Asking for help is a trait strong leaders will develop

Asking for help is a trait strong leaders will develop | practice | Strategic employee positioning can prevent layoffs Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( July 31, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] Leading the Way [] [Asking for help is a trait strong leaders will develop]( [Asking for help is a trait strong leaders will develop]( (Pixabay) We may feel that asking for help makes us look weak or we're afraid of being rejected, but the ability to ask for what we need is actually a sign of strength and offers others an opportunity to feel good and collaborate with us, writes Gregg Vanourek who offers more than a dozen ideas on how to make the ask. Be specific in what you want them to do, respect their time and don't apologize for needing help, Vanourek recommends. Full Story: [Gregg Vanourek]( (7/27) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: If you avoid asking for help because you think you're imposing on others, "flip the script and recall times when people asked us for help and whether that made us feel burdened and resentful or glad to be asked and happy to help," [Vanourek writes](. [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Strategic employee positioning can prevent layoffs]( [Strategic employee positioning can prevent layoffs]( (sorbetto/Getty Images) Layoffs in the shadow of a recession can affect profits negatively in ways many executives don't consider: poor morale and engagement in those who remain, loss of institutional knowledge or key skills and reduced innovation. Instead, leaders can use employees more strategically to improve growth, keeping short- and long-term strategies in mind, Joe Raymond of RVR Consulting Group writes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (7/28) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Once company goals have been revised, fill gaps in teams with targeted hires, and "[a]nalyze employee performance goals ... and reward them accordingly," [Raymond suggests](. Use regular, motivational one-on-ones to go over priorities and expectations. [] Smarter Communication [] [Do your attempts at tact seem passive-aggressive?]( Leaders who aim for diplomacy sometimes miss the mark and veer into passive-aggressiveness, and the distinction is all the more difficult when communication is via text, direct message or email, Jose Luansing Jr. notes. Before sending, read and reread your comments, and "[a]lways consider how messages come across before sending them," Luansing writes. Full Story: [MakeUseOf]( (7/26) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: "Noted" can come off snarky, as can "thanks in advance." "Reattaching file for your convenience" makes it sound like you've been inconvenienced, while "Let's make sure we're on the same page" can appear condescending," [Luansing writes](. 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Policies for hybrid companies should originate from conversations with employees about the best times, places and methods for collaborative or focused work. Full Story: [Vox]( (7/22) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Celebrate International Cat Day by eating their food]( [Celebrate International Cat Day by eating their food]( (Pixabay) Cat lovers can find out why their cats love Fancy Feast so much when the company dishes out human variations of their flavors at the Fete du Feline Grand Tasting in celebration of International Cat Day in New York City on Aug. 7. The dishes are being created by Fancy Feast chef Amanda Hassner and Andrew "Babish" Rea, the famed YouTube chef, who says: "I recreate famous dishes every day, but taking on my cat Bucky's favorite food was a fun, new challenge for me." Full Story: [Food & Wine]( (7/26) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Most Read by CEOs The most-clicked stories of the past week by SmartBrief on Leadership readers [] - [Power changes your brain. Here's how leaders can adjust]( Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) [] - [No matter how frustrated, don't say these 18 things]( Hack Spirit [] - [What motivates you? Maslow, Frankl might have the answer]( SmartBrief/Leadership [] - [Setting boundaries is not selfish -- it's productive]( Gregg Vanourek [] - [This 3-part BMW leadership program can rev up training]( Forbes (tiered subscription model) [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] What was unusual about novelist Daniel Defoe's punishment at the pillory for seditious libel in 1703? [Vote]( [First use outside of perjury]( [Vote]( [He was pelted with flowers]( [Vote]( [It's when he conceived the idea for "Robinson Crusoe"]( [Vote]( [He was released on a Friday]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Chellew In Friday's SmartBrief on Leadership, I asked how you find time to "do nothing," [as Ken Blanchard recommends](, and truly take time away from work. Fellow clergyperson, Annice B., says she makes it a point to take a Sabbath on Saturdays, though it took her several years to get the hang of just hanging out, but she notes, "It is so important to take time for myself." Similarly, a public library director from Texas wrote in to say that with one of her small staff out sick, "it has been almost impossible for me to take any time off." However, she realized she had to do it for her own health and scheduled two weeks for herself. She spends her down time lunching with friends, doing housework (which she says she enjoys) "or just kicking back and reading or watching TV." Thanks for the responses. It reminds me just how important time away from work can be for our mental health. I made the pledge this weekend to take as much down time as possible. We had breakfast with friends on Saturday morning and planned to attend a birthday party later in the day. My gas tank was empty so my spouse went without me, and I spent my evening reading and meditating. It was delightful, and this morning, I'm in a much better frame of mind to start the week! So, here's your reminder -- take time off! You'll be so glad you did. 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 [] [] And they say, "See how the glass is raised?" / I have refused to take part [Sinead O'Connor](, singer, songwriter 1966-2023 [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