First Thing Monday #30
This week we step up our shoe game, throw our keys up with Rhiannon Giddens, and offer 5 tips to improve your active listening 👟🐎👂
🤠 Good morning! Welcome to all the new folks who’ve subscribed—thank you for being here! We’ve had “Texas Hold ‘Em” on repeat since last week. Is anyone else trying to figure out more ways to wear fringe and boots?
☑️ 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 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:
What shoes to wear at the office, according to a stylist (Business Insider): This article comes amidst some criticism of Gen Z's work attire choices. Stylist Liz Teich says your kicks are giving off the wrong impression at work. Opt for loafers, classic pumps, boots, or quality white sneakers. But remember, clean shoes are key! Teich advises professional cleaning and regular care to avoid looking unprofessional. Invest in good quality footwear and show your office you mean business, from the ground up.
Three things you can learn from your workplace frenemies (Fast Company): "Frenemies" at work: not always bad! These colleagues may be competitive, passive-aggressive, or ingratiating, but they can also teach you valuable lessons. Look for inconsistencies in their behavior and trust your gut. Learn from their triggers (they might envy your strengths!), recognize your own biases, and develop emotional awareness. ️ Protect yourself by acting with integrity and listening closely, but approach everyone with an open mind. Labeling someone can also be limiting—remember, you could be the "frenemy" too!
How To Cut Costs And Prevent Employees From Quiet Quitting (Forbes): Forget cost-cutting measures! This article argues that investing in employee engagement is crucial to combat "quiet quitting," which is draining businesses. The culprits? Lack of recognition, poor management, and toxic work environments. Consider investing in employee development, recognition, and prioritizing well-being. This can foster engagement, boost morale, and ultimately save money compared to high turnover costs.
Q&A: How To Bridge the Work Style Gaps From Baby Boomers to Gen Z (UVAToday): The multi-generational workforce brings diverse experiences and preferences: Millennials prioritize work-life balance and clear communication. At the same time, Gen Zers are tech-savvy and value social justice. Challenges exist in communication styles, unconscious bias, and feedback. Take home message: All generations should assume good intent and listen to understand each other.
Gen X Less Worried About AI In The Workplace Than Gen Z (Facility Executive): Young workers worry about AI replacing them (52% Gen Z, 45% Millennials) compared to just 33% of Gen X. 60% of all workers want to use AI more, with nearly half already using it at work or outside it. Younger workers plan more professional development to stay ahead of the curve. I’ve been using AI for work and non-work projects for almost a year now and I think I can count just two or three other people I know who talk about using it. Are there more active users out there? If not, what is holding you back from using AI?
🚰 The Water Cooler
The sweet twang of the banjo on Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” comes from none other than North Carolina’s own Rhiannon Giddens, a Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winning singer and instrumentalist whose work focuses on amplifying the ignored contributions of Black Americans in music.
When I traveled frequently for work, I often found myself staring, open-mouthed, at folks trying to squeeze their giant suitcases into the tiny overhead compartment. Airplanes aren’t made for this much luggage!
I probably won’t watch the J. Lo movie, but I’ve loved reading the reviews! This movie sounds unhinged—why is she so obsessed with weddings!?
Fashion Month continues its February long haul; London wraps up on Tuesday and Milan starts this week. My eyes are on Etro, Ferragamo, and Marni in Italy’s fashion capital.
📖 Reflections for this week:
For yourself: With everything on your plate, carving out dedicated self-compassion time might feel impossible. But even small, mindful actions can make a big difference! Take a few minutes throughout the day for mindful breathing. Close your eyes, focus on your breath, and acknowledge any tension you're holding. Release it with each exhale. I carry so much tension in my shoulders, and sometimes I don’t realize it! Release the extra tension in your body 2-3 times a day and see how you feel.
For your boss: Remember that conversation about your career goals? Follow up! Ask your boss for specific advice on achieving goals. Show genuine interest in their career journey and the lessons they've learned. Not only will you gain valuable insights, but your boss will appreciate your proactiveness and interest in their experience. Personalized interaction builds trust and strengthens your working relationship.
For your direct report(s): Communicate transparently! Share information openly, explain decisions, and encourage questions. Share what the team needs for their roles, avoiding unnecessary details. Address sensitive topics by focusing on their impact and involvement, not internal drama. Choose your words wisely: be honest, but ditch the alarm bells. Acknowledge the team’s concerns, but offer reassurance and proactive solutions. Remember, knowledge without stress empowers your team!
For your co-workers: Collaboration is key to unlocking brilliance! Do you actively seek out diverse voices and ideas from colleagues? Are you quick to share credit for team wins? This week, take action! Propose a collaborative project or brainstorm together. Dive into cross-functional initiatives. In meetings and reports, publicly recognize and celebrate the contributions of others. Remember, strong teams win, and fostering a culture of shared success benefits everyone!
⚡️ And one last thing…
Let's face it, the term "active listening" gets thrown around a lot. But what exactly do we mean by “active listening” and how can practicing this behavior benefit you in the workplace? Think about it this way: active listening is about going beyond simply hearing words. It's about engaging with the speaker’s verbal and non-verbal cues, practicing empathy for their subjectivity, and responding thoughtfully.
On the other hand, "listening to respond" is more about formulating your own response while the other person is talking. You're focused on your next point, not fully absorbing the person speaking. This leads to missed information, misunderstandings, and ultimately, ineffective communication.
So why should you care? Active listening can be your secret weapon for building strong relationships, fostering collaboration, and even improving your problem-solving skills. By truly understanding your colleagues, you can communicate more effectively, delegate tasks with confidence, and navigate conflict constructively. You don’t need to be a wizard of emotional intelligence to be an active listener. Here are some practical tips to step up your listening skills:
Ditch the distraction: Put away your phone and close unnecessary tabs. Focus your attention solely on the speaker.
Be present, not passive: Lean in, make eye contact, and show genuine interest through your body language. Looking away can signal a lack of engagement.
Ask clarifying questions: Don't assume you understand everything. Seek clarification to ensure you're on the same page.
Take notes: Capture key points, but don't get bogged down in details. Focus on capturing the essence of the message. Write questions before you ask them.
Summarize and reflect: Briefly paraphrase what you heard to confirm your understanding and demonstrate you were listening actively.
Active listening is a skill that takes practice. Start by focusing on one aspect at a time, whether it's asking clarifying questions or simply giving someone your full attention. By incorporating these tips, you can unlock deeper connections, improve communication, and create a more collaborative and productive work environment.
So, put down the phone, engage fully, and start listening like your career depends on it (because, in a way, it does!).
What gets in the way of your being an active listener?
Mondays are awesome because of you,
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Thank you for taking the time to really define active listening. Some of these buzzwords lose their meanings after a while!
I've been a fan of The Carolina Chocolate Drops for a long time. So nice to see Rhiannon getting the love.