Prioritize people instead of the chairs they fill

Don't fear uncertainty. Make it your superpower | practice | Introducing ... you! Get featured in our Leadership brief Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( May 3, 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 fear uncertainty. Make it your superpower]( [Don't fear uncertainty. Make it your superpower]( (Bulat Silvia/Getty Images) Embracing uncertainty can be uncomfortable, but Suzanne Bates, the managing director of BTS, Boston, writes that when we use it as a reminder to move deliberately, invite input from others and see it as a foundation for strategy and planning, it can be "a healthy quality." "Maintaining a healthy dose of uncertainty lets you learn your way forward and stay agile. When you do this as a team, you unleash the power of everyone's uncertainty to your advantage," Bates writes. Full Story: [Quartz]( (5/2) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Involve your team when things are uncertain by outlining the problem and asking for their opinions and ideas before giving yours. "Rather than shutting down the conversation, you challenge people to give you their best thinking. And that's fun," [Bates notes](. [] [Introducing ... you! Get featured in our Leadership brief]( Each week, SmartBrief on Leadership will showcase two Featured Leaders to share their experiences in a quick spotlight in the brief. If you'd like to be featured, [fill out this form with your info](. [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Webcast: Leading through uncertain times Join the 5/18 SmartSummit event to discuss how to: - Maintain high employee morale and performance - Maximize in-house talent - Manage tough decisions and conversations [Register Now]( ADVERTISEMENT [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Prioritize people instead of the chairs they fill]( [Prioritize people instead of the chairs they fill]( (SewcreamStudio/Getty Images) Nearly 80% of business leaders say they are hiring to fill vacancies rather than hiring to meet forecasted demand, according to a McKinsey & Co. study -- which means they're sticking with the status quo instead of reinventing business to suit the times, consultant Larry Robertson writes. Less than a third of leaders recognized that people -- which came in fourth or fifth on a list of crucial needs -- are needed before they can solve their first, second and third top concerns related to technology, economics and geopolitics. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (5/2) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Be a forward-thinking leader and recognize that people should come first, especially in a changing work environment that will require new or upgraded skills. Look at the larger picture, and "question [your] inconsistencies when it comes to prioritizing versus simply paying lip service to [your] most important asset: people," [Robertson writes](. [] [Read more]( from Larry Robertson on SmartBrief on Leadership [] Smarter Communication [] [Communications 101: Companies need face as well as logo]( The negative national temperature fueling low trust in companies and the resulting social media saturation make an executive communications strategy vital, writes Brian Sherry. The process should start with the face of a company -- it's story, vision, goals and actions, as well as likeable, positive people, Sherry writes. Full Story: [Stern Strategy Group]( (5/1) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: A [creative but factual story]( can weave the many parts of your company into a single fabric, suggests Sherry. Identify the few executives to be the company's public faces, who will learn that story by heart, and then ensure messaging consistency for effective external communications. Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [Nonverbal Communications Skills -- The 10 Skills You Need to Learn]( - [70+ Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows (Free Cheat Sheet)]( - [Best Practices for Email Etiquette]( - [11 Habits That Will Give You A Complete And Successful Life]( - [Creating Positive Habits - The Ultimate Guide]( [] Smarter Strategy [] - [Use "nondisruptive creation" to open bold new business opportunities]( INSEAD Knowledge (5/2) [] - [Ask these 3 key questions to boost your company's innovation]( Strategyzer (5/2) [] - [How to avoid going viral as a CEO for all the wrong reasons]( Rita McGrath Group (5/2) [] In Their Own Words [] [Gratitude and kindness are important leadership skills]( Joanie Mahoney, the president of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, N.Y., says her parents modeled kindness for her, which is something that she continues to prize in leadership, along with long-term vision, clear communication, listening skills and a team focus. "I would encourage anybody who wants to be in a leadership role to every day value the people on their team, show them gratitude, and recognize that without them you're not able to do anything," Mahoney says. Full Story: [Syracuse (N.Y.)]( (5/2) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Taxidermy birds take flight for reverse-engineered drones]( Taxidermy birds take flight for reverse-engineered drones (Mostafa Hassanalian) Scientists studying aerodynamic nuances are turning taxidermy birds into drones with electric motors, learning, for example, that a bird's bones play an important role that's not present in existing drones, lead researcher Mostafa Hassanalian of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology says. The researchers hope the information they glean will help aviation industry efficiency and provide a new way to monitor wildlife. Full Story: [Live Science]( (4/30) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] Where was Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir born on May 3, 1898? Check your answer [here](. [Vote]( [Denver]( [Vote]( [Jerusalem]( [Vote]( [Kyiv, Ukraine]( [Vote]( [Milwaukee]( [] Pets of SmartBrief Leaders [] How can you resist Cassie? How can you resist Cassie? (Doug Klanecky) Doug Klanecky sent in this photo of his dog, Cassie. Doug says that look is because "she's doing her best to make me feel guilty for working and not walking!" I think all dog owners know the meaning of this look! Who are your non-human office companions? [Send me your photos](mailto:candace.chellew@futurenet.com)! [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Joanie Mahoney, the president of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, N.Y., has some [solid leadership advice]( to offer in this issue, and I urge you to take some time with that story in particular today. Her advice to be kind and curious, but also challenging with your team can improve you as a leader and create a culture of collaboration. 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. 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