Hot Topic Friday: April 17

Happy Friday! Here are my April 17 Hot Topics and how they relate to advancing culture or leadership.

Hot Topic 1: Exciting Post-Pandemic Work Predictions.

What it’s About: There seems to be two basic types of thought processes regarding post Covid times: Those anxious to get back to “normal,” and those enthusiastic about a new and better future. Of course, it will likely be some unexpected hybrid. Futurist Tracy Brower writes in Forbes: “We’re experiencing shifts in so many facets of life from family and community to work and how we socialize. While we may worry about the worst, a positive future is likely when considering 1. What your company will do for you, 2. How you will work with others, 3. How your workplace and technology will change, 4. How your company will modify its overall approaches and eventually 5. How you take advantage of career opportunities.” I too am positive about how the post-pandemic world of work could shape up. Let’s explore how the future may be brighter in the five key areas noted above.

Why it’s Important: We have more of a choice and influence than we might think. So what if we embraced Brower’s predictions, and in our own areas of influence, worked with intention to make it so? Imagine the following outcomes:

“What your company will do for you: Your employer will expand the support they provide you; Support for mental health will be better embraced; Leadership will improve; Company culture will become a focus.
How you will work with others: Your relationship with your teammates will improve; Work will allow for more diversity; Your boss and teammates will be more empathetic about your work-life.
Workplace and technology: Work will become more flexible; Your office will get better; You’ll be more comfortable with technology.
Overall company approach: Speed will increase, and bureaucracy will be reduced; Innovation will flourish; Companies will work together more effectively.
Opportunities to Contribute: You’ll have renewed career opportunities; Your entrepreneurial spirit will be tapped when every business is a startup.”

How hopeful and cool is that? I’m with you Tracy Brower, and count me ALL IN for this future. Let’s get going!

One Millennial Response: I too am all for implementing improvements (that add, not take away), because that ultimately means all industries are up and running again to make the adaptations. How about a little less talk about improvements, and a lot more action, though? Chop chop. Thanks.

Hot Topic 2: Can We Turn Up Our Imaginations?

Source: Harvard Business Review, Reeves and Fuller.

What it’s About: Our wonderful, 14-month-old granddaughter, has a t-shirt that exclaims while the alphabet goes from A to Z, her imagination has no limit (a joke, because she obviously doesn’t read yet). The authors would agree, and they make the case for the importance of imagination, and how much people and organizations need to make room for it. They recently surveyed more than 250 multinational companies to understand the measures they were taking to manage the current situation. They discovered that most companies are enacting a rich portfolio of reactive measures, but only a minority are yet at the stage where they’re identifying and shaping strategic opportunities. The faster an organization can move from beyond the “oh, crap” reactive state to the “let’s use the crises to reinvent,” the better the sustainable outcome.

Why it’s Important: The data is clear. Those that move past reacting to reinventing ultimately win and thrive. How can you and I help individuals and organizations get there sooner through igniting imagination? The authors suggest: “1. Carve out time for reflection. 2. Ask active, open questions. 3. Allow yourself to be playful. 4. Set up a system for sharing ideas. 5. Seek out the anomalous and unexpected. 6. Encourage experimentation. 7. Stay hopeful.” As always, read the entire article for more depth in each recommendation.

And hail Reeves and Fuller for summing it up well: “All crises contain the seeds of opportunity. Many businesses, struggling now, will likely find a second life during and after the crisis, if they can keep alive and harness their imaginations. Imagination may seem like a frivolous luxury in a crisis, but it is actually a necessity for building future success.”

Imagine that!

One Millennial Response: Look no further than your local restaurants for inspiration. One of my favorite neighborhood joints, Contigo, is a perfect example. This is a sprawling patio restaurant, extremely dependent on congregation, and brick and mortar operations. Now though, it has assembled a “drive thru” (named Conti-go), with its own brand new website, offering select $24-$28 meals for two, changing each night of the week. This whole website, curbside operation, meal-for-two deal, etc. were absolutely non-existent just weeks ago. Talk about mobilization and transition.

My Weekly Wine Recommendation.

[Ed. Note: It doesn’t look like Vivino will be shipping for a while. Instead, let’s go and support our local wine shops and small businesses/restaurants for the time being.]

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

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“All work has dignity. No job, when done freely, is ignoble.” - James Martin SJ.

Bye for now!

— Lorne Rubis

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Happy Friday! Here are my April 17 Hot Topics and how they relate to advancing culture or leadership.

Hot Topic 1: Exciting Post-Pandemic Work Predictions.

Hot Topic 2: Can We Turn Up Our Imaginations?

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