Yelling in the office is generally frowned upon and considered to be a display of toxic behavior and aggression. Cait Brumme, CEO of the MassChallenge business accelerator, says workplace voice raising is a bit more subjective though, with some leaders believing it can be a productive motivational tool when used appropriately and many employees preferring it to its passive-aggressive cousin. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (7/26)
Recruiting & Retention
Attitudes differ on appropriate office fashion Forty-eight percent of Americans think shorts can occasionally be acceptable for men at work, while 41% say they are never appropriate, which rises to 57% among baby boomers, according to The Wall Street Journal and Ipsos. A separate survey from Deloitte found 45% of workers don't want to wear suits and around a third would rather get paid 10% less than have to dress up for the office. Full Story: Fortune (tiered subscription model) (7/24)
The Current State of Belonging Companies are aware that nurturing inclusion and belonging are critical. Yet some haven't figured out how to solve for belonging. What are the four components that make up belonging and how can they drive engagement, performance, and productivity? Find Out Now
Making employees feel cared about is good for business A MetLife poll showed that 82% of workers and 88% of employers feel the workplace has an obligation to care for team members' well-being, and a survey by The Workforce Institute at UKG found that staff members are far more likely to be productive, feel engaged and remain loyal when they believe the employer cares. Workplace leaders can improve health plan return on investment, bolster staff work experiences and engagement, and increase understanding and appreciation of benefits by putting the right tools in place. Full Story: BenefitsPRO (free registration) (7/25)
Technology
19% of US workers have jobs that are highly exposed to AI Nineteen percent of US workers have jobs that are very exposed to artificial intelligence, meaning that crucial functions could be assisted or replaced by the technology, according to the Pew Research Center. The most highly exposed jobs are generally in high-paying sectors that may value analytical skills and a college education. Full Story: Pew Research Center (7/26)
An insatiable curiosity, a desire to learn what others think and the willingness to change their minds marked the friendship of Abraham Maslow, known for his hierarchy of needs, and Viktor Frankl, author of "Man's Search for Meaning," writes Mojo Moments founder Susan Fowler, who until recently embraced Frankl and discounted Maslow. But Maslow reversed his commitment to the hierarchy of needs late in life, accepting "self-transcendence over self-actualization" and "ris[ing] above our self-interests to serve and improve the welfare of others," Fowler writes. Full Story: SmartBrief/Leadership (7/26)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
In its uncut state, how many carats is the Lulo Rose pink diamond? Check your answer here.
I was sitting in the bleachers at a basketball game recently when a young man I know strolled in with his friends. Reese was wearing a t-shirt, pajama pants and Crocs. As he came over to hug me, I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at his attire. “Nice pajama pants,” I teased, smirking. He laughed. “They’re comfortable,” he retorted. I smiled and shrugged. “You do you, son,” I said, winking. The world has gone casual, hasn’t it? I’m not necessarily opposed to it, but today’s “casual” is different from what I’ve known. “Casual” used to mean a pair of khaki pants or nice jeans and a sweater or cardigan set. Now, it seems to mean "wear what you want, when you want, where you want." And that’s why some companies are banning shorts in the office or holding etiquette courses to teach their staffers how to dress and talk at work. I was at first surprised by this, but as I thought more about it, I admit it made sense. I’ve visited schools and been stunned by the way some teachers dress -- wrinkled shorts and slippers or faded jeans with an untucked t-shirt and old sneakers that look like they’re used for gardening. It looks sloppy and unkempt. It affects their interactions with students. I’ve been shopping and overheard conversations among staffers, talking about customers and using unkind language to refer to someone’s race or age. They seemed unaware that their conversation was inappropriate for a public setting -- that they, as professionals, had a responsibility to exercise courtesy in the workplace. So, I guess I get why companies are taking the bull by the horns here. Are you having to do this? Does your staff know how to dress and act? Do you set parameters on things like visible tattoos or hair color? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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