No #112 | January 28, 2024

by Matthew Boyd

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

At my son's club basketball game this week the referee didn't show up.

"Does anyone have any experience refereeing basketball?" the coach asked all the parents.

Everyone was silent.

"Does anyone watch basketball a lot?" the coach followed up.

I reluctantly raised my hand.

I spent the next 45 minutes solo refereeing a U15 competitive boys basketball game in jeans and a dress shirt. At one point one of the players on the opposing team jokingly said to my son, "Who is this referee? He's not calling any fouls and he's dressed like an office worker."

My son sheepishly responded, "That's my dad."🤣

Anyways, nobody got hurt, everyone had fun and I didn't give my son a technical foul. So the moral of the story is sometimes in life you gotta fake it till you make it.

In this week's Lead It Cool newsletter:

• 🧊Rubik's Cube #50
• ❓True Detective - Ask The Right Questions
• 😌Stay Calm
• 🤣The Customer Experience
• 😎Cool Links

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🧊Rubik's Cube #50

In 2024, a small, colorful (rage inducing) puzzle celebrates its golden anniversary.

Yes, the Rubik's Cube, a toy that has perplexed and entertained millions, turns 50.

This iconic cube is not just a toy but a symbol of problem-solving and innovative thinking. Its journey from a Hungarian architect's desk to a global phenomenon is a story of how a simple idea can transform the way we think, learn, and lead.

Invented in 1974 by Ernő Rubik, the cube was initially intended as a tool for teaching spatial relations. Little did Rubik know that his creation would become a cultural icon, synonymous with intelligence, creativity, and a bit of frustration (aka blinding anger😡).

The Rubik's Cube challenges its solvers to think critically, to approach problems from different angles, and to persist through trial and error. These are the very skills that leaders in any field need to navigate the complex, ever-changing landscapes of their industries.

But the Rubik's Cube is more than just a brain teaser. It has evolved into a vibrant community, a sport, and even a heartwarming narrative. Netflix's documentary The Speed Cubers showcases this beautifully. This film delves into the lives of competitive Rubik's Cube solvers and reveals a world of friendship, respect, and mutual admiration. (side note: my family has watched this movie at least a dozen times).

What's remarkable about the Rubik's Cube is not just the mental agility it requires but the way it fosters a sense of community.

Competitions bring together people of all ages and backgrounds, united by their love for this puzzle. It's a reminder that at the heart of every challenge, there's an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow.

Even Justin Bieber agrees.

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❓True Detective - Ask the Right Questions

If you're a fan of the dark and mysterious "whodunnit" genre the you better be watching the latest season of the True Detective (Season 4).

Featuring Jodie Foster, this season follows a chilling murder investigation in Alaska. A standout aspect of Foster's portrayal as Sheriff Danvers is her belief that truth lies not in the evidence, but in the questions asked. This conviction drives her obsession with asking the right questions to unravel the mystery.

This focus on questions appears to be a nod to Season 1, where Matthew McConaughey's character similarly exhibited a keen interest in seeking the right questions.

Will McConaughey's character end up making a guest appearance in Season 4?

​That's a good question.😉

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😌Stay Calm

How to stay calm (without any hacks). source​

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🤣The Customer Experience

This is an oldie but a goodie. Always a good reminder that design should focus on the customer experience.

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😎Cool Links

💰Loud Budgeting Is The TikTok Finance Trend That Pushes Back on Overspending - and Experts Love It. A pushback against 2023’s quiet luxury trend, loud budgeting encourages you to talk openly about your money goals with friends and family, while rejecting societal pressure to spend. This strategy can also help you make money decisions that better align with your values.

💡10 Leadership Quotes For Leaders and Managers in 2024. Some not-so-famous quotes to get you pumped up for your work day, from a and for you to contemplate as you take on your leadership responsibilities.

🏢The Hybrid Work Malaise (podcast). The era of hybrid work has spawned a new kind of office culture — one that has left many workers less connected and less happy than they have ever been. Emma Goldberg, a business reporter covering workplace culture for The Times, explains how mixing remote and office work has created a malaise, as workers confront new challenges and navigate uncertainty, and employers engage in a wave of experiments.

👏🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Justin Trudeau's hyperspeed clapping.

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