No #99 | October 29, 2023

by Matthew Boyd

Good morning, welcome to the weekly Lead It Cool newsletter.

I had a regular check-up with my doctor this week and asked him what three things I should be doing (as a middle aged man) to improve my health.

His advice:

1. 🚬Don't start smoking
2. 🥫Eat less processed food
3. 🏋️Exercise (weights and cardio)

So there you go.

In this week's Lead It Cool newsletter:

• 🎃⚾Do The Bartman
• 🚆9 to 5 Jobs
• 👩‍🏫School Idea
• 😱Anti-Theft Ghost
• 😎Cool Links

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🎃⚾Do The Bartman

Halloween is on Tuesday, and if you're looking for a costume idea that's easy to put together and baseball related, look no further than the legend of Steve Bartman (pictured above): the greatest sports fan of all time.

Costume Requirements:

• Chicago Cubs baseball hat
• Vintage headphones
• Glasses
• Turtle neck

Here's the story:

In 2003 (20 years ago!), the Chicago Cubs found themselves tantalizingly close to the World Series, which they hadn't won in 95 years. But as baseball fans know all too well, winning isn't easy, and the Cubs faced a spectacular playoff meltdown. It was Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, and the Cubs were just five outs away from reaching the World Series when fate intervened in the form of Steve Bartman.

Steve Bartman, a die-hard Cubs fan, unknowingly became the unwitting face of that meltdown. When a foul ball came hurtling his way in the eighth inning, Bartman reached out to catch it, inadvertently interfering with the play. What followed was a storm of emotions, as players, fans, and media outlets sought someone to blame for the Cubs' loss.

Bartman's name was plastered all over the headlines, his life forever changed in that moment. He was vilified and blamed for the Cubs' loss in that series. It was an unfair scapegoating that no sports fan should ever have to endure.

In the aftermath of the incident, many wondered how Bartman would navigate his newfound notoriety. And here's where the story takes a remarkable turn. Instead of cashing in on his instant fame, Steve Bartman chose a different path: humility and privacy.

He refused interviews, rejected numerous offers for endorsements and appearances, and shied away from the spotlight. Despite the intense pressure and personal attacks, Bartman remained steadfast in his dedication to the Chicago Cubs and his determination to keep his life out of the public eye.

Fast forward nearly two decades, and Steve Bartman is a name seldom mentioned anymore. The Cubs eventually won the World Series in 2016, ending the drought. While many hoped this victory would bring redemption for Bartman, he remained resolute in his desire for privacy, even after the Cubs openly apologized to him.

In an era where public figures often seek the limelight, Steve Bartman stands as a great example of humility and grace. His decision not to exploit his infamy for personal gain is a testament to his character and love for the game of baseball and the Chicago Cubs.

Happy Halloween!

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🚆9 to 5 Jobs

So who was the internet angry at this week?

The Gen Z woman pictured above was the "star" of the week, when she had the "audacity" to complain about the challenges of being a recent college grad with a huge amount of debt trying to navigate the early parts of her career.

Here's the video in case you missed it.

Not surprisingly, the internet dunked all over her for saying this.

In my opinion, I think this woman has some pretty good points. The world is not an easy place for young people. They missed out on some of the most formative moments of their lives during the pandemic, the cost of post-secondary education is obscene and they have to deal with rising costs and affordability challenges.

While it's tempting for older generations to look down upon the struggles of younger people, it's important to remember that the challenges faced by each generation are unique to their time. So instead of mocking them when they speak up, maybe we should start listening and supporting them.

I will step down from my soapbox now.

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👩‍🏫School Idea

I read this Adam Grant quote a few days ago on LinkedIn and I've been thinking about it ever since.

Why don't we do this more in North America? Especially for elementary school🤔.

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😱Anti-Theft Ghost

Yep. Clever.

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😎Cool Links

🤖How AI Can Help Leaders Make Better Decisions. AI-powered technologies can drive faster and better decision making in at least three main ways: real-time tracking and improved prediction of on-the-ground business developments, virtual role-play to train workers in life-like business scenarios, and emerging generative AI tools that can answer questions and act as advisors and virtual “sounding boards” for decision makers.

💡If You Practice This One Habit Your Leadership Skills Are Probably Better Than Most Managers. Leading with compassion, as Weiner suggests, is a powerful way to foster a supportive and effective work environment. It means genuinely caring about the well-being of your team members. This approach builds trust, strengthens relationships, and ultimately leads to a more productive and harmonious workplace.

🎃Why Halloween's 'Poison Candy' Myth Persists. “My favorite story of this kind was the one where a kid had taken a bite out of a candy bar and said to his parents, ‘I think there’s ant poison on this candy bar,’” says Best. “So the candy bar got analyzed, and sure enough, there was ant poison on it, but it was on the end of the candy bar the kid hadn’t taken a bite from.” The child later admitted to having put the poison on the candy bar himself.

😔RIP Matthew Perry​

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