The hottest Workplace culture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

The Parable of the Startup

Rethinking Software • 149 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. The founder promised each employee a share of ownership to create a feeling of equality. This made everyone feel included and valued in the startup.
  2. Everyone received the same amount of shares regardless of how long they had been there. This caused some confusion and frustration among long-term employees who expected more.
  3. In the end, the founder showed that he also valued his contribution by only taking one share like everyone else. This helped unite the team under a common goal and ownership spirit.

#8 I'm Becoming a Manager!

The Second 90% • 78 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. The author is excited and nervous about becoming a manager.
  2. They have experienced challenges and growth from taking on this new role.
  3. The author plans to share insights and experiences but might still be figuring out what to write about next.
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The 3 top mistakes of managers under 30

Leading Developers • 103 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Young managers often worry about their age and try too hard to prove themselves. It's better to ignore age and focus on maturity and confidence.
  2. Trying too hard to be liked can backfire. It's important to give honest feedback and set clear expectations without being overly apologetic.
  3. Making quick decisions can be risky. It's wise to consult team members, especially those with more experience, before deciding on important matters.

RTO mandates tend to follow poor results

Make Work Better • 125 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Return-to-office rules often happen after companies see bad results. This suggests that there might be a link between poor performance and the push for employees to return to the office.
  2. Many people are facing burnout in their jobs, which can lead to serious thoughts about life. It's important to talk about mental health and the pressures of work.
  3. Companies are starting to pay more for jobs that require workers to be in the office, with some salaries increasing by around 20%. This shows a shift in how businesses value in-person work.

Solving employee loneliness is the first step to better teams

Make Work Better • 114 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Employee loneliness is common at work, with many workers lacking real friends in their workplace. This loneliness can impact team dynamics and overall job satisfaction.
  2. Simply working in a team or attending the office more days doesn’t automatically reduce loneliness. Real connections need to be actively fostered during work hours.
  3. Companies can improve employee connection by allowing time for social interactions, like team lunches or casual meetings. These small initiatives can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness among coworkers.

Staying Calm When You Want to Disappear

Leading Developers • 103 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. When faced with pressure, pause and take a deep breath. It helps calm your nerves before responding.
  2. Always evaluate the situation by asking yourself questions about what's happening and what you know versus what you don't.
  3. After assessing, respond clearly and confidently. It's important to communicate what you understand and seek help if needed.

Participatory Capitalism

Rethinking Software • 99 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Many workers struggle to make ends meet while business owners and entrepreneurs often gain wealth and freedom. This gap shows that capitalism isn't working equally for everyone.
  2. Imagine creating small business environments within big companies where employees can act like owners. This could help employees gain wealth without facing the full risks of starting their own businesses.
  3. We should focus on supporting companies that empower their workers and create employee-owners. A better capitalism means more people directly benefiting from their work.

How To Fix DEI

The Ruffian • 233 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  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 Swear At Your Coworkers

The Ruffian • 288 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Workplace culture
  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.

How to handle an IT escape room

Bad Software Advice • 82 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Workplace culture
  1. Working in IT can feel like being in an escape room, where you face unexpected challenges and obstacles every day.
  2. There is often tension between teams, like developers and IT, due to their different goals and priorities.
  3. To solve problems, it's important to be creative and strategic, whether by asking for help or figuring out other ways to get the job done.

Quitting & Returning To Work (Guest Post by Tom Grundy)

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 89 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Sometimes, taking a break from work can help you recharge and find clarity. It allows you to step back and see what you really want in life.
  2. Returning to the same job after a break doesn't mean you're going backwards. It can give you a fresh perspective and a healthier relationship with work.
  3. Your mindset about work is powerful. Changing how you look at your job can lead to more happiness and satisfaction, even without changing your role.

Covidnomics

Diane Francis • 359 implied HN points • 12 Aug 21
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped how we work. More people are preferring remote work, leading to changes in workplaces and housing preferences.
  2. Many workers are quitting their jobs to prioritize safety and better work-life balance. This trend is forcing companies to adapt by offering flexible work options.
  3. Labor has gained more power, pushing for better pay and working conditions. This has led to higher wages and changes in benefits across various industries.

Imposter Syndrome

Fish Food for Thought • 21 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Imposter syndrome is when people doubt their success and feel like they don't deserve it. This feeling can happen to anyone, regardless of their achievements.
  2. Many leaders struggle with imposter syndrome because there's no one right way to lead. Every leadership style works differently, and it's easy to doubt yourself by comparing to others.
  3. To overcome imposter syndrome, it's important to focus on your strengths and how your unique leadership style helps your team succeed, instead of trying to copy someone else's approach.

The "Coffee Badging" Resistance | #254

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 168 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Return to office campaigns might not align with employee preferences and can lead to frustrations.
  2. Companies facing remote work challenges often have deeper issues related to culture and mission.
  3. Forcing employees back to the office may not necessarily result in improved productivity, as highlighted by the concept of 'coffee badging'.

Middle management lessons

Logos • 39 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Relying on your gut feeling can sometimes be better than overthinking with too much data. Sometimes common sense leads to clearer, quicker decisions.
  2. Managing upwards is key; keeping your boss informed about your work helps them understand your efforts and successes better. Regular updates are more helpful than you might think.
  3. Hard work is usually more important than just being smart. At work, showing your effort often matters more than your natural talent or intelligence.

معرفی کتاب برای کسانی که تصمیم به شروع شغل دوم و یا تغییر به مسیر کارآفرینی دارند

DiGiTalk Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
💼 Business Workplace culture
  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.

The Talent Wasteland

Ways of Working • 39 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
💼 Business Workplace culture
  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 4 Keys to Leading Today.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 44 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Leaders must focus on excellence by constantly improving their skills and staying relevant. This helps build strong teams and attract success.
  2. Accepting and facing reality is crucial for leaders. They need to address problems honestly to earn trust and guide their teams effectively.
  3. Empathy and vulnerability in leadership are important. Understanding people's feelings and being open about one’s own struggles can foster better connections and teamwork.

More office time is the cost of bureaucracy

Make Work Better • 130 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  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.

Terry and His Dumb Ideas

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Organizations should avoid adopting policies that seem sensible but are self-defeating in practice, leading to negative outcomes.
  2. Coercing individuals into seeking higher positions when they lack ambition can have detrimental effects on both performance and organizational culture.
  3. Great organizations protect and celebrate those who create value, avoiding the mass rationalization of dumb ideas that can lead to decline.

Here's Some Bad Advice

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Cutting-edge research advice for leaders may not always be practical or helpful. It's important to evaluate the source of the advice and its applicability to real-world situations.
  2. Individual managers should be cautious about unilaterally trying to change organizational norms regarding work-life balance. The impact on performance, reputation, and career progression should be considered.
  3. To achieve a better work-life balance, leaders should focus on influencing organizational practices, setting examples, and supporting their teams in maintaining healthy boundaries.

The High Performer's Trap: When Self-Criticism Starts Working Against You

The Caring Techie Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Being too hard on yourself can hurt your performance. It’s better to be kind to yourself instead of listening to your inner critic.
  2. Perfectionism can create a cycle of negative self-talk. When you set high standards, you're more likely to feel like a failure when things go wrong.
  3. Treat yourself like you would a friend. Instead of blaming yourself, focus on what you can learn and do better next time.

Going to 105% on the Reactor

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. The newsletter is evolving into a more professional project with the option for paid subscriptions to support the creator.
  2. The author aims to build a community around meaningful discussions on leadership and offer unique insights in a nuanced manner.
  3. Subscribers have the freedom to pay what they want to support the newsletter, with options ranging from $1 to $10 per month.

Modern Leadership.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 56 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Anyone can be a leader; it's about how you act, not just your job title. Being a boss isn't the only way to show leadership.
  2. Good leaders focus on their influence and connections rather than just controlling everything. They see the big picture and adapt to change.
  3. For leaders to grow, they need to be open to learning and transforming themselves. This process needs support and new ways to encourage growth.

Easy life? No, most of us want challenging, rewarding work

Make Work Better • 98 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  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.

Weekly Notes

Rethinking Software • 49 implied HN points • 30 Sep 24
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Building successful work teams is like creating a strong community, and it takes good advice to do it well.
  2. Too many rules in software development can stifle creativity and innovation. Developers should choose their own processes to thrive.
  3. Workers are often seen as tools to achieve executives' dreams, so we need more self-managed and cooperative workplaces.

Merit First, Diversity Second

Kartick’s Blog • 35 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Workplace culture
  1. Merit should come first when hiring or building teams. If you focus only on diversity without considering skills, you may end up with less qualified candidates.
  2. It's important to recognize and address our own biases. We should judge people based on their abilities rather than their background.
  3. While diversity and inclusion efforts can be positive, they can also go too far and lead to unfair quotas. It's better to promote a merit-based system instead of rigid percentages.

Culture is Feeling Part of Something

Make Work Better • 125 implied HN points • 18 May 23
🎭️ Culture Workplace culture
  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.

Fox Sports Mess Yields Era of #SheToo?

House of Strauss • 27 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Workplace culture
  1. There are sexual harassment allegations happening at Fox Sports, which are causing a big stir. Many are curious about how this will affect the people involved, especially Joy Taylor.
  2. The situation highlights a larger issue in the workplace, showing that women often face challenges and harassment. This is sparking discussions about the need for change, similar to the #MeToo movement.
  3. It's important for companies to take these allegations seriously and create safer environments for everyone. The hope is that transparency and accountability will lead to improvements.

ownership

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Taking responsibility for both successes and failures can build trust in professional relationships. It shows honesty and accountability.
  2. Confidence in communication can change how others perceive you. When you believe in what you're saying, it can improve interactions significantly.
  3. It's important to view feedback from a positive angle. Believing that your boss wants you to succeed can motivate you to improve and foster a better work environment.

Hitting the ground running

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
💼 Business Workplace culture
  1. Starting a project well means preparing for it and breaking down tasks ahead of time. It helps to think through every step and potential problem before jumping in.
  2. Having a manager who supports you can make a big difference in your work life. When you show that you care and take ownership, they are more likely to invest in your growth.
  3. Being valued for your work is important. Many people find purpose and motivation when they know their contributions matter to the team.

8 guaranteed ways to annoy your senior engineer

The Caring Techie Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Workplace culture
  1. Always provide details when asking engineers to fix something. It saves everyone time if you describe what’s wrong and what you've tried.
  2. Avoid labeling everything as urgent. This makes it hard for engineers to prioritize and can lead to burnout.
  3. Be clear and prepared for meetings. Vague invites waste time and make it hard for engineers to focus on their work.