“Better Than Crap”
Fatherhood on Friday: A viral post encouraging employees to have a life is a key part of making paid leave the New Normal.
Back at Dad 2.014, during our first trip to New Orleans, closing keynoter (and interloping fitness enthusiast) Peter Shankman lamented the low threshold of successful customer service, asserting that “anything we do that goes above and beyond ‘one level above crap’ is so rare, and so unexpected, that if you do that, you can rule the world.”
Turns out, the policy that works for your customers works just as well for your employees. And employees are clamoring for it.
We know this because of this week’s viral LinkedIn post by Ian Sohn (above), President of Wunderman Chicago, who supports the revolutionary idea of treating employees like responsible adults. Rather than rely on constant connectivity, a manager should foster basic accountability. If you’re able to get good work done, it doesn’t matter how you do it — especially when parenting often blows your best-laid plans to smithereens. (It shouldn’t surprise that Sohn is a single dad who knows what it’s like to refuse a work trip because he had his kids that night.)
This is the managerial outlook that can revolutionize the lives of working parents and make paid leave, flexible hours, etc., into universal reality. We’ve watched this mindset make huge strides in the workplace in the nine years we’ve been advocating for it, and we’re confident that, with more Ian Sohns in charge, two or three (or even five!) levels above crap could be the New Normal.
IN THE NEWS
The first rule of the noticing wall is that you don’t talk about the noticing wall.
A team of professors found that marriages typically fall into five categories: validating, volatile, conflict-avoiding, hostile, and hostile-detached. Where does yours fit in?
In Spain, a new reform on paternity leave has had some interesting results.
“As we’ve tried to help our son navigate through this part of his life, we’ve discovered that this situation is all too common.”
“We need to normalize the experience of parenting while working.”
“With sensitive kids, too much talking can heap shame upon shame, so keep it direct, keep it quiet, and keep it focused on the behavior.”
Do your kids spend “enough” time outdoors?
Parents, how long does your family’s morning routine take?
How fluently do/did you speak baby?
PORCHLIGHT POSTS
- “I really have no time to waste trying to force my children to do things they’re not ready to do.” — Andrew Knott; They Say You Should Meet Your Children Where They Are, I Think
- “The International Shit Show, which does not get to have an acronym due to the fact that I want everyone to know what I think of it, was created in 2019 for a class solar system project for my daughter.” — Adam Cherepski; The Wrong Stuff
- “If someone in your house is having a baby, there’s no reason for ANYONE in the house NOT TO KNOW/UNDERSTAND how babies are formed/born. Penis. Vagina. Boom, you’re done. They can handle it.” — Christian Lee; Let’s Talk About Sex, Daddy
- “Think hard about your state of mental health. Do you feel overwhelmed about being overwhelmed?” — Vernon D. Gibbs II; ‘Could I Be Doing More?’ Question Vexes Busy Modern Parents
- “Now, more than ever, when you find those few, great friends please keep them close.” — Tobin Walsh; Son, As You Leave Elementary Do One Thing for Me: Don’t Be a Middle School Schmuck!
‘GRAM OF THE WEEK
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Image: Sony
Originally published at https://www.dad2summit.com on May 24, 2019.
