Lunch Minute: Recent Episodes
Dylan White
Take a minute to ponder on a particular point, platitude, or potentially complete nonsense because we can act like we’re still productive while taking back our breaks one minute at a time.
More world.
rat race: the unpleasant life of people who have jobs that require them to work very hard in order to compete with others for money, power, status, etc.
I'm not sure, but it seems like the workplace is generally evolving to be more 'human.' But if it's not actually manifesting, then social media is at least highlighting it more and more.
I haven't heard of why this is. Maybe it's more effective, more efficient. Perhaps it's what more and more people are demanding.
I've heard some irony on this topic too. Some consider the U.S. military to be a highly functional organization. And that it may be; however, it's not without its faults. In fact, after speaking with my brother, who was in the Marines during the post-9/11 era, it seems like there are similar issues to private businesses.
As the article highlights, only comparing employees to others can potentially demotivate and dehumanize - making them feel like a COG in a wheel, like a rat in a race.
To deepen the complexity, comparing ourselves to others is human nature. It has a level of aspiration and motivation, but like many things in this world, too much can be toxic.
One thing does seem sure, though; that's that we live in a world of more.
A world where companies demand more of their employees, and where employees demand more of their company.
https://hbr.org/2018/03/people-dont-want-to-be-compared-with-others-in-performance-reviews-they-want-to-be-compared-with-themselves?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hbr&utm_source=LinkedIn&tpcc=orgsocial_edit
Two questioners.
2️⃣ types of questioners:
The one who asks humbly with a genuine interest
and,
the one who asks with the intent to set up, blindly challenge, or to advance an agenda subtlely.
Intent matters; intent is hard to prove.
Is it a surprise to wonder why we don't find satisfactory answers when we ask ill-intended questions? It shouldn't be.
🧠 If you have a big brain, your curiosity will lead you down a humbled path.
🤯 If you have a big head, your ego will distort your reality and intent.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.
Serendipitous moments.
Those serendipitous moments - moments where paths cross in a particularly meaningful way.
We've all likely had forms of them over the years, and some are less memorable than others. But sometimes, the moment feels so profound that it calls for another word; fate.
Moments like these still call for one to act, which seems to be a skill to recognize and respond to. So when you cross paths with another, be sure to consider what's there; how you might be just what the other needs.
⏳ This is something that I've come to call MOMENTSHIP.
Words to read as you leave the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum...
"In Germany, the Nazis came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I was a protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak." - Pastor Martin Niemöller
Middle friendships.
I've heard that middle management may actually not even be in the "middle." It can be more like bottom management. It can feel like you're in this space of little autonomy and no appreciation—an empty realm of likely burnout.
Wow. That's a brutal way to put it.
Sure. When one is promoted into a leadership role, the relationship dynamic changes. You now supervise someone who was once a peer or even a friend. So now you have to act differently? Maybe. Or perhaps less than you think because the short answer is that it depends.
We shouldn't need to take a course to know that you can be friendly to everyone while not becoming friends with everyone. Should your achievements and status take a backseat to the more essential things? Things like shared values.
Vacation recognition.
Most likely a colleague fills in for you when you, are away.
But, maybe not. Maybe all your work starts piling up and with each day your anxiety grows.😰
I've heard this to be the case in a few anecdotes where “unlimited” vacation has been adopted by a company.
Now, if you have a person or team who keeps the ship afloat while you're on the beach, how do you recognize them and show your gratitude?
Note: I don't have a specific person who fills in for me, but I do rely on a team. And immediately after me hitting “post,” I'm going to fulfill the recognition gap that I've left. - even if it's a few days late.