Hi Everyone,

Happy Friday! Thanks for spending part of it reading The Lake Street Journal.

This week we’re talking about General Mattis, the value of small talk, and Morgan Housel’s writing. Let's get into it.

Talk to Your People

"If you can't talk freely with the most junior members of your organization," says Marine General Jim Mattis, "then you've lost touch."

Mattis made a habit of talking with his lowest ranking Marines. And when he asked how they were doing, he didn't let them get away with a simple, "living the dream, sir!"

He pressed.

He asked again.

He got them to lower their guard.

And he asked for something he could fix.

On one deployment, a Marine pointed out that the toilets were disgusting—likely cause by soldiers from other nations with poor hygiene.

"To fix that," wrote Mattis, "I sent a sergeant 80 miles to Alexandria. To the cheers of the troops, he returned with a truck full of toilet paper, issuing every man a roll. Sometimes the basic things in life are the most important."

And usually, as a leader, you have the power to provide the basic things.

Maybe it's as simple as swapping out the K-cups in the break room for something people like better.

Maybe it's hosting team building events during the workday rather than in the evening when parents want to get home to their kids.

Maybe it's providing more training in specific areas.

Whatever it is, the solution is often simple but the problem is often hidden until you have the conversation.

As I've said a hundred times. Good leadership isn't rocket science. It mostly comes down to being a good person. To caring about your people. To having the conversations and using the information to make the lives of your people just a little bit better.

Make Small Talk Great Again

Speaking of having conversations, this was a great piece about the value of small talk.

It's a vanishing art, but it's valuable for a bunch of reasons. It helps strengthen the social fabric. It helps you learn new things. It gives you funny stories to tell your wife and kids at dinner.

I love chatting people up everywhere I go. Walks through the neighborhood. The local farmer's market. The hardware store. Doesn't matter. If people are around and they want to talk, I'm all about it.

Maybe you're not like that, but maybe this article will change your mind.

How to Master Writing

Morgan Housel just published his third book, The Art of Spending Money.

Have I read it?

I own it.

But no, I haven't read it...yet (any Michael Scott fans out there?).

But I did watch this awesome podcast conversation between Morgan Housel and David Perell, and it's a must watch for any writer or Morgan Housel fan.

Housel's writing has heavily shaped how I think about making, investing, and spending money. As much as I've learned from him about money and psychology, I've probably learned more from him about writing.

I love the way he tells stories. Short. Crisp. Punchy. And always fascinating. He mines the best stories from history, pop culture, and finance and tells them in a way that always leaves me thinking.

They dive deep into the art of storytelling in this interview (an important leadership skill), and I didn't want it to end. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Workout of the Week

I ran a 1:38:40 in the Hartford Half Marathon last week. A little short of my goal, but I had a great time and was happy with my performance.

This week, I was excited to get back to some workouts that didn't involve running. I started light, hoping to avoid soreness, but we all know how that goes...

"Training Wheels"

5 rounds for time:

• 15 calorie bike erg

• 10 dumbbell deadlifts (50s)

• 5 strict pull-ups

My goal was sub ten minutes, and I came in at 9:38. Let me know how you do!

Quote of the Week

"History lights the often dark path ahead; even if it's a dim light, it's better than none." - General Mattis

Have a question or a comment? Respond to this email.

Talk soon,

Joe