Good questions can help leaders avoid being blindsided

Good questions can help leaders avoid being blindsided | practice | "Yellowstone" TV show offers some management tactics Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( August 9, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT Leading the Way [] [Good questions can help leaders avoid being blindsided]( [Good questions can help leaders avoid being blindsided]( (SEAN GLADWELL/Getty Images) Uncover your leadership blind spots by asking open-ended questions, listening to contrarian positions, being aware of your own biases and watching out for evasive answers from direct reports, writes Robert Bruce Shaw, author and leadership consultant. "The best leaders know that the questions they ask are as important as the answers they provide," Shaw writes. Full Story: [ThoughtLeaders]( (8/8) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: One technique to try is to intentionally summarize a direct report's answer incorrectly, which forces them to clarify their ideas, thus revealing more information, [Shaw suggests](. In addition, Shaw says, leaders should "ask if there is anything left unsaid that should be heard before they end a meeting with a group or an individual." [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] ["Yellowstone" TV show offers some management tactics]( ["Yellowstone" TV show offers some management tactics]( Paramount Plus, home to Yellowstone (Paramount) Defying conventional wisdom can be a good leadership tactic, and it worked well for ranch owner John in "Yellowstone," who countered his opponent's ideas for change with a promise not to change the status quo, leadership consultant Denise Lee Yohn writes. Yohn shares a few other leadership lessons from the fan favorite TV series. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (8/8) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Instead of motivating a team member to do something they don't want to, find a way to tie it into one of their passions. [Yohn also notes]( that loyalty begets loyalty, so ensure it's starting with you. [] [Read more]( from Denise Lee Yohn on SmartBrief on Leadership [] Smarter Communication [] [Employees appreciate clear misconduct policies, follow-up]( Companies can't always prevent employee misconduct, but they can address it properly so that all employees feel heard and protected. Such behavior can have "far-reaching implications," including a loss of worker referrals and even the workers themselves, writes Deb Muller, founder and CEO of HR Acuity, who shares ways to help employees report misconduct. Full Story: [Society for Human Resource Management (tiered subscription model)]( (8/2) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Allow employees to report misconduct anonymously, and [develop a clear investigation process](. Broadcast your policy and lack of tolerance for misconduct. Following up with the complainant, if they weren't anonymous, is ideal, experts say. Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [Mastering Microsoft Outlook: 20 Expert Tips & Tricks]( - [70+ Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows (Free Cheat Sheet)]( - [The Future of AI in Technology]( - [How To Improve Your Stage Presence For Public Speaking]( - [6 Worthless Security Tactics That Won't Go Away]( [] Smarter A.I. A weekly spotlight on how A.I. is affecting leadership [] - [Which ethnic groups could be most affected by AI in the workplace?]( NBC News (8/4) [] - [If history is any indicator, AI may benefit the few over the many]( Reuters (8/7) [] - [How the Singapore Model can help leaders create good AI governance]( Forbes (tiered subscription model) (8/6) [] In Their Own Words [] [Canon exec: Why leaders must be a source of inspiration]( [Canon exec: Why leaders must be a source of inspiration]( (Robyn Beck/Getty Images) Francis McMahon is currently the executive vice president at Canon Solutions America, but in his first job out of college selling Kodak copiers he didn't make his first sale until his ninth month on the job, and credits his eventual success to the encouragement of his manager. "We have to recognize that we have a broader calling every day, and that is to provide a level of inspiration to all the people around us to show them that they can be better," McMahon says. Full Story: [What They Think]( (8/7) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [How metal bands are helping keep UK church organs alive]( [How metal bands are helping keep UK church organs alive]( (Pixabay) UK churches are closing at a rate of 25 a year, many of which have ancient, massive pipe organs that can't be moved and are ultimately sold off for scrap. Now an awkward but mutually beneficial collaboration with the heavy metal scene -- called The Organic Doom project -- is helping keep some of those organs going. Full Story: [The Guardian (London)]( (8/6) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] You might be more familiar with "Dance of the Hours" from Amilcare Ponchielli's opera, "La Gioconda," by its use in what parody song? [Vote]( ["Don't Eat the Yellow Snow"]( [Vote]( ["Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh"]( [Vote]( ["Shaving Cream"]( [Vote]( ["Yes, We Have No Bananas"]( [] Pets of SmartBrief Leaders [] Bernie, the official office greeter Bernie, the official office greeter (Barbara Johnson) Barbara Johnson sent in this picture of Bernie, a one-year-old mixed-breed "bundle of love" who serves as the office's official greeter, seen here giving an enthusiastic welcome to Juliet, an employee's relative. Bernie came from a nonprofit called Dallas Street Dog Project, which rescues dogs "in bad situations," Barbara says. "Bernie's pregnant mother was found wandering the dangerous streets, so they took her in and made sure all eight puppies went to good homes." Bernie accompanies Barbara to work each day at Hope Supply Co., a children's critical needs bank for the at-risk and homeless. "He brings joy to everyone who walks in our doors!" We can certainly see proof of that! What non-human companions bring you -- or your office -- joy to everyone? [Share photos with us](mailto:candace.chellew@futurenet.com)! [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Chellew [Canon executive Francis McMahon's story]( about his boss at Kodak continuing to encourage and inspire him even as his sales track record slumped, reminds me of my first news director. I probably wasn't even 20 yet when I got my first radio news job, and while he could be demanding, he also served as my mentor and teacher, showing me the ropes of broadcast news. I was very rough around the edges and got discouraged in my job often, but he was always there to cheer me on, give me advice and show me that I could do the job, even when it got tough. I'm forever grateful for his guidance. What boss inspired you? How did they encourage and support you? [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 [] [] There wasn't a single tree in Nome. There wasn't a road that connected it to any other village or town. It would take you ten days to get there from Seattle on the Outside Passage -- [Julia Scully](, photography editor, writer 1929-2023 [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