Better

Tomorrow I will start the online course “The Path of Moral Leadership: Hard-Edged Skills to Start Building a Better World.”

Some people feel that our world is sorely broken and in dire need of fixing. Others believe that, all things considered, things have never been better.

Wherever one falls on this spectrum, we can all agree that our world isn’t perfect. And, while it will never be, an alternative to perfect might be better.

Imagine if we all made the world a little bit better today. All 7 billion of us.

Educational benefit

The US Federal Reserve is expected to release a survey today showing that 40% of workers in households making less than $40,000/year lost a job in March.

In other words, the less you can afford to lose a job, the more likely you are to lose it during this pandemic.

We’ve always known that a higher education leads to a higher salary. Now we see that a higher salary leads to a higher job security.

For employers who truly care about their employees and aren’t sure how to protect them from future downturns, consider a tuition-reimbursement program. This type of benefit will attract better candidates, increase retention, and boost loyalty and performance. More importantly, your employees will be better prepared for the next crisis (and there will be one).

An educated workforce is a stronger workforce.

Advice to graduates

In his post today, Seth Godin makes us see that there are different kinds of imaginations.

People dream of sinking a hole-in-one (sport imagination) or becoming a millionaire (wealth imagination) or becoming lean and strong (health imagination). These imaginations are fueled by our current culture and stoked by the media.

How many people instead have moral imagination, fueled by a desire to make things better? Plenty of people, it turns out. But most work for organizations that are driven by the profit imagination, and the organization’s dreams usually win.

For those about to graduate and enter this turbulent workplace, I offer this advice: join an organization whose imagination aligns with yours.

People first

During this pandemic, many of us are learning that a shortcut to happiness is to make others happy. Let’s hope that this is another reality that survives the pandemic.

Sure, it’s fun to hope that employers will let us work from home a bit more in the future. Or that we might be able to dress a bit more casually. But it’s a lot more exciting to imagine a world where leaders are genuinely concerned about their employees’ wellbeing, even if only because they realize that it’s the only way to maximize performance.

When there is no need to protect employees from the virus anymore, there will be other needs to fill.

Daily ends

There’s a lot of discussion about how this pandemic has changed certain things for ever, how certain things won’t get back to normal when it’s over.

Isn’t it possible, if we pay attention, that this is true even on a normal day?

I was recently introduced to this nightly meditation: “What might you have done for the last time today?”

Think back of a sport you haven’t played in many years. For me it’s hockey, back when I was a teenager. I might play again but it’s unlikely. I can assure you that when I walked off the ice that last time, it never dawned on me that I might never play again.

If you are a parent, did you pay attention the last time you tied the laces on your child’s shoes?

When things go back to normal, let’s get better at seeing that there are no ordinary moments.

Write to me, please

According to WordPress, I have 565 followers. It’s humbling to think that so many people want to be notified every time I click the “publish” button.

I write to force myself to think. Often, I need to listen or read to find something new to think about. I have my favorite podcasts, blogs and websites that I peruse daily.

There are days when I read for an hour before I get a writing idea. There are days, like today, where no idea comes at all. I feel like anything I might have to say about ethics and compliance, I have said before.

On days like today, I wish there was a fresh voice out there to put fizz in my brain. A fellow E&C professional with a spicy take on the state of corporate culture. Someone whose writing begs to be shared.

Of course, I can think of at least 565 candidates for this job.

All you need is a free WordPress site like this one.

Won’t you share your genius, please?

Pressure and rationalization

Many of us work in an industry that is affected by the pandemic.

Each week that passes increases the pressure to get going again. Employees, customers and suppliers are hurting.

Soon, some in your organization will feel justified in cutting corners. Who are they likely to be? Where in your organization are they likely to sit? When are they likely to strike?

It will happen, and you won’t be able to fake a surprise.

Get the answers now.