First Thing Monday #17
This week we discuss how Suzy Welch misses the point on next-gen leadership, recent deep dives into Marvel Studios, and tips for managing older direct reports 👩🏻🏫🎞️🧑🏻💼
🌄 Welcome back to First Thing Monday! This is not a photo of me, but it might as well be. The number of drinks is spot on.
☑️ FTM is a weekly newsletter that includes a recap of all the news Millennial and Gen Z leaders need to know to help make better decisions about their careers. Each issue also includes four tips for developing better relationships in your workplace. Weekly issues come out on Monday mornings!
❓ Have a work question or topics you’d like us to discuss? Drop me a line 📱 misterfantastiksubstack@gmail.com or leave us a comment below!
I’m Jon Cochran, a consumer goods executive with 15 years of experience leading sales, marketing, and product development teams and working with brands like J.Crew, Hilton, and Mattel. I want to provide resources to help you take control of your career and maximize your satisfaction in the workplace.
⏰ What to read before your first meeting:
Why startups should start preparing now for a potential founder breakup (TechCrunch): Boards that remove founders and CEOs as leaders happen much more frequently than you’d think. This article explains how leadership changes affect more than just the leader’s ego.
How Local Government Can Recruit and Retain the Gen Z Workforce (Governing): By meeting potential candidates on social media and connecting with their values and desire for mission-driven work, government HR officials are changing their marketing techniques and talking points to attract younger talent. With only 8% of government jobs belonging to employees under 30, we will continue to see new and evolving recruitment techniques from different industries, all vying for the same job-seekers.
83% of workers willing to earn less if it means loving work more (Silicon Canals): Survey data from 15,000 respondents in 12 countries found that higher expectations for how workers are treated by their workplace make them willing to sacrifice pay for more flexibility about when, where, and how engaged they should be in their jobs. This stat still reminds us we have work to do on creating jobs that people want to make their career.
Gen Z turns to TikTok for career advice (Becker’s Hospital Review): TikTok has become a popular platform for career advice, but it's important to be critical of the information you see there. TikTok creators often share their personal career experiences, but their content may not be applicable to everyone. A ring light does not make you an expert! If you're looking for career advice, talk to a trusted mentor or advisor who can give you personalized advice that is tailored to your unique situation.
Young people who work remotely are 'probably not going to become CEOs' and make tons of money, an NYU business professor says (Business Insider): The NYU professor is Suzy Welch, widow of Jack Welch; so these comments should come as no surprise. Knowing what we know now about how Jack Welch ran his businesses (he laid off 100,000 workers between 1980-1985), this kind of attitude from business school professors doesn’t feel like the forward-thinking our current students and next generation of leaders deserve. Thank you, next.
🚰 The Water Cooler
Congratulations to Missy Elliott, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last week—the first female rapper to earn the honor.
You’ll find everything you need to know about the juggernaut that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe between this article and this book. I blew through the book last week, too, and I am still SHOOK by all the revelations.
My two cents: you can’t make that much television with that many characters without some bad shit going down. I struggle with how we celebrate Andy Cohen but don’t call out the darkness of violence and vitriol that roots his programming.
- says everything you need to know about Phoebe Philo’s debut last week.
📖 Reflections for this week:
For yourself: The end of this year is fast approaching and you need to be prepared. Consider the priorities and challenges your team will face this month. What do you need to do so that you can show up for them? That could be meal prep, scheduling workouts, or going to bed a little earlier. Make things easier for yourself this week and you might have a bit more energy for the surprises that might pop up at work.
For your boss: The name of the game this week is transparency. Keep your boss informed of your progress on projects and any challenges you are facing. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. This open and consistent communication shows that you are trustworthy and that you are committed to working together to achieve your goals.
For your direct report(s): Part of managing is also coaching. You should empower your direct reports to make decisions, not micromanage them. This means clear expectations, resources and support, and the space to take risks. Give them the autonomy to make their own decisions and to take ownership of their work. This freedom shows that you trust them and that you believe in their abilities.
For your co-workers: Want a positive and supportive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected? It starts with you! Be willing to help your co-workers when they need it, and be open to their help as well. Make an effort to include everyone in your team, regardless of their position or title.
⚡️ And one last thing…
Millennial managers often face unique challenges when managing direct reports who are older than them. One of these challenges is developing accountability in the supervisor-direct report relationship. That process can be especially difficult if you are just starting out in your management role and working with folks who are older than you. What if you are unsure if your direct report is actually doing the work she says she is doing? If you're managing folks who are older than you and you need to address an issue, remember to be respectful, set clear expectations, and provide regular feedback. If you're unsure if they're doing their work, talk to them directly and use project management tools to track their progress (I love Monday.) Something as simple as a shared spreadsheet that includes the list of projects the direct report is working on could also do the trick. Remember that your direct report has more experience than you and can teach you a lot, too.
Go get ‘em!
Follow me on Instagram at @mistersfantastik
Whoa. That MCU article was interesting. I'll read the book next. Thanks!
Amy O'Dell is a fave of mine, too. The Phoebe collection was beautiful, but I'm not sure if the fantasy of it all is for me.