Hot Topic Friday: April 3

Happy Friday! Here are my April 3 Hot Topics and how they relate to advancing culture or leadership.

Hot Topic 1: Guidelines For a Virtual Happy Hour.

What It’s About: Having a successful virtual happy hour isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. After all, it’s virtual using Zoom, Whereby (or whatever platform), which is obviously not the same as hanging out after work at your local pub. This NYT article gives some practical tips for making it work well. I suggest you read the whole thing for the logistical difference makers. I want to focus on the conversation you might have.

Why It’s Important: I don’t think virtual happy hours are just “nice to have,” rather I think it is a must. Sharing a drink (not necessarily alcohol) together in a relaxed setting is a timeless way of creating belonging for all. I also think it should be during normal business hours, whatever that means these days, eg. 4 p.m. on a weekday afternoon. And because everyone is sheltered in together, consider inviting all creatures to join. Toddlers and the furry, four-legged variety often add much joy and authenticity. In the NYT article, Jenny Wang, a licensed psychologist, also recommends these starter questions, to help us drive the topic of conversion a bit:

“Coping:

What is something you’ve been putting off doing that you now suddenly have time for?

What shows/movies have been helping you cope during this time?

What is one small thing you are doing to bring a little joy or comfort into your day?

Work:

How do you stay focused when working from home?

What is the most hilarious thing you’ve seen that distracted you from work?

If you had a mantra right now, what would it be?

Connection:

Who do you see most now?

What is the most annoying thing about that person?

What do you love about being stuck with that person/people?”

She also recommends avoiding topics associated with anxiety, panic or fear, finances, stocks and politics that can make people feel on edge.

If conversation drifts to more nerve-racking topics, she suggests redirecting the anxious energy by asking questions like:

“What are you going to do today?

Who else are you video chatting with?

What exercises will you do?

What are you reading?”

By the way, my team has a virtual happy hour every Thursday at 4 p.m. for one hour. And like many social gatherings, a few people are still hanging at 6 p.m. How great is that?

One Millennial Response: I think we have to use every technological advantage we can to mimic as much normalcy as possible. Find it, create it, and practice it. We’re lucky we’re in this situation in 2020 when we have the capabilities to do all of this. Cheers to making the best of it!

Hot Topic 2: Bad Times and Kind People.

Source: Harvard Business Review, Bill Taylor.

What It’s About: I'm going to quote right from Taylor’s bottom line: “Practical, useful acts of kindness are good for humanity, and good for business. Acts of kindness are also good for the people who do them — and the more tangible the act, the better. Academics who study ‘prosocial’ behavior (as opposed to ‘antisocial’ behavior) often note the power of ‘helper’s high,’ or what is less charitably called ‘impure altruism.’ The satisfaction that comes from doing things for others benefits us as well. ‘It’s hard to do something truly altruistic,’ argues University of Houston professor Melanie Rudd, ‘because we always feel good about ourselves after we’ve performed that act of kindness.’”

Why It’s Important: The most powerful antidote in this sh#t storm we’re all in, is to do something kind for others. Businesses that practice this because it’s the right thing to do, without expecting anything in return, create a sense of pride in the employee community. And the same feeling, a “helper’s high,” happens at a personal level. Academics may argue that it is partly self-focused to give. Who gives a darn? Kindness to others is free, and when we genuinely care, does it matter if everyone benefits? Givers, as Adam Grant emphasized in his best seller “Give and Take,” are the most successful people in the world because they are driven by this abundant way of being. Be generous, be kind, be compassionate. It’s easier to kick this virus in the behind, and tolerate this situation when we’re focused on genuine goodness. How can I do something tangibly kind today? I will think of something while I’m washing my hands for 20 seconds.

One Millennial Response: January 2020: Cynics gather in vape-filled cafes, sipping macha tea, deliberating and scoffing about the latest global issues. Like how an act of kindness could never be true, because “impure altruism” and its dangerous, disingenuous sidekick, “helper’s high.”

April 2020: Just be kind in any form, and enjoy whatever high you can get.

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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“When you treat people like children, you get children’s work - Jason Fried.

Bye for now!

— Lorne Rubis

Incase you Missed It:

My latest Lead In podcast.

My latest blog.

Season 3 of Culture Cast.

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Happy Friday! Here are my April 3 Hot Topics and how they relate to advancing culture or leadership.

Hot Topic 1: Guidelines For a Virtual Happy Hour.

Hot Topic 2: Bad Times and Kind People.

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