7 ways to make others feel that you heard them

For women, it's the "broken rung" not the glass ceiling | practice | 7 ways to make others feel that you heard them Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( October 10, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] Leading the Way [] [For women, it's the "broken rung" not the glass ceiling]( [For women, it's the "broken rung" not the glass ceiling]( (Lean In) It's not a glass ceiling that prevents women from ascending to the highest levels of leadership, but a "broken rung" where many are passed over for promotions early in their career, creating fewer women to reach the C-suite, according to a new study from consulting firm McKinsey & Co. and Lean In. Researchers say the problem begins when men are promoted early in their careers for their potential while women must prove themselves with a "track record" to move up the ladder. Full Story: [CBS News]( (10/5) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Researchers say women are more often subjected to microaggressions than their male co-workers, having their emotional state questioned or someone else taking credit for their ideas. "I'm hopeful that we can change bias in the workplace -- and a phrase we have used many times is, 'You have to interrupt it where it occurs,'" [says Lareina Yee, a senior partner at McKinsey & Co.]( [] Smarter Communication [] [7 ways to make others feel that you heard them]( [7 ways to make others feel that you heard them]( (Pixabay) Perfecting the habit of deeply listening to others means focusing on what's being said and asking them to go deeper on topics they mention frequently and summarizing what you heard to bring clarity and closure, writes Jim VandeHei, a co-founder and CEO of Axios. "This is a masterful way to show you were listening -- and to make sure you heard with precision what the other person was trying to convey," VandeHei writes. Full Story: [Axios]( (10/5) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Take your time with your thoughts and allow some silence during the conversation, [VandeHei writes](. "Let the other person fill the silence. What you'll learn is priceless. And you can think about what you really want to say based on what they really said." [] [Breathe, and 4 other ways to deal with tough feedback]( When receiving feedback that's difficult to hear, listen closely to what's being said, breathe deeply while receiving it, ask clarifying (but not defensive) questions and take time to feel your emotions and process them, writes Lisa Kohn. Thank whoever shares the harsh feedback with you because it's probably not easy for them to do so, Kohn recommends. Full Story: [Chatsworth Consulting Group]( (10/5) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Even though it may be difficult when hearing negative feedback, try your best to remain open to what's being said and know that it's probably also uncomfortable for your colleague. [All feedback, Kohn notes](, can be "helpful, and eventually freeing, if we're able to take it in and learn from it." [] Smarter Strategy [] - [Why companies must understand China to create effective global strategies]( Stern Strategy Group (10/5) [] - [Put talent in the right place to make strategy execution effective]( Betterworks (10/6) [] - [For a thriving company, seek some "inorganic" growth]( Inside Indiana Business (10/5) Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [AI Terms Cheat Sheet]( - [Getting Started with Apache Hadoop]( - [12 Ways to Approach the Cybersecurity Skills Gap Challenge in 2023]( - [Data Center Acronyms Cheat Sheet]( - [6 Worthless Security Tactics That Won't Go Away]( [] SmartPulse [] Which form of recognition do you find the most valuable? Praise in front of a group 16.85% A personal one-on-one thank you 32.63% A handwritten thank you note 13.64% Cold, hard cash 25.93% Additional time off 5.88% A personalized gift 2.13% Something else 2.94% [] Make it personal or pony up. Almost 50% of you say you like your recognition to be one-on-one and personal. That can either be a thank you note or a personal interaction. Keep this in mind when rewarding and thanking the members of your team. The other popular option is cash. Find out what kind of spot bonus programs your organization has. I've seen many instances of great programs like that going unused because leaders aren't aware of them. During challenging economic times, even a small amount of additional income can go a long way and it's always appreciated. -- 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]( [] How well do you stay in touch with friends from your younger academic years (high school, college, advanced degree programs)? [Vote]( [Extremely well: we're in constant contact]( [Vote]( [Very well: we connect multiple times a year]( [Vote]( [Well: we'll connect every few years]( [Vote]( [Not well: I may see them at a class reunion]( [Vote]( [Not at all: I've lost touch with all of them]( [] In Their Own Words [] [How HR can be a resource for tough leadership tasks]( Demands on leaders have grown over the years, and many are now expected to have sometimes difficult conversations about mental health and other personal topics, which can be uncomfortable, but as Amanda Hughes, chief people officer of QBE Insurance, says, such talks are crucial. "I will talk to them not only about how to have those conversations, but also try to get them to see it as a positive step to move the relationship or work forward," Hughes says. Full Story: [LinkedIn]( (10/4) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Earth's iron inner core is soft, not solid]( [Earth's iron inner core is soft, not solid]( (Pixabay) The Earth's inner core is much softer than scientists expected, according to a study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers discovered that the atoms of the planet's iron core are arranged in a hexagonal pattern, as previously thought, but are able to move around inside the pattern, creating a surprisingly gooey core. Full Story: [Insider]( (10/6) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Most Read by CEOs The most-clicked stories of the past week by SmartBrief on Leadership readers [] - [Prepare now for when you must speak off-the-cuff]( Fast Company (tiered subscription model) [] - [Don't let humility make you become invisible]( Inpower Coaching [] - [Frustrated by Gen Z? Embrace them with fresh energy]( SmartBrief/Leadership [] - [Why truly heroic leaders don't need capes]( Forbes (tiered subscription model) [] - [Why great leaders are always telling the best stories]( Quartz [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] "Lisztomania" describes the Beatles-like fanaticism elicited by composer Franz Liszt at performances. It's also a tune by Phoenix and a 1975 Ken Russell film that critic Gene Siskel deemed "just boring," rating it 1 on a scale of 1 to 4 (4 being best). How many stars did critic Roger Ebert give it? [Vote]( [1]( [Vote]( [2]( [Vote]( [3]( [Vote]( [4]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Chellew Throughout my career, I have been on the receiving end of sharp and often critical feedback. I have gotten much better at hearing criticism, and [Lisa Kohn's advice is solid](. To get the most out of what may be harsh to hear, try to listen without your ego and breathe deeply during the discussion. Ask for time to consider what's been said so you can process your feelings. Though it may be difficult, thank everyone who gives you feedback, especially those who tell you things that are hard to hear. It takes courage for them to deliver the message to you. How do you handle hearing challenging feedback? [Tell me](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 [] [] We shall unite. We have learned the meaning of Unity. [Cesar Chavez](, labor leader, civil rights activist National Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 [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