Hone these skills to be a successful leader Effective managers are focused on helping others grow and are open to feedback for making personal improvements, write leadership development consultants Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman. Good leaders embrace creativity and innovation, and possess a high level of interpersonal communication skills. Harvard Business Review online (tiered subscription model) (4/17)Prevent emails from wasting your time Check your email a maximum of three scheduled times per day, Hayden Field writes. Use filters to categorize your emails, switch off alerts and try to avoid "back-and-forth" conversations. Entrepreneur online (4/16)
Making the Connection
How to deflect unwanted advice Be honest if you are uncomfortable taking on your co-workers' advice, writes Alyse Kalish. Remind your colleagues that you're busy if they are taking up your time without contributing anything helpful. The Muse (4/18)
A bill that would let Affordable Care Act customers and employers buy Medicare coverage was unveiled Wednesday by Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn. The legislation, which is co-sponsored by 10 Senate Democrats, would also permit the government to negotiate Medicare drug prices and extend eligibility for ACA subsidies to 600% of federal poverty level. The Connecticut Mirror (4/18),The Examiner (Washington, D.C.) (4/18)
Put some thought into what you'll wear on the first day, and be punctual, says CEO Liz Wessel. Let your new colleagues know you're the new guy or gal, and try to meet as many people as you can, says management professor Keith Rollag. Fast Company online (4/18) Consider these points before resigning Before quitting your job, ask yourself if it's possible to change the things you don't like about your job, or if there may be opportunities outside the office, writes career coach Caroline Ceniza-Levine. "Your day-to-day work isn't the only way to find challenge and growth," she writes. Forbes (4/16)
