]( No one likes to even say "layoffs," much less be the one sharing the bad news, but being direct while compassionate is important if you are the bearer of bad news, Sean Devlin of Ragan Communications writes. Using some companies' mistakes as cautionary tales, Devlin recommends being definitive, providing a rationale and ensuring a manager is available afterward to answer questions. Full Story: [Ragan]( (4/24) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: "[B]e extremely selective with ... word choice," [Devlin writes](, especially on internal memos that could be leaked. Allow those laid off or who've been spared time to process emotions, try to provide severance and job-searching assistance, and be prepared with answers to questions about severance, returning a laptop, health insurance and more. [] [Relax! 3 vital steps to take before giving a speech]( [Relax! 3 vital steps to take before giving a speech]( (Pixabay) Relaxing before public speaking is easier said than done for some, but it's a mistake to prepare your speech and not yourself, Jim Anderson of Blue Elephant Consulting writes. Your body and mind will be delivering a message too, and taking a few minutes to adjust will make for a better presentation, Anderson notes. Full Story: [The Accidental Communicator]( (4/24) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Breathing exercises can help you prepare your voice, and paying attention to cadence and enunciation will help those who don't hear as well. [Anderson also explains]( how to release tension and move so your body doesn't look like a mannequin and how to mentally prepare to overcome obstacles.   [] Smarter Strategy [] - [Economic factors every leader should be following right now]( Vistage Research Center (4/27) [] - [Where does your company fit in the 5 levels of corporate maturity?]( Texas CEO Magazine (4/26) [] - [Balance honesty and psychological safety to boost team performance]( INSEAD Knowledge (4/27) Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [2023 State of B2B Content Consumption and Demand Report for Marketers]( - [Best Practices for Email Etiquette]( - [70+ Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows (Free Cheat Sheet)]( - [Creating Positive Habits - The Ultimate Guide]( [] Smarter Living Get your mind and body right each Friday [] [Casual social connections can boost mental wellness]( Surface-level social relationships known as "weak" or "peripheral" ties may actually have a significant impact on people's well-being, researchers say. Casual interactions such as those that occur in the park, office, classroom or religious congregations can result in individuals reporting greater feelings of happiness, belonging and thriving, even among introverts. Full Story: [The New York Times]( (4/22) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Dog goes from apartment living to his own backyard]( [Dog goes from apartment living to his own backyard]( (KodaTheMiniDood/TikTok) A TikTok video showing Koda the dog reacting to having his own backyard for the first time has attracted 3.6 million views and more than 625,800 likes. The clip shows Koda staring through railings on the balcony of his previous apartment home before switching to footage of him running joyfully around his new backyard. Full Story: [Newsweek (tiered subscription model)]( (4/25) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] How much was the reported final eBay bid for a years-old McDonald's Chicken McNugget resembling George Washington? Check your answer [here](. [Vote]( [$1]( [Vote]( [$1,776]( [Vote]( [$2,012]( [Vote]( [$8,100]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Candace Chellew A [Morning Consult report]( out this week found nearly half of those polled worried about job losses in their own industry, with 44% concerned about layoffs at their own company. With this much fear rippling through the workforce, it's incumbent upon leaders to clearly communicate their intentions about downsizing or other changes in their workforce. "People’s individuality and worth should be a top priority,"[says Kerry O’Grady](, a professor and PR consultant. How is your company handling communications around workforce changes? [Let me know](mailto:candace.chellew@futurenet.com)! 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 [] [] Who Said It? I'm outside, looking at a story, and I have no idea what's on the next page -- none. Harry Belafonte or W.H. Auden [Check your answer here.]( [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