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Want to be smart about meetings? Science has the answer

The best time and number of meetings depends on the size of the team, according to INSEAD researchers, who recommend that smaller teams meet based on members' needs, while larger groups need different strategies, setting times outside of meetings when it's okay to seek help other team members and when it's not. "In the world of teamwork, the researchers found that policies based on needs and backed by time safeguards work really well in big teams," Adi Gaskell writes about the research.

The Science Of Scheduling Meetings Effectively It's rare to find a manager anywhere who thinks they have too "few" meetings, and yet the curse of "busyness" continues, with people stuffing their day

Get curious about things to improve your leadership

A lifetime of curiosity will serve a leader well, because a well-rounded person isn't done learning in their 20s after their formal schooling is complete, writes James W. Keyes, a business and social change agent and former CEO. Intellectual curiosity drove Renaissance man Leonardo da Vinci, and continuous education throughout your life adds to your knowledge -- and your effectiveness, Keyes writes in his book, "Education is Freedom."

Put it into practice: Avoid mindless pursuits, trading most TV shows for documentaries and similarly tweaking your use of reading and social media into more informative pastimes, Keyes suggests. Educational options range from casually exploring things that make you curious to advancing your education through more formal means, such as seeking certificates for new skills or advanced degrees.

Lifelong learning: Becoming a Renaissance person - SmartBrief Committing to lifelong learning can help you be more effective, not just as a leader, but as a "Renaissance" person, writes James W. Keyes.

Create a respectful culture to show you value diversity

Surveys show the workforce becoming more diverse, which means senior leaders must take the initiative to define the culture they want and then formalize "your company's values in observable, tangible, measurable terms," says S. Chris Edmonds. "Valued behaviors make clear how people in your company model their company values in daily interactions," Edmonds notes.

Put it into practice: Data shows that companies with respectful cultures have more engaged employees, better customer service and higher profits, Edmonds says. Senior leaders must be role models, displaying a high level of integrity.

Is this the year you build a respectful culture? - SmartBrief Senior leaders must be at the forefront of creating a respectful culture, says S. Chris Edmonds, who outlines some actions to take.