Changing simple words can make you more powerful Switching word choice can boost authority at work and lead to better outcomes. Instead of "thank you" say "I'm happy I was able to help"; instead of "I don't know" say "I'll find out"; and instead of "I can't" say "Here's what I can do for you." Full Story: Fast Company (tiered subscription model) (4/13)
Bill Gates did not micromanage product development at Microsoft in the early 1990s because he had too many responsibilities, but his presence and principles created guardrails as well as space for developers to innovate, writes Steven Sinofsky, former president of the Windows Division. "Bill's approach of constantly balancing the tension between innovation and shipping, expanding the portfolio while maintaining coherency, and the injection of new ideas while also executing on existing work proved to be the most interesting 'management' lesson," Sinofsky writes. Full Story: Substack/Hardcore Software (4/15)
CEOs matter ... some of the time Research from INSEAD suggests just 15-20% of firm outcomes can be attributed to CEOs. Of course, a lot depends on variables like the size of the company, the industry and the other talent that surrounds the CEO. Nevertheless, the person in the big chair doesn't always wield as much influence as you think. Full Story: INSEAD Knowledge (4/15)
The diversity of subjects captured by these winners in the Sony World Photography Awards is incredible. Some are "creative" and fun, like the moon BBQ, but others are heartbreakingly powerful (like the boy with the lollipop, cigarette and black eye). Full Story: TechRadar (4/14)
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