Hot Topic Friday: July 17

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

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Hot Topic 1: A Culture Where You Can Sleep Well at Night and Hope.

Source: McKinsey & Company.

What It’s About?: The authors refer to research in the article proclaiming: “It’s time to move away from monolithic cultures that promote consistency and conformity, to more flexible cultures that celebrate and draw on employees’ signature strengths and quirks.” I agree with that premise, AND this is consistent with having a clear deep purpose and intentional values.

So What?: The concluding part of this McKinsey article states: “When conditions are uncertain and changing, organizations are stymied by people who cling to ingrained and obsolete definitions of being a ‘good fit’ and doing ‘good work’—and who stifle the best parts of themselves. We aren’t saying that leaders ought to create ‘anything goes’ cultures, where people can follow their heart’s desire indiscriminately. Instead, we’re suggesting, as Microsoft’s Satya Nadella does... to more flexible cultures that celebrate and draw on employees’ signature strengths and quirks. Doing so should help organizations develop the flexibility and process and product innovations required to survive and compete in the coming years.”

The important understanding here is the word AND. Consistency and conformity to purpose and values does not have to imply the negative elements of monolithic. Nor does it mean that people should hide their beautiful uniqueness to robotically mimic the culture. Suggesting everyone wear a dark blue suit, white shirt, and improve their golf handicap at the local country club is not the modern picture of a flexible culture.

Now What?: The piece wraps up with a conclusion I completely endorse, and the aspiration for all great cultures and work places: “When employees bring their best selves to work, it’s a lot easier for them to stay in that room called hope: a place where the days fly by. Where they learn and experiment. Where they feel safe to admit and learn from their mistakes. And where they sleep well at night.”

Learning to sleep well at night is also accepting leaders and organizations will change things up radically and often. Flexible cultures is a definition that applies broadly, right Mr. Nadella?

One Millennial Response: And hey, if your individual uniqueness happens to be that you like to wear a dark blue suit, white shirt, and improve your golf handicap at the country club, then that’s perfectly acceptable to mix in too. I think we have to remind ourselves that it’s human nature to have different standards/lifestyles, which is actually a positive thing. However, those are just characteristics to appreciate. They aren’t the main focus in a culture that brings all together to pursue the same goals and values.

Hot Topic 2: Poker: The Importance of No Limit Texas Hold’Em to You and Me.

Source: New York Times, and The Biggest Bluff.

What It’s About?: I’m really enjoying reading the book, The Biggest Bluff. It’s not only well written, it’s full of insights and practical everyday lessons for all. I’m not an avid poker player, and other than at an occasional charity night, never really gave much thought to the game. I couldn’t figure out what all the fuss was when ESPN aired the game, and couldn’t have named one poker star. The author, Maria Konnikova, is making me rethink its merits. I love the perspective shift I’m getting from her exceptional story. This NYT article reports on the fascinating journey Konnikova took in writing the book. She knew very little about poker when she started, and became a champion tournament player as she completed her fabulous research and personal investment in the true art of the deal.

So What?: From the NYT article: “Konnikova is like your smart friend who instantly contextualizes everything by sharing the latest data and sharpest insight, whom you come to quote too often to other friends and family. (My trapped teenagers have heard me babble enough about various Konnikova-isms: how probability has amnesia, how winning streaks and losing streaks are impersonal randomizations, how skill might in fact win out over the long haul.) Meanwhile, at the table, she begins to gather herself, ticking the boxes: attention, presence, flow, objectivity over emotionality, correctly reading her opponents while garbing her own ‘tells,’ or gestures that might give away her hand. She meets with anyone good at the game, adds psychological counseling (which leads her to her own personal Rosebud) and coaching sessions, one with Blake Eastman, an expert on nonverbal communication, who has her study hours of video of herself playing, which reveals Konnikova’s various tics, including a habit of rechecking her cards.”

Now What?: What intrigues me most about the book is how much there is to learn about the practice of No Limit Texas Hold’Em. The level of observation in self and others, is remarkable. Leadership is a practice, too. Read the book and learn key principles for the workplace, and get schooled about what is really required to become masterful. Also, Konnikova is self-admittedly no math genius. She notes with interesting assurance: “‘If you are starting from scratch,’ she asks, ‘can a deep understanding of the human mind win out over the mathematics and statistical wunderkinds of the poker table? In a way, it’s as much a test of life philosophy as anything else. The qualitative side of things versus the measurable. The human versus the algorithmic.”

One Millennial Response: She sounds like a more eloquent Kenny Rogers. All jokes aside, poker is a soul-reading game, and you should learn to “know when to hold'em, know when to fold’em, know when to walk away, know when to run...”

My Weekly Wine Recommendation.

Have a look at our new 2018 Pinot Noir Rubis from Tightrope Winery. [Available in Canada only].

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Angels & Cowboys Rose 2019

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

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“Don’t look back. You are never completely alone.”- Daniel Silva. .

Bye for now!

— Lorne Rubis

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

Hot Topic 1: A Culture Where You Can Sleep Well at Night and Hope.

Source: McKinsey & Company.

Hot Topic 2: Poker: The Importance of No Limit Texas Hold’Em to You and Me.

Source: New York Times, and The Biggest Bluff.

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