Shani Harmon

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The problem with meetings—and collaboration in general—is a uniquely human one. To solve it, we have to start at the source.

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Internal initiatives may get a bad rap, but they’re usually spurred by real problems and good intentions. Make sure yours ends as strong as it starts.

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When effectively leveraged, executive assistants serve as perhaps the most important stewards of an organization’s most precious resource—time.

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It can be difficult to stand out from your competition when trying to hire top talent; with a strong company culture, it's easier. When it comes to standing out in a competitive job market, your company's culture can be a crucial influence in attracting and retaining top talent. A workplace that is vibrant, inclusive, and supportive not only sets an organization apart from its competitors but lends itself to employee satisfaction and productivity. Here, Fast Company Executive Board members discuss how companies can use their culture as a key differentiator from their competition. With these strategies in mind, you can cultivate a work environment that attracts the top candidates in your industry.

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I've learned a lot about how to eliminate wasteful work in organizations. Here are the three things I universally recommend.

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Apply these emotional intelligence strategies to improve your department and company work culture. According to a survey published by Statista Research Department, 52 percent of organizations have employed senior leaders based on their emotional intelligence (EQ) skills. The ability to gain the loyalty of the team you are trying to lead successfully often relies on your willingness to actively listen to the concerns and aspirations of your employees. It's only then that you'll be able to access your staff's support and strengthen the type of team morale that can move companies forward. To provide some practical examples of what this type of leadership approach looks like, experts from Fast Company Executive Board explain how elevating their EQ has helped them to enhance their team relationships for the better and made them more approachable and trustworthy—a leader that their direct reports can trust.

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Here are three common decision-making pitfalls, and how to avoid them when making your next big choice.

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If you want to unleash the full capacity of your team, look no further than your meetings. They’re a great place to start.

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Apply these best practices to strengthen your relationship as a mentor and partner.  If you're a leader seeking a great personal assistant who can help you elevate your business to the next level, it's essential that you take your time until you find the proper fit. Once you've succeeded at the first step, it's time to nurture the relationship by learning what drives them and what they are most passionate about—treating them like a partner in collaboration on your journey and engaging them in meaningful assignments. While retaining top talent is not an easy feat, here, 15 Fast Company Executive Board members share their best tips for training a high-level assistant that you can count on to work with you closely for the long term.

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When it comes to big meetings, here are three key areas to focus your effort.

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Implementing these tips can help you ensure both company and employee success. When you are trying to build a successful business with credibility, hiring a reliable and capable power team is the first step to becoming a mainstay in the industry for the long term. Learning to engage with every team member, demonstrating that you are interested and invested in their contribution to the company's achievements over time, is also key to employee happiness and their willingness to stick around as they continue to develop and grow with the organization. Here are 13 other best practices from Fast Company Executive Board members to help employers find strong and competent employees that they can trust and depend on.

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One desired outcome from a layoff is to operate more efficiently. But what if that efficiency could be gained without cutting the workforce?

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Being a leader is hard work, but it’s even harder when you get in your own way. Take the extra time to make sure your signals are serving you and your team. 

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Apply these strategies to cover your points and connect with the audience.  If you're feeling a bit anxious about how to deliver your best presentation to a tough audience, preparing for the event ahead of time is the easiest way to calm your mind. You'll want to first gain an understanding of what the program agenda is, and then figure out what you want to say. Providing real-world examples make some of the most effective narratives, so figure out which points to cover in your story, write it out, and begin reviewing it on your own or amongst your network of colleagues. The more you practice, the more familiar and comfortable you become with the materials you plan to share with your audience. To get you motivated and help you stay in the zone, below, 15 Fast Company Executive Board members are providing their best practices for leaders to project their knowledge and become the go-to reliable source.

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How do we reimagine the employee engagement survey so that it helps create meaningful and lasting change?

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Living up to their own set of standards enables managers to increase credibility, mutual respect, trust, and engagement with their teams. Whether it's a start-up business owner or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, it's important to lead by example if managers expect their employees to emulate the core values and mission they promote to meet business goals. Expressing constant negativity about the challenges of work is also counterproductive for leaders who want to encourage an open-door policy for communication and build a culture of psychological safety. Being an active and collaborative listener, who is willing to consider the ideas and feedback of staff seriously, also inspires trust and team morale.  Below, experts from Fast Company Executive Board are here to explain 16 behaviors that managers should aim to avoid, and how they can improve on breaking the cycle.

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If you can shift your own relationship with feedback to one of genuine curiosity, it can go a long way in setting the tone for your team.

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By reinventing the daily experience of how individuals and teams collaborate, organizations set the stage to accomplish the extraordinary.

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Trying to build a good reputation in the competitive marketplace isn't always easy. Some of the best made relationships in business begin with constant communication between a company and its client to establish mutual trust and a deeper understanding of each stakeholders mission and purpose. Being the new kid on the block in an oversaturated market may seem intimidating at first, but gets easier in time—once you crack the code. By learning how best to solve your customers' most challenging dilemmas, you're bound to become one of their most reliable resources, time and again. Below are 13 best practices that Fast Company Executive Board members have repeated to present a great impression (beyond the first) to attract and keep their prospective clients.

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Implement these workflow strategies when deadlines are quickly approaching. When you are stretched thin with plenty on your to-do list, believe it or not, the best thing you can do is to relax (mentally and physically) periodically throughout the work day. By doing so, you'll refuel your energy level, be more focused and productive as you push past the finish line to reach your short- and long-term goals. Below, experts from Fast Company Executive Board describe their most effective productivity hacks during crunch time and how useful they are when you are trying to get the most done.

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Build greater psychological safety on your team to help each individual navigate their unique challenges and to be their best. In times like these, basic kindness and compassion really count.

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Meeting time has a real cost.

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Remote and hybrid workplace environments are here to stay. Prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic, most executive leaders were accustomed to managing their employees in-office on a daily basis. Now, in the new and ever-changing virtual work world, some leaders are struggling to maintain culture and team growth like they once did.  In a candidate-driven market and with the “Great Resignation” still looming, many company heads understand that offering more job flexibility, real work-life balance, and substantial growth opportunities are key to staying ahead of the competition and attracting the best talent.  To help supervisors and staff gain confidence as they continue to navigate a growing remote or hybrid business environment, 16 Fast Company Executive Board members share strategies remote managers can use to help their virtual talent develop a thriving career and stay connected with one another.

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Given the percentage of our work lives spent in meetings, they are a great place to focus to ensure that everyone’s voice is valued.