A reader took in my series on how technologies that will allow the metaverse are already leading to cyberpunk culture that workplaces must address. She then sent me this NPR podcast on Radiohead’s groundbreaking albums Kid A and Amnesiac. She observed that Radiohead really deserves a place in the cyberpunk series. Like U2 in the early ’90s, Radiohead issued a …
Podcast 83: How to keep naysayers from taking you off your game
Leaders often know exactly what they want to do with their teams. But they can stop doing those things because of whiners and objectors. Mike and Mark share two ways to address the naysayer. They are two sides of the same coin, and it might just lead to the critic becoming the champion. We would love your questions and comments …
Excerpt: “The Lost Tools of Business”
Following is an excerpt from my upcoming book, “The Lost Tools of Business.” We are in the process of getting it ready for publication, and I’d love your thoughts in the comments below. The events that led to this book began with a call from my wife that stopped my heart: “Well, I’m uncomfortable.” “Uncomfortable” meant “almost done with labor.” …
Japanese mechanics and retail automotive workers: culture differences
My podcast partner Mike Marshall shared this with me. Absolutely fascinated for those of us uninitiated: The same YouTube account has an earlier video of an office worker at an independent repair shop. I’d love to hear what caught your eye as you compare it to the American work environment. Any ideas to try out in your workplace? What I …
The new research behind an ancient culture-building method
I invite clients to “wrestle and grow.” That growth happens in three areas: growing more organized, growing more confident and growing more influential. Classical culture-building Those three words sum up my method to help clients build their cultures. But really, they are principles of classical education–the system that built the most successful and longest-lasting culture of all time: the West. …
Your Great Work
“We need tall kids up here on the table!” “OK, I’ll get more blocks from the other areas.” “Guys, be careful, it’s swaying!” The family of kids spearheading all this work building a tower were inspiring. Eldest brother was the brains of the operation, figuring out how to keep the tower growing. Sister (next oldest) rallied support and organized workers. …
How to prioritize employee retention strategies
Remember when companies were hellbent on getting foosball tables and other Fun Activities in order to keep employees motivated and employed? It was nice, but as employee retention strategies go, it was pretty weak. Some employees really believed this would help employee retention. But not a single employee stayed for games. (If they did, they might have been the wrong …
Podcast 64: Do you need a team … or a tribe?
Mike and Mark are back to discuss teams–this time, in comparison with tribes. Which do you need? And how do you identify if you have a tribe? Mentioned in the podcast: “Tribes” by Seth Godin. We would love your questions and comments for future episodes: Email Mike and Mark. Subscribe on Apple or Spotify.
Chick-fil-A on recruitment
Here’s a flyer found in my bag of Chick-fil-A. How does this compare to your recruitment efforts? Out: income potential (unless you count a graphic of bills) In: growth (career, personal, educational) Also in: lifestyle (Sundays, insurance, work environment) Lifestyle trumps pay. We can debate why that is true for the workforce. But it’s harder to debate the results: Chick-fil-A …
Steve Stauning on cost-cutting during lean inventories
This is a post just for my car dealership friends: Automotive retail Internet legend Steve Stauning has advice for what to cut and what not to cut as we go through a period of lean inventories. That’s pretty operational for this blog, but one thing to highlight: Because we know the chip shortage will be resolved at some point and …