Why leaders must focus work culture on well-being Company leaders should intentionally prioritize work that enhances the well-being of their teams and move away from "greedy" work cultures that can lead to health risks and economic inefficiencies, says Brigid Schulte, director of the Better Life Lab at New America. Schulte, speaking at ICMA's 2024 Annual Conference, stressed the importance of work-life balance, time management skills and the need to rethink traditional notions of productivity. Full Story: SmartBrief/Insights (9/25)
Leaders can "mistake-proof" their thinking by being aware of cognitive biases that lead them to limit their perspective to what's best for them, jump to conclusions or ignore how random events can influence outcomes, writes Susan Krauss Whitbourne, a professor emerita at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. To minimize the chances for mistakes, Krauss Whitbourne recommends "pre-mortems" that play out the future results of a decision and slow down to gather more information before committing to an option. Full Story: Psychology Today (9/28)
HR leader focuses on learning during slow periods United Wholesale Mortgage avoids layoffs during low-production periods and instead focuses on educating employees and developing leaders, says Laura Lawson, executive vice president and chief people officer. "And if there's a cycle in the mortgage business, we shift our population to more of an emphasis on developing and learning technology," says Lawson, a former "Ellen DeGeneres Show" associate producer who spends some of her time visiting other companies to get new ideas. Full Story: StrategicCHRO360 (9/27)
Making the Connection
How to use laughter to create community at work Connecting with others is crucial both inside a company and when networking externally. One of the best ways to create this emotional connection quickly is to make someone laugh or smile, according to Emmy Award-winning Hollywood comedy writer Beth Sherman, who spoke to employees here at Future last week about the power of comedy in building authentic relationships at work. The key to keeping it professional is seasoning the conversation -- like you would a dish -- with humor, using it as a way to lift people up and show self-awareness. -- Alyson Trager
Browse profiles anonymously on LinkedIn LinkedIn users often search profiles for various reasons, such as learning more about someone they admire professionally, which is especially useful for job seekers and those researching potential employers. To prevent others from knowing you've viewed their LinkedIn profile, go to your profile settings, select Visibility, then Profile Viewing Options, and switch to Private Mode. My take: I have used this feature for years because I am on LinkedIn a lot just to check names and titles of persons used in SmartBrief newsletters. -- Janet Connor Kahler, editor of Your Career Full Story: CCM (10/1)
Coworking spaces are becoming part of the RTO strategy for some companies. (Chicago Tribune/Getty Images)
Many employees prefer coworking spaces over traditional office or home setups, with 64% finding them more socially fulfilling than office work and 67% preferring them to working from home, according to a Harvard Business Review study. Upflex, a flexible workspace solution, offers access to 11,000 coworking locations worldwide, partnering with companies like WeWork and MindSpace. This option aims to reduce costs for employers, enhance employee engagement and maintain company culture without enforcing mandatory office attendance. Full Story: Employee Benefit News (free registration) (9/26)
Harris tax proposal highlights cost of startup launches The proposal by Vice President Kamala Harris to boost the tax deduction for launching a startup from $5,000 to $50,000 has put the spotlight on how much it costs to just get a new business off the ground. In one out of 20 US cities opening a simple mom and pop restaurant could cost $5,000 for just licenses and fees -- a figure that becomes $20,000 in place like San Francisco. Full Story: The Hill (9/29)
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Discuss a layoff in a job interview with confidence Turning a layoff into a positive talking point during a job interview involves showcasing problem-solving skills. Talk about how the layoff was due to external factors, highlight skills and experiences from your previous job, and show proactive steps taken since the layoff. Providing references and maintaining a positive attitude can also help create a favorable impression. Full Story: MSN (9/29)
Faith Kipyegon won the 1500m (Patrick Smith/Athlos/Getty Images)
The first edition of Athlos, a women's-only track meet, featured high-stakes competitions and a performance by Megan Thee Stallion to engage new fans. Held at New York's Icahn Stadium and put on by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, the event offered unprecedented prize money, VIP treatment for athletes and a Coachella-like atmosphere. The meet was well-received by both athletes and fans, with plans to hold it again next year, emphasizing the growing interest in innovative sports events. Full Story: Runner's World (9/27)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
The "Thrilla in Manila" on Oct. 1, 1975, in which Muhammad Ali bested Joe Frazier in 14 rounds was the third fight between the boxing greats. Where did their first match take place?
