Characteristics of Three Major Generations

The very different work traits of hoodies, old fogies, and everyone in between.

You may be a senior manager, a marketing director, or a staff professional.  In the spirit of seeking first to understand, before being understood - thanks to Stephen Covey, and his seven habits of highly effective people - I suggest watching this highly engaging, informative video from The Economist.

Keep in mind that these are aggregated findings, so you are bound to possess some characteristics that do not fit the profile for your generation.  The drawback of any empirical study is loss of granular insight into individual differences.  Nevertheless, these broad strokes of understanding give us a frame of reference for communicating, interacting, and collaborating effectively with people across generations.  This very process of communicating, interacting and collaborating, then, allows us to get at those unique traits in each other and thereby forge meaningful relationships.

How Would You Spend $1 Billion

A few years ago, some business friends and I half-bemoaned, half-laughed at the realization that $1 million isn't what it used to be:  You just can't buy as much with it.

So now we might say, $1 billion is the new $1 million.  Not only have the costs of things gone up, but also the range of things to buy has widened.

Whether it's a cup of Starbucks iced coffee or a Chick-fil-A sandwich for every single American, we can definitely be entertained by this video and get an everyday perspective on what $1 billion can buy.

Me?

I'd spend that money getting whatever I needed to earn money from that money:

• Acquire the information, resources and talent needed to run and sustain successful (i.e., profitable) businesses
• Engage the right advisers, experts and managers to invest in the right funds or vehicles (i.e., with healthy returns)
• Implement my concepts and strategies for philanthropy, which is driven by a want to do good and by a need to under gird it with a business model 

How would you spend $1 billion?

Campbell CEO Denise Morrison on Career and Power

Denise Morrison said early on in life that she wanted to become a CEO: That, she did, in August 2011, for Campbell Soup. She encourages women to declare their aspiration, and be strategic about themselves and their career. They need mentors, sponsors and relationships to realize their aspiration.

Denise Morrison

Interestingly, Denise Morrison calls it work-life "integration," instead of work-life balance, when asked about her toughest sacrifice in managing her career. She defined it as being able to set priorities in the moment, as life happens. So, rather than having rules set-in-stone, she prefers to handle some situations as they come.

Denise Morrison

Denise Morrison is among Fortune's and Forbes' most powerful women. She defines leadership as service, and finds power in giving. There's power involved in getting people excited about what they're doing and unleashing their potential. That's the biggest contribution a CEO can make.

Fashion Icon Tory Burch Mentors The Muse

Fashion icon and WSJ Startup of the Year mentor Tory Burch advises Kathryn Minshew and Alex Cavoulacos, co-founders of career platform startup The Muse, on everything from company culture to branding.

Mentoring ought to be a conversation, but it has to begin somewhere.  Tory Burch does it right, as she mentors The Muse co-founders.  While the entrepreneurs are spirited, even a bit tense, Burch is a picture of calm and centeredness.  She asks questions, and listens intently:

• Where do you want to be five years from now?
• Are you constantly updating the information of company you represent?
• Do you focus on your own company, that is, your culture and people?

Tory Burch

Perhaps it is the very zen that Burch is, which prompts Cavoulacos to ask her, in turn, about how her company came to be such a well-known, awesome brand.

This process of becoming has both organic and thoughtful elements:  that is, things that Burch had to think through and plan for, and things that simply happened along the way.  Her point about authenticity is a crucial one.  Customers are savvy and they have options.  So if they catch wind of any disingenuous branding, they're out.  Burch emphasize hiring a great team, whom she works at making happy and doing great work.  Not everyone fits their company, but who do are undoubtedly treated to an awesome culture.

So to reiterate, the foundation of good mentoring is a conversation.

Art of Neutralizing Difficult People

Because they needle needlessly and criticize repeatedly, difficult people can distract you from what you are saying in a meeting, for example, or worse yet make you doubt your own competence or worth.  Nina Godiwalla, CEO of Mindworks, offers very practical advice that refocuses the needling back to the topic at hand and stops you from internalizing undue, maybe abusive criticism.  It's the art of neutralizing an opponent by not (a) engaging in a battle and (b) demeaning him or her in turn.

"I'm disappointed I couldn't get my point across, because I really believe in this product." 

"When you respond with an observation, you actually disarm the other person."

"Is there anything I can do you to help you take care of your other commitments?"

Personal and Fashion Evolution of Norma Kamali

Her sixth-grade teacher wrote "know thyself" in her graduation book, and fashion icon Norma Kamali has drawn on this guidance for her learning and growth since 1967.  For example, as a young woman she thought she was the smartest person on the planet, but over time she was no longer sure about such a boastful sobriquet.  

She also shifted her standing vis-a-vis men:  from more of a follower, to more of an independent.  Mind you, she does not see herself as a maverick, but her track record has essentially been that:  popularizing fashion shoulder pads, opening an online store on eBay, and expanding her offerings into health, fitness and beauty.  

Finally, the irony of "know thyself" meant "know others" as well.  Her clientele wondered why, over time, they could no longer fit into the fashion she designed and could  no longer afford them.  She heard them, and responded accordingly with KamaliKulture:  fashion under $100, which fit real, everyday women.  To put on a fashion show of women from the studio audience, instead of super-thin professional models, is not just avant garde but empowering.         

Forbes Fabulously Fortunate 400

Yeah, sure, I have $1.3 billion in my wallet right now.  Fast facts on Forbes four hundred fabulously fortunate (i.e., filthy rich) people. In case you missed the alliteration, let me wish you a happy Friday!

Me: "Anyone around here ever heard of Mark Zuckerberg?" Mini-Me: "Hmm, the name rings a bell ..." Me: $19 billion will ring a lot of bells!

Hmm, I'd love to have lunch dates with each of these women. My only request: They pay :p