Why leaders should speak last and listen more Leaders can make it safe for their team to bring concerns to them by regularly soliciting feedback, listening deeply even if they disagree and speaking last in meetings to allow others to be heard, writes Dina Smith, president of Cognitas. "Speaking last encourages your team to put their ideas and suggestions on the table, helps them feel listened to, and boosts ownership and team morale," Smith writes. Full Story: Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) (7/21)
Exercises to build your leadership empathy Leaders can hone their empathy by being curious about the lives of their team and creating a positive workplace culture that promotes innovation and engagement, writes LaRae Quy. "When burnout has reared its ugly head in so many professions, empathy skills can counter many of those soul-sucking emotions because it creates a positive environment," Quy writes. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (7/21)
Tips for a "tell me about yourself" interview question A great answer to the ubiquitous "tell me about yourself" question can help you stand out in a job interview. A strong answer should include your current position, past work experience, reason for seeking the role and ways in which the role aligns with your goals while being concise and positive. Full Story: ZDNet (7/19)
Poll
Do you socialize with co-workers?
Yes, during and after work
26.86%
Yes, but only at work
30.09%
Yes, but only remote
7.87%
Not really
35.18%
The Landscape
US job market healthy even as hiring slows The US job market remains healthy, despite a slight bump in unemployment claims last week and some major employers -- including Apple, Alphabet, Ford and Goldman Sachs -- becoming tepid on hiring. A strong labor market could prop up the US economy, say economists, including Citizens Financial Group CEO Bruce Van Saun, who added, "There could be a slowdown or even a shallow and short recession. But we're not seeing a protracted downturn that would inflict a lot of pain." Full Story: CNN (7/21)
Employment in the gig economy has surged 30% since the start of the pandemic, and the sector is now on track to grow larger than the full-time workforce in about five years, according to a Mercer report. Factors driving the growth include workers' need for additional income amid rising inflation and businesses' demand for employees in a tight labor market, and many companies are turning to on-demand labor platforms such as Hyer and Upwork to find the gig workers they need. Full Story: Forbes (tiered subscription model) (7/21)
It's not like the division is performing all that well or represents a sizeable chunk of the streaming giant's operations, but Netflix will still send you movies via the mail. Hmm ... for some reason an offer to "SnailFlix an chill" doesn't sound that appealing. Full Story: Media Play News (7/19)
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