Leadership lessons from pop culture
The BIG Takeaway™
newsletter
March 7, 2022

​What leaders can learn from TV, sports and movies this week

Hello current and aspiring leaders!

This week we’re going to learn about having a difficult conversation.
  • The topic was inspired by Will Ferrell's reaction to being told he would not be getting the role he wanted in the new HBO show, "Winning Time" that premiered on March 6.
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    The full story of what took place is available at the end of the newsletter in our Deep Dive section.

Amazing stat: 67% of the leaders we polled would rather be forced to listen to an endless loop of what ABC News said was possibly the worst song ever than have a difficult conversation with a member of their staff. 
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  • While that song is bad, I still go with "Band of the Hand" by Bob Dylan from the awful, awful 1986 movie with the same name. Why, Bob, why?

Let's learn!

Rich Trombetta
@trombettarich
March 7, 2022
Watch and learn
The big lesson this week
Image: Pexels.com
Having a difficult conversation is quite elementary
What many people fear is actually as easy as ABC

The context: In the new ABC TV show, "Abbott Elementary," a substitute teacher, Gregory, is concerned because one of his students keeps arriving at school late.
  • He knows he needs to address the matter with the student's mom but instead avoids the situation.

  • Luckily, a more seasoned teacher, Barbara, invites him to come join her at lunch at a nail salon so they can talk.

  • It’s a set-up! She knows the student’s mom will be getting her nails done at the same time; Gregory is trapped.

Watch this clip from 11:14 to 15:17. (Note: There might be a commercial at the beginning. Also, there is a jump to another storyline from 12:29 to 13:21) 

Bonus learning: Were you making any assumptions based on your unconscious biases? A topic for another newsletter.

  • In. Out. Done. Notice the relief on his face!

  • He is specific (“You’ve been bringing him to school at 9”), listens for understanding (“I hear what you’re saying”), shares the impact (“He’s missing a lot of vital learning”), and let’s the mom offer a solution.

  • Amazing how it all turns out to be a misunderstanding and that no one was acting with ill intent. 

What we can learn: Follow a simple structure called the IDEAAS model
Gregory was loosely following this structure for a difficult conversation:
  • I - Intent: Why are we here 
  • D - Describe the situation and be specific 
  • E - Explain the impact ON THE JOB
  • A - Ask why and seek understanding; LISTEN with empathy and don't argue
  • A - Agree on what will be done to address the situation
  • S - Summarize and GET BACK TO WORK

My take: Having a difficult conversation is like pulling a bank job 
  • Have a plan, get in, get out and get on your way. There’s no idle chit-chat or big drawn-out conversation.

  • All those “Ocean’s 11” movies spend two hours preparing for the heist and then about 20 minutes actually taking the loot.

  • ​Unfortunately, instead of casting themselves for “Ocean’s 11” managers end up putting themselves in the lead role for “The Blob” - they are unprepared to deal with it, it’s sticky, keeps growing and ultimately consumes everyone in its path.

What to do:
  • One: Always use the IDEAAS model as a guide; write out a script and be prepared. Remember you are doing this to help your employee learn and grow; this is a GOOD thing.
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  • Two: Think "Ocean’s 11" versus "The Blob" - stay focused.
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  • Three: Find someone like Barbara in the “Abbott Elementary” clip to talk to and get some coaching ahead of the discussion.

What they are saying:​
  • Danny Ocean: Gentlemen: the 3000 block of Las Vegas Boulevard. Otherwise known as the Bellagio, the Mirage and the M.G.M. Grand. It safeguards every dime that comes through each of the three casinos above it.  And we're going to rob it.
    Linus Caldwell: Smash-and-grab job, huh?

THE BIG TAKEAWAY: 
  • Difficult conversations don’t need to be difficult. Have a plan, get advice and follow the formula. Word.​
Did you know we can design a custom leadership program based on topics like the one above? Click the button to learn more.
30 seconds on the clock
Commercials - from nuisance to learning opportunity
Amazing insights in less than a minute
The Paralympics started in Beijing on March 4.

This week's commercial was shown during the Super Bowl on Feb. 13; it is titled "Start your impossible" from Toyota.
  • It highlights the story of Brian McKeever - who lost his sight to a degenerative condition- and his brother, Robin, who helped him become a Paralympian.
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  • "We are very adaptable as a species. You kind of don't have a choice," Brian McKeever told USA Today. "You just get on with living."
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THE BIG TAKEAWAY: 
  • “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” - African proverb

    In the race to "get ahead" many of us strive for individual success. Brian McKeever, just like Batman, needed a Robin.  

    Who is your Robin?
Tune in
What to watch this week through a leadership lens
March 13 is approaching and is a great day for two reasons. One, it is my youngest daughter's birthday. Two it is the official start of March Madness. Here's a look at what I will be watching this week.
  • NCAA tournament selection shows (men's and women's). Sunday, March 13. Great lessons in consensus, decision making, and, unfortunately, dealing with disappointment.

  • Bust Down. Premieres March 10. "Jak Knight, Langston Kerman, Sam Jay and Chris Redd as four casino employees living dead-end lives with dead-end jobs in middle America, and the massive mess they manage to make out of it."

  • The onslaught of Silicon Valley shows: "Inventing Anna," "The Dropout," "Super Pumped," "WeCrashed" (March 18.)

    Personally I think all of these Silicon Valley shows could be two-hour Lifetime movies. 

    No. 27 on this Lifetime list, "Cocaine Godmother: The Griselda Blanco Story," is being made into a six-episode series on Netflix. Come on! 
Social distortion
The amazing world of the web
Here are some quick links to follow and view
Deep dive
For those who have a little more time
Image: DreamWorks
This week I would like to share a fascinating story about the conflict between Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay.
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  • “I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. I wanted to be respectful. I should have called him and I didn’t." - Adam McKay

THE BIG TAKEAWAY FROM THE STORY:
  • It's not just what you say but also how, when and where you say it.
That's all for now

I hope this newsletter is helping you learn and become aware of how to improve your leadership skills. We archive our stories and put them here for the world to read so feel free to have a look.
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  • Have some examples you would like to share? Contact me and tell me your thoughts.
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  • And, please remember, we can create a custom newsletters​ and we deliver fun, engaging, fast and practical training sessions on the topics we cover.

Stay classy,

Rich Trombetta
​@trombettarich

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