Feature
Leaders who prioritize people, relationships and effective communication are more adept at navigating the complexities of the modern workplace — this thread ran throughout your most read leadership articles of 2024.
Adaptability, inclusivity, belonging, accountability, strategic thinking and constructive conflict management were just a few of the characteristics these articles highlighted.
Top Leadership Articles of 2024
1. 13 Common Leadership Styles – And How to Decide Which to Use by Michelle Hawley
"We all know about great leaders. However, there's a good chance we don't think about their leadership styles."
2. Here's How a Chief Belonging Officer Can Revive DEI Efforts by Jackie Ferguson
"While Chief Belonging Officers may not yet be a commonplace title in today’s corporate landscape, it is evident that this role could serve as a linchpin for organizations striving to genuinely embody the values articulated in their mission statements and DEI pledges. Leadership must change with the times — and the time is now ripe for the emergence of the CBO."
3. Why Women May Not Want to Advance Their Careers Within Your Organization by Erica Sweeney
"Culture was the top reason women said they didn’t want a senior leadership role at their current organization, according to Deloitte. Many believed they would be paid less than a man doing the same job, and 20% said they didn’t believe there were actually opportunities to move up within their company."
4. Listen Up! The Secret to Paying Attention and Becoming a More Inclusive Leader by Jackie Ferguson
"One highly effective leader I know deliberately speaks last in meetings in order to create necessary space for robust dialogue. Because he isn’t trying to formulate a response, holding his comments until everyone else has had a chance to talk allows him to give his full attention to the discussion, quickly deliberate and then lead the team."
5. Why We Need More CHROs on Boards by Malvika Jethmalani
"The tone for culture is set at the top. To build a people-first organization, you need a people-first board. Boards that fail to prioritize human capital expertise risk being blindsided by the complexities of talent management in a rapidly changing world of work."
6. How to Create Conflict-Resilient Work Culture by Saranne Segal
"The aim is not to entirely eliminate conflict but to eliminate a place in which it manifests itself while providing a mechanism for addressing and resolving differences in a respectful and mutually agreeable manner. Organizations that can achieve this balance will succeed in developing a substantial competitive advantage by improving work culture and realizing benefits like enhanced worker happiness, retention and innovation."
7. Courage Coach: How Do I Stop Avoiding Workplace Conflict? by Karin Hurt
"The best way to gain the confidence to address a future workplace conflict is to have some success. Having these conversations is easier once you’ve had a few of them go well. In fact, when we ask participants in our Courageous Communication workshops how they feel after having had the conversation, the number one word they use is 'relieved.'"
8. More Companies Are Hiring Fractional Leaders. Here's Why by Lisa Rabasca Roepe
"A fractional executive can speak more frankly about issues, without worrying the CEO will have them fired. That’s because most fractional leadership contracts are short term, and most fractional executives work for multiple clients, so they aren’t relying on this one company for employment, Adi Vaxman said."
9. Courage Coach: How to Introduce Change in a Company That's Stuck in the Past by Karin Hurt
"Change, even when it’s desperately needed, can be intimidating. It’s human nature to cling to the familiar, so don’t be surprised if your ideas aren’t embraced immediately. That doesn’t mean they’re not good — it just means you need to keep gently nudging."
10. The 3 Ingredients Behind a More Successful Leadership Team by Sarah Deane
"Cultivating an atmosphere where vulnerability is seen as a strength enhances team cohesion, as members feel secure to share challenges and insights. Encouraging openness to new ideas broadens decision-making and innovation."