First Thing Monday #28
This week we mind our own business, try to avoid getting "mogged," and breathe in through the nose, out through the nose 🧠🤴👃
🌞 Hello and good morning! Bobby Brown, Hank Aaron, and Cristiano Ronaldo were all born on February 5th. If that trio doesn’t inspire you today, go get another cup of coffee!
☑️ 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 career decisions. 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:
How to mind your own business (NPR): Do you find yourself rescuing colleagues, troubleshooting every issue, and shouldering extra burdens? While helping others is commendable, Yasin Bojang, founder of Home Girls Unite, warns that frequent intervention can leave you burnt out and unable to tackle your own tasks. Don't feel obligated to solve everything yourself. Offer guidance and support, but encourage colleagues to take ownership and find solutions themselves. Use your energy for your core responsibilities and personal growth.
Is the Gen Z workforce really too demanding? Or are they simply aware of their rights? (Stylist): While many Gen Z workers prioritize health and well-being, millennial workers tend to appreciate career advancement and hustle culture. Experts suggest that understanding and flexibility are necessary to navigate this generational divide. Both generations can learn from each other: Gen Z can offer valuable perspectives on work-life balance, while Millennials can share insights on adaptability and dedication.
Gen Z and millennial worker productivity is being crushed by bosses who don’t understand them, top economics university research says (Fortune): Bridging the generational gap through intergenerational inclusion is crucial for business success. Workers with bosses 12 or more years older are 1.5 times more likely to be unproductive and feel unsatisfied. Younger workers feel managers lack the skills to bridge generational differences. Managers of all generations need to adapt and invest in communication skills to unlock the potential of their workforce. Simply complaining about perceived shortcomings won't solve the problem.
Women, high performers and millennials flee return-to-office policies (Computer World): Return-to-office policies continue to wreak havoc on workplace culture. New studies show RTO mandates hurt employee well-being, retention, and even performance. Gartner survey found employees forced back to the office are 8% less likely to stay, with women 11% less likely to stay. Want a solution? Focus on attracting and retaining talent with flexibility. Involve employees in shaping the policy. Be transparent about why in-office work is needed.
EOD, OOO, KPI: These are the most confusing workplace acronyms right now (Fast Company): Why do many of us (including myself) rely on acronyms at work? I even find myself shortening people’s names down to just their initials! A new report found that many Americans don’t understand some of the most common workplace acronyms. 56% of those surveyed admitted that they only sometimes look up what the three letters mean. Is everything a TLA now?
🚰 The Water Cooler
Longtime readers know my love of language! I try to stay on top of slang and new words. Have you heard of “mogging?”
Speaking of special interests, your feedback on a recent fashion-focused edition of The Water Cooler made me think this style guide from Gen Z recommending tricks and tips for Millennials was something we needed to share. Baggier pants for all!
Does anyone else remember when they first heard of someone tearing their ACL? For me, it was Nykesha Sales, who played at UConn during one of their many national championship runs. This article from The Cut breaks down how more of us non-athletes are tearing our ACLs and how rehab technology has improved.
I have mixed feelings about Feud: Capote vs. The Swans—mostly that Tom Hollander looks the exact same across the 40 or so years he plays Truman Capote. I did, however, fall in love with the idea of La Côte Basque, the namesake restaurant of Capote’s infamous short story. Okay, we also can’t ignore the wigs!
📖 Reflections for this week:
For yourself: One mindful practice you can introduce this week is to cultivate present-moment awareness and better navigate your reactions. By being tuned into your emotions, you become more adept at recognizing emotions in others. This heightened emotional intelligence allows you to empathize with team members, build trust, and navigate conflicts more effectively. Present-moment awareness fosters active listening, where you fully engage with others without distractions. This leads to clearer communication, reduced misunderstandings, and stronger team relationships.
For your boss: Sometimes we have to work to develop a relationship with our boss. This week, find neutral topics to discuss outside of immediate work needs. Sharing a personal anecdote or asking their opinion on something unrelated to work can create a more human connection and open doors to future understanding. Your aim is to create a more open and comfortable atmosphere, not become best friends. If your boss seems less receptive, don't force it. Respect their preferences and focus on building rapport through work interactions.
For your direct report(s): Strengthening your relationships with your direct reports requires understanding their needs and easing communication. Read articles, listen to podcasts, and ask your younger teammates about their communication preferences, work styles, and motivators. Consider instant messaging, video calls, or other mediums they're more comfortable with. Be open to learning and adapting your approach based on their feedback. I had to quickly learn how to use Discord for work and I don’t regret it!
For your co-workers: Building connections with colleagues can be more challenging if you work on a mostly remote-based team. You might have to go the extra mile to connect with folks, but it’s worth it for morale. Highlight and celebrate your colleagues' accomplishments in team meetings, online channels, or through direct messages. Public recognition shows appreciation and strengthens bonds. Even saying "thank you" for helpful comments, praising someone's problem-solving skills, or acknowledging their hard work can go a long way.
⚡️ And one last thing…
Let's face it, being present in the frenetic pace of the modern workplace is like running a marathon while herding cats. Slack ping, meetings loom, and the ever-present email vortex beckons. As leaders, we're supposed to exude calm amidst the chaos, guide our teams with focus, and somehow squeeze in a moment of Zen before sprinting to the next fire drill.
Mindfulness doesn’t have to be an unattainable mystic experience. It may be as simple as a few deep breaths and intentional pauses. It's about recognizing the constant tug-of-war for your attention and choosing, consciously, where to place it. Let’s acknowledge that scattered thinking leads to scattered results, and that true leadership starts with inner clarity.
So, how do we cultivate this elusive mindfulness amidst the daily deluge? Here are a few battle-tested tips from the trenches:
1. Start small: Don't try to meditate for an hour on your lunch break. Begin with five-minute mindfulness exercises before or after a meeting, focusing on your breath or the sounds around you. Consistency trumps intensity. In through the nose, out through the nose.
2. Tame the tech beast: Schedule focus blocks where notifications are silenced, emails are closed, and your phone is on DND. Treat these blocks like sacred time to think, plan, or connect with your team.
3. Lead by example: Model mindful practices. Take mindful walks, encourage team huddles for present-moment check-ins, and prioritize active listening in meetings. Your actions speak louder than any memo.
4. Remember, it's a journey, not a destination: There will be days when mindfulness feels like a distant dream. Be kind to yourself, acknowledge the distractions, and gently refocus. Every mindful moment, no matter how brief, is a victory. Work will still be there tomorrow!
So, the next time your mind feels like a pinball machine, remember, life is not a game! Choose to be present, take a breath, and watch your team, and your own well-being, thrive.
If you have any favorite tips for chilling out as a busy leader, share them in the comments!
It’s gonna be a lovely day,
Follow me on Instagram at @misterfantastik
Don't mog me, bro!