Initial unemployment claims reached 206K last week | McDonald's to recoup ex-CEO's severance via settlement | 15 leadership books that inspire and challenge
First-time unemployment claims were higher than expected last week, totaling 206,000, above the Dow Jones estimate of 195,000. However, the four-week moving average came in at 203,750 -- the lowest tally since 1969.
McDonald's has reached a settlement to claw back $105 million in severance paid to former CEO Steve Easterbrook, who was fired after an investigation determined he and an employee had a consensual relationship. The settlement resolves a lawsuit in which McDonald's accuses Easterbrook of having covered up sexual relationships with three other employees.
Better employee benefits 78% of employees say they're more likely to stay at a job due to the benefits.1 But you don't necessarily need to spend, spend, spend to keep them happy. Read our eBook to learn how to keep staff on your side.
1. Willis Towers Watson, 2018 Employer/Employee Satisfaction Survey, Aug 2018
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Publicis Groupe's Jenn Renoe talks about leading the creation of the holding company's 28-page resource designed to support transgender employees. "We need to get past talking about pronouns in bathrooms," Renoe says, adding, "We need to be talking about transition guidelines, inclusive health care and how to guarantee the rights of our transgender employees in the workplace."
Action plans can help with long-term leadership development by encouraging better habits and self-reflection on what you do well and where you need improvement, write John Parker Stewart and Daniel Stewart. "Leaders who experience the greatest success are not those who achieve a single stunning breakthrough but rather those who strive to improve just a little bit each day," they write.
Australia's Andrew Ngai beat Canada's Michael Jarman in the Financial Modeling World Cup, where 128 participants used Microsoft Excel to solve tough business case studies. The event was broadcast live on YouTube with commentary from experts including Microsoft's Bill Jelen, known as "Mr. Excel."
"It’s consistency, though. Gettin’ into a routine -- watching film, studying. Knowing this is how you prepare, this is how you get ready for games. Not when you want to; not when you feeling good; not when the sun is out; not when they cheering my name when I got a check -- when they feeling me. Nah. This is every day. When it’s raining, when my knee hurts and I can’t walk. 365 days." -- Kevin Garnett, Area 21: KG Uncut
Habits matter, as we see in these words from NBA legend Kevin Garnett. Champions know this. They know that habits shape us -- for better or for worse -- and they are intentional about practicing good ones.
Today’s HR Leader story gives us some practical ways we can improve our leadership habits. One was thinking about the habits that work against us or areas where we need growth. I plan to work on this over the weekend (it's already in my calendar!). I will likely reach out to my children, my close friends and some work peers to get their input.
I want to be an excellent leader. A champion leader. And it all starts with the right set of habits.
What habits do you rely on to lead your teams? How can I serve you better with this brief? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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