First Thing Monday #46
This week we battle carewashing, navigate grief at the office, and master the art of simple organization 🧼😞📔
🌞 Welcome back to First Thing Monday! We’ve already received a great response to our reader survey, thank you! The survey link is still up and we’d love to hear from you. Hope you enjoy this first week of August!
☑️ FTM is a weekly newsletter that includes a recap of all the news you need to know to make better career decisions. Each issue also includes four tips for developing better relationships at work and a deep dive into a pressing workplace topic. Weekly issues come out on Monday mornings!
❓ Have a work question or topics you’d like us to discuss? Drop me a line 📱 simply reply to this email or leave us a comment below!
I’m Jon Cochran, a workplace sociologist with over 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:
Retirement gets harder the longer you wait (The Atlantic): Retirement, once seen as a golden chapter, is increasingly a complex transition for many, especially high-achieving professionals accustomed to defining themselves by their careers. While often seen as a positive life milestone, retirement can lead to feelings of isolation, loss of purpose, and even declining mental health for some folks. Careful planning, including gradual work reduction, cultivating interests outside of work, and maintaining social connections, is crucial for a smoother transition and greater fulfillment. Understanding the potential challenges and seeking support, as many retirees do, can significantly improve the overall experience and outcomes.
Your Workplace Is Just Pretending to Care — and You're Part of the Problem, Too. Here's Why. (Entrepreneur): Creating a truly caring workplace requires more than superficial gestures. While corporations strive to cultivate caring cultures through benefits and perks, actions often speak louder than words. These superficial commitments, or "carewashing," erode trust and hinder productivity. Conversely, employees bear responsibility for their roles in fostering a positive environment, avoiding behaviors like "quiet quitting" or spreading negativity. True progress lies in a shared commitment to genuine care, respect, and growth, where both employers and employees actively contribute to a positive and productive workplace culture.
The Cities Where 20-Somethings Are Still Getting Hired (The Wall Street Journal): Recent college grads are facing a challenging job market. Although many major cities face hiring challenges and high living costs, Southern cities like Raleigh, Austin, and Charlotte provide a refreshing contrast. These areas boast growing economies, affordable living, and a vibrant job market, particularly in tech and finance. However, the overall trend of fewer entry-level positions underscores the need for adaptability and a willingness to explore opportunities beyond traditional metropolitan hubs for graduates.
3 mistakes to avoid when it comes to psychological safety at work (Fast Company): Psychological safety is the cornerstone of a thriving workplace. Often misunderstood as merely a tolerance for risk-taking, psychological safety encompasses a broader sense of belonging, trust, and respect. Organizations must shift from superficial speech or actions to a genuine commitment to foster a psychologically safe workplace. This involves investing in employee development, encouraging open dialogue, and implementing comprehensive measurement tools. By assessing psychological safety through tailored surveys and analysis, organizations can identify specific areas for improvement, such as fostering a sense of belonging or enhancing communication skills.
The One Person Who Could Make Your Job Easier Also Doesn’t Want to Be There (Slate): Burnout has become a pervasive issue, with middle managers often caught in the crossfire. The relentless pressure to meet unrealistic expectations is creating a ripple effect of stress throughout organizations. To foster a healthier work environment, leaders must shift focus from superficial well-being initiatives to addressing the root causes of burnout. Companies can create a culture where individuals thrive by setting realistic expectations, empowering employees, and prioritizing work-life balance. Remember, small steps like setting boundaries and delegating tasks can make a significant difference in preventing burnout and boosting overall well-being.
🚰 The Water Cooler
I’ve been listening to
for a couple of months now and it’s great. Her most recent episode with Amanda Mull, senior reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek and consumer culture expert, was so good. Hearing about how a set of import regulations that expired in 2005 birthed the fast fashion environment we live in now was eye-opening!Who isn’t a sucker for Olympics-style!? If the 21st century has taught us anything, athleisure is here to stay and we should’ve always been paying attention to athletes and their style. But if you’re a millennial like me who lived through the inspired days of Allen Iverson and Derrick Jeter, you might remember the Over the Top, those insane Oakley sunglasses Ato Bolden wore at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. British GQ gives us the behind-the-scenes of these iconic shades!
Speaking of the Olympics, did you know Italian gymnast Giorgia Villa is sponsored by Parmigiano Reggiano!? If any maker of sharp cheddar is looking for a spokesperson, my DMs are very open.
I also thought you’d appreciate hearing from the team behind the viral popcorn bucket for Dune 2. While I don’t believe them when they say the bucket doesn’t look like something gross, seeing the design development and understanding their process makes me appreciate their attention to detail and storytelling.
📖 Reflections for this week:
This week we consider bereavement and how to address it at work.
For you: Experiencing a loss is undoubtedly a challenging time. Prioritize your emotional well-being and allow yourself the time and space to grieve. Open communication with your supervisor is essential to express your need for time off and to be honest about your ability to handle work responsibilities. Setting boundaries by declining additional responsibilities or limiting your workload is acceptable during this period. Lean on your support system, including friends, family, or support groups, to help you cope with your grief. Prioritize self-care through activities like exercise, meditation, or spending time in nature to nurture your physical and mental health.
Your boss: Supporting a boss or supervisor through bereavement requires empathy, understanding, and flexibility. Offering sincere condolences, allowing necessary time off, and providing workload adjustments demonstrate care. Creating a supportive environment where folks feel comfortable discussing their feelings and offering resources like counseling services can be invaluable during this difficult time.
Your direct reports: As a supervisor, supporting team members through bereavement requires empathy and understanding. Acknowledging their loss, offering flexibility with workloads, and fostering a supportive team environment are essential. Refraining from placing undue pressure on grieving employees and demonstrating empathy in your interactions can make a significant difference during this challenging time.
Your co-workers: Offering support to a grieving colleague can be challenging, but it's important to be present and compassionate. Letting them know you're there for them is a good start. Respecting their privacy by avoiding intrusive questions and offering practical help, such as covering their workload or running errands, can also be beneficial. Being mindful of your words, avoiding clichés, and fostering a supportive team environment are essential for creating a compassionate workplace during difficult times. You can never go wrong with offering a meal or food delivery gift card!
⚡️ And one last thing…
I’ve always been a sucker for a system. The allure of a perfectly orchestrated life, captured in a sleek planner or a meticulously designed spreadsheet, has been a siren song for as long as I can remember. My dad, a creature of habit, relied on a trusty Day Runner. I, the aspiring young executive, coveted its pleather-bound authority. Fast forward to my adult life, and my obsession with organization has only intensified. It's a peculiar affliction, really, the need to control the chaos with a pen and paper or a digital dashboard. But as I've discovered, the journey from organizational enthusiast to sustained productivity is fraught with challenges.
I’ve been the poster child for organizational tool addiction. The initial rush of creating a new system is intoxicating. Every spreadsheet cell, every planner page is a blank canvas for my inner architect and planned perfection. I’d lose myself for hours fine-tuning, tweaking, and perfecting these digital or analog masterpieces. The problem was always the aftermath. Once the initial high faded, so did my commitment. These carefully constructed systems would gather digital dust, or worse, become cluttered and overwhelming. It was a vicious cycle of creation and abandonment, leaving me feeling defeated and disorganized.
My organizational journey has been a winding road, filled with detours and dead ends. I’ve experimented with everything from elaborate Gantt charts to single-note apps. But in the end, simplicity has proven to be the ultimate victor. My current system – a humble, spreadsheet-based weekly planner – is the antithesis of my former organizational excesses. It’s stripped down, focused, and remarkably effective. There’s a freedom in its limitations. No distractions, no bells and whistles. Just me and a clear path forward.
I’ve wrestled with my fair share of organizational demons. Fear of failure was a formidable opponent. What if I couldn't stick with this new system? What if I was doomed to a life of chaos? What if my colleagues knew I wasn’t as organized as I appear? These doubts were paralyzing. But the truth is, failure is a natural part of the process. It’s the courage to try again that counts. With each failed system, I learned valuable lessons. I discovered that my need for perfection was often a barrier to progress. I also came to embrace that talking about my system and getting feedback on prioritization and planning from others also helps make me better. What can feel like a lonely island, is actually work done together with others through imperfection, practice, and focusing on small, consistent steps.
Sticking with a simple, effective system has had a profound impact on my life. Beyond increased productivity, it's fostered a sense of calm and control. The act of planning my week has become a form of self-care, allowing me to prioritize tasks and create mental space. It's also improved my relationships. When I’m organized, I’m less stressed, and that positive energy ripples out to those around me. This experience has taught me the importance of finding what works for you and sticking with it, even when it feels mundane or unexciting.
In a world obsessed with productivity hacks and time management gurus, it’s easy to get lost in the pursuit of the perfect system. But the truth is, simplicity often trumps complexity. My journey from organizational chaos to newfound calm has shown me that sustainable change comes from simple tools and consistency rather than dramatic overhauls. By embracing a minimalist approach and focusing on what truly matters, I’ve found a sense of peace and purpose that extends far beyond my planner and makes it easier to feel good about myself.
Make the most of today and give yourself a break this evening!
Follow me on Instagram at @misterfantastik
YES to a highly organized system. Do I have one? No, but I love the idea of them.