Leaders foster trust when they are predictably consistent

Leaders foster trust when they are predictably consistent | practice | Engage employees on AI to dissipate fears Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( August 1, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] Leading the Way [] [Leaders foster trust when they are predictably consistent]( [Leaders foster trust when they are predictably consistent]( (Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images) Creating a consistent and predictable working environment can "help people know exactly what's expected, so everyone feels like they're treated fairly," says Jaclynn Robinson, a senior learning and development consultant, who notes leaders must also be ready to create new structures as conditions change. "Leaders and employees can rely on this leader to remain cool, calm and collect. Because this person is going to be working to establish a new structure in the workplace that creates stability, fairness and predictability once again," Robinson says. Full Story: [Gallup]( (7/31) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Not everyone appreciates a predictable work environment, [Robinson notes](, especially those concerned with breaking out of the status quo. "So that's just something that someone with consistency would want to keep their eye on."   [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Engage employees on AI to dissipate fears]( [Engage employees on AI to dissipate fears]( (Boy_Anupong/Getty Images) If AI is "the new electricity," as computer scietist Andrew Ng says, then it's our job as business leaders to work with our employees to switch it on together, says Tom Henson, the managing director at Emerge Digital. This important part of our future "requires a profound cultural metamorphosis, requiring understanding, acceptance and commitment from the most critical component of your organization: your employees," Henson writes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (7/31) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Encourage open conversations about AI among colleagues, and share success stories that show how employees around the US are working with it, not becoming displaced by it, [Henson advises](. Invest in employees' upskilling to show that you value their contributions to the company. Lay the foundation for financial freedom. You have a unique set of challenges as a business owner. An experienced wealth manager makes a big difference—whether you're looking to grow your business or maintain its success, Adviser works with you to customize a plan that frees you up to focus on what matters most. [Get started]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Smarter Communication [] [How to build the best workplace culture]( We've heard a lot about culture and know it involves an atmosphere that helps employees feel supported and valued. The trick is knowing what steps to take to create an environment that draws workers back each day and where they feel a sense of loyalty, writes Diana Coker. Full Story: [The HR Digest]( (7/27) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Start by defining company goals and values, and adopt a habit of collaboration, frequent communication and transparency. Ensure workers know [their opinions matter to you](, help everyone feel included and show you're invested in people by outlining clear promotion policies. 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 thoughtful, but imperfect, questions when using AI for strategy]( INSEAD Knowledge (7/31) [] - [How Virgil's "Aeneid" can help struggling companies survive]( Strategy+Business (7/31) [] - [Ways teal organizations can provide purpose for team members]( People Development Network (7/30) [] SmartPulse [] How clearly is your organization's culture articulated and disseminated through the company? Very: we have clear statements of our culture and everyone knows and understands it 38.59% Somewhat: people generally know what our culture is but there is some lack of clarity 34.65% Not very: we have conflicting views of culture and no one can really articulate it 20.47% Not at all: what's culture? 6.29% [] Culture drives execution. Culture is the sum of your daily actions. If your desired culture isn't clearly defined and disseminated, you're leaving it up to people's discretion and judgment as to how they should act. Absent guidance, they'll do the best they can but their choices might not be consistent with the culture you're trying to build. Invest the time in defining that culture. Be clear about what behaviors are or are not acceptable. Help people understand what the aspiration is for how your organization will function. Be sure you're routinely disseminating and reinforcing that culture. Sharing it once isn't enough. Those cultural messages need to be projected as often as possible. Remember -- you have new hires all the time and people get busy which makes it easy to forget a "culture meeting" you had a month ago. Celebrate when people take actions exemplifying your culture -- share those stories so people feel rewarded and others can see what "good" looks like. It will take a while at first to start shifting the culture but eventually the flywheel starts spinning because people see others around them behaving in a culturally-consistent way. -- Mike Figliuolo is managing director of [thoughtLEADERS](, which includes TITAN -- the firm's e-learning platform. Previously, he worked at McKinsey & Co., Capital One and Scotts Miracle-Gro. He is a West Point graduate and author of three leadership books: ["One Piece of Paper,"]( ["Lead Inside the Box"]( and ["The Elegant Pitch."]( [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Which of the following best describes your organization's approach to promoting people: [Vote]( [Promote them when they demonstrate 70-80% of the ability required at the next level]( [Vote]( [Promote them when they demonstrate 100% of what's required at the next level]( [Vote]( [Promote them once they've been serving as an "interim" at the next level for a while]( [Vote]( [Promise promotion but don't be clear on what it takes to achieve it]( [Vote]( [Promise promotion, set clear standards, and then move the standards when they get close]( [Vote]( [We never promote anyone]( [] In Their Own Words [] [Why we can't "stay in our lane" regarding diversity]( "We can't just stay in our lanes of familiarity" when it comes to promoting diversity within companies and industries, says Edith Cooper, the co-founder of Medley and a board director at PepsiCo and Amazon, who recounts the headwinds she has faced throughout her career, often being the only Black person in the room. "If White leaders walk into the room and they see a lot of people who look just like them, they need to pay attention and say to their colleagues that this means that we don't have all the great ideas in this room. We must do better," Cooper says. Full Story: [LinkedIn]( (7/27) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Genetically altered fruit flies have virgin births]( [Genetically altered fruit flies have virgin births]( (Pixabay) Scientists have discovered a way to genetically modify female fruit flies to reproduce without male fertilization, according to a study in the journal Current Biology. Researchers studied 220,000 flies over six years and identified a gene associated with virgin birth, finding that the offspring of genetically altered flies could reproduce either with mating or without. Full Story: [The Guardian (London)]( (7/28) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBrief Podcast Network [] [Sustainability SmartPod - Marriott]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] What was the first video played on MTV when it launched on Aug. 1, 1981? [Vote]( ["Money for Nothing," Dire Straits]( [Vote]( ["Once in a Lifetime," Talking Heads]( [Vote]( ["TVC 15," David Bowie]( [Vote]( ["Video Killed the Radio Star," The Buggles]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Chellew [As consultant Jaclynn Robinson points out](, consistency among leaders can often be a double-edged sword. I've worked with both kinds -- those who consistently support their team and those who consistently sow division and suspicion. The best consistent leaders, Robinson notes, are those who are adaptable and will create new structures of stability even amid times of change. This is their superpower, to be sure, but if there are team members that see another way to do things (whether it's truly better or not) may push back against this consistency, so leaders need to adjust how they approach those team members. They may give them some latitude to try new things, but still within the broader framework of a culture of consistency. 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 [] [] It's hard to make up for the mistakes, but you can make up for it. [Tan France](, TV personality, fashion designer, entrepreneur [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