Friends of Dave #311: opening wine with a shoe
Some observations
A remnant from Thanksgiving: so much emphasis goes into preparing and cooking the turkey, but if you had to ask most people, the meal is usually made or broken by the side dishes. A dry turkey can be saved by killer stuffing and mashed potatoes -- but not the other way around.
Why is "Cyber Monday" still even a thing when we all walk around with computers in our pockets 24/7, work remotely and can order random stuff from Amazon that can be delivered to our house a few hours later ANY DAY OF THE WEEK? It's like, Y2K Bug be damned....
Was talking to my sister about the topic of "charisma" (check out the HBR article below). While you don't absolutely need it to be a successful leader, we both agree it's something either you innately have or you don't. It has to be both organic and authentic. You can't fake it or teach it -- am I right?
Confess, Fletch was such an underrated movie, particularly as a reboot. Jon Hamm played the title character perfectly -- with a bit of a wink and nod to Chevy Chase's version, but he made it his own. Old school fun that could easily be made into a series of films. Catch it streaming if you can.
Bulletrain was another one that surprised us, but I will say that if you like that type of action film, you really need to also watch Bob Odenkirk in Nobody, which I thought was better.
Last movie thought: the trailer for Cocaine Bear dropped this week. Based on a true, almost 40 year old story, it was also Ray Liotta's last film and directed by Elizabeth Banks. There is only one word to describe it: BONKERS. Check out the trailer yourself. If the marketing keeps being this good, it's got huge box office numbers written all over it when it hits theaters in February. Like Top Gun Maverick numbers.....Seriously.
As I posted on LinkedIn this week, in a world so focused on self promotion, we could really use more people hyping the accomplishments of others. If you missed my post, you'll want to check out the example I cited there -- I think after watching it you will agree with me.
Had an interesting lunch conversation with my wife about "turning points." We all have moments in our lives that we can look back upon and say changed the trajectory of our lives in one way or another. Sure, there are common ones we share like choosing a place to go to college, landing a first job, getting married (or divorced) or having children. But look closer -- you have maybe a handful of meaningful turning points unique to you that, often with little fanfare at the time, impacted who you are today. Thinking about the circumstances, the people involved and understanding how you changed as a result of the turning point can be a really powerful exercise.
Show me a company with "co-CEOs" and I will show you a company with one real CEO and another person everyone knows isn't that person and will never be that person.
While I have an appreciation for both the creative expression it affords people and the adjoining time suck factor from scrolling, I'm pretty sure I don't get TikTok/Instagram Reels. What compels people (and I am talking adults, not just kids) to want to record themselves dancing and lip syncing to things that millions of other people are also doing, creating memes and then sharing it with the world? I guess it's like playing a social lottery ticket....I'm not hating on it, but I'm not sure I will fully understand it...which makes me feel old...
The irony is not lost on me that I made that last comment in a weekly newsletter that I write every week and email to people....
And just like that, White Lotus put Sicily on my bucket list...this on the heels of that other HBO show about surfing 100 foot waves put Nazaré, Portugal on the list....interestingly, The Sopranos and The Wire never had that same effect on me....
Speaking about HBO, if you don't have SiriusXM but you do have HBO, well worth your time to catch the interview Howard Stern did with Bruce Springsteen. Such an intimate, amazing conversation with one of the world's great living musical storytellers about the backstories behind how he created his masterpieces. You do not have to be a Stern or Springsteen fan to appreciate it.
A Shake Shack recently opened near us. We went a week or two after it opened. Waited in a long line out the door to order. Finally get to the register and there is a sign taped to it that says "We're sorry....we don't have shakes." You had ONE JOB....
All I could think as we were walking out is "Sign says....'stay away fools' cuz we're all tools....at the Shaaaaake Shack.".....what's wrong with me?
That's all I got this week, Friends. But, next week, I'm coming back for you baby....I'm coming back for you. If you know, you know....
XOXO
Dave
Think on This...
A Summary of Growth and Fixed Mindsets — fs.blog
The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. This is the mindset that allows people to thrive during some of the most challenging times in their lives.
This good one from Farnam Street explores our two mindsets (fixed and growth) and how they impact not only our attitudes and learning but also our outcomes.
For Your Day Job...
The Myth of the Brilliant, Charismatic Leader — hbr.org
There’s a view out there — call it the “superhero” theory of leadership — in which the individual vision, charisma, and brilliance of a CEO makes or breaks a company. The most effective leaders have knowledge and social skills that are specific to their company and industry that allow them to motivate other people in the organization to do what’s necessary to succeed.
B2B sales strategies: The big reframe
A new era of B2B sales is upon us. McKinsey spoke with 50 global leaders and distilled their feedback into five B2B sales strategies that can help businesses succeed.
Your Weekly Dose of Randomness...
INFOGRAPH: The Median Lot Size in Every U.S. State in 2022 — www.visualcapitalist.com Lot sizes in the U.S. are shrinking compared to a few decades ago. Here’s a look at the median lot size in every U.S. state in 2022.
How To Be The Best Damn Gift Giver You Can Be — www.fatherly.com Gift giving is an art. And if you keep a few important principles in mind, you'll nail it (almost) every time.
Can You Actually Open A Wine Bottle With A Shoe? — www.tastingtable.com The next time you go to open a bottle of wine, try using your shoe instead. Here's how this surprising hack works.
The Wondrous History of the Waffle — www.atlasobscura.com From food frolics to pandan pastries, a guide through centuries of waffle love.
The 50 Best Family Christmas Movies to Stream This Holiday Season — www.cosmopolitan.com We've got plenty of family Christmas movies that people of all ages can watch (and will actually enjoy), and they're all available to stream right now.
Hey! Did you learn something this week? Did you laugh? If you are enjoying this newsletter, help me spread the word!
Please forward it, share bits on social media, and encourage others to join the growing community of Friends of Dave!