The hottest Workplace culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics
The Ruffian 233 implied HN points 17 Feb 24
  1. Define Your Goals clearly for your DEI program to ensure it meets tangible needs and is not just a checkbox exercise.
  2. Focus on Actions Over Symbols in your DEI efforts by making substantial changes like Saatchi and Saatchi's talent pool expansion initiative.
  3. Simplify Ruthlessly and favor Universal Solutions to avoid getting lost in complexity and ensure the maximum impact while cutting across identity boundaries.
How to Glow in the Dark 353 implied HN points 20 Jan 24
  1. Lesson from Cloudflare layoff: There are useful lessons for everyone in handling layoffs and difficult conversations professionally.
  2. Lesson from Brittany's experience: Be prepared, question feedback that doesn't make sense, and stand up for yourself in professional settings.
  3. Lesson on organizational culture: Though industries may differ, there can be overlap in challenges like attracting talent and handling social media crises.
Game of One 216 implied HN points 09 Feb 24
  1. Reframe work as a series of experiments rather than a predetermined job trajectory
  2. There are three common narratives of success: early commitment, late bloomer, and mastery through uncertainty and career changes
  3. Experimentation with work is crucial, but modern work structures often make it difficult to explore new opportunities
Elevate 616 implied HN points 07 Dec 23
  1. It takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back on track after an interruption, impacting productivity significantly.
  2. Context switching involves more than just changing tasks; it's like asking your brain to switch languages, leading to cognitive drain.
  3. Strategies for managing context switching include understanding task importance, using tech tools wisely, and fostering a workspace culture that respects deep work.
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Make Work Better 130 implied HN points 21 Feb 24
  1. Big firms face challenges with hybrid work due to the complexities of communication and maintaining connections as the team size increases.
  2. Research shows that structured hybrid working can boost employee satisfaction and retention, proving effective in small to medium-sized organizations.
  3. Efforts to reduce meeting time, like Asana's meeting purges, can lead to significant productivity gains by eliminating unnecessary meetings and introducing focused work days.
Ageling on Agile 137 implied HN points 07 Feb 24
  1. Consider re-evaluating your project management methodology if it is causing stress and hindering productivity. It is important to adapt and make radical changes when necessary.
  2. Embrace an iterative approach in your product delivery process, especially in unpredictable environments. Small steps, clear goals, and team collaboration can lead to valuable results.
  3. Empower your team by giving them ownership of the backlog, focusing on iteration goals, and encouraging discussions and improvements during demos and retrospectives. Allow flexibility and adaptability in your work processes.
Make Work Better 98 implied HN points 14 Feb 24
  1. Many employees value challenging and impactful work that allows them to learn and grow.
  2. Employee Experience initiatives can sometimes end up creating well-intentioned but ineffective programs like wellness webinars.
  3. Employees should be cautious about what they communicate on work chat platforms as bosses may have access to those conversations, and individuals have the right to request all digital data held about them.
startupdreams 1165 implied HN points 17 Jun 23
  1. Open office floor plans were introduced to reduce costs but can be detrimental to employees' performance.
  2. Working from home brought autonomy and productivity to many employees, making them reluctant to return to the office.
  3. Companies that force employees back to the office may face consequences like decreased productivity and losing top talent.
The Ruffian 288 implied HN points 04 Nov 23
  1. The use of swearing in the workplace can indicate a lack of self-discipline and quality of thought.
  2. Swearing, when used strategically and thoughtfully, can be a powerful tool for impactful communication.
  3. Maintaining a balance between reasonableness and assertiveness is crucial, knowing when to speak up even if it requires using strong language.
Great CTOs 'Focus on outcomes' 39 implied HN points 06 Feb 24
  1. Hierarchical reporting structure is an unchallenged assumption in most companies.
  2. Challenging the responsibilities associated with line management can lead to better outcomes.
  3. Simpler adjustments like shifting responsibilities can shift incentives and benefit managers and teams.
The Intersection 158 implied HN points 14 Aug 23
  1. A good boss motivates employees to reach new heights like a coach pushing a player to excel.
  2. Good bosses have a unique superpower that inspires admiration and aspiration in those they lead.
  3. Bosses who take decisive action, support their team, listen to their needs, show care, and admit mistakes create a positive and empowering work environment.
startupdiaries 118 implied HN points 31 Aug 23
  1. Startup life involves adapting to evolving needs, rather than sticking to initial job descriptions.
  2. Working at hyper-growth startups can be rewarding but also lead to burnout, so it's vital to pace yourself and manage emotions.
  3. Transitioning through the stages of startup growth requires flexibility, being open-minded, and evaluating if the company still aligns with personal values.
Make Work Better 125 implied HN points 18 May 23
  1. Feeling part of something is essential for workplace culture and mental health.
  2. Physical touch can enhance performance and well-being by creating a sense of connection.
  3. Bosses are concerned about declining worker productivity and are pushing for a return to the office, despite the changing landscape of office space demands.
Make Work Better 76 implied HN points 21 Jul 23
  1. Psychological safety allows constructive disagreement and reduces interpersonal risk.
  2. Teams can build psychological safety by bonding through tasks, normalizing learning from mistakes, and ensuring everyone feels 'seen'.
  3. Seeking input with humility and openness is key in fostering psychological safety in high-performing teams.
Upon Reflection 2 HN points 08 Mar 24
  1. Generation Z challenges stereotypes and is reshaping corporate culture by offering fresh perspectives and sparking a shift in how we work.
  2. The corporate world faces the unique challenge of blending the work ethics and expectations of multiple generations, leading to both enrichment and tension.
  3. Organizations must embrace change, listen to diverse perspectives including Gen Z's, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous evolution to thrive in the evolving corporate landscape.
DiGiTalk Newsletter 39 implied HN points 26 Apr 23
  1. Traditional career paths are becoming less common, people are increasingly looking towards non-traditional work arrangements.
  2. Focus on finding a job that meets your basic needs and allows you to pursue interests outside of work for greater happiness and satisfaction.
  3. Self-awareness is crucial in finding a job that is 'good enough' for you, considering values, priorities, and personal goals.
Ways of Working 39 implied HN points 17 Apr 23
  1. Talent is often wasted within organizations due to internal dynamics like bureaucracy and bad incentives.
  2. Excessive work-around-work can hinder productivity due to low trust culture, friction, and rewarding optics over delivery.
  3. Lacking an appreciation for good management can lead to demoralized teams and talent being overlooked for opportunities within the organization.
The Caring Techie Newsletter 9 implied HN points 12 Jul 23
  1. Transitioning from individual contributor to engineering manager requires deep reflection and research.
  2. Engineering management involves leading and coordinating engineering activities, but it's not as easy as it may seem on paper.
  3. Successful engineering managers need a different skill set than individual contributors, including strong people skills and patience.