Hot Topic Friday: August 30

Friday Newsletter Personal leadership

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Happy Friday! Here are my August 30 Hot Topics and how they relate to advancing culture or leadership.

Hot Topic 1: A Loss of Luck.  

Source: Forbes

What It’s About: This article discusses the unexpected early retirement of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, and examines the question of why and when people quit their jobs. Luck’s decision sparked a flurry of criticism as many fans accused him of being a “quitter” or “loser.” They felt he disappointed them, or somehow didn’t live up to an implied promise that he would bring the Super Bowl to Indy. 

What It’s Important: It is important for all of us to have the courage to do what is best for ourselves first. The following is from Frank Reich, the Colts’ Head Coach: “Someone asked me a question the other day, ‘is there any sense that you felt like Andrew is letting down the team?’ And the answer was an emphatic no. When Andrew spoke to us the other day, he spoke of how the cycle of injury and pain and rehab, injury, pain, rehab, injury, pain, rehab, over four years had taken its toll. It had essentially sucked the passion, the joy, the fun out of football. So, Andrew did the right thing. He did the right thing for himself, and he did the right thing for the team. He did the courageous thing, and he did the honorable thing.” Sometimes the right thing to do is to QUIT. When you are miserable and the joy is completely sucked out of you in your work, and you can’t or will not be able to change the situation, do the right thing for yourself (and your team). QUIT! You’re worth it. 

Hot Topic 2: Get Uncomfortable When Learning

Source: Harvard Business Review, Peter Bregman

What It’s About: Peter Bregman is the CEO of Bregman Partners, a company that helps successful people become better leaders. In this article he emphasizes that great leaders are also great learners, and that part of that is being more than ok with discomfort. Consummate learners actually seek it out. 

Why It’s Important: Most of us want to be excellent, life long learners. Yet we have different confidence levels and are unique in our ability to deal with discomfort. Bregman suggests, “First, know that it’s brave to be a beginner. Understand that it takes courage and vulnerability to expose your weaknesses and try new things. Then look for learning situations where the stakes are low.” This is practical and great advice. Courage, vulnerability and associated feelings involve personal risks. Who wants to be embarrassed? Feel silly? Yet being a naive learner involves putting oneself out there and requires practice. When we seek out lower risk situations, and realize that the worst case scenario is personally very manageable, we become more comfortable to keep raising our hand. Get uncomfortable. It’s good for us. 

My Weekly Wine Recommendation (Thanks to Vivino):

Double Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills 2015. 

[Picture and ratings provided by Vivino.]

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

“Be challenged instead of complacent.”Dan Schawbel

Bye for now!

– Lorne Rubis

Incase you Missed It:

My latest Lead In podcast.  

My latest blog.

Season 3 of Culture Cast

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