Hot Topic Friday: April 19

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Happy Friday everyone! Here are some Hot Topics that caught my attention this week.

Hot Topic 1: Phone Love!

Source: New York Times,  Samantha Irby, comedy writer.

What it’s About: Irby writes a brilliant, somewhat tongue-in-cheek article about how we love our phones in spite of everything we know to be harmful about our relationship with them. The following excerpt is a taste of her earthy perspective: “I have long understood that I am a tiny, powerless cog in the wheel of modern America, plus I’m not a hacker, so what do I even know about keeping things hidden? Is it even possible for me, a regular person who cannot figure out how to program the television remote, to circumvent the eyes of all of the faceless technology corporations analyzing my information? What am I going to do, cheat Amazon? Outsmart Google? No, I’m going to do what everyone else does: enter my credit card information when prompted and get that thing I need two days from when I decided I needed… Yes, your phone is potentially hazardous to whatever semblance of security you might have. Yes, there are many medical professionals who would attest to the deleterious effect modern technology has on the brains and interpersonal skills of adults. But hear me out: Maybe it’s worth it?…”

Why it’s Important: For those of us who design experiences in the world of work, I believe we need to pay very close attention to Irby’s honest self-reflection. In spite of all the hazardous issues to our security and physical/mental well being, we are likely to increase our love affair with our phones. 5G, Moore’s law, and a host of other exponential technology and content explosion will make us even more “one.” It’s our job to embrace and humanize for the greater good, rather than wish for a breakup.

Hot Topic 2: 996.ICU, Have We Lost Our Way Regarding “Success?”

Source: Reuters, ARYNEWS.tv.

What it’s About: Alibaba Group founder and billionaire, Jack Ma, defended the grueling overtime work culture at many of China’s tech companies, calling it a “huge blessing” for young workers. In a speech to Alibaba employees, Ma defended the industry’s “996” work schedule, which refers to the 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. workday, six days a week. “I personally think that being able to work 996 is a huge blessing,” he said in remarks posted on the company’s WeChat account. ‘Many companies and many people don’t have the opportunity to work 996,’ Ma said. ‘If you don’t work 996 when you are young, when can you ever work 996?… Let me ask everyone, if you don’t put out more time and energy than others, how can you achieve the success you want?’”

Why it’s Important: This 996 perspective as an expectation and assumption for so-called “success,” may roll off the tongue of a billionaire a little too glibly. This month, activists on Microsoft’s GitHub, the online code repository site, launched a project titled “996.ICU” where tech workers listed Alibaba among the companies ranked as having some of the worst working conditions. 996 is even being questioned in China, where an opinion piece published in a state newspaper argued that 996 violated China’s Labor Law, which stipulates that average work hours cannot exceed 40 hours per week. I think thoughtful leaders have to challenge the narrow definition of “success,” and confront the assumptions underlying 996. At what cost? For whose benefit? Let’s have a rich and meaningful conversation on this. Jack Ma offers just one world view. Let’s hear others’.

My Weekly Wine Recommendation (Thanks to Vivino):

Montemajor ‘Quattronotti’ Appassimento Special Edition Puglia Italy 2017.  

Picture and ratings provided by Vivino.

And finally! Here’s Cecil’s Bleat of the Week!

 “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” – 
Anais Nin

[Cecil is the mascot for LorneRubis.com] 

Bye for now!

– Lorne Rubis

Incase you missed it:

Monday’s Lead In podcast.

Tuesday’s blog.

Wednesday’s Culture Cast podcast.

Also don’t forget to subscribe to our site, and follow Lorne Rubis on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter for the latest from our podcasts, blogs, and all things offered on LorneRubis.com.

Culture Cast – Don’t Plateau When You’re at the Top of Your Game

Personal leadership Podcast

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In season 3, episode 11, Lorne and Lynette discuss what to do when we’re at the top of our game, and how to personally and professionally advance. Even if you’re getting great reviews, if you’re doing the same thing over and over, it’s time to pivot and get messy. Whether you want to or not, you can’t sit still, because the world is not sitting still around you.

Although it’s important to appreciate when things are going well in our careers, that’s when we need to keep an eye out for the next, uncomfortable, challenging path forward. Here are some ideas how to reframe your thinking when you’re professionally plateauing.

Please feel free to subscribe to this YouTube channel, follow this podcast on Soundcloud, as well as iTunes, and Lorne and Lynette’s social media platforms for all the latest Culture Cast uploads and announcements.

Lorne Rubis is available @LorneRubis on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Lynette Turner is available on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn as well as through her site, LynetteTurner.com.

We look forward to sharing Season 3 of Culture Cast: Conversations on Culture and Leadership with you every Wednesday.

Don’t Be an Ass!

Abundance Accountability Personal leadership Respect

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Problem: Organizations can often be too vague and wishy washy regarding expectations of employee behavior. I think most organizations want to state values positively, and I support that general direction. However, sometimes we just have to be more direct. I believe the “DO NOT DO THIS” approach is more straightforward and impactful to help each of us comprehend the seriousness underlying an expectation.

Story: I recently attended Unreasonable Future, a phenomenal conference including emerging entrepreneurs, mentors, and experts. It is organized by the Unreasonable Group and participants are asked to read and sign a “Community Manifesto,” which includes nine value statements. The Unreasonable Group deeply believes that having every member follow these values, is foundational for successful gatherings. Most of the manifesto is expressed as “do’s.” However a couple, including the following, are “do not’s.” My favorite is value V.

“V. Don’t be an Ass: Our programs are centered around a belief that diverse perspectives and experiences lead to breakthroughs. Though you may not always agree with others, we ask that you seek understanding, and acceptance over judgment. When you disagree, get curious. Don’t be mean. Be kind.”

What We Can Do About It:

  1. ALL of us can embrace and commit to: “Don’t be an ASS!” Let’s just do it.
  2. I think every organization should be explicit, and include Unreasonable’s “don’t be an ASS” statement. (I’m sure they would be flattered). This also involves giving people immediate feedback and peer coaching when we behave like asses, (and we all occasionally act jerky even if we don’t recognize when we do it).
  3. We all can do this, can’t we? “Don’t be mean. Be Curious. Be Kind.” How hard is that? Harder than we think if we don’t declare, and then call it out.

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now.

– Lorne

One Millennial View: I think this is ultimately great. However, I think we should also have the trust and accountability to assume most people are not intentionally attempting to be asses very often. Part of not being an ass is also not jumping to conclusions, and immediately blaming or shaming others for their behaviors. I’d say, “Don’t be mean. Be Curious. Be Kind. And be a little tough skinned too.”

– Garrett

Blog 980

Edited and published by Garrett Rubis

Lead In With Lorne – How to Avoid Fast Food Relationships

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In this episode of Lead In With Lorne, we’re talking about the idea of fast food relationships. Don’t just drive-thru your connections with others. What did you do to advance your relationship with the people you connect with? Remember, connect before content, slow down and make an actual connection with the people you engage with, despite how busy we all may be.

Enjoy it on the YouTube video embedded below, or audio listeners can hear it on SoundCloud now too (iTunes coming in the near future). We hope it enriches your Monday!

Kindly subscribe to the YouTube channel and SoundCloud to make sure you start your week with a leadership story. 

Lorne Rubis is available @LorneRubis on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

Hot Topic Friday: April 12 Newsletter

Abundance Accountability Friday Newsletter Personal leadership Respect

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Happy Friday everyone! Here are some Hot Topics that caught my attention this week.

Hot Topic 1: Modern Coaching for New Leaders.

Source: Forbes, Susan Galer.

What it’s About: Forbes published an interesting article featuring a leadership coaching platform called Sounding Board. The startup uses a proprietary “Sound Coaching” methodology, assigning coaches (trained contractors) to executives, based on a six-point matching process. According to the company, Sounding Board has a 95 percent success rate on first matches to date. The method also collects feedback from managers, peers and others regarding development areas for the executive, aligning information with the company’s goals and values. Executives can chat with their coach anytime on their desktop or mobile device, and through collaborative social apps. The relationships are typically 12 to 18 months. A dashboard tracks executive feedback on their coaching sessions, including progress against their individual plan.

Why it’s Important: The idea of having an executive coach used to be the privilege of the C- Suite. And when I started my career, the idea of a coach was unheard of. However, modern leaders at ALL levels are now looking for one-on-one coaching. Also, more young leaders are stepping up to leadership roles at much earlier stages in their careers. At whatever point, leaders are incredibly pressured to get results while developing themselves and others. This is another example were platforms are providing new value and scale to the “masses.”

Hot Topic 2: The Starbucks of Yoga and the (Down) Side Hustle.

Source: The New York Times, Alice Hines.

What it’s About: This is a fascinating article about the self-proclaimed “Starbucks of Yoga,” CorePower. The company describes itself as a mission-driven fitness company dedicated to changing lives, all while expanding to new cities every year. Today, CorePower has 200 locations in 23 states and Washington, D.C. A key part of its business model is selling customers on the idea of becoming yoga instructors. CorePower offers a full training package that may or may not end up in an employment possibility. CorePower has also faced four federal labor lawsuits, one of which is still pending. In the latest, about 1,200 teachers have signed on to a collective-action suit that argues that CorePower pays them less than minimum wage because of the amount of off-the-clock work they are required to do. As Hines’ article notes: “‘We believe it’s without merit and are defending the company aggressively and appropriately,’ said Eric Kufel, the C.E.O. of CorePower, in a statement.”

Why it’s Important: This is another example where companies and independent contractors are relying on the side hustle to make a business model work. And these new business models, perhaps reflected in the lawsuits faced by CorePower, are challenging many assumptions regarding the relationship between employer and worker. Alissa Quart, the author of “Squeezed: Why Our Families Can’t Afford America,” underlines the following point on this situation: “Ultimately, like so much of this lexicon, the ‘side hustle’ describes the overworked outsiders to privilege, who are forced into informal vocations by the absence of a legitimate economy. They are then told that suffering is valiant and also groovy. In a recent viral BuzzFeed piece describing millennials as the ‘burnout generation,’ side hustles are listed as one of the main culprits.” We need to have an ongoing conversation on this.

My Weekly Wine Recommendation (Thanks to Vivino):

Goretti Sagrantino di Montafalco 2011

Picture and ratings provided by Vivino. 

And finally! Here’s Cecil’s Bleat of the Week!

Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” – Mary Oliver

[Cecil is the mascot for LorneRubis.com]

Bye for now!

– Lorne Rubis

Incase you missed it:

Monday’s Lead In podcast.

Tuesday’s blog.

Wednesday’s Culture Cast podcast.

Also don’t forget to subscribe to our site, and follow Lorne Rubis on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter for the latest from our podcasts, blogs, and all things offered on LorneRubis.com.

Culture Cast – How Do We Stay Relevant in 2019?

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In season 3, episode 10, Lorne and Lynette discuss staying relevant in today’s rapidly changing professional landscapes. How do we find new, creative ways to reinvent ourselves? 

From attending conferences to utilizing free online resources, everyone is armed with the ability to watch, read, listen to and intentionally consume content that can keep us skilled. Here are some ideas how we can plan how to put more intention into healthy learning.

Oh, and Lorne somehow segways into his take on vaping in airplane bathrooms.

All that and more on the latest episode of Culture Cast.

Please feel free to subscribe to this YouTube channel, follow this podcast on Soundcloud, as well as iTunes, and Lorne and Lynette’s social media platforms for all the latest Culture Cast uploads and announcements.

Lorne Rubis is available @LorneRubis on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Lynette Turner is available on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn as well as through her site, LynetteTurner.com.

We look forward to sharing Season 3 of Culture Cast: Conversations on Culture and Leadership with you every Wednesday.