Build a digital culture of curiosity to boost innovation

Is it time to reconfigure your leadership team? | practice | Build a digital culture of curiosity to boost innovation Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( August 16, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] Leading the Way [] [Is it time to reconfigure your leadership team?]( [Is it time to reconfigure your leadership team?]( (Pixabay) Executives must make clear-eyed decisions on whether or not they need to replace members of their team for reasons including incompetence, personality clashes or disruption caused by high performers who are out of step with the company's values, write The Next Advisors partners Thomas Keil and Marianna Zangrillo. "Effective leadership isn't about surrounding oneself with agreeable personalities; it's about building a resilient, dynamic team that can translate vision into reality," they write. Full Story: [Chief Executive]( (8/14) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Leaders need to be able to trust those on their team to share their vision and collaborate to execute strategy, [Keil and Zangrillo write](. "Identifying and replacing these toxic individuals is often needed to break any resistance to change and create a more harmonious and collaborative environment." [How Marriott Stays Ahead On Sustainability]( Marriott's global footprint of more than 8500 properties spanning 138 countries and territories means the company faces a variety of sustainability challenges.[Hear how Marriott goes global on sustainability.]( ADVERTISEMENT [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Build a digital culture of curiosity to boost innovation]( [Build a digital culture of curiosity to boost innovation]( (Teera Konakan/Getty Images) Companies can boost both innovation and productivity by adopting and implementing digital tools to automate tasks, streamline processes and foster ongoing learning and development, writes Patrik Wilkens, the vice president of operations at TheSoul Publishing. "Encouraging a culture of continuous curiosity and flexibility helps businesses to stay ahead of industry trends, embrace new technologies and continually enhance operational efficiency," Wilkens writes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (8/15) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Adopting and using digital tools can help companies enhance sustainability efforts, focus on customer needs and recruit and retain top talent, [Wilkens writes](. "Companies that invest in efficiency-enhancing practices, foster a productivity-oriented culture, capitalize on strategic partnerships and maintain customer-centric operations are positioning themselves for sustainable success." [] Smarter Communication [] [Use these tactics to extract yourself from conversation]( Running into a chatty fellow camper while on a trip reminded communication coach John Millen that there is an art "to gracefully end a conversation," and offers five tips that use gratitude, empathy, positivity and non-verbal cues. "Just as a well-executed introduction sets the tone, a thoughtful conclusion leaves a lasting impression," Millen writes. Full Story: [John Millen blog]( (8/12) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Another graceful way to end a conversation is the time-conscious approach that involves saying, "I want to be respectful of your time," and asking if they have any remaining points to make, [Millen writes](. "Remember, the way you conclude a conversation often lingers longer in memory than the content of the conversation itself." 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 [] - [Leverage AI to improve employee upskilling]( Chief Learning Officer (8/2023) [] - [Generative AI is here to stay. How to make the best of it]( Fortune (tiered subscription model) (8/9) [] - [Which jobs will grow -- or shrink -- because of AI?]( WNBC-TV (New York City) (8/14) [] In Their Own Words [] [Queer Eye's Berk: How failures can lead you to success]( [Queer Eye's Berk: How failures can lead you to success]( Berk (Cindy Ord/Getty Images) Bobby Berk, author, interior design expert and star of Netflix's "Queer Eye," says the key to success is failure, and he outlines his journey from homelessness, to working odd jobs and in retail before hitting on success. "[F]ailures either teach you how to do what you want to do differently to achieve that goal, or they actually teach you that the goal you thought you needed to achieve, it's not the right journey for you," Berk says. Full Story: [Success online]( (8/14) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Kitten frivolity bests grumpy feline to nab photo prize]( Rescue kittens Max and Alex were the stars of this year's Comedy Pet Photo Awards, edging out a giant adult cat with a comically morose expression. The winning photo was taken by the kittens' owner, Michel Zoghzoghi, who said, "I had more fun and surprises taking photos of these two characters, than during my most adventurous wildlife photography trips." Full Story: [Digital Camera World]( (8/13) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] Which computer figures prominently in the movie "Hidden Figures" as well as the real-life event depicted? [Vote]( [Apollo Guidance Computer]( [Vote]( [ENIAC]( [Vote]( [IBM 7090]( [Vote]( [UNIVAC 1]( [] Pets of SmartBrief Leaders [] Meet Bentley, the Cavapoo Meet Bentley, the Cavapoo (Nina Seigle) Nina Seigle sent in this adorable photo of Bentley, an (almost) two-year-old Cavapoo, which is a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and Poodle mix. Nina says after the death of their 17-year-old Yorkie, they swore off having dogs, but thanks to the internet, Bentley found his way into their home, and hearts. "His very long eyelashes (a trademark of the Cavalier Spaniels) are to die for," Nina adds. I'm sure they come in handy when Bentley wants treats! What non-human companion keeps you company in your office, or greets you when you come home? [Send photos](mailto:candace.chellew@futurenet.com)! [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Chellew As the leader of a small spiritual community, I get buttonholed a lot -- usually on Sunday morning either right before services begin or immediately afterward. I certainly enjoy talking with congregation members, but there are often those who want a deeper conversation in that moment than I am able to give. [John Millen's list of conversation closers]( offers a way for we leaders to make a graceful exit while still acknowledging how much we value our conversation partner. Have you used these graceful exit strategies? Are there other ways you've found to extract yourself from discussions? [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 [] [] Know what you want, work to get it, then value it once you have it. [Nora Roberts](, writer [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