N4L 031: "The Millennial Myth" by Crystal Kadakia

03/14/18 • 43 min

Even as digital technology is disrupting workplace culture, Crystal Kadakia, author of The Millennial Myth: Transforming Misunderstanding into Workplace Breakthroughs, is aiming to solve the biggest human capital trend of our next decade: millennials in the workplace. To remain competitive, we not only need generational diversity; we need to embrace, harness, engage modern talent.

As a thought leader and trainer, Kadakia rebuilds a backdrop for millennials, reminding us that every generation had benefited from innovations. Now, by having their basic needs met, millennials are also able to self-actualize. She also debunks five commonly held myths about millennials:

It’s not lazy; it’s productivity redefined.
It’s not entitled; it’s entrepreneurial.
It’s not hand-holding; it’s agility.
It’s not disloyal; it’s seeking purpose.
It’s not authority issues; it’s respect redefined.

Approaching each misconception using her “One Coin, Two Sides” model, Kadakia treats the issues with equanimity. She gives us new language and positive attributes to reframe each of the stereotypes.

According to Kadakia, millennials are primarily driven by two prevalent philosophies: “YOLO” and “FOMO.” The former, “You Only Live Once,” drives them to seize opportunities, even if it means moving switching jobs frequently. On the other hand, FOMO (“Fear of Missing Out”) causes them pain because they have so many choices. To balance the two, they collect experiences first and material goods later (or not at all). Contrast these motivations with those of older workers who went without not by choice but by circumstance and whose choices were severely limited, and you have a conflict of interest and misunderstanding.

In the span of one decade, the “digitally enabled” generation moved from pagers to flip phones to smartphones. Remembering this lightning-fast shift can ease tensions in the workplace and can help us know what these workers expect. For example, they look for constant feedback and transparency; they expect flexibility and access; they count on growth opportunities and recognition.

To create genuine workplace breakthroughs, Kadakia proposes we create environments characterized by “co-versity.” She explains, “Instead of a millennial network, it’s having a generations network, where people of all generations can come together and converse, connect, and collaborate.”

It’s not lazy; it’s productivity redefined.
It’s not entitled; it’s entrepreneurial.
It’s not hand-holding; it’s agility.
It’s not disloyal; it’s seeking purpose.
It’s not authority issues; it’s respect redefined.

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N4L 030: "The Positive Parenting Workbook" by Rebecca Eanes

Using traditional parenting techniques, author Rebecca Eanes felt disconnected from her children. Frustrated and discouraged, she decided to trust her gut instead. She documented online her newfound success with positive parenting and quickly found her message resonated with countless parents. In fact, she gained over a million followers on her “Positive Parenting” Facebook page and plenty of material for her first book, Positive Parenting: An Essential Guide.

Now, two years later, Eanes shares her Positive Parenting Workbook: An Interactive Guide for Strengthening Emotional Connection. This companion guide or stand-alone book offers a place for parents to reflect on motivations, reactions, and goals. Ultimately, Eanes writes to help parents connect (or reconnect) with their children in order to create calmer, happier familial relationships.

Since research shows healthy parents help children thrive, the author encourages all parents to “look within” first. In other words, before blaming society or our children, it’s imperative we engage in proper self-care. To take good care of ourselves, Eanes suggests we slow down in one way or another. This can include taking deep breaths, doing push-ups, calling a friend, or asking for a hug. After all, as American author Robert Brault once said, “In our happiest childhood memories, our parents were happy, too.”

The Workbook is replete with insightful exercises to help parents, such as:

Build a foundation of trust
Identify and change damaging, negative thought patterns
Implement calm-down techniques instead of succumbing to anger and frustration
Reconnect with partners, then approach parenting on a united front
Create a positive family culture that allows kids to feel safe and loved
Trade punishments for solutions
Engage in daily loving rituals that strengthen family bonds

In addition, Eanes addresses how to face proactively “Top Parenting Challenges.” These include tough cases such as Aggression, Whining, Not Listening, Back Talk, and Tantrums.

Designed to reduce the drama, stress, and resentment all too common in families, Eanes’s book shows parents how to intentionally chart a new path. Then, with greater emotional awareness, clear communication, and genuine connection with loved ones, parents are equipped to create joyful family moments.

Eanes is the founder of Positive-Parents.org.

BUY The Positive Parenting Workbook: An Interactive Guide for Strengthening Emotional Connection

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N4L 032: "Genius Foods" by Max Lugavere

In his new book, Genius Foods: Become Smarter, Happier, and More Productive While Protecting Your Brain for Life, Max Lugavere teaches us how to use food to achieve optimal brain performance. What's more, he says, following such a regimen has the pleasant side effect of minimizing dementia risk.

When Lugavere's own mother was diagnosed with a mysterious form of dementia in her 50s, this filmmaker turned journalist went on the warpath to learn everything he could about brain health. His research among leading clinicians and in top neurology departments around the world helped him discover ten "Genius Foods."

Combining solid science with his Hollywood flare for entertainment, Lugavere walks us through common health conundrums. For example, he debunks myths about low-fat and cholesterol-free products, and he makes scientific connections between Type 2 diabetes and dementia. He also makes sense of words newer to the health field such as "epigenetics," "microbiomes," and "probiotics."

Highly recommended by the likes of Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Mark Hyman, Genius Foods is the first of its kind to weave together pioneering research not only on dementia prevention but also cognitive optimization, and nutritional psychology.

In addition to being a brain health expert, Max Lugavere is the director of the upcoming film Bread Head, the first-ever documentary about dementia prevention through diet and lifestyle.

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