Think again before you use these phrases

How to build productive relationships with direct reports | Think again before you use these phrases | Hard work alone won't secure your future Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( July 26, 2017 [WFF Leadership SmartBrief]( [WFF Leadership SmartBrief]( Advancing and Empowering Women Leaders [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [FORWARD]( [] A Leader's Edge [] [How to build productive relationships with direct reports]( Building stronger relationships with your direct reports isn't so much about socializing with them outside of work as it is about making sure their ideas are heard, Kim Scott writes. You don't need to engage your team in idle conversation, but you do need to give employees feedback that will help them progress in their careers. [Harvard Business Review online (tiered subscription model)]( (7/25) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Google+]( [Email]( [] Career Progression: Developing Leaders [] [Think again before you use these phrases]( You might not mean to offend by saying "no problem," but the phrase can communicate that you're a little resentful about being asked to complete a certain task, argues Judith Humphrey. Other phrases to avoid around the office include "it is what it is," which is an empty expression that can suggest you're not engaged, Humphrey writes. [Fast Company online]( (7/23) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Google+]( [Email]( [] [Hard work alone won't secure your future]( Hard work won't lead you toward a promotion if you aren't taking credit for your accomplishments, writes Sarah Greesonbach. It's also important to avoid burning yourself out. [Glassdoor]( (7/21) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Google+]( [Email]( [] [How to impress others while networking]( If you want to impress others when meeting them for the first time, practice describing what you do in a concise manner, writes Amna Shamim. Always try to listen more than you talk by using well-timed questions to redirect the conversation when you've been talking too much, Shamim writes. [Entrepreneur online]( (7/21) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Google+]( [Email]( [] [Know yourself and others to deal with conflict]( Are you one who seeks out conflict at work to resolve issues, or are you an avoider who values harmony so much that any kind of conflict is undesirable? In either case, writes author Amy Gallo, it's important to acknowledge your own tendencies and to assess and adjust to the preferences of your colleagues. [Harvard Business Review online (tiered subscription model)]( (7/24) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Google+]( [Email]( [] SmartBrief Exclusives [] Read the latest food and beverage coverage by SmartBrief in [SmartBrief Originals](: [] - [Seeking out the path to CPG's omnichannel future]( [] - [How restaurants can launch effective delivery services]( [] - [How amusement parks, baseball stadiums, eatertainment venues can inspire summer menus]( [] Diversity and Inclusion [] [Women still face obstacles on the way to the top, experts say]( Persistent biases and corporate politics continue to make it difficult for women to move into top leadership positions in the corporate world, according to executives, recruiters and business school deans. Women are taught to believe that everything "will take care of itself" when they deliver results, but that kind of thinking doesn't necessarily work at the top of the corporate world, former DuPont CEO Ellen Kullman said. [The New York Times (free-article access for SmartBrief readers)]( (7/21) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Google+]( [Email]( [] [Salary history questions to be banned in San Francisco]( A San Francisco law that takes effect next year aims to narrow the gender pay gap by preventing employers from asking job candidates about their salary history. However, the law will still allow employers to ask about applicants' salary expectations. [Fortune]( (7/19) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Google+]( [Email]( [] Women and Innovation in the Workforce [] [Is it time to rethink diversity groups?]( Deloitte is phasing out diversity groups that focus on specific segments of the employee population, such as women or minorities. The company is replacing these groups with inclusion councils that are designed to bring more people together -- including white men -- to discuss diversity issues. [Bloomberg]( (7/19) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Google+]( [Email]( [] [] When you can care personally at the same time that you challenge directly, you're on the way to successful leadership. Kim Scott, writing at [Harvard Business Review online]( [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Google+]( [Email]( Learn more about the WFF: [About the WFF]( | [Join the WFF]( | [WFF Programs]( [Sign Up]( [SmartBrief offers 200+ newsletters]( [Advertise]( [Learn more about the SmartBrief audience]( Subscriber Tools: [Manage Subscriptions]( [Update Your Profile]( [Unsubscribe]( [Send Feedback]( [Archive]( [Search]( Contact Us: Advertising - [Chris Warne](mailto:cwarne@smartbrief.com) P: 646.462.4647 Editor - [Amy Sung](mailto:wff@smartbrief.com) Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 © 1999-2017 SmartBrief, Inc.® [Privacy policy]( | [Legal Information]( Â