July 19, 2021
Good morning! Watching the (British) Open in bright sunshine, no wind, and warm weather was surreal. The young Collin Morikawa, The Champion Golfer of the Year, delivered a better and more poised speech than most. Most impressive was Morikawa’s other-directed words which seemed very genuine and sincere. Perhaps not all civility is gone?
- The other day my wife told me — for the first time ever — that I don’t stink, and for that she was grateful.
- Heard on the CBS News: The (mega) drought now ravaging much of the Western U.S. is the worst in 1,200 years… yes, one thousand two hundred years.
- How do they know?
- You learned and did it when you were five… they count the tree rings…
- We are experiencing the mega drought here in Central Minnesota where even the mature trees of 50+ years are wilting and withering… lilac bushes nearly dead.
- On the rise again? Loan originations of all kinds are at an all-time high, with the previous high point in 2016.
- Is this irony? The bees and other pollinators are losing natural habitat. Now bots are being invented, manufactured, and deployed to do the work of bees.
- Apparently the French are twice as likely as U.S. citizens to allow high tech voyeurism of their devices by third parties — 32% vs. 16%
- “If a person could have half his (her) wishes, s/he would have double her (his) troubles.” (a sign in Alyssa’s whimsical garden)
- “Only about 25% of workers can do their jobs without being on-site…
- … this is a group that takes a shower before work….
- We cannot forget that most people take a shower after work, so there is a risk of a growing divide between those two groups.” (Sneader)
- “Throughout this crisis; i.e., the COVIDs plague, government has become the lender, payer, and owner of last resort across a whole swath of industries…
- … And with increased involvement comes increased government scrutiny.” (Sneader)
- Sixty-four percent (64%) of men report outside-the-home; i.e., non-parental, childcare is affordable.
- By contrast, forty-three percent (43%) of women report outside-the-home; i.e., non-parental, childcare is affordable. (Fleming)
Develop Strength and Resilience Before it’s Needed
- What follows is continued from last week – from Dewar, Hirt, and Keller at McKinsey, 2021
- “CEOs are accountable for all the work of their organizations. Their life is endless meetings and a barrage of e-mail.” (Nohria)
- The authors also suggest many CEOs are beset by loneliness, frustration, disappointment, irritation, and exhaustion.
- Excellent CEOs approach the role’s six elements with certain mindsets and adhere to 18 practices when fulfilling their unique responsibilities.
- Board engagement — Help directors help the business
- The Board’s job is to oversee and guide management’s efforts to create long-term value
- External stakeholders — Focus on the long-term why
- Mission and vision are more than posters for the wall… they guide and inspire daily with the CEO as chief communicator
- Why is communication so difficult, impossible to ever achieve perfection?
- Because it is rarely evaluated by the end-receiver and the providers/ senders have too much ego to constantly ask for critiques
- Develop strength and resilience before it’s needed
- Personal working norms — Do what only you can do
- The most successful CEOs quickly establish an office that makes their priorities explicit and helps them spend their scarce time doing work that only CEOs can do.
- Surround yourself with a few people who know, understand, support, and daily focus on the achievement of goals.
