ESG faces challenges, but it can still boost profits

ESG faces challenges, but it can still boost profits | practice | 3 rules for leaders to create a competitive culture Created for {EMAIL} | [{NAME}]( at [{NAME}]( [For more relevant content - Update Your Profile]( | [Web Version]( March 9, 2023 CONNECT WITH SMARTBRIEF  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [SmartBrief on Leadership]( Innovative Ideas. Ahead of the Curve. [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE](  [] Leading the Way [] [ESG faces challenges, but it can still boost profits]( [ESG faces challenges, but it can still boost profits]( (Flavio Coelho/Getty Images) Companies that have chief diversity and sustainability officers in their C-suite and a board-level environmental, social and governance committee see "about a 2-percentage point increase in profit growth and revenue growth," according to Infosys executive Jasmeet Singh. Companies are being pressured to increase ESG commitments but the economy and pushback from conservative groups who have branded the efforts as "woke capitalism," have hampered efforts. Full Story: [RTInsights]( (3/8), [Axios]( (3/8) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Leaders who approach ESG as a business opportunity "are the ones more likely to invest and to succeed," writes Singh. The commitment of C-suite executives to execute forward-looking policies will be key for who thrives in a downturn and who doesn't, Singh notes. [] SmartBrief on Leadership [] [3 rules for leaders to create a competitive culture]( [3 rules for leaders to create a competitive culture]( (Halfpoint Images/Getty Images) Leaders must first have an inspiring vision for their company's culture before they can communicate and amplify it among their workforce and then they must be vigilant to enhance that culture by building on strengths and "eliminating toxins," writes Mark Miller, vice president of high performance leadership for Chick-fil-A. A system of spotting those toxins in the culture is needed, Miller writes, so leaders can act early to head them off. Full Story: [SmartBrief/Leadership]( (3/8) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Key to that early warning system for toxins creeping into your company's culture is a practice of listening to what's going on and acting quickly to cure potential problems. "Literally, leaders bring culture to life, or not," Miller writes. [] Smarter Communication [] [3 ways to tailor your feedback for a remote workforce]( Leaders of remote teams can boost engagement and motivation by giving feedback that is direct, specific and performance-based and by using "positive phrasing" to show how the work an employee does benefits both them and the company, writes William Arruda, the co-founder of CareerBlast.TV. "By setting aside time for effective communication, using the right tools, having a clear agenda, and taking note of key points, leaders can ensure that their remote teams are getting the full picture, even on the smallest of screens," Arruda writes. Full Story: [Forbes (tiered subscription model)]( (3/7) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Put it into practice: Avoid misunderstandings with remote team members by taking the time to go over what's been discussed and making note of action items to make sure you're on the same page, Arruda recommends. Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [Tips & Tricks Guide - Microsoft Windows 11]( - [Career Planning Tips]( - [25 Cryptocurrencies You Should Know About]( - [Nonverbal Communications Skills – The 10 Skills You Need to Learn]( - [How Technology Can Help You Get a Good Night's Sleep]( [] Future of Work Your work future could include ... [] - [ChatGPT is already hard at work in your office]( Tech.co (3/6) [] - [How skills-based hiring will change talent recruitment]( TIME (tiered subscription model) (3/7) [] In Their Own Words [] [Avoiding the truth can be the downfall of CEOs]( The biggest mistake CEOS make is "not seeking honest feedback" and not honing their strategic skills to spot coming disruptions or opportunities, says veteran board director Cammie Dunaway. "The biggest mistake is insulating yourself from hearing the ugly, unvarnished truth," Dunaway says. Full Story: [LinkedIn]( (3/8) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Daily Diversion [] [Bumblebees learn by watching]( [Bumblebees learn by watching]( (Pixabay) Bumblebees were taught to open a puzzle box containing a sugar solution, and bumblebees that observed the experiment subsequently used the same method to open the box 98% of the time, even after they discovered an alternative. Bumblebees that observed bees trained to use both methods also learned both, but colonies eventually developed a preference for a single method, and researchers say the findings, published in PLOS Biology, suggest that social learning has a significant influence on bumblebee behavior. Full Story: [BBC]( (3/7) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBrief Podcast Network [] [ROI for renewables and storage]( [] SmartBreak: Question of the Day [] [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] About The Editor [] Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Candace Chellew Over my long career in both media and academic public relations, I've experienced many different company cultures. Some of them were nurturing and featured diverse co-workers, while others felt stagnant -- even foreboding -- and were very homogenous. Companies have moved forward in their [ESG efforts]( over the years. However, tough economic times and [social pressures]( are taking a bit of the steam out of the progress, even though statistics show profits follow effective ESG programs. [Culture is crucial for companies]( seeking to thrive because people want to work for them and will be their best cheerleaders in the world. Leaders must be vigilant against the toxins that leech culture of its effectiveness, and [CEOs especially need to listen to feedback](, even if it might be painful. Culture isn't just a human thing though. Scientists say [even the bees do it](. Good culture is something we all need. 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](mailto:candace.chellew@futurenet.com). And don't forget to send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off. [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Sharing SmartBrief on Leadership with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free. Help Spread the Word [SHARE]( Or copy and share your personalized link: smartbrief.com/leadership/?referrerId=japnABMSAp [] [] I didn't think I would have this amazing second act as an actor in my early 50s, and I hope my story inspires someone to not give up on their dreams. [Ke Huy Quan](, actor [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email](   SmartBrief publishes more than 200 free industry newsletters - [Browse our portfolio]( [Sign Up]( | [Update Profile]( | [Advertise with SmartBrief]( [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy policy]( CONTACT US: [FEEDBACK](mailto:leadership@smartbrief.com) | [ADVERTISE](mailto:lengel@smartbrief.com) SmartBrief, a division of Future US LLC © Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036