Think like a poet to improve your writing by using metaphors, keeping communication short and focusing on empathizing with people's challenges, says Keisha-Gaye Anderson, senior director of marketing and communications at The Jed Foundation. "[C]onflict and pain points are essential for any authentic story about your organization or person in it," Anderson says. Full Story: PR Daily (12/6)
Tips for navigating a challenging work conversation Having difficult conversations with a colleague or a direct report is part of work life, but the proper approach can ease the process. Here are some suggestions for how to best manage these discussions, starting with getting into the right mindset. Full Story: InTheBlack (Australia) (12/8)
How to avoid bad meetings and unnecessary tasks This guide offers advice on deferring or declining unnecessary meetings, as well as a variation on the Eisenhower Matrix to spur focused decision-making -- all in the pursuit of better productivity. "People who think that you are available all the time will start to devalue you (if they haven't already)," Naphtali Hoff writes. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (12/8)
Hire Smart
Microsoft responds to employee dissatisfaction Microsoft is focusing on work-life balance after finding employee satisfaction dropped in the initial months of the pandemic, writes Dawn Klinghoffer, head of people analytics. Microsoft's new approach includes reducing time in meetings, helping employees prioritize and making it easier to schedule vacations, Klinghoffer writes. Full Story: Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) (12/8)
How will work change next year? Hiring will be more difficult next year and, at least for remote workers, more expensive, argues this Glassdoor report. "Employees will use their newfound power to seek out more information about their companies and their industries and use that information to push their employers to do better," writes Daniel Zhao. Full Story: Glassdoor (12/8)
The Landscape
Job vacancies continue to outpace available workers October saw 3.6 million more jobs available than people seeking work, as vacancies increased 4.1% and hiring was slightly lower compared with the prior month. Fewer workers quit -- 4.16 million compared with 4.36 million in September. Full Story: CNBC (12/8)
At the beginning of 2022, most people living in the United Arab Emirates will be able to say hello to a shorter work week. For various cultural and economic reasons, the UAE is shifting its weekend from Friday-Saturday to Friday afternoon-Sunday. Full Story: World Economic Forum (12/8)
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As many people in the northern hemisphere settle into their winter workout routines, this article looks at the science behind -- and some strategies for -- exercising in cold conditions. One surprise takeaway is that the concept that humans can get used to cold weather and adapt to it in order to enhance athletic performance might be a bit of a myth. Full Story: Outside Magazine (12/8)
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