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How To Navigate Political And Social Issues In Business Leadership Communications

  “Corporate leaders are increasingly expected to issue statements on a range of complex and often controversial political and social issues as they arise,” explains author Matthew Kohut . “As a result, chief executives run the risk of falling into the ‘talking trap,’ and thus needing to comment on every issue du jour. However, those whose only strategy is to avoid risk by saying nothing do so at their own peril.”   Fortunately, Kohut’s new book, Speaking Out: The New Rules of Business Leadership Communication , details a new framework for understanding how to manage corporate communications challenges with a shared emphasis on actions and words.   The book explores why and how executives speak out, and it looks at the practices many have employed to meet the moment. More specifically, you’ll read c ase studies of leaders who have spoken out and backed their words with action, and those case studies are contrasted with those of others who have had mixed records on ac...
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How To Work With Difficult Coworkers

Nearly everyone I know has shared a story about a difficult person they’ve encountered in their workplace. Experiencing difficult individuals in the workplace is common. So common that author   Amy Gallo   identifies   eight archetypes , each representing a common type of “difficult” person likely found in most workplaces.  “We might lie awake at night worrying, withdraw from work, or react in ways we later regret—rolling our eyes in a meeting, snapping at colleagues, or staying silent when we should speak up,” says Gallo.   "Too often we grin and bear it as if we have no choice. Or throw up our hands because one-size-fits-all solutions haven't worked. But you can only endure so much thoughtless, irrational, or malicious behavior—there's your sanity to consider, and your career,” adds Gallo.   Fortunately, Gallo shares in her new book,  Getting Along , practical insights, tools, and techniques for how to get along with each type of difficult co-worker ...

How To Reduce Workplace Stress While Building Resilience Through Conversation

In  Fierce Resilience , author  Edward Beltran , CEO of Fierce Inc., presents a groundbreaking approach to reducing workplace stress and building resilience through conversation.  As technology, isolation, and productivity pressures increasingly contribute to workplace stress, Beltran offers a science-based model that identifies and neutralizes individual stress triggers.   By leveraging the power of conversations, individuals discover: their unique stressors. how to master skills to neutralize stressors. ways to build unwavering resilience that elevates their emotional well-being.  “This book is aimed at people who are part of any type and size of workplace: in-person, hybrid, or virtual,” says Beltran. “I share personal anecdotes, case studies, exercises, practical guidance, and actionable strategies.”   · In the book, Beltran  redefines resilience as the courage to self-assess and act . It is about being brave enough to face stress head-on, understa...

How To Be A Conversational Superstar

“Effective communication is the lifeblood of every healthy relationship,” explain The Communication Code authors Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram , whether that relationship is at work or at home. And effective communication is essential for successful leadership.   Fortunately, the authors' book provides a proven series of easy-to-implement skills, techniques and powerful strategies via what they call the  Communication Code  that anyone can use to make their communication, relationships deeper and more productive.   “Using five simple code words, you can verbally reach people with what they are expecting from you,” explain the authors.   Those  five code words  are:   Care  – being concerned for someone and desiring to do something for their good. Celebration  – to acknowledge (a significant or happy day or event) with a social gathering or enjoyable activity. Clarification  – to make (a statement or situation) less confusing a...

How Ambitious Managers Make The Jump To Leadership

Here’s another must-read book to add to your list as you transition from manager to leader. It’s  The Leap to Leader , by  Adam Bryant . As the creator of the iconic “Corner Office” column in the  New York Times , Bryant has spoken with more than a thousand leaders over the years about the challenges and nuances of leadership. Many of his discussions are included in his interview series on LinkedIn.  “The goal of this book is to provide an intensely practical guide to making that transition by sharing insights, stories, and approaches from hundreds of leaders to build the skills you will need to make the leap to leader,” explains Bryant.   He adds that the book is useful to everyone who is interested in leadership, regardless of where they are in their career.   The book covers:   The central paradox of leaders: selfless vs. self-centered. How to perfect the do-to-say ratio. Ways to navigate office politics. Tactics to making better decisions. The cruc...

How To Harness Your Experiential Intelligence

“Experiential Intelligence provides a new lens from which to view what makes you, you—and what makes your team and organization unique,” says  Soren Kaplan , author of the book,  Experiential Intelligence . Kaplan explains that over 100 years ago, we established IQ (Intelligence Quotient) to predict success. Then we explored Emotional Intelligence (EQ), the theory of multiple intelligences, and mindsets that broaden the definition of smarts.   “Today,  Experiential Intelligence  ( XQ ) expands our understanding of what's needed to thrive in a disruptive world. While you can't change the past, your unique experiences and stories contain hidden strengths and untapped potential for the future,” explains Kaplan.   Experiential Intelligence is the combination of mindsets, abilities, and know-how  gained from your unique life experiences that empowers you to achieve your goals. It allows you to get in touch with the accumulated wisdom and talents you have ga...

How The Best Leaders Energize People Every Day

Today, I bring back one of my most-read blog posts from 2017. It read as follows: At the end of each year, I select my choice for the  best new leadership book  for that year and then highlight that book on my blog. Well, we're only five months into 2017 and there is a new leadership book so good that I can't wait until year-end to share it with you. And it's likely to be among the select few options for best new leadership book of 2017. It's called,  The Inspiration Code , by  Kristi Hedges . Perhaps now more than any other time, the need for inspirational leadership is critical in the workplace. Filled with profound insights and compelling data, and based on a commissioned survey on who and what inspires people, Hedges uncovers a set of consistent, learnable behaviors that dramatically enhance leadership success. And shows you  how to inspire those you lead. And, how to energize people every day . Kristi Hedges But, first, what exactly is inspiration? Hedges e...