Hot Topic Friday: Jan. 24

Happy Friday! Here are my Jan. 24 Hot Topics and how they relate to advancing culture or leadership.

Hot Topic 1: Can We Really Bring Our Authentic Self to Work?

What It’s About: The author appropriately raises doubts about the reality and practicality of bringing our authentic self to work. He points out that “family” and “authentic” get over used and/or are not fully understood. The reality is that work will never be “family,” because for better or worse, we can’t fire our families. However, employees get fired all the time. Regarding “authentic,” some organizations are so bent on finding “authenticity,” they are applying judgment as to what the definition of the word really is. Forcing people at work to write poems to demonstrate authenticity is perhaps well intended, but a little goofy. The reason people put up shields and armor is because they have learned that organization leadership often cannot be trusted. That’s wisdom based on watching what really happens. It’s what we do, more than what we say, that counts.

Why It’s Important: Let’s not pretend that work will ever be family. By definition, it can’t be. However, the best feeling of being part of a wonderful family can be achieved in a great work environment. Bringing our authentic self to work is about NOT hiding or having to keep our genuine self in closets. We are “good enough” as we are born. And we ideally can present our thoughts and views in a community of trust, care, listening, and acceptance. Judgment can be a narrow and destructive lens. On the other hand, people need to be aware of desired company values and perspectives shared by all. It’s not acceptable to hide behind the shield of being authentic if an employee is negative, abusive, a poor listener, consistently angry, incompetent, etc. So bring your authentic self to work AND be mindful of the desired values and purpose significant to the work community. Contribute positively and you will be fine. Continuously detracting from forward progress is not going to be overlooked because “I’m just being authentic.” Go be authentic somewhere else if that’s your interpretation. That’s not the authentic self anyone one wants at work.

One Millennial Response: I mean, has anyone actually ever walked into an Olive Garden restaurant and truly felt their former slogan, “when you’re here, you’re family?” I doubt it. We understand it’s just a nice way to advertise the atmosphere for a chain restaurant that’s best draw are endless breadsticks. In terms of “authenticity,” yeah, obviously don’t hide who you are: Don’t change your voice, or appear like someone you’re not, but as the article states, you should be expected to “read the room.” We shouldn’t pass judgment, or discriminate against anyone, but we should all have the onus to not be a discussable distraction either. “Authenticity” and “family” are friendly ways for companies to assure employees they’re not cold, careless, cubicle cell blocks. But, it’s still the office, not the recliner in your living room.

Hot Topic 2: Curveballs in Life and Work.

Source: The New York Times, Jane E. Brody.

What It’s About: During the Christmas holiday season, the life of our wonderful, youngest daughter dramatically changed for health reasons. After an unexpected trip to the intensive care unit, her reality was massively unexpectedly disrupted. This touching and honest NYT article openly discusses what happens when we are confronted with a “new normal.” Suddenly all of our focus, priorities, expectations, hopes and desires are in spin. We have no real choice but to pivot and deal with a new reality. How we choose to navigate becomes the life we have.

Why It’s Important: While this article is most personally important to me from our daughter’s perspective, it also poignantly reminds me that organization life is a reasonable parallel. Everyone at work prefers more control, better focus, and additional clarity. Most think organizations take on too much and over commit. Ideally, things would work in a more convenient, straightforward, and linear fashion. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all went home at night gratified with how tidy, orderly and in control our organization life was? And then comes the unexpected. We have to pivot. We need to navigate the new normal or suffer more. Most always it’s painful and just plain sucks. And yet, the sooner we accept and navigate the new normal, the more we can move forward even if in much different ways than we could have ever dreamt.

One Millennial Response: Country star Granger Smith recently experienced a terrible, unexpected family tragedy, and posted this on his Instagram, which I think says it best: “Breathe. We can’t change the past. We can’t predict the future. We can only control what’s absolutely present. Sure, we can reminisce. Of course we should dream, plan ahead and set goals. But true peace? That’s ONLY found in the now. The little moments. So let’s open our eyes and soak em up.”

My Weekly Wine Recommendation.

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Orin Swift Eight Years in the Desert 2018

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

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“We crave a life that means something to the world. We crave being known for our uniqueness, not what others expect or hope us to be.” - Laura Sandefer.

Bye for now!

— Lorne Rubis

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Happy Friday! Here are my Jan. 24 Hot Topics and how they relate to advancing culture or leadership.

Hot Topic 1: Can We Really Bring Our Authentic Self to Work?

Hot Topic 2: Curveballs in Life and Work.

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