7 ways to get more meetings off your calendar

7 ways to get more meetings off your calendar | practice | Workplace, job curiosity should be rewarded, encouraged Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( October 18, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] Leading the Way [] [7 ways to get more meetings off your calendar]( [7 ways to get more meetings off your calendar]( (gustavofrazao/Getty Images) Avoid meeting fatigue by declining any gathering that does not have an agenda, an explicit purpose or a clear decision-making process, writes executive coach Scott Eblin. "If the organizer can't finish this sentence, 'We are holding this meeting so that ...,' decline the invitation," Eblin advises. Full Story: [Eblin Group]( (10/17) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: If you're holding meetings, start on time and end ten minutes early; regularly reassess your calendar for meetings you can skip, repurpose or delegate, [Eblin writes](. "Getting yourself out of the executive meeting spin cycle requires some gumption and agency. Don't hesitate to use yours." Just the Facts, Ma'am "I stopped watching the news, so sick of the bias. Was searching for an alternative that would just tell me WHAT happened, with NO editorializing. I found it. It's called 1440. It assumes you are smart enough to form your own opinions." [Subscribe for free](. ADVERTISEMENT: [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [Workplace, job curiosity should be rewarded, encouraged]( [Workplace, job curiosity should be rewarded, encouraged]( (onurdongel/Getty Images) Leaders can create a knowledgeable and engaged workforce by encouraging employee development -- and the training of potential employees -- through broad exposure to topics and areas of interest and self-directed learning, Larry Robertson, founder of Lighthouse Consulting, writes. Robertson shares the story of a college student who spent time in high school learning about emergency health care through training, observation and endless questions, helping her clarify specific career goals. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (10/17) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Give employees access to different departments for exploration and questions so they can weigh other possible career routes within the company. Tell employees you expect them contribute to their career growth by [always asking questions]( (and answering others' questions) "without limit, without judgment," thus "creating a culture of curiosity and continuous learning," Robertson says. [] [Read more]( from Larry Robertson on SmartBrief on Leadership What does the gold standard of leadership look like? Considering that transformation happens from the top down, your leaders are key to unlocking the benefits of a positive culture. Discover how to set the standard and build a winning culture with our [7-step blueprint for leaders outlined in this guide.]( ADVERTISEMENT: [] Smarter Communication [] [Another crisis, another chance to avoid a blunder]( Harvard University, the [University of Wisconsin-Madison]( and [others]( have been heavily criticized in the media for their responses -- or lack thereof -- to student groups' fervent support for Hamas' attack on Israel. "It's astonishing ... [and] fascinating to watch an institution like Harvard that has all the resources in the world have the biggest blunder," says crisis specialist Sandy Lish of The Castle Group, adding that a brief, clear response that didn't aim to please everyone would have been more likely in the presence of strong, previously created crisis communications playbook. Full Story: [Newsweek (tiered subscription model)]( (10/12), [PR Daily]( (10/16) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Newsweek talked with some communications experts who offered [eight phrases to avoid]( when speaking for a company during a crisis. "No comment," "unforeseen circumstances," "business as usual" and "We did our best" are among them. [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email](   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]( [] Smarter A.I. 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Full Story: [LinkedIn]( (10/17) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [The "Mona Lisa" was painted with a rare compound]( The "Mona Lisa" was painted with a rare compound (Fine Art/Getty Images) Leonardo da Vinci used an experimental technique in painting the "Mona Lisa" that utilized the chemical compound plumbonacrite long before artists of the 17th century began doing so, according to a study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Researchers analyzed a microsample of the "Mona Lisa" to study the molecular composition of the painting, finding that da Vinci likely created plumbonacrite with lead oxide powder and linseed oil to help the paint dry. Full Story: [CNN]( (10/17) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBrief Podcast Network [] [Colgate-Palmolive works to squeeze the most out of sustainability efforts]( Vance Merolla, senior vice president of Global Sustainability, outlines how the Colgate-Palmolive tackles sustainability across its wide variety of household brands and products. Merolla shares details about advancements in recyclable toothpaste tubes, what the company learned from getting certain aspects of its Sustainability and Social Impact Strategy approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative and how Colgate-Palmolive went about signing a virtual power purchase agreement to help provide energy for its operations. Full Story: [Sustainability SmartPod]( (10/17) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] Benazir Bhutto was the first woman ever to serve as head of a Muslim country, and she served twice. Which country? [Vote]( [Bangladesh]( [Vote]( [Indonesia]( [Vote]( [Oman]( [Vote]( [Pakistan]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Chellew One of the things I've always enjoyed about working at SmartBrief is that meetings are short, they have a clear point, and managers are always respectful of your time. Perhaps it's because we all work on deadline, but it would be the same even if that weren't the case. We all get more time to do the duties we're expected to fulfill, and we don't feel overwhelmed by numerous gatherings (that could have been an email). How do you handle your meeting schedule? Are you overwhelmed and stuck in meetings most days? [Scott Eblin's advice]( may be just your ticket to reduce meeting hours. 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 [] [] The highs are really high, and the lows are really, really low. And I guess if you're lucky, it all balances out in the middle. 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