In the race for leadership success, speed kills

All work and no play can make your teams dull, lifeless and less than innovative, writes Soulaima Gourani, the CEO and co-founder of Happioh, who offers researched ideas for how injecting fun into the workday can improve creativity and morale while decreasing stress. "The research clearly suggests that leaders who embrace the human aspect of their roles by infusing enjoyment into their lives are better equipped to inspire creativity, navigate stress, foster collaboration, and make informed decisions," Gourani writes.

Put it into practice: Giving teams time to play and enjoy collaborative projects pumps up their creative thinking, Gourani writes. "Leaders who create a fun and inclusive work environment tend to have teams that are not only happier but also more effective in achieving their goals."

Leaders can jump-start their career success by slowing down, allowing time for self-reflection, pumping up their curiosity and letting go of habits that no longer serve them, writes Christian Greiser, an executive coach and management consultant. "If you find yourself in constant motion, tap the brakes to reduce your speed and start reflecting on what you could do differently," Greiser writes.

Put it into practice: It's easy to get stuck ruminating about things that went wrong in the past or be so busy in the moment that you forget to dream about their future, Greiser notes. "Instead of ruminating on past mistakes, make an effort to ask yourself regularly: What is my ideal self? Where do I want to be in 3 to 5 years? Start drawing a tangible picture of your ideal future."

Few CEOs host podcasts, prompting Shep Hyken of Shepard Presentations to wonder if they're not missing out on a chance to impress. Ten minutes might be plenty, Hyken points out, and the format could be varied -- addresses from corporate leaders, putting a spotlight on employees or even visiting with customers.

Put it into practice: A podcast can make the CEO more accessible to employees, and leaders can use it to recognize good work and enhance communication with both their teams and their customers, Hyken notes. "This humanizes the executive. A well-liked leader will most likely have a loyal following."

Good leaders are open-minded, can stay positive, focus on results and are willing to collaborate with diverse stakeholders so everyone can win, says Richard Kraska, CFO of Infobip. "Everyone is in their roles for a reason, so try to listen as carefully as you can learn something from almost everyone, and it could change how you think about an issue or make a decision," Kraska says.

You're probably still nibbling on your leftover Halloween candy, but retailers are already stocking the shelves with chocolate Santas and candy canes, which account for a quarter of annual profits for companies like Hershey, and experts note that Christmas is coming earlier and earlier to store shelves. Logistics plays a role in how early Christmas candy is stocked as makers set contracts with stores months in advance to secure limited shelf space.

"Leaders who create a fun and inclusive work environment tend to have teams that are not only happier but also more effective in achieving their goals. This demonstrates that fun is not just a personal benefit but also a leadership strategy," writes Soulaima Gourani, the CEO and co-founder of Happioh.

How do you inject fun into your daily work or the work of your team? Tell me.

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