Generosity is the real marker of a good boss
Good leaders possess a long list of skills and qualities -- but one trait is more important than any other, writes Dan Rockwell. Every boss needs a generous outlook that lets them approach others with courage, compassion and a genuine desire to connect. "All the skill in the world won't compensate for a stingy heart," Rockwell writes. Leadership Freak blog (12/3)

Sometimes slowing down is the best way to reach your goals
Taking breaks to rest and reflect is an important and overlooked aspect of work, writes Allan Milham. "Pauses can have a huge impact on our decision-making capability, with increased judgment, more reflective thinking and better results," he writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership (12/3)

Strategic Management

What is J. Crew really worth?

(Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

J. Crew's private-equity owners are slashing their estimations of the retailer's goodwill value as the company has trouble attracting new customers, write Shelly Banjo and Gillian Tan. "With J.Crew's website hawking up to 50 percent off tweed blazers and floral pants this week, there's no sign the company is taking the steps needed to return ... the brand to its former glory," they write. Bloomberg (12/3)

Smarter Communication

The importance of vocal exercises
Projection and pitch are crucial elements to public speaking, and they can be learned, writes Steve Knight. He offers breathing exercises to help speakers project their voices, and tips for testing your vocal range and finding the right pitch. LinkedIn (11/29)

How to handle the stress of time passing by
Our perception of time changes as we age and have fewer first-time experiences, and the stress of too much to do doesn't help, Kristin Wong writes. She offers some advice for living more freely in the present, including reorganizing your time and actively seeking new experiences. "If you've gotten overly comfortable with life, try saying 'yes' more often," she writes. Lifehacker (12/3)

In Their Own Words

Going public is tough but worth it, says Box CEO
Box has had a roller-coaster ride since going public this year, but CEO Aaron Levie says that going public has been an important validation of the business model. "If you're the CIO of GE or IBM, you want to ensure that you're betting on a company that's going to be around for the long-run, and understand its financials," Levie explains. "For us, being public is a dramatic accelerant to answering and addressing all of those kind of questions and concerns." Business Insider (12/2)

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