FedEx founder Fred Smith's leadership was defined by a bold vision for the future and an unwavering focus on disciplined execution. Rather than relying solely on instinct, Smith, who passed away on June 21, achieved ambitious growth through strategic planning, operational rigor and a commitment to learning from history.

Put it into practice: Smith believed that a good CEO works to learn which strategy and management style are best for each stage of a company's growth -- and to rely on that discipline rather than just gut instinct. He felt it important to stay close to frontline operations, empower employees and continually innovate.

Leaders may be tempted to judge others harshly in stressful situations, but true leadership requires assuming positive intent and practicing empathy even when it's difficult, management consultant Marc Cugnon writes. Leaders who view colleagues as adversaries can undermine morale and collaboration, while those who support rather than blame can help colleagues feel valued and trusted, leading to better personal and productivity outcomes, Cugnon notes.

Put it into practice: Start by developing your self-awareness, Cugnon says, so you can recognize how your actions and words affect others. Reflect on your behavior, question your assumptions and consider whether you would act the same way if observed by someone you respect. Becoming empathetic requires discipline and conscious effort, too.

Introverts can be both reserved and assertive without changing their natural communication style by aligning their actions with their values and needs, Ryan Trimble writes. Assertiveness means prioritizing self-respect over approval from others -- in other words, respectfully expressing your perspective instead of suppressing it to avoid conflict or seek validation.

Put it into practice: Identifying the perceived rewards of withholding opinions, such as safety or approval, can help you realize those feelings' origins, and recognizing these unconscious beliefs can help you change them, Trimble says. Assess their accuracy and relevance to your current values and goals, revise your beliefs about assertiveness and keep a journal to track your progress.

Chief information security officers are experiencing burnout at unprecedented levels as cyberthreats evolve and workloads increase, with 62% experiencing burnout at least once, according to Gartner. The emotional and physical toll of constant vigilance against supply chain attacks and ransomware can lead to decreased productivity and increased turnover, but organizations can mitigate this by investing in mental health, increasing budgets and fostering open communication.

Police officers trying to navigate a flooded street in Paris after a particularly nasty storm injected some humor into the tense situation by playing the "Titanic" theme song through their vehicle loudspeakers as they drove. A journalist livestreamed the moment, and the official police social media account subsequently applauded the officers for sharing their sense of humor at a challenging time.