First Thing Monday #22
This week we peep on potential employer's social media, ask why so many men think they can land planes, and close the door on open-concept offices 🤳🛬🚪
👋🏻 Hello! Welcome to First Thing Monday! Do you have any holiday party plans? My office is hosting a fancy lunch this week and then a co-worker invited us for a weekend soire. I promise not to use a four-finger shove at either party!
☑️ FTM is a weekly newsletter that includes a recap of all the news Millennial and Gen Z leaders need to know to help make better decisions about their careers. Each issue also includes four tips for developing better relationships in your workplace. Weekly issues come out on Monday mornings!
❓ Have a work question or topics you’d like us to discuss? Drop me a line 📱 misterfantastiksubstack@gmail.com or leave us a comment below!
I’m Jon Cochran, a consumer goods executive with 15 years of experience leading sales, marketing, and product development teams and working with brands like J.Crew, Hilton, and Mattel. I want to provide resources to help you take control of your career and maximize your satisfaction in the workplace.
⏰ What to read before your first meeting:
Research finds women 'turn inward' when they experience ambiguous workplace incidents (Phys.org): Speaking up about unclear situations can be difficult, especially for women, who may worry about facing backlash. But even subtle incidents can add up and affect confidence and career growth. Transparency and open communication are key to fighting unseen bias. Clear job descriptions, fair decision-making, and safe spaces for raising concerns can help. Remember, silence amplifies the problem - let's make sure all voices are heard!
3 Leadership Strategies for a Strong, Flexible Work Culture (Gallup): Let's talk about hybrid work and the biggest challenge leaders face: finding the balance between flexibility and a thriving workforce. Listen to your employees' needs and preferences before rolling out fancy programs. Build strong relationships between managers and employees and give them the tools to lead and develop teams across physical and digital settings. Keep communication open and adjust your approach as needed. Just make sure you don’t let your own opinion drive the process for developing these programs. This is all about the team!
Majority of Job Seekers Admit to Checking Social Media Profiles of Potential Colleagues (Ticker): I’d never heard of Ticker before, but this article stood out to me! Remember when we were all afraid potential bosses would find our old party pics on Facebook? Looking back, I doubt many of them even knew how to log on to Facebook in the aughts! And now, we’re turning the lens back on potential bosses. It helps to understand the people you’ll work with, beyond the first impressions we get during the interview process. Employers should recognize the significance of social media in attracting talent and consider how they showcase their company culture on these platforms.
Employees to Employers: “It’s Not Me, It’s You” 34% of Employees Have to Guess Their Priorities (Bakersfield.com): Turns out, there's a disconnect between what our bosses think works and what actually makes us tick. This Slingshot report highlights the communication gap holding us back – it's all about priorities, deadlines, and feeling seen, not just micromanaged. The report says this chaos fries our focus, with 64% losing 1-2 productive hours daily from unclear priorities and deadlines. Here's the good news: it's fixable. Clear communication is the magic bullet. Let’s ditch the check-in frenzy and give our teams clear priorities and achievable deadlines. Trust me, it's not about micromanaging – it's about setting everyone (including yourself) up for success.
How (not) to motivate your employees (The Business Standard): Skip the weekend "appreciation" charades and stale pastries. True employee motivation starts with respect, not gimmicks. Pay us fairly, provide resources, trust us, and create environments where we can thrive. That's the recipe for a motivated, engaged workforce, not forced fun. Let's build workplaces that value us, not exploit us. Because a genuine "well done" beats an AI-generated thank-you letter any day.
🚰 The Water Cooler
We have to change the standard of what it means to create social media content and also be good at your real job. Do we really need our doctors to spend time dancing on TikTok? Not everyone has public-facing dance abilities!
I once found myself seated at a table next to Emil Wilbekin. I was able to contain my fanboy tendencies and waited for the right moment to say, “Your time at Vibe Magazine meant so much to me. Thank you for everything you do!” He remains a hero.
Nearly half of men think they can safely land a plane in an emergency. Too many Nick Cage movies, y’all!
A beautiful NYC apartment, full of peel-and-stick design details, is available for $8000 a month in rent. Many of us get excited to see a dramatic renovation. And when the moulding hits like this does, it’s so good! Maybe it’s just me, but I’m afraid with one clumsy turn I’ll snag a wallpaper panel, and suddenly all that wonderful detail gets pulled off the wall!
📖 Reflections for this week:
For yourself: Consider your online presence. Does it accurately reflect the professional you want to be? Striking the right balance between professional and personal is crucial. Sharing glimpses of your interests and hobbies can humanize your online persona, but maintaining professionalism is important. And if you don’t want potential employers or co-workers peeping on your stories? Make that profile private!
For your boss: When faced with an unclear situation, focus on seeking clarification, not jumping to conclusions. Approach your boss calmly and express your confusion. Ask open-ended questions like "Could you help me understand the expectations for this project?" or "Is there anything else I should be aware of in regards to...?" If you still feel uneasy after seeking clarification, don't hesitate to express your concerns. Do so respectfully and focus on the potential impact of the ambiguity ("I'm worried that without clear expectations, we might miss the deadline" instead of "This feels suspicious").
For your direct report(s): Navigating hybrid work with your direct reports can be a balancing act, but with the right strategies, you can foster connection, productivity, and well-being for everyone. Recognize that everyone has different needs and preferences regarding hybrid work. Be flexible and accommodating within reasonable bounds, ensuring fairness and consistency. Measure success by deliverables, not physical presence. This practice fosters accountability and ownership while allowing for flexible schedules. Don't assume they get it. Share updates, progress reports, and project context regularly. Transparency builds trust and reduces ambiguity.
For your co-workers: Recognize that not everyone responds to the same things. Go beyond generic "thank yous" and offer rewards that align with their individual preferences. This could be anything from flexible work schedules to opportunities for learning and development. It meant a lot to me when a boss said, “You had a great week! Go have a nice meal with your husband on us this week.” He knew I loved food and that treating myself was something I didn’t do often. Knowing your team helps make the motivation game more authentic.
⚡️ And one last thing…
We all know the drill: that open office layout, all pristine and airy, promising collaboration and innovation. But let's be real: sometimes it feels more like a zoo than a workplace. The open office isn't all it's cracked up to be; notice how few workers are still seeking this sort of workplace environment. Sure, it can be great for brainstorming and quick chats, but it's also a haven for distractions and a killer of focus.
Think about it: constant chatter, phone calls bouncing around, and the incessant clack-clack of keyboards. It's enough to make even the most focused person go cross-eyed! And that's not even mentioning the introverts among us who need their quiet time to recharge and thrive. In an open office, it's like they're constantly on display, their energy drained by the constant stimulation.
But wait, there's good news! We already know how private spaces at work can actually boost productivity. A quiet corner where you can finally dig into that report, analyze data without your neighbor's loud chewing, or even just take a deep breath and recharge for the next task. An office with a door and a few more square feet than a closet can also make employees feel valued and that their work is important. We’re not asking for much!
It's not just about productivity, either. Open offices can take a toll on mental health, leading to stress, anxiety, and even feelings of burnout. Providing a little privacy can create a sense of sanctuary and control, promoting a healthier and happier work environment. Now, I'm not saying we need to ditch the open office altogether. Collaboration is important, after all. But there's a balance to be struck.
Think of dedicated quiet zones or even small private offices. I think other ideas like phone booths and tiny offices show a lack of investment in your people; you are literally shoving people in a closet and calling it a “perk!”
Flexible work arrangements like remote work can also help reduce noise and distractions in the office. And let's not forget about communication and setting expectations around noise levels. I’ve worked mostly in open offices and never once did we discuss the value of shared noise level standards!
By creating a privacy-conscious workplace, we can empower employees to thrive. So let's give them the space and quiet they need to do their best work, without sacrificing the benefits of collaboration.
Have you experienced the downsides of open offices? How do you deal with distractions in your workplace? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
You were made for Mondays like this,
Follow me on Instagram at @mistersfantastik
The ambiguous work situations are tough. I never thought about how it affected me.
The olds who still prescribe an open office layout play like they're confused because we don't like them. Then they go into their office and close the door!