Newsletter Issue 17

Every few weeks we send a newsletter to our subscribers with the new content we have written, new episodes of our podcast, and other interesting links we’ve found on the internet.

Subscribe to our Newsletter here.

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From The Heartbeat Podcast: Interview with Elena Valentine, CEO of Skill Scout

Elena Valentine is the CEO of Skill Scout, a media company that helps transform hiring and recruiting for organizations through video. She also champions diversity and inclusion in her own company, and speaks extensively on the subject. In our 19 minute interview, Elena gives us the real and raw view on leadership: It’s hard, it’s not sexy, and you’ve got to find your true north.

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Transcript of the interview is here.

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Latest reads

Leadership is More Than a Memo
“Culture gets set both explicitly with rules and implicitly by example.”Written by Steve Blank

How Nasdaq C.E.O. Adena Friedman Beat the Odds on Wall Street
“It can be notoriously difficult for women to thrive on Wall Street. Adena Friedman says that hasn’t been the case for her.”Written by David Gelles, New York Times

This Study of 2,600 Top Executives Found 4 Crucial Leadership Traits. Entrepreneurs Have 3
“Entrepreneurs have ‘inimitable advantages’ in three of those behaviors, Botelho says–and ‘dangerous gaps in one.’”Written by Leigh Buchanan, Inc.com

These “Humble” Behaviors Are Hurting Your Credibility
“Think about the last time someone offered you a genuine compliment. What did you say in response? Did you instantly start explaining all of the reasons you actually didn’t deserve that praise?”Written by Kat Boogaard, Fast Company

Favorite reads

Getting beyond the BS of leadership literature
“Sadly, and for a number of reasons, there’s a scarcity of useful material. Here’s why.”Written by Jeffrey Pfeffer, McKinsey Quarterly

Resilience Is About How You Recharge, Not How You Endure
“The problem comes from a misunderstanding of what it means to be resilient, and the resulting impact of overworking.”Written by Shawn Achor and Michelle Gielan, Harvard Business Review

Depth of field
“The focus that comes automatically, our instinctual or cultural choice, that focus isn’t the only one that’s available.”Written by Seth Godin

The Angel’s in the Details
“Van Halen, in their contract with a concert venue, used to request a bowl of M&M’s back stage, with all of the brown M&M’s removed. Were they being divas?”Written by Andy Dunn, CEO of Bonobos

Just for fun

Don’t Let a Lack of Self-Awareness Hold You Back 
“The secret? When you’re looking inward, don’t ask yourself ‘Why?’ Ask yourself ‘What?’”