December, 2016

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5 Ways to Become the Leader People Look To When it Counts

Leadership Freak

Unrealistic kindness and untempered helpfulness result in unreliability. A reliable average leader is more valuable than unreliable top talent. Reliability validates your value. The good news is, reliability doesn’t take talent.

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How to Stay Informed Without Losing Your Mind

Nir Eyal

Around the election, in a desperate search for answers about our nation’s future, I found myself scrolling, reading, and watching everything I could. I was trapped in an endless pull-to-refresh cycle of consuming more news, tweets, posts, and videos than was good for me. I told myself that I was staying informed, that this was […]. The post How to Stay Informed Without Losing Your Mind appeared first on Nir and Far.

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How To (Actually) Calculate CAC

Andrew Chen

[Andrew: Paid marketing remains an integral part of many products’ acquisition channels, and one of the key metrics is Cost of Customer Acquisition, which is a nuanced calculation with lots of gotchas. My good friend Brian Balfour (ex-vp growth at Hubspot) put together this incredible essays with details on how to think about it.]. Brian Balfour (ex-VP Growth at Hubspot): In everything from growth projections to company valuations, it’s common to use CAC and CPA interchangeably — but it’s

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How To Turn A Technical Expert Into A Leader

15Five

This is a story about a man named Andrew. Andrew was an ambitious young accountant. He was smart and worked hard. And because he was smart, he caught the attention of people in charge of the business. As these things often go, he was promoted – the usual prize for being smart, working hard and putting the needs of the business first. And then it all started to go very wrong.

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The Hidden Skills That Separate Good Leaders from Great Ones

Speaker: Chandra McCormack, CPA, MBA, NACD.DC

Technical degrees might open doors—but it’s the soft skills that keep them open. In the face of disruption, evolving workplace dynamics, and rising expectations of leadership, soft skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and presence have become core business essentials—not nice-to-haves. Inspired by stories from her father coupled with her own career journey, seasoned executive Chandra McCormack breaks down how to lead with impact, connect with purpose, and cultivate a workplace cult

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5 Tips for Maintaining Your Productivity This Holiday Season

Kevin Eikenberry

The holiday season isn’t typically synonymous with productivity; but they can be if you know what to do. Last year I proposed five ideas. They were ideas I’ve applied with great success. This year I want to revisit those five, and add two more things (even though the title only promises five, I’m giving seven. […]. The post 5 Tips for Maintaining Your Productivity This Holiday Season appeared first on Kevin Eikenberry on Leadership & Learning.

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5 Recommendations for Setting Yearly Growth Goals

Brian Balfour

(You can download my Yearly Growth Goals Template that I used on our team at HubSpot at the bottom of this post.) We are nearing the year end and that probably means many teams are finalizing their growth goals for next year. Just the thought of the planning process is probably jacking up your stress levels. After all, setting yearly growth goals in fast-changing environments feels like shooting darts blindfolded.

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How to Start a Career in Behavioral Design

Nir Eyal

Nir’s Note: This guest post is by Erik Johnson. Erik applies behavioral design principles on The Behavioral Insights Team at Morningstar. Six years ago, I was in a position that many people early in their careers find themselves in: I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. My first job out of college […]. The post How to Start a Career in Behavioral Design appeared first on Nir and Far.

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Four Ways To Be A Humble Leader

Eric Jacobsen Blog

From John Blakey 's new book, The Trusted Executive , published just a couple weeks ago, here are these four tips from Jim Collins for how to be a humble leader : Demonstrate a compelling modesty, shunning public adulation and never be boastful. Act with quiet, calm determination and motivate others through inspired standards, not inspiring charisma.

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6 Traits That Every Successful Project Manager Must Possess

15Five

Is project management really all about dependencies, deliverables, and deadlines? Or is it about people and their specific, often unclearly defined demands? If you’re unable to answer with certainty, it’s quite possible that this insanely complex job is not for you. If, however, you’re skillful at being everywhere at once while focused on a single goal, consider applying.

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What are Your Final Four? Setting Real Priorities for the New Year

Kevin Eikenberry

If you are a college basketball fan like I am, when you hear the words “Final Four”, you smile. I hope that, after reading and applying what I am sharing here, a satisfying smile will come to your face when you hear those words – whether you care about basketball or not. Here are four […]. The post What are Your Final Four? Setting Real Priorities for the New Year appeared first on Kevin Eikenberry on Leadership & Learning.

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Future of HR: Navigating Transformation in the Digital Age

Speaker: Jeremy York

Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of the rapidly evolving HR landscape as we examine how technological innovation, regulatory changes, talent strategies, and evolving diversity approaches are reshaping the profession. This webinar will provide HR professionals with practical insights on leveraging AI and emerging technologies while maintaining compliance in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

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4 Ways to Control Your Emotions in Tense Moments

Harvard Business Review

Twenty-three years ago, one of my employees — I’ll call him Dale — asked for a private meeting. Dale was serious and bookish and had very strong opinions. His work was fastidious. He rarely socialized with colleagues, but he was impeccable in his commitments to others. And he was skilled at his job. As I closed the door to our huddle room, he came straight to the point, “Joseph, I’d like to offer you some feedback.” I had expected a different agenda.

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Solution Saturday: Are We Over-Concerned About Fairness

Leadership Freak

Dear Dan, There is a manager in our company who is very “fairness” oriented.

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How to Respond with Grace and Resolve When Teammates Disengage

Leadership Freak

Isolation and disengagement may be normal in the short-term. Things happen. Patterns of disengagement fracture teams. 7 reasons people disengage: #1. They want something.

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How to Stop Defending What isn’t Working

Leadership Freak

We have the astonishing capacity to vigorously defend what isn’t working. When this happens, we eventually blame others for nagging issues. After all, someone has to be responsible for these frustrations.

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4 HR Priorities for 2025 to Supercharge Your Employee Experience

Speaker: Carolyn Clark and Miriam Connaughton

Forget predictions, let’s focus on priorities for the year and explore how to supercharge your employee experience. Join Miriam Connaughton and Carolyn Clark as they discuss key HR trends for 2025—and how to turn them into actionable strategies for your organization. In this dynamic webinar, our esteemed speakers will share expert insights and practical tips to help your employee experience adapt and thrive.

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How to Stop Defending What isn’t Working

Leadership Freak

We have the astonishing capacity to vigorously defend what isn’t working. When this happens, we eventually blame others for nagging issues. After all, someone has to be responsible for these frustrations.

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How to Feel in Control and Six other Powers of Leadership Rituals

Leadership Freak

Repetition feels like drudgery. Don’t let disdain of repetition be the reason you miss the power of leadership rituals. 7 powers of leadership rituals: #1. Rituals make you feel powerful.

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How to Feel in Control and Six other Powers of Leadership Rituals

Leadership Freak

Repetitions feels like drudgery. Don’t let disdain of repetition be the reason you miss the power of leadership rituals. 7 powers of leadership rituals: #1. Rituals make you feel powerful.

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How to Get Your Head Out of Your You-Know-What

Leadership Freak

Self-absorbed leaders unintentionally trivialize the people around them. Don’t expect extraordinary performance from people you devalue and disrespect. If you’re really that important, make others feel valued.

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How to Make The Best Benefits Decisions for 2025's Workforce: An HR and Total Rewards Guide

Speaker: Kaitlin Ruby Carroll

Retaining top talent in 2025 means rethinking benefits. In a competitive job market, fertility benefits are more than just offerings - they are a commitment to your team’s well-being. Gain critical insights into the latest fertility benefits strategies that can help position your organization as an industry leader. Our expert will explore the unique advantages and challenges of each model, share success stories from top organizations, and offer practical strategies to make benefits decisions tha

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How to Get Your Head Out of Your You-Know-What

Leadership Freak

Self-absorbed leaders unintentionally trivialize the people around them. Don’t expect extraordinary performance from people you devalue and disrespect. If you’re really that important, make others feel valued.

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How to Stop Defending What isn’t Working

Leadership Freak

We have the astonishing capacity to vigorously defend what isn’t working. When this happens, we eventually blame others for nagging issues. After all, someone has to be responsible for these frustrations.

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The Day You Stop Following is the Day You Stop Leading

Leadership Freak

Everyone follows, especially leaders. You aren’t going very far if you aren’t following someone. The day you stop following is the day you stop leading.

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The Day You Stop Following is the Day You Stop Leading

Leadership Freak

Everyone follows, especially leaders. You aren’t going very far if you aren’t following someone. The day you stop following is the day you stop leading.

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The Diversity Reckoning: Can HR Survive Without New Perspectives?

Speaker: Jeremy York

2024 has tested every organization, and 2025 promises no less - the warning signs are everywhere. If you’re relying on superficial approaches to diversity, you might find yourself scrambling to catch up. Thought diversity - the fuel for new ideas, fresh perspectives, and disruptive innovation - is more than a buzzword. It's a survival strategy. And if you’re not building it into your workplace culture right now , you’re heading for trouble.

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12 Ways Servant Leaders Serve Others so Others are Free to Serve Others

Leadership Freak

Servant-leadership turns reciprocity outward. Reciprocity represents a shrinking circle of mutual benefit. “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.” Servant leaders serve others so others are free to serve others.

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12 Ways Servant Leaders Serve Others so Others are Free to Serve Others

Leadership Freak

Servant-leadership turns reciprocity outward. Reciprocity represents a shrinking circle of mutual benefit. “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.” Servant leaders serve others so others are free to serve others.

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3 Secrets to Giving Corrective Feedback with Ease and Confidence

Leadership Freak

Every time you shoot yourself in the foot, you do it with good intentions. Someone needs to say, “If you do that again, you’re going to shoot the other foot.

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A Plan Without Energy is a Car Without Gas

Leadership Freak

I coach a leader who is preoccupied and impatient. He walks past people without noticing them. He’s testy when interactions hint at taking longer than absolutely necessary.

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Recognition Powers High-Performance — If You Do it Right

Speaker: Radhika Samant and Todd Wuestenberg

Employee recognition has often been deemed a "feel-good" initiative, tied closely to rewards. While we understand its importance, we tend to associate recognition with intangible outcomes like engagement and sentiment, rather than direct impacts on retention and high performance. In today’s workplace, the true ROI of recognition lies in its ability to regenerate tangible, business-driven results.

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A Plan Without Energy is a Car Without Gas

Leadership Freak

I coach a leader who is preoccupied and impatient. He walks past people without noticing them. He’s testy when interactions hint at taking longer than absolutely necessary.

Energy 247
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7 Things I Learned About Expressing Frustration from a State Trooper

Leadership Freak

Most leaders don’t know how to best use and effectively express frustration. Unexpressed frustration turns into more frustration. Poorly expressed frustration makes matters worse.

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7 Things I Learned About Expressing Frustration from a State Trooper

Leadership Freak

Most leaders don’t know how to best use and effectively express frustration. Unexpressed frustration turns into more frustration. Poorly expressed frustration makes matters worse.

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5 Proven Steps to Success Through Development

Leadership Freak

The most impressive leaders continue developing after they succeed. The thing that makes you spectacular is what you’re reaching for.

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The Upskilling Advantage: Transforming Your Workforce For Future Growth

Speaker: Brian Richardson

With a staggering 92% of CEOs prioritizing skill development, and 84% struggling with transformation, mastering upskilling is now more critical than ever. Drawing on extensive research and collaboration with hundreds of leading organizations, discover key hurdles and innovative best practices in workforce upskilling. You'll walk away with a deep understanding of how to build a culture of continuous learning, expert insights into assessing the current skills of your employees, and a strategic too