How employers can support moms returning to work

Retail Alliance CEO: Focus on strengths, not degrees | Curing talkaholic behavior so others will actually listen | These 5 behaviors could be undermining your leadership Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( November 8, 2023 [WFF Leadership SmartBrief]( Advancing and Empowering Women Leaders [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( [] A Leader's Edge [] [Retail Alliance CEO: Focus on strengths, not degrees]( Retail Alliance CEO Jenny Crittenden spent four years on the organization's board before taking the top job, giving her an insider's insight, and she advises others to surround themselves with good people, even if they don't have credentials, such as a college degree (which she admits she doesn't have). "[W]e have to be careful not to overlook some people in the workforce who have extremely strong skill sets, a burning desire in their belly to always do more and achieve, and who have the aptitude and the skill set to actually make things truly happen," Crittenden says. Full Story: [The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) (tiered subscription model)]( (11/3) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Career Progression: Developing Leaders [] [Curing talkaholic behavior so others will actually listen]( [Curing talkaholic behavior so others will actually listen]( (Pixabay) No matter what style of talkaholic you are -- over-explainer, know-it-all, enthusiastic gusher or others -- remember that most people have about an eight-second attention span and are likely tuning you and your overabundance of words out, communication coach John Millen writes. Millen offers tips for taming the talkaholic in you and recommends a swap of 80% talking for 80% listening to "see if you get different reactions and results." Full Story: [John Millen blog]( (11/4) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [These 5 behaviors could be undermining your leadership]( [These 5 behaviors could be undermining your leadership]( (Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images) You can undermine your team and your leadership if you avoid dealing with uncomfortable issues, are constantly angry with your team, or keep reorganizing your team and their tasks, writes Marlene Chism. "Stop moving the chess pieces on the board and instead use your courage to speak to a new possibility," Chism writes. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (11/6) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Read the latest from SmartBrief [] - [Q&A: Checking in on trends, resources for wine and beverage professionals]( SmartBrief/Food (10/30) [] - [Unlocking brain health: The nootropic revolution]( SmartBrief/Food (10/23) [] - [It's not too early to talk about winter flavor trends]( SmartBrief/Food (10/18) [] Diversity and Inclusion [] [How leaders can LEAD the way out of racism]( [How leaders can LEAD the way out of racism]( (FilippoBacci/Getty Images) Dismantling misperceptions and beliefs about race should be a task shared by everyone -- especially business leaders, asserts professor and author Omekongo Dibinga, who recently sat down for an interview with executive coach John Baldoni. Dibinga, whose latest book is "Lies About Black People," describes his recipe for achieving change, which involves LEAD: learning, educating, advocating and deciding. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (11/7) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Horizon Media's Smith-Wilson: DE&I is a business must]( Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are under threat but must be prioritized as a business growth driver by agency leadership, writes Horizon Media's Latraviette Smith-Wilson. "We must design resilient systems, act with integrity and intentionality and inspire others with our commitments and our actions," Smith-Wilson writes. Full Story: [Ad Age (tiered subscription model)]( (11/2) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Southeastern announces recipients of Romay Davis diversity grants]( Southeastern Grocers has granted $400,000 to 40 nonprofits as part of the 2023 Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion, and Diversity Grant initiative, recognizing their outstanding efforts in uplifting marginalized communities. "This year marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to championing belonging, inclusion and diversity, and empowering the local communities we serve,” said SEG Chief People Officer Raymond Rhee. Full Story: [Progressive Grocer]( (11/1) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Chef Sean Sherman works to grow Indigenous food's reach]( Lakota chef Sean Sherman educates people about the environmental, health and cultural benefits of Indigenous cuisine through his acclaimed restaurant, Owamni, and the nonprofit organization North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems. In this interview, Sherman discusses how NATIFS is supporting Indigenous food sovereignty and how expanded access to Indigenous foods can preserve Indigenous culture and address health disparities in tribal communities. Full Story: [Forbes (tiered subscription model)]( (11/6) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Fed rate hurts diverse, small businesses the most]( Rising interest rates are disproportionately affecting women and people of color who are trying to finance their small businesses or startups. While this frustrates business owners, any potential solution is slow-moving due to the increased costs for financial institutions that lend to these owners. Full Story: [Star Tribune (Minneapolis)]( (11/4) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Women and Innovation in the Workforce [] [How employers can support moms returning to work]( Employers must address the barriers faced by women who want to return to the workforce after having children, and can ease their path back by implementing flexible working, maternity benefits and employee assistance programs, writes Trevor Bogan, regional director Americas at Top Employers Institute. "Women are the backbone of any workforce, and supporting them to return to the workplace after taking a break is critical for employers of choice," Bogan writes. Full Story: [Training magazine]( (11/6) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Gen Z employees on what they want from work]( Four female Generation Z ad industry employees share their thoughts on the future of work and what they want from their employers. They talk about why a flexible, hybrid approach is best, why pay and mental health are equally important, the need for more mentorship and promotion opportunities, and why a diverse workplace is crucial. Full Story: [Ad Age (tiered subscription model)]( (11/6) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] WFF News [] [Stop micromanaging so you can start leading]( If you often worry no one else will take the project as seriously as you, make sure the potential pitfalls of a new initiative are considered, or put in enough effort to satisfy a demanding customer, you may be covering up your own anxiety by micromanaging others. Micromanaging is a fear-based leadership style that often stems from a lack of confidence in your own ability to coach others to strong performance. [Read more](. [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( LEARN MORE ABOUT the WFF: [About the WFF]( | [Join the WFF]( | [WFF Programs]( [] [] At first, there is something you expect of life. Later, there is what life expects of you. 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