Leadership lessons from pop culture
The BIG Takeaway™
newsletter
Nov. 21, 2022

Turkey. The World Cup. Football. There's a lot going on and a lot to be thankful for.

Section No. 1: This week's BIG Takeaway
Every day can be Thanksgiving day
Video: YouTube 
Two small words
Gigantic impact on your culture
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The context: The video clip above is a collection of people saying thank you in movies.

  • It's only about two minutes so please treat yourself.

  • There are some classics and some from movie you may have never seen. 

  • There are only two words repeated in the entire two minutes - thank you.

    Someone took hours to make this. Can you see why we love pop culture!
​What we can learn: Expressing sincere gratitude is one of the most powerful actions a person can take.

  • This website contains many pieces of evidence that point to the power of gratitude

  • In terms of the workplace, this article highlights tangible benefits.

  • Please take this gratitude quiz; very powerful.
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My take: If you are trying to build a culture of psychological safety, being sincerely grateful can be a great first step.

  • The article above notes that "Gratitude promotes innovative thinking, flexibility, openness, curiosity, and love of learning."

  • Being grateful or saying thank you doesn't have to be connected to a big event or a particular outcome.

    "Thank you for being will to try something new."
    "Thank you for failing since it will help us learn."
    ​"Thank you for being YOU."

  • What if every day was Thanksgiving day in your organization? It can be.

    NOTE: I think it is important to note that I don't believe being grateful should minimize any difficulties that someone might be experiencing. That can lead to toxic positivity - a story for another day.
To recap: Every day can be Thanksgiving day
​Section No. 2: Our monthly deep dive
Image: Columbia Pictures
November: Setting the stage for a great interview
Moving from judgment to noticing

Building a psychologically safe workplace starts with the interview process.
  • I spoke with veteran improv performer and current organizational development expert Deana Criess about how she has implemented a unique philosophy from improvisational comedy auditions into the workplace.​
​Section No. 3: Other lessons from the week
Image: NJ DOT
New Jersey was ordered to remove its creative highway signs
  • Want to make people scared to take a risk? This is how to do it.
  • The Garden State was posting unique messages on their electronic highway signs.
  • Personally I think "Get your head out of your apps” is brilliant.
  • The Feds told the creative folks at NJ DOT to stop but there is no explanation of why. If there is a legitimate reason that's fine; if not, boo!
  • Other states have similar signs so get ready for more "stop having fun" emails. Instead of a "yes and" which is the "Y" in our SAFETY model (other states are doing this let's build on it) it is now a big "yeah but.")

    Remember this SNL skit? Love the reference to "Five Easy Pieces."
 
The greatest Thanksgiving special ever
  • Remember that band, "The Beatles?" You might recall they were popular back in the 60s and 70s.
  • Someone thought it would be great to have Tony Randall, Paul Williams, Bernadette Peters, Ray Charles and others perform a tribute on Thanksgiving in 1977 to the four lads who shook the world.
  • It's bad. I mean really, really bad. Go to 5:30, 17:30 and 48:30 to check it out. Or watch the whole thing; no judgement here.
  • The lesson? The idea was pitched, listened to, and acted on. That's a whole lot of our SAFETY model.
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Happy Thanksgiving
  • I am grateful for all of the support and feedback everyone has provided for this newsletter. Have a safe, happy and fun holiday!
That's all for now
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​Thanks for reading and please remember:
  • We archive our stories and put them here for the world to read so feel free to have a look.
  • If you have any ideas or feedback Contact me with your thoughts.
Rich Trombetta
​@trombettarich

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Our why:
We believe EVERYONE has something to offer. It's is just a matter of making it EASY for leaders to create the environment for everyone to feel SAFE to do so.


Our vision:
Companies will make the same effort to keep people psychologically safe at work as they do to keep them physically safe on the job. 
Copyright 2022 The Pop Culture Training Company. ​