Happy New Year! Here are our top three favorite blogs you can talk about as you celebrate!
Leadership Lessons from Wildly Successful People
There is no doubt there are a lot of life lessons we can learn from the world’s most successful people. Each year, Harvard Business Review interviews 10 celebrities from outside the typical field of business advice on variety of subjects – productivity, collaboration, self-doubt, etc. The stars span the fields of politics, sports, music and cinema. Check out a few of our favorite pieces of advice below, and see the full list over at HBR.
- Salman Rushdie (novelist) on productivity: You can’t always wait for inspiration to strike. Sometimes you just have to sit down and do it.
- George Mitchell (former Senator) on resolving disputes: The challenge is not to get people to talk, but to get them to listen.
- Brian Grazer (producer) on delegation: Sometimes you lead by giving power to someone else.
- Mark Newson (designer) on inspiration: There isn’t always a big break. Sometimes it’s just small, incremental steps.
- Garry Kasparov (chess champion) on coaching: decision making is as unique as DNA. One thing will not work for everyone.
4 Basic Questions Likeable People Always Ask at Work
Being the office Grinch isn’t going to get you very far at work. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be more approachable and likeable at work, check out this list of four basic questions likeable people always ask at work, put together by The Muse, for a little inspiration.
- How can I help?
It is very easy to get caught up in your own work because after all that is your job. However, by taking time to check in with coworkers can go a long way and make you seem less self-involved. - Could you tell me more?
Actively listening to coworkers about their latest project is a great way to show them you appreciate their work.
- What are your thoughts on this?
By asking to hear from someone you show that you value their opinion. This can make you seem more approachable and you may get some helpful feedback!
- Would you like to grab a cup of coffee?
Spending time outside the office can be a great way to improve a working relationship. Even if they say no you still made an effort to get to know them better.
More Women at the Top Could Spell Less Corporate Trouble
Interesting news! New research suggests there is a link between companies with women in leadership roles and return on investments. According to a a study conducted by MSCI, companies with more women in leadership roles had a higher percentage per year of returns on equity. The study also found that there were fewer instances of controversy such as bribery, corruption and fraud. The biggest obstacle most companies face for hiring women is not lack of qualified candidates or bias itself, but the slow rate of which boards and their directors retire. The gender gap has the potential l to come to a close, it just may take more time than we thought.
For more information on the study, check out this recap on The Washington Post: On Leadership Blog.