Nike CEO debacle a lesson in what not to do | A frank conversation about managers and communication | Inclusive leadership boosts change power in organizations
Former Nike CEO John Donahoe (Jonas Roosens/Getty Images)
Former Nike CEO John Donahoe has stepped down after a tumultuous tenure, underscoring the importance of appointing leaders with expertise in a company's core business. Hired in early 2020 for his tech industry background, Donahoe's lack of retail experience led to significant missteps, including reducing partnerships with key retailers and over-relying on lifestyle shoes. His cost-cutting measures and underestimation of sneaker culture resulted in falling revenues and a significant stock decline. Nike has appointed Elliott Hill, a long-time company veteran, as his successor to steer back to its roots.
The Great Resignation exposed the shortcomings of promoting employees to managerial roles without proper training, writes Hinda Mitchell, the founder of Inspire PR Group, who suggests that companies provide continuous leadership and communication training and ensure managers are well-informed to act as effective communicators. "Managers should be well positioned to manage expectations -- and to articulate the 'what's in it for me' for their team members," Mitchell notes.
“Oversitting,” defined as sitting for long periods of time, can lead to high blood pressure and weight gain, among other health ailments, according to Diabetes Journal. A good way to combat this challenge is with “exercise snacking” -- short, fast workout sessions, comprised of simple cardio and strength training, that can be done in any attire and with little to no equipment.
The strike by 33,000 Boeing union members highlights a decade-old grievance over the loss of traditional pension plans, which were replaced by 401(k) accounts in 2014. Although no American union has successfully reinstated traditional pensions, the striking workers hope to address what they see as a detrimental shift in retirement benefits.
Rachel Ceccarelli of career services firm Dice examines the current state of employee engagement and wellness in the US, noting the importance of employers investing in positive workplace culture. Companies can overcome culture challenges by making sure their leaders buy into improvement efforts, fostering positive communication, prioritizing diversity and inclusion, and providing regular business updates with opportunities for staff to ask questions, Ceccarelli notes.
CompuServe was the Google of its day in the internet information service realm in the 1980s and '90s. What was its original service called before they eventually changed it to CompuServe Information Service, or CIS?
My paternal grandmother was an adorable, tiny little lady who would just say things. She was never inappropriate -- she was sweet and courteous -- but she rarely troubled to soften her words in conversation. If something was true, she would say it.
Like the day I dropped by to say hi and she and I got into a conversation about health. I was in my 30s and trying to get back into shape after having two children.
“Oh, baby, you have a terrible family health history,” she chirps.
“Ai-ya, Grandma. Whachu mean?”
She continues on in the high-pitched, sing-song tone characteristic of women raised in Hawaii.
“Ohhh, you have heart disease, high blood pressure -- your father get high blood pressure, you know -- diabetes, strokes -- my mother had a stroke -- cancer,” she says, ticking off the ailments like she’s reading a list for Santa Claus. I just stare at her in horror. She sees my face and nods.
“It’s true,” she says, wiggling back and forth as was her style when she wanted to make a point. “But you be fine if you watch what you eat and exercise. Your aunty and I, we go walk da mall every day. Two laps. Keeps me in shape.”
Staying healthy today is a challenge, especially as our bodies age and our jobs make us prone to oversitting, as discussed in our Health & Wellness story today. “Exercise snacking” can help us keep our bodies from going soft and falling prey to health ailments, according to women&home Health Channel Editor Grace Walsh. I really like the list of ideas she gives, from mountain climbers and burpees to step-ups. There’s something in here for everyone and they’re short sessions. That’s easy to work into your day, even if you’re in an office.
My personal faves are bodyweight squats and pushups. What about you? Let me know! Drop me a line and let me know.
Do you love this brief? Share it with others. Want different stories? Something about it bug you? Tell me. In the words of Frasier Crane, “I’m listening.”
Sharing SmartBrief on Workforce with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free.
