Tony-award-winning Broadway star Chita Rivera passed this week at 91, and leaders can learn a lot from the tireless dancer, singer and actor, including a belief that you can continually improve yourself and get ahead through collaboration instead of competition, writes actor Shannon Cudd. "In 2005, she told the New York Times that she still considered herself 'a chorus dancer who went through the whole race,' which gave her the foundation to be able to tackle any role that came her way," Cudd writes.
Put it into practice: Rivera spent much of her career mentoring up-and-coming performers and was under no illusion that she would last forever on the stage, Cudd writes. "Every moment could be the one when you drop dead, and every day is the first day of the rest of your life," Rivera told HBR.
Discover how AI will change your workplace and workforce
Join us March 4-6 at the Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus in Mountain View, Calif. for a program tailored specifically for C-suite executives, senior HR professionals and future-thinking business leaders, and find out how your peers are preparing for this transformational change in how, when and where we work. Register to Attend »
Losing your job -- whether in a layoff or otherwise -- can be a shock to the system, writes management consultant Marc Cugnon, who recommends not spending all your free time job hunting, being careful to not take out your frustrations on those around you and instead being open to others who may offer suggestions and networking possibilities. "I learned that no connection is bad when you're hunting for a fulfilling role, and sometimes, the best ones aren't what you anticipated," Cugnon notes.
Put it into practice:It's easy to be discouraged after a job loss, Cugnon writes, but it also offers an opportunity "to pause, recalibrate and determine what you truly want for the future (as hard as it might be)." "While the introspection necessary to uncover the correct next step can be anxiety-inducing, it will also serve you well in landing somewhere that feels like home."
Employees and other stakeholders want to hear from executives -- including board directors -- on important issues that may affect them directly, which means a crisis communication plan should be in place and each issue evaluated for relevance and how speaking out will affect a company's reputation and relationships, writes David Grossman. "All stakeholders -- and especially employees -- look to top leadership for cues on what matters to the company and what the corporate values are," Grossman notes.
Put it into practice: Before commenting publicly on any issue, executives must consider how their message will impact various stakeholders, including employees, customers, shareholders, suppliers or investors, Grossman writes. "All of these groups should be continuously evaluated in terms of the implications of communicating on any given topic."
Featured Job Listings
When you click or apply to one of these jobs through the link in our newsletter, we may receive an affiliate commission.
Writing a manifesto about your values and demonstrating conviction and strength are among actions executives can take to develop a stronger leadership presence, said author Rob Biesenbach during a recent "S&T Live," PRSA's monthly LinkedIn livestream. "Telling our own stories is critical … nobody else has your specific story. That's how you stand out from the competition. That's how you get remembered."
Israeli photographer Or Adar's aerial image of a mass protest against a government plan to overhaul the court system has won the 2023 Drone Photo Awards. Other award-winning images include a breathtaking photo of tightrope walker Nathan Paulin successfully traversing France's Aravis Range 1.5 miles above the ground, an elephant asleep on its side and a shot of the drought-riddled Colorado River basin that looks like drying lungs.
Mark Reinbold, vice president of global sustainable infrastructure at Johnson Controls, explains how business executives and other experts are factoring infrastructure into their sustainability strategies. Reinbold shares some of the key findings from research about smart building trends and outlines the role technologies like artificial intelligence are playing amid the expansion of the concept of net zero buildings-as-a-service.
You may have noticed that your newsletter looks a bit different today. As we kick off our 25th-anniversary year, SmartBrief has launched a refreshed brand, with an updated look and feel and a newly modernized website to better reflect who we are, what we do and our mission to ensure you have the news and information you need to succeed and thrive in your profession.
What hasn't changed? Our commitment to cutting through the noise to provide you with the helpful, informative, trustworthy content you need.
Check out the site to learn more. And reach out anytime by clicking the feedback link at the bottom of this newsletter to let us know what you want out of your SmartBrief experience!
If you have the luxury, this could be a time to change your career direction and start something new. If you don't have that luxury, Cugnon still recommends doing constructive things with your time other than endlessly shooting off resumes into the ether. Spending your time networking and, as Cugnon notes, accepting help from unexpected places may be just what's needed to open up new opportunities.
How have you coped with and recovered from a job loss? Tell me about it.
If this newsletter helps you, please tell your colleagues, friends or anyone who can benefit. Forward them this email, or send this link.
What topics do you see in your daily work that I should know about? Do you have praise? Criticism? Drop me a note. And don't forget to send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off.
Sharing SmartBrief on Leadership with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free.