The hottest Workplace dynamics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Compromise is the only way to make hybrid stick

Make Work Better • 157 implied HN points • 05 May 23
💼 Business Workplace dynamics Remote work Corporate culture AI Impact
  1. Compromise is essential to make hybrid work successfully in organizations.
  2. Stricter office time policies are being implemented by some organizations to foster teamwork and connectedness among employees.
  3. Younger workers may be facing challenges with remote work, such as lack of feedback and understanding workplace norms.

Burning Time

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
💼 Business Management Leadership Workplace dynamics Time management
  1. Unpaid time theft from employees is normalized in business culture, but it's essentially stealing from them.
  2. Leaders need to proactively manage and respect their employees' time to avoid burnout and ensure mutual respect.
  3. Time is a valuable asset for everyone, not just senior leaders, and should be honored and acknowledged in all aspects of work.

Grumpy or Grateful!!!??

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth Workplace dynamics Social Interactions Mindfulness
  1. Being part of a team can really impact how we feel about our work. It's nice to get approval from teammates because it helps us feel we belong.
  2. Sometimes focusing on how to do things is more important than asking why we do them. Figuring out the 'how' can lead to better results.
  3. Starting the day with positivity can change our mood. Having friends who encourage us to be grateful is a great way to kick off the day right.

Take the money and run or stay and fight part 2

Splattern • 39 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
💼 Business Corporate culture Workplace dynamics Career development Human Resources
  1. It's common for companies to put employees through performance improvement plans (PIPs), often leading to layoffs. Many people believe accepting severance is the best option.
  2. Working as a team and having supportive colleagues can make a huge difference during tough times. Conversations with teammates can provide the encouragement needed to stay and fight.
  3. Taking on a challenging project can be a valuable opportunity for growth. It allows for gaining experience and testing one's abilities while still in a job.
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The Company Wants You Back in the Office – RESIST!

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 39 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
💼 Business Workplace dynamics Remote work Corporate culture Labor Market
  1. Many employees prefer working from home for the flexibility it offers in their lives and are hesitant to return to the office for multiple days per week.
  2. Companies are facing challenges convincing workers to return to the office due to changing preferences and economic factors like labor shortages.
  3. Employees have some leverage to resist returning to the office and should consider continuing to work from home to maintain their independence and strength.

Laboring in the Longhouse

The Carousel • 95 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Workplace dynamics Gender Dynamics Communication styles Social Interactions
  1. The modern office is like a 'longhouse' with open floor plans, emphasizing visibility and gossip among female coworkers.
  2. Women excel in the workplace due to their strength in indirect communication and attention to detail, symbolized by the tyranny of checkboxes.
  3. Certain women in mid-management roles embody a mix of femininity and masculine 'dread', enforcing the workplace culture with callousness and indirect tactics.

On Corporate Rhetoric

Autoscriptorium • 39 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Language Corporate Practices Ethics Communication Workplace dynamics
  1. Corporate rhetoric can often be confusing and more about obfuscating than communicating.
  2. Success in the corporate world is a mix of individual effort and market forces, leading to a superstitious environment.
  3. Three principles of corporate rhetoric include reflection, sublimation, and momentum, each playing a unique role in communication and decision-making.

The Donkey, Fox, Sheep, & Owl | LSW#43

The Leading Sapiens Weekly • 30 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
💼 Business Workplace dynamics Leadership Organizational Behavior Career development Human Resources
  1. Everyone has some level of political awareness in the workplace, but it varies in understanding and application.
  2. Reading involves understanding the external world and organization, while carrying focuses on ethical behavior versus manipulation.
  3. Owls are wise in politics, balancing awareness, integrity, and interpersonal skills.

The metaverse is a cubicle

Metal Machine Music by Ben Tarnoff • 119 implied HN points • 30 Nov 21
🕹 Technology Virtual reality Remote work Metaverse Workplace dynamics Technology Trends
  1. The concept of the metaverse has been around for some time, but current advancements in technology and societal shifts due to the pandemic may pave the way for its potential realization.
  2. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are becoming more prevalent, with the COVID-19 pandemic playing a significant role in reshaping white-collar work dynamics and preferences.
  3. The metaverse has the potential to become the new organizational architecture for white-collar work, balancing the needs and desires of both employers and employees in a digital environment.

The last supper

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Social life Workplace dynamics Personal Growth Relationships
  1. It's okay to have mixed feelings about work and life changes. Sometimes you want to adventure, and other times you just want stability, like getting another job.
  2. Team meals can be really important for bonding and closure. They help people connect, reflect, and share feelings, especially when saying goodbye.
  3. Feeling lost or uncertain at work is normal. Learning from experiences like performance reviews can help you find your way and improve in the future.

The "Great Awokening" Is Winding Down

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 39 implied HN points • 08 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Cultural Shifts Workplace dynamics Media Trends
  1. The period of intense social change and activism known as the 'Great Awokening' that began after 2011 appears to be losing momentum, with shifts in discourse, norms, and outputs slowing or reversing in knowledge economy fields and institutions.
  2. Knowledge economy professionals became more socially and politically radical over the past decade, leading to significant changes in protest activity, workplace dynamics, media content, and political alignments in the U.S.
  3. There are indications of a cultural shift away from intense focus on social justice issues among younger generations, resulting in reevaluation by multinational corporations, universities, and social media platforms of their involvement in culture wars and identity politics.

Shabbat dinner and Waylon's return

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Social life Food culture Workplace dynamics Mental health
  1. Feeling overwhelmed at work is common, but it helps to look at challenges with a positive mindset. One way to refocus is to remind yourself that you're doing well and that your team supports you.
  2. Building strong relationships with teammates can enhance productivity and create a positive work atmosphere. Someone who seems less confident may actually be excelling, so it's important to recognize everyone's contributions.
  3. Having a supportive environment, like a Shabbat dinner with friends, can recharge your spirit. Sharing meals and enjoying time together helps ease work stress and strengthens bonds.

The boys are back in town

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Jewish Identity Workplace dynamics Friendship Personal Growth
  1. The energy at Amazon is buzzing as people return to the office. It's great to see teams collaborating and having fun together while working on projects.
  2. The writer faced a tough project at Amazon and decided to take it on for the learning experience. Despite the challenges, they found joy in problem-solving and working hard.
  3. The writer wants to express pride in their Jewish identity during a difficult time. They believe in unity among Jews and hope for good decisions that promote security and peace.

Some of the best people will say all of the wrong things during an interview – you should hire them anyway

Respectful Leadership • 28 HN points • 29 May 23
💼 Business Hiring Workplace dynamics Communication
  1. Talented individuals may struggle to articulate their skills during interviews, but they still have a lot to offer.
  2. Formalities in work relationships are important, especially at the start, to avoid misinterpretations.
  3. Some people may not understand the difference between professional and personal relationships, so discretion is key when establishing boundaries.

Corporate Power Plays

Logos • 39 implied HN points • 17 Mar 22
💼 Business Corporate culture Workplace dynamics Employee Relations Professional development
  1. In the corporate world, people often pretend to be collaborative, but it's really very competitive. You need to be aware of these power dynamics to navigate successfully.
  2. Using phrases like 'let's take a step back' can establish you as a thought leader in meetings, but be cautious not to overdo it. Everyone needs to contribute to keep things productive.
  3. Dressing differently, like wearing a suit in a casual workplace, can signal status and create a perception of power. Be strategic about how you present yourself to others.

Reflections on Workplace Infantilisation

The 21st Century Proletarian • 19 implied HN points • 22 Aug 22
🎭️ Culture Workplace dynamics Corporate culture Employee Satisfaction Neoliberalism Solidarity
  1. Modern workplaces are increasingly resembling playgrounds for adults, with fun activities and colorful environments to create a more enjoyable work atmosphere.
  2. The infantilization of office culture can lead to employees feeling disempowered, lacking genuine workplace satisfaction, and being discouraged from advocating for their own interests.
  3. The Stepford employee dynamic, cultivated by companies treating workers like children, can suppress autonomous thinking, hinder collective organizing for better conditions, and foster a culture where employees rely on the company to dictate appropriate behavior.

Why you are frustrated by your organisation

Optimally Irrational • 13 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
💼 Business Management Corporate culture Ethics Workplace dynamics Incentives
  1. Beneath the overly positive facade of organizations, there's often a reality of dysfunction and disillusionment.
  2. The principal-agent problem highlights the conflict of interests between individuals and the organization's goals, leading to misaligned incentives.
  3. Managers can prioritize personal gains, reputation, and short-term benefits over the organization's success, perpetuating issues like hyperactivity and micromanagement.

Is Overemployment the Best Path to Early Retirement?

The Fat Software Engineer • 20 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
💼 Business Workplace dynamics Income Strategies Legal considerations Financial planning Employee Management
  1. Overemployment can be a strategy for early retirement by earning more and spending less.
  2. Overemployment involves having more than one job at once, which can be managed in different ways like working long hours or taking multiple jobs for quick paychecks.
  3. Ethically, overemployment depends on performance, legality of contracts, and the ability to handle multiple jobs stress-free.

How to fit into startup culture

Logos • 19 implied HN points • 27 May 22
💼 Business Startup Culture Management Hiring practices Workplace dynamics Innovation
  1. In startup culture, it's important to recognize that many things are seen as 'broken.' Instead of making small improvements, you should embrace the mindset that big changes are needed.
  2. Using language from manufacturing can help you fit in. Words like 'build,' 'ship,' and 'tinker' are commonly used in tech. Adopting this language can make you feel more like part of the team.
  3. Startups thrive in chaos and uncertainty. Instead of trying to create order and processes, focus on building relationships and influencing others to get things done.

Leading with Empathy

The Future CEO • 1 HN point • 11 Apr 24
💼 Business Leadership Workplace dynamics Empathy Management Professional development
  1. Understanding how to ask for help and support others in the workplace is crucial to building a positive culture.
  2. There are diverse reasons individuals seek help, from coping with pressures to fostering a sense of belonging and support.
  3. True support extends beyond technical problem-solving; it involves active listening, empathy, and understanding unique perspectives to provide meaningful help.

Who is your biggest problem, not what

DruGroup • 19 implied HN points • 07 Dec 21
💼 Business Workplace dynamics Employee Satisfaction Leadership Human Resources Work-life balance Hiring Trends
  1. It's more important to know who you are working with than just what job you do. Strong relationships in the workplace can really boost your success.
  2. Many workers are unhappy and considering quitting their jobs. This trend shows that people are looking for more satisfaction and balance in their work lives.
  3. Companies need to focus on supporting their employees' mental health. Caring for workers' well-being is becoming a major expectation in the workplace today.

Ask Aadil - Wrong way to use the TPM function

Building Rome(s) • 7 implied HN points • 12 May 23
💼 Business Management Leadership Product Management Program Management Workplace dynamics
  1. Technical Program Managers operate on two planes: strategic and tactical.
  2. The real value of TPMs comes from operating on both strategic and tactical planes.
  3. To fix the situation of using TPMs in the wrong way, help evangelize the TPM role, ensure the culture is right for a TPM, and ease in the TPM role while establishing a Program Charter.

A Darker Truth

davidj.substack • 2 HN points • 07 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Data Management Startups Workplace dynamics
  1. Text-to-semantic layer systems can work in enterprise but text-to-SQL ones won't due to technical deficiencies.
  2. Even with infinite resources, achieving a perfect text-to-SQL system may not be enough due to the importance of how data is perceived by stakeholders.
  3. Blame and humiliation dynamics in human interactions make text-to-semantic layer systems more viable than text-to-SQL systems in corporate settings.

Leadership

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 3 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership Management Motivation Workplace dynamics Success
  1. Leadership styles vary - from raising stress levels to inspiring by example or delegating effectively like Elon Musk.
  2. Effective leadership doesn't always require yelling or being a hardass, but can be achieved through setting high standards and providing incentives.
  3. Different people respond to different leadership incentives - some may be motivated by money, titles, causes, or personal charisma.

You probably work at a big company because you thought you should: Why I'll never work at a FAANG or big company again

Data Science Daily • 2 HN points • 04 Mar 23
💼 Business Workplace dynamics Career Choices Corporate culture
  1. Consider where you live and work based on constraints like availability, budget, and awareness.
  2. Big companies might offer prestige, but small companies can provide faster decision-making and more impactful work.
  3. Working at a small company can be more fulfilling than at a large corporation, with less bureaucracy and more client focus.

Whither paper?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 14 Aug 20
🕹 Technology Workplace dynamics Online Trends Economic Impact Remote work
  1. The Covid-19 pandemic may accelerate the move towards a paperless office, as people adapt to working digitally and without physical paperwork.
  2. Despite the decline in paper use, demand for wood pulp products, such as cardboard boxes for online deliveries, remains strong.
  3. The pandemic has forced organizations to transition away from paper processes, leading to a potential long-term shift towards digital alternatives.