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It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's In-Flight Wireless
I’m not sure I’ve ever viewed flying as a time to “rest in a blissful, unwired zone,” but the growing presence of Wi-Fi on flights (including Delta, American, and long-timer Lufthansa) continues to beg the question—Technology: Friend or Foe?
Harvard Business Review Caused the Recession
And they admit it, too! HBR discuses —with uncanny honesty—the negative impact of encouraging big-time executive pay for short-term performance: “Executive pay had started a big run-up in the 1980s, and companies were under pressure to justify the increase. Our 1990 article helped companies do just that - with disastrous consequences.” In another new blog, HBR tries to tackle the question “How Much Should Executives Make?” Um, I think I’ll turn somewhere else for the answer to that one, thanks.
Lehman Brothers and Sisters
An NYTimes op-ed argues more diversity is needed in the boardroom : "'There seems to be a strong consensus that diverse groups perform better at problem solving' than homogeneous groups, Lu Hong and Scott E. Page wrote in The Journal of Economic Theory, summarizing the research in the field." Furthermore, a boy-only club at ibanks can lead to bad decision making: "One of the shortcomings of any system of men sitting in front of screens making financial bets was reported last year in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior...That study found that men are particularly likely to make high-risk bets when under financial pressure and surrounded by other males of similar status. As for women, their risk-taking was unaffected by this kind of peer pressure." Basically, men take more risks (usually a good thing in business) than women; but, as we've all seen in recent months, left unchecked too much testosterone can lead to some serious problems-- like, say, global recession.
Appealing to Your Vanity
New research indicates that stressful careers could make you look old and busted. Just look what stress did to Dubya and former lady-killer Clinton.
What about the boys?
Apparently, working moms are looking to Michelle Obama for change, hoping she will tackle child care, parental leave, and flexibility issues, Reuters reports. Those things sure would be nice. But who are working dads supposed to turn to? Shouldn't we stop looking at the difficulties of combining work and family life as a women’s issue? Men have just as much responsibility for raising their children. It takes two to tango, as they say.
Growing Some
A dear friend of The Lattice Group recently informed me that he will be asking for 20 vacation days in his upcoming contract negotiation. The standard at his place of employment is a miserly 10 days. He credits this article and, well, wanting more vacation with the bold idea. Our thoughts and non-denominational prayers are with you, friend!
Work/life balance for all, - The Lattice Group
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