The hottest Workplace Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

What am I afraid of at work?

Sex and the State • 29 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Writing Feminism Workplace Psychology
  1. Many feminist writings are often repetitive and less engaging. It's common to feel this way about similar genres, such as libertarian or academic writing.
  2. Examining your work through Attachment Theory can reveal deeper insights about your relationship to it. Personal reflection can help uncover self-deceiving thoughts.
  3. It's important to engage with other writers in your niche. This can improve your own work and provide new perspectives.

Paradox.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 30 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
💼 Business Management Strategy Workplace Productivity Technology
  1. Companies today need to handle both Fragmentation and Integration to succeed. They should adapt to different types of workers and resources while ensuring everything works together smoothly.
  2. Fragmentation comes from having diverse employee types and many ways to reach customers, making it important for companies to simplify how they manage these aspects.
  3. To compete effectively, companies should create seamless services and use data smartly to combine insights, while also offering some customization without overwhelming customers.
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Surviving the Symphony of Slack

A Perfectly Cromulent Software Engineer • 39 implied HN points • 24 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Workplace Stress Pets
  1. Hearing the notification sound from a work messaging platform like Slack can trigger stress and anxiety in some individuals.
  2. The familiar sound of a notification can bring back memories of past stressful situations and urgent requests.
  3. There is a delicate balance between muting notifications to avoid stress and missing out on enjoyable interactions like shared memes or conversations with friends.

We Live in a Jaeger's World

72 Degrees North • 79 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Society Psychology Workplace Hierarchy
  1. Nature has elements of competition and aggression that are seen as characteristics of a Jaeger bird in the animal kingdom.
  2. Mental health issues like depression can affect anyone and are not just for the 'mentally ill', but can be worsened by societal pressures like burnout.
  3. Corporate structures often promote a culture of competition to suffer rather than competition to excel, leading to negative impacts on employees' well-being and favoring those with psychopathic traits.

The one-day work week

Situation Normal • 128 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Opinion Humor Workplace Life Society
  1. Three-day weekends can be great, but the following week can feel off. Short weeks can lead to longer workdays to get things done.
  2. The idea of a one-day work week, or a six-day weekend, was proposed. The concept involved focusing on productivity and getting stuff done.
  3. The discussion around work weeks highlighted challenges with traditional work schedules like Mondays being unproductive and weekends throwing off productivity.

Gửi các anh kỹ sư Việt Kiều

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 299 implied HN points • 07 May 22
🎭️ Culture Language Workplace
  1. In the US, the term 'senior' can refer to a high school senior, not just a high-ranking engineer. Don't get lost in translation!
  2. At Google, a team typically consists of 6 members with one manager - a lower-level leadership role. In different contexts like Vietnam, this might be seen as a much higher position.
  3. Job titles don't always reflect actual skills or contributions. Don't get caught up in inflated titles - focus on your work instead.

Are emotions fueling your growth or hindering it?

Upon Reflection • 39 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Workplace Tools Self-awareness Mental health
  1. Emotions are valuable tools at work, providing crucial information for navigating challenges and fostering connections with others
  2. Managing emotions is essential as they can be disruptive and drain valuable time and energy that could be used for productivity or self-care
  3. Practicing emotional awareness, moving from subjective to objective observation, creating space for growth, and supporting team members are key strategies for emotional intelligence in the workplace

🎮The Power of Play: How Gamification is Revolutionizing the Workplace

Work3 - The Future of Work • 58 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
💼 Business Gamification Technology Workplace Productivity Blockchain
  1. Gamification can make dull and repetitive work more engaging by applying game-like mechanics.
  2. Employees, especially Gen Z, seek mission-driven jobs and may feel disengaged due to lack of autonomy at work.
  3. Implementing gamification in the workplace can involve rewards for assessments, fun training methods, stimulating goal-setting, and a feedback reward system.

Generating a Human Response to Artificial Intelligence on The Future of Work

Workforce Futurist by Andy Spence • 244 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Automation Workplace Ethics Future Impacts
  1. ChatGPT is a powerful generative AI tool that is rapidly developing and has various applications in automation and work tasks.
  2. The impact of AI on work is significant, with potential job task implications for the workforce, especially in white-collar professions.
  3. Society needs to address challenges related to AI regulation, digital access divide, bias prevention, and reimagining the future of work that balances human and machine capabilities.

Future-proofing Ourselves.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 92 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💼 Business Technology Workplace Skills Communication
  1. Future workplaces are rapidly changing due to technology, distributed work, and global marketplaces. Companies that do not adapt risk falling behind.
  2. To stay relevant, individuals must continuously upgrade their mental skills like cognition, creativity, and curiosity in a connected world.
  3. Effective collaboration, communication, and convincing skills are crucial in the evolving workplace to complement machines and excel in the future.

Thoughts on DEI

Logos • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diversity Inclusion Policy Workplace Social justice
  1. Diversity is important because it brings different perspectives that can lead to better solutions and helps companies find talented individuals from various backgrounds.
  2. However, diversity can also create challenges, like communication issues and making it harder to reach agreement among team members.
  3. To improve diversity, companies should focus on hiring more entry-level candidates. This helps bring in a wider variety of talents right from the start, despite potential downsides like lower average pay for minority groups.

Gnashing My Teeth and Chewing on Painkillers

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Safety Workplace Leadership Physical health
  1. Reflect on past mistakes to learn and improve from them. A moment of stupidity can lead to a lifetime of reflection.
  2. Promote safety consciousness and effective leadership to prevent incidents. Creating a safe environment is crucial for successful leadership.
  3. Design work areas to prioritize safety, minimize risks, and support employees. Safety requires constant evaluation and improvement in work conditions.

Managing..up?

Sunday Letters • 119 implied HN points • 21 Aug 22
💼 Business Management Career Leadership Workplace Professional development
  1. It's important to understand what your manager wants and not just tell them what they want to hear. Building trust is key for a strong team.
  2. Think about the problems your boss faces and help find solutions. This shows initiative and helps you prepare for future roles.
  3. Instead of overloading your manager with details, focus on providing clear and concise information. They appreciate when you streamline their workload.

How do we make sense of all of this?

Sunday Letters • 39 implied HN points • 18 Jun 23
🕹 Technology AI Data science Workplace Innovation Complex Systems
  1. It's normal to feel overwhelmed with all the rapid changes in technology and AI. Many people are struggling to keep up, and that's okay.
  2. Using first principles can help us find clarity in confusing situations. Focusing on what's truly important and how things work can guide our understanding.
  3. Looking at data and history can help us make sense of current trends. By finding patterns and using math, we can better understand the complexities of new technologies.

ChatGPT or CheatGPT?

My Home Office Hacks • 5 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Tools Workplace Productivity Home Office Gadgets
  1. Using AI tools like ChatGPT for invoicing is useful and doesn't feel like cheating. It can save a lot of time and effort.
  2. You can create a personalized invoice template just by asking ChatGPT for specific details about your company and billing needs.
  3. If you have back pain, using adjustable workstations like Altwork can help you work comfortably, even while lying down.

Can we all just agree that it's weird and dumb that we still have girl jobs and boy jobs?

Sex and the State • 10 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Roles Workplace Society Economics Identity
  1. It's strange that we still categorize jobs as 'girl jobs' and 'boy jobs.' This doesn't reflect our modern society.
  2. Gender roles in jobs can lead to unfair treatment and inequality in the workplace. It's important to question these stereotypes.
  3. We should focus on people's skills and interests rather than their gender when it comes to jobs. Everyone deserves equal opportunities.

How to ask questions

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Workplace Socializing Teamwork Personal Growth Culinary
  1. Think carefully before asking questions. It helps if you try to solve the problem by yourself first, as this can lead to new ideas.
  2. Building social connections with coworkers is important. Joining in on conversations can strengthen teamwork and collaboration.
  3. Having support from coworkers, like feedback on your work, can really boost your productivity and motivation.

Death of Stalin

Splattern • 19 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Film History Politics Society Workplace
  1. People often focus on small issues instead of looking for bigger opportunities. It's important to see the bigger picture instead of just fighting over tiny matters.
  2. The culture in some workplaces can be similar to the fear-based leadership seen in the film The Death of Stalin. Employees may feel pressured to please their bosses instead of being genuine.
  3. Workplaces that have strict quotas or high-pressure environments can lead to competition among coworkers, making it hard to build strong team bonds. This can create a feeling of isolation instead of teamwork.

Attention Caplanites: School is Less Wasteful Than You Think!

a newsletter for infovores. • 65 HN points • 31 May 23
🚌 Education Critique Value Workplace Retention
  1. Bryan Caplan's argument against education may not have strong evidence to support it, putting the burden of proof on Caplanites.
  2. The sheepskin effect might not only be due to signaling but could have other explanations, suggesting the need for more scrutiny.
  3. Schools not only signal intelligence but also teach conformity, which is valued by employers.

The Rise of Generative AI Courses

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🕹 Technology AI Education Innovation Workplace Future Trends
  1. Many workers are eager to learn and use generative AI at their jobs, showing a strong interest in new technology.
  2. Companies are looking for ways to use generative AI to improve their operations and stay competitive in the future.
  3. Embracing generative AI can greatly enhance training programs and help workers adapt to new trends in their fields.

My 2025 WFH prediction

My Home Office Hacks • 5 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Workplace Hardware Software Trends
  1. By 2025, there are expected to be fewer people working from home, especially among federal employees. This might set an example for the private sector to follow.
  2. To effectively use AI on your laptop, you'll need powerful hardware like a great CPU, dedicated AI graphics, and plenty of RAM. It might be a good time to think about upgrading your device.
  3. It's important to keep an eye on how tariffs on imported goods could affect tech products, including laptops. Investing in the right tools now could help you stay ahead.

Shadow Leave: How to Hand off Work

Patrick Auld: It Depends • 2 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
💼 Business Management Leadership Workplace Delegation Productivity
  1. Prepare before taking time off to avoid chaos. Let your team know you will be away and give them a chance to handle responsibilities.
  2. Creating a 'shadow leave' phase allows you to see where help is needed. This way, you can fix any issues before your break.
  3. Enjoying peace of mind is important. By preparing well, you can relax knowing your team can manage while you're away.

Forget afternoon coffee

My Home Office Hacks • 2 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Exercise Productivity Workplace Mental health Self-care
  1. Doing a one-minute exercise can help wake you up more than coffee. It boosts your focus and helps you avoid stress eating or procrastinating.
  2. This quick exercise can improve muscle coordination and circulation, making you feel better without a gym visit.
  3. Downloading your social media data, like from Facebook, can give you peace of mind about your online presence and what you've shared over the years.

Monday briefing #3: digital ad woe, fake journalists, workplace serendipity, tackling diversity, Zoom alternative, COVID-19 map, and more…

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 13 Jul 20
💼 Business Marketing Media Public Relations Workplace Diversity Technology
  1. The digital ad market is facing serious issues, with problems like fake websites and bots causing trouble. It's important to focus more on real outcomes in advertising.
  2. There needs to be more diversity in the PR industry to tackle its ongoing problems. Making recruitment briefs more open could help with this issue.
  3. New tools are emerging for remote work, like Mmhmm, which allows for better video collaboration during virtual meetings. These new options can help make online interactions more engaging.

Computer says no

The Leftovers • 1 HN point • 19 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Capitalism Technology Workplace Social Issues Literature
  1. Faceless capitalism and the normalization of algorithmic culture lead to dehumanizing work environments and exploitative systems.
  2. Unpaid labor is increasingly common in today's society, with self-checkouts and other technological advancements making consumers work for corporations without compensation.
  3. The rise of algorithmic decision-making poses a risk to social justice and prioritizes efficiency over human considerations, potentially leading to a future where profit prevails over well-being.

Signs of a Climate-Conscience Company

Save Our Happy Place • 5 implied HN points • 30 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Business Sustainability Workplace Corporate culture
  1. Look for company initiatives, climate enablement, and metrics during onboarding to see if a company cares about the planet.
  2. Consider benefits that encourage sustainable living as a sign of a climate-conscience company.
  3. Check if a company measures and shares metrics like carbon footprint, water footprint, and waste footprint to gauge their commitment to the planet.

So Smart I'm Dumb

Synystron Synlogica • 2 HN points • 23 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Workplace Remote work
  1. The idea of providing value to a company and being compensated for it seems simple and obvious, yet many systems complicate the process.
  2. Intelligence and wealth are not distributed equally, and there are basic ideas that should be easy and accepted by all, but are not.
  3. The notion of letting easy and obvious things be allowed and done is highlighted as a concept worth implementing.