CEO argues WFH boosts productivity, dampens creativity

KeHE CEO: Listening, learning lead to positive change | Williams Sonoma CEO sees a strong future for the brand | CEO argues WFH boosts productivity, dampens creativity Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( December 7, 2023 CONNECT WITH NEXTUP  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( €‰€‰[Tik tok]( [NEW SmartBrief]( Gender equity news from NextUp, Advancing All Women in Business [SIGN UP]( â‹… [SHARE]( [] Top of the week [] [KeHE CEO: Listening, learning lead to positive change]( [KeHE CEO: Listening, learning lead to positive change]( (KeHE Distributors) KeHE Distributors President and CEO Deb Conklin has spent the first year of her leadership role acting on what she's learned from observing and listening to brand partners, customers and others. "We believe in the ability to learn from each other when navigating through challenging times," says Conklin. "The ability to be humble and step back so you can listen helps you learn and apply what you hear from your stakeholders, whether they are your customers or employees." Full Story: [Progressive Grocer]( (12/4) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Today's leadership [] [Williams Sonoma CEO sees a strong future for the brand]( [Williams Sonoma CEO sees a strong future for the brand]( Alber (Bloomberg/Getty Images) Williams Sonoma CEO Laura Alber remains committed to the brand 13 years into her tenure as the top executive at the home goods retailer, where she has overseen growth that more than doubled annual revenue. After the retailer largely avoided pandemic downturns with its luxury products, Alber is steering Williams Sonoma through an uncertain economy by focusing on the brand's growing business-to-business division, franchise-first global expansion and standardization efforts. Full Story: [Fortune (tiered subscription model)]( (11/30) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [CEO argues WFH boosts productivity, dampens creativity]( The debate over work-from-home and return-to-office is likely to continue, but Sallie Krawcheck, CEO of Ellevest, offers a slightly more nuanced take on the typical black-and-white argument. "We are more productive and we are less creative [working from home]," Krawcheck says, citing a lack of spontaneous interactions in a work-from-home setting. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon shared a similar view in a letter to shareholders, saying remote work "virtually eliminates spontaneous learning and creativity." Full Story: [CNBC]( (12/3) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Nooyi: Make the most of all your mentors to grow]( [Nooyi: Make the most of all your mentors to grow]( Nooyi (Marla Aufmuth/Getty Images) Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo's former chairman and CEO, says the best way to "earn the stripes to be a leader" is by surrounding yourself with mentors who can help advance your career and reveal your growing edge. "It's not just the old CEO group that can support you. Your network might have people much younger than you, and they're the ones who can tell you what you need to learn," Nooyi notes. Full Story: [Morgan Stanley]( (11/2023) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Don't put off reading these tips on reaching your goals]( Overcome procrastination and make progress toward your goals by reminding yourself of your long-term goals, networking with those who can help you and developing a plan made up of more immediately achievable tasks to set yourself up for success, writes Camille Preston, the founder and CEO of AIM Leadership. "As you embark on your own path to success, carry with you the knowledge that every setback is a stepping stone, every fear is an opportunity for growth, and every goal is within your reach," Preston writes. Full Story: [Fast Company (tiered subscription model)]( (11/28) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [After more than two hours of meetings, the day is done]( A new survey from Slack Technologies found that workers aren't as productive if their day includes more than two hours of virtual or in-person meetings. Some companies have taken to creating entire weeks where no meetings can be scheduled or discouraging meetings on a particular day of the week to make time for the work that requires focus and concentration. Full Story: [BNN Bloomberg (Canada)]( (12/5) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Read the latest from SmartBrief [] - [4 ways to set up your company to thrive when you exit]( SmartBrief/Leadership (12/6) [] - [Tapping the spark inside you can inspire, empower others]( SmartBrief/Leadership (12/5) [] - [Simple steps to be a better team player]( SmartBrief/Leadership (12/4) Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [Nonverbal Communications Skills -- The 10 Skills You Need to Learn]( - [70+ Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows (Free Cheat Sheet)]( - [Best Practices for Email Etiquette]( - [11 Habits That Will Give You A Complete And Successful Life]( - [Creating Positive Habits - The Ultimate Guide]( [] Diversity & Inclusion Trends [] [How leaders can show their commitment to DEI efforts]( Executive leadership can support diversity, equity and inclusion by building a corporate culture that removes barriers to DEI, sponsoring employee resource groups and participating in DEI events, suggest UAB Health System Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Andre Lessears and Elastic DEI Director Ivan Lee. Executives can hold teams accountable for creating inclusive marketing policies and offer bonuses for meeting DEI goals, Lee adds. Full Story: [Senior Executive]( (12/1) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Making connections core to an authentic DEI blueprint]( Authors Justin Michael Williams and Shelly Tygielski advocate for a more authentic approach to diversity in their book "How We Ended Racism: Realizing a New Possibility in One Generation" that includes a more efficient path forward with deeper connections and conversations. Organizations are urged to ensure collective learning by reconciling goals and structures involving everyone, not just leaders, write Williams and Tygielski. Full Story: [Forbes (tiered subscription model)]( (12/3) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Report shows diversity progress in CRE, hotel leadership]( Women now hold more than one-fifth of top-level positions at the 25 largest REITs, and 11.9% of executive leadership positions are occupied by people of color, according to Bisnow's DEI Data Series. Executives with Host Hotels & Resorts and Prologis Inc. pointed to the importance of developing existing staff in support of diverse talent pipelines. Full Story: [Bisnow (free registration)]( (11/29) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [] It is the individual who can and does make a difference even in this increasingly populous, complex world of ours. The individual can make things happen. 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