Be clear on policies for remote, hybrid work

In "Star Wars," the character of Han Solo is a consummate "space cowboy" who can get himself and others out of a jam, but team members who like to save the day cannot thrive unless your culture invites them to become a team player as well, writes leadership coach Kristin Hendrix. "When our environment encourages team over self, every Han has a choice: Be 'Han about it' or grow into a team player with cool ideas, creative problem solving, and yes, the ability to get out of jam," Hendrix writes.

Put it into practice: It can be appealing to have that reliable "space cowboy" on your team, Hendrix notes, but if you seem to have many fires to put out by one heroic team member, there are deeper problems in your culture. "If we have folks on our teams that are focused on the swoop in and save, without also focusing on prevention and teamwork, we've got work to do," Hendrix warns.

Employees want fair policies for remote and hybrid work, writes Gleb Tsipursky, CEO of Disaster Avoidance Experts, and companies should craft transparent and consistent policies to avoid the pereception of favoritism. "Dealing with disparate treatment in remote and hybrid work policies requires a delicate balance of legal compliance, transparency and empathy," Tsipursky writes.

Put it into practice: Employees might think they have a right to work remotely, but that's not the case unless they're covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. "Crucially, the ADA also mandates the confidentiality of medical information, preventing employers from disclosing reasons behind certain accommodations to other employees," Tsipursky writes.

If you're wondering whether to weigh in on political issues from a company platform, the short answer is don't do it, writes Gini Dietrich, a PR expert. Unless your company is already aligned with specific values or produces a product that benefits society, Deitrich says political statements can backfire, pointing to a political email by a Sticker Mule co-founder that alienated customers.

Put it into practice: Dietrich offers examples of appropriate political messaging, from gaming companies weighing in on inclusivity to tech companies speaking out on data privacy. "If, however, the issue isn't relevant to the mission or the industry -- such as, I don't know, stickers or hot sauce -- be smart and pass, no matter how fired up everyone internally might be," Dietrich writes.

Adding a pinch of salt to drinking water to help stay hydrated, a tip making the rounds on social media, is likely not necessary, according to registered dietitian Valerie Agyeman. Eating water-rich foods like watermelon or cucumber, drinking herbal teas or fruit-infused water and keeping a reusable water bottle handy to drink water throughout the day are all ways to stay adequately hydrated, Agyeman says.

Travelers who flocked to Illinois this spring to commune with cicadas are not the only insect tourists, as hundreds participate each year in butterfly counts in California and Mexico, gather in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Congaree National Park to watch a fireflies flash in unison and take vineyard tours focused on bee populations. Jace Porter, founder of the Global Entomology Coalition, says it's natural for adventure travelers to be drawn to insect adventures "because the more we learn about insects and the more they get the spotlight, the more everybody's realizing that wow, these are really crazy animals and they do a lot of insane things for the planet."

I have been a "Star Wars" fan from the beginning, and have long admired the ability of Han Solo to get himself and his friends out of jams that often seem hopeless (except for maybe that carbonite incident). I never stopped to think about how the "Star Wars" gang might function in an office, but Kristen Hendrix did!

She outlines the roles that each of them plays. Princess Leia is the strong leader ready to do what's necessary to save her people. Luke Skywalker is the "newbie," eager to be of service but still in need of guidance and support from those with more experience. Chewbacca has decades of experience and he's not interested in the limelight. Instead, he's the calm and steady team member who always has your back.

Han, though, always seems to be itching for a fight, which can often start the fires that he then must put out, with or without support. In the office, such recklessness can wreak havoc unless you build a culture that provides ways for the "Hans" also to become a team player while still lending their top-notch problem-solving skills. Such opportunities can lead to fewer crises.

As Hendrix puts it: "Consider what we're rewarding and celebrating. The cowboy mentality, or someone that will help us improve so there are fewer fires to put out? Help decrease the moments when someone needs to save the day."

If this newsletter helps you, please tell your colleagues, friends or anyone who can benefit. Forward them this email, or send this link.

What topics do you see in your daily work that I should know about? Do you have praise? Criticism? Drop me a note. And don't forget to send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off.