Hot Topic Friday: Feb. 14

Happy Friday! Here are my Feb. 14 Hot Topics and how they relate to advancing culture or leadership.

Hot Topic 1: ‘You Just Don’t Listen to Me Anymore!’

Source: New York Times, Kate Murphy.

What It’s About: Author Kate Murphy’s research on listening revealed an interesting phenomena: “The closer we feel toward someone, the less likely we are to listen carefully to them. It’s called the closeness-communication bias and, over time, it can strain, and even end, relationships. Once you know people well enough to feel close, there’s an unconscious tendency to tune them out because you think you already know what they are going to say. It’s kind of like when you’ve traveled a certain route several times and no longer notice signposts and scenery.”

Why It’s Important: I spend most of my time trying to understand group dynamics in the context of organization culture and leadership. Deep listening capability is such an important element in team effectiveness. Ideally, we want people to really know and listen to each other. The irony is that we have to be on guard against closeness-communication bias. This isn’t just for the close personal relationships that this article focuses on, but we can also begin to assume and almost pre-translate the comments of those we have worked with for a long time. How do we fight against that possibility? Maybe it’s best to apply some of the same deep listening exercises. According to the article, experts agree that the antidote is to invest in “everyday talk” and really, really listen. We literally need to put our phones down, look people in the eyes, and genuinely ask questions like “how are you?” Two axioms I regularly reference come to mind: “1. Remember to connect before going to content. 2. Understand that the conversation is the relationship and the relationship is the conversation.” (Susan Scott).

One Millennial Response: I’m sure anyone celebrating Valentine’s Day today has heard a little something-something about the importance of listening and communication. But now we’re talking about listening/communicating in our close relationships, and relating that to how we do so with professional work talk… Hmm… In most cases, these can be two totally different languages, right? Ha, the sad truth is we probably all have examples of “deep listening” to people close to us who can’t stand some of their co-workers (let alone genuinely care about how they are). So how the hell do we bridge those universes? Well, since we can acknowledge the tough conundrum, I think we can agree that team effectiveness is crucial to good performance, so while it might be a little weird to connect in “everyday talk” at first with the people we work with, maybe the positive results are worth keeping an ear out for. And for those of us lucky enough to work with people we do really care about, let’s set great examples and not let closeness-communication bias ruin something good.

Hot Topic 2: ‘It’s Not Just the Money, Stupid!’

Source: World Economic Forum.

What It’s About: I have seen a dramatic and positive shift among business leaders that suggests both executives and shareholders are really appreciating that business results must extend beyond financial outcomes. The new normal is operating the organization where purpose drives profit, not the other way around.

Why It's Important: If you think people are going to jump out of bed in the morning because of a net income or earnings target, you are likely out of step with a good portion of your employees ,and even thoughtful investors. More than before, Millennials and all generations care about how they invest their time. The WHY of an organization really matters. As an example, if a company is involved in the world of fossil fuels, they cannot ignore public sentiment or act like an “ostrich.” They have to connect their purpose to advancing individuals and the community at large, or they will eventually be minimized. The same principle applies to all organizations. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a buck to be made on harmful or valueless products. It just means fewer people want to be associated with doing something simply for money. Let’s all work for better WHY’s!

One Millennial Response: Maybe because it syncs with New Year’s Resolutions rhetoric, but funny enough, that’s what coaches have been yelling at us in OrangeTheory Fitness classes lately (Hmm… Almost as if they’ve been trained to by corporate). “What is your WHY? Why did you come here? Remember your why!” This usually echoes through the studio while we’re finishing the remaining seconds in an All Out sprint or another particularly fatiguing challenge. Point being, it’s fairly effective, and definitely part of the common 2020 vernacular. No surprise that it’s stretched to many organizations, brands, etc. to help people increase endorphins, goals and finish lines.

My Weekly Wine Recommendation.

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Meiomi Pinot Noir N.V.

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

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“The day before something is a breakthrough, it’s a crazy idea.” - Peter Diamandis

Bye for now!

— Lorne Rubis

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Season 3 of Culture Cast.

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Happy Friday! Here are my Feb. 14 Hot Topics and how they relate to advancing culture or leadership.

Hot Topic 1: ‘You Just Don’t Listen to Me Anymore!’

Hot Topic 2: ‘It’s Not Just the Money, Stupid!’

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