First Thing Monday #47

This week we become AI prompt engineers, taste test the latest Krispy Kreme collab, and deep dive into professional skincare 🤖🍩🪞

Sep 02, 2024

man and woman talking about skincare over lunch

🌞 Good morning! Welcome to this week’s edition of First Thing Monday. Happy Labor Day to to US readers! I’m back from a trip to NYC where we enjoyed Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary! and a night of Cardi B. and Peter Gabriel-style karaoke. It was a blast!

☑️ 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:

What working long hours does to your body (National Geographic): Excessive work time is linked to increased risks of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. The constant stress from overwork can manifest as physical and mental health issues. Prioritize recovery with adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and regular physical activity. I’ve found that the times when I’m most cranky is when I’m also most tired. To mitigate risks, consider strategies like prioritizing movement over long hours in front of a computer and adjusting your schedule to accommodate your home and personal life. Remember, prevention is key to safeguarding your well-being.
There's a double-edged sword high performers face at work (Business Insider): Top performers can often find themselves in a feedback black hole. A recent study revealed that high achievers, especially women, are less likely to receive constructive criticism. This lack of guidance can hinder growth, boost turnover, and erode morale. So much of what folks call feedback is often vague, jargon-y, or even passive-aggressive. To counteract this, organizations should prioritize ongoing, specific, and actionable feedback. Implementing regular check-ins, focusing on both strengths and areas for improvement, and providing clear action steps can help nurture top talent and foster a culture of continuous development.
My boss says I need to social more with my team (The Cut): What do you do when your boss prioritizes social connections over professional performance? Some managers may prioritize social bonding over professional performance, leading to expectations that can be difficult to meet. Tactics to handle this management style: Communicate your preferences and limits regarding social activities outside of work hours, focus on building strong working relationships based on mutual respect and collaboration, and politely but firmly decline invitations that don't align with your preferences or boundaries. That last part, I think, is key. The choice to attend or not attend the happy hour is yours. It's essential to prioritize your well-being and set boundaries that are aligned with your goals and values.
Another Task for HR in the GenAI Era: Find a Prompt Engineer (SHRM): There is a growing demand for prompt engineers in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). These folks craft queries that instruct GenAI tools on how to complete tasks, creating a need for this new skilled role. With the increasing use of GenAI in workplaces, demand for prompt engineers is expected to increase. While technical roles like data scientists and software developers are already all in on GenAI, other professionals in fields like technical writing and product management are also developing prompt engineering skills. Recruiters face the toughest challenges in finding qualified candidates due to the early days of the field and mixed reactions to GenAI from different generations of workers.
Why leaders shouldn’t focus on creating a corporate culture—and what they should build instead (Fast Company): This article argues that focusing on building a strong community within an organization is more effective than solely emphasizing corporate culture. While culture can influence behavior, community fosters deeper connections, engagement, and well-being among employees. Unlike culture, which often focuses on external factors like values and norms, community centers on the internal experiences and relationships of employees including shared experiences, trust, support, and a sense of belonging. It goes beyond surface-level interactions and supports an environment where employees feel valued and connected.

🚰 The Water Cooler

Mama Dip’s was a mainstay of the Chapel Hill, NC-dining scene since 1976. Bill Smith, another Chapel Hill superstar chef, reflects on the history of Mama Dip’s, why it’s only so long, and not goodbye, to the Council family and their continued contribution to the Chapel Hill community.
While in New York, the only thing I bought was bag charms from the NewJeans collection at LINE Friends. To my other bag charmers: how do you keep from jingle-jangling everywhere!?
I want to start a larger conversation around Krispy Kreme and their collab game. From Dolly Parton, retailer Pretty Little Thing, TV show Friends, cookie brand Biscoff, candy bar Kit Kat, M&Ms, and more, Krispy Kreme is keen to keep these collections moving. We just tried the new Dr. Pepper set, and it was delicious!
Let’s all be honest: who else out there can’t stop listening to Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet? And if you haven’t had time, I implore you. Give it a listen!

📖 Reflections for this week:

This week we consider how to balance work and personal appointments.

For you: By scheduling personal appointments during off-peak hours and proactively informing your supervisor, you can minimize disruptions and demonstrate responsibility. That doesn’t mean don’t schedule appointments that may fall during work hours! Be aware of when you schedule your appointments and communicate your schedule to people. When possible, delegate tasks or adjust your workload to accommodate personal commitments. Remember to establish clear boundaries between work and personal time to avoid burnout and ensure your well-being. I once took a work call at the dentist. Don’t do that!
Your boss: Are there times of the year that are busier than others for your boss? For some folks with kids, the beginning of the school year can be hectic. Be flexible when it comes to morning or later afternoon meetings. Also be sure to keep your boss informed of your own schedule and any upcoming appointments. If you haven’t done this already, creating a shared calendar for events and appointments can help make everyone’s schedule more transparent when it comes to availability, commitments, and planning.
Your direct reports: By prioritizing self-care and effectively managing your own schedule, you set a positive example for your team. Let them know when you’ll be out and why. Sometimes we all have to schedule a haircut during the work day! Show empathy and flexibility when team members need to schedule personal appointments, and offer assistance or delegate tasks when necessary. This approach not only demonstrates your understanding and flexibility but shows you value and support your team.
Your co-workers: Want to make it easier for your co-workers? Be mindful of their schedules when you schedule your appointments. If there is a day when you’re all in the office, don’t schedule things that require you to be away from your desk. That day for no meetings? That’s the perfect day for the eye doctor or a massage! And like anyone else, don’t forget to be flexible if someone needs to cancel at the last minute. Consider that canceled meeting time back to you!

⚡️ And one last thing…

In the summer of 2018, I got my first hit. It had been a while in the making. I’d done the research online, I’d talked to my friends, and I decided I was ready.

This first time was to Glossier. And what that first visit created was a junkie. Long ago, I’d fallen in love with a blog called Into the Gloss. And like any good Millennial, I also fell in love with Emily Weiss, the voice behind the blog. She could do no wrong. So when she and her team introduced Glossier, a product line inspired by the blog, I knew I had to try it. I got a serum, a cream, and the Milky Jelly Cleanser. Glossier was my gateway.

When I reflect on my skincare routine, I realize it’s something I’d been paying attention to since I was a kid. Those dang Oxy pad commercials really got me, even if I didn’t have acne to treat yet. Eventually, I would develop cystic acne and would go on Accutane in college. I had some fear about the side effects associated with Accutane. But what I mostly remember is that my skin was intensely dry that I would coat most of my body in Vaseline at night!

At some point in my teens, I got diagnosed with Psoriasis. My experience with psoriasis has been pretty easy in that I’ve been able to manage the plaques topically, nothing like the horror stories of Kim Kardashian or those psoriasis drug commercials. I’ve been lucky, too, in that my Psoriasis is limited to a few spots on my face and scalp. In my twenties, though, I became very self-conscious about the dandruff on my shoulders, a result of the psoriasis. I turned to pharmacy shampoos and a hydrocortisone cream from my dermatologist, and they seemed to do the trick for a while.

I began learning more about ingredients and what worked for particular kinds of skin concerns. In the world of skincare, countless products and trends promise miraculous transformations. And soon enough, I wanted more. I wanted better, more efficacious. I’m here to tell you I’ve tried most over-the-counter skincare products that are less than $150–moisturizers, serums, creams, cleansers, exfoliators, all of it. I mostly avoid devices because they’re expensive and who knows if they work. Who knows if any of this works!? After my initial foray into skincare at Glossier, though, I became a dedicated enthusiast, experimenting via Sephora and my Rouge-level free shipping.

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative, that stimulates cell turnover, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For many, it’s a holy grail ingredient. Sure Glossier had a product with retinol, but there is not enough in there for you to see any prompt results.
I also learned how important Vitamin C is for a good face. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that brightens the skin and protects against environmental damage. And if you’ve ever tried to find a Vitamin C product, you know there are so many out there and they can be finicky.
The last bit I learned about was the power of a good sunscreen. Growing up, my mom really emphasized the importance of sunscreen. Sunscreen is crucial for preventing premature aging and reducing the risk of skin cancer. I mean, I definitely had my tanning bed phase in the summer of 2006 but I’ve come to appreciate not getting tan and feeling like I might be able to forgo some cancer kinds by not being all out in the sun.
While these ingredients are widely recognized for their benefits, it's important to understand the science behind their effectiveness. Retinol works by increasing collagen production, a protein that gives the skin its structure and elasticity. Vitamin C neutralizes harmful free radicals, preventing them from damaging skin cells. Sunscreen acts as a barrier, blocking harmful UV rays from penetrating the skin. I loved learning about the science behind the creams, serums, and gels.

What my dermatologist never mentioned though, was the potential for psoriatic arthritis, a condition that affects 30% of psoriasis patients. As in, my fingers and toes would swell up and ache, and my lower back would be so sore I’d sometimes have trouble walking. I thought it was because I’d been a lover of the sale rack and would buy most any fancy shoe I could squeeze these dogs into. One doctor even asked me if I wore high heels and that might be the cause of my foot pain. I’ll say, it took a change to a female doctor to finally feel like I was getting somewhere in terms of solving this achy pain. I never saw that male doctor again.

Turns out, the pain was arthritis, and it was related to my psoriasis. Once I got on an anti-inflammatory medicine, I felt like a new person! My skin was looking better and wow, my hands and feet no longer hurt or looked like Vienna sausages. My psoriasis diagnosis led me to re-evaluate my skincare approach and focus on products that would both address my skin condition and combat aging.

So I had a bit of knowledge and I used that to run through products. I didn’t get to that Rouge level by not trying new things! It wasn’t until 2022 that I started to feel a little letdown. I’d been committed to a 5-6 step routine each morning. I’d religiously watch each new skincare video on Vogue’s YouTube to see what latest doo-dads and oils the stars used (my fave video? Tracee Ellis Ross). Despite the layers of stuff I’d slather on and their promises of radiant youth, I noticed some dark spots started to appear.

And for me, it became a bit of an obsession. I’d decided the large spot on my forehead was growing, and the only solution was more Paula’s Choice. And I include Paula’s Choice here because the brand was the strongest over the counter dark spot treatment I’d been able to find. But I was also under the impression that Paula could handle me. She couldn’t.

I had this great, Vogue-approved routine and I was still getting dark spots. And despite my efforts, the spots weren’t going away. After all the magazine articles, blog posts, and hours on the Sephora app, I decided it was time to take my skin to the professionals. I am not a doctor but I had no problem diagnosing my face. If you’re not a doctor, and I say this with kindness, you should leave the diagnosis to the pros. In this case, I found a cosmetic dermatologist.

One reason I went to the cosmetic dermatologist and not the one treating psoriasis derm is because I could never get my psoriasis doctor to talk to me about anti-aging. It was wam-bam, you look fine, bye. I felt the cosmetic dermatologist would hopefully hear me out and help me. After we took some pictures and talked about my skin goals, she asked if I had any questions. I wanted to know about the lasers!

Because of my psoriasis there is a high chance that any laser or chemical peel might make things worse. So I really wasn’t a candidate for lasers. Or peels. Or anything that does a bunch of damage to your face to make it heal back better and brighter.

That was a bit of a letdown because I was excited to let some science do it’s thing. But the visit was not a total loss. You know what the doc was able to do? She’d whip up a custom routine and products for me. And that the routine would be based around three key ingredients: retinol, vitamin C and sun protection. That was really affirming because this was also the exact regimen I’d been playing with for a few years. The key difference? Prescription grade! The ingredients may be the same, but the percentages are higher. And that has meant seeing actual results.

So this fancy routine? It includes just washing your face. But I’ll break it down by ingredient:

Morning: Vitamin C serum, Tranexamic acid/Azelaic Acid/Niacinamide cream (from compounding pharmacy), moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Evening: Tretinoin, Hydroquinone/Kojic acid/Niacinamide/Ascorbic Acid cream (from compounding pharmacy), and moisturizer.
Cleanser: use whatever you like. I switch between Cerave, Fenty Skin, and La Roche-Posay.
Moisturizer: After trial and error, I swear by Pharrell’s Humidifying Face Cream.
Sunscreen: still working this out. I got talked into this one during my last check-in.

I was really surprised by the lack of products my doctor recommended. She preached that too many people use too many products, and many of them are too harsh. For me, she also advised that I avoid extreme exfoliators. I’d used that red stuff from The Ordinary through much of 2021. I remember thinking how tough I was when I could leave the serum on for 20 minutes. I thought my face was so clean. What I didn’t think about was how intense that stuff was and what it might be doing to my psoriasis!

We developed a plan for the long term–I couldn’t play around with intense procedures or products, I could really mess up my face. The peace of mind I got from no longer worrying about or wondering “what if” when it came to lasers and chemicals was freeing. I’d had some friends who went to some low-key med spas for face treatments and they lived to regret it. That made me also really value the advice of a trained professional!

Let’s talk about benefits. The percentage of active ingredients a doctor can prescribe is more than you can get in an over-the-counter product. That math makes sense to me. The higher the percentage, the more potent the product, and we can assume, the greater the impact. Part of what was letting me down was that the results I expected from OTC products were something that could not happen because they just aren’t strong enough. We can’t lose sight on the other aspect of going to a doctor: the personalization and customization.

While I feel educated, and I suspect many of us skincare obsessives feel like that, I have to also admit I don’t know what I’m doing! Getting a second opinion, one that is from a professional, also gave me a new perspective on how I saw myself. My doc wasn’t pressed about anything going on. In fact, she thought of much of our work right now as preventative and that it’d be a while before we had to call in for heavy duty reinforcements. She wrote up an easy to follow routine, that cost less and took less than time the one I’d honed over years. Her confidence and simplicity made me feel good.

In mid-2024 I lost my Rouge status at Sephora. The hundreds I’d spend there each year became a $100 annual dermatologist visit, one $200-serum I buy one or twice a year, and three $45 creams I buy twice a year. That is now a total of $435, which is not even enough to reach Rouge! The money and time I saved by not scrolling Sephora’s website means more than I realized. I also spend less time thinking about my face!

If you do anything for your face beyond washing it and using moisturizer and/or sunscreen, I recommend scheduling a visit to a cosmetic dermatologist. And tell them about your psoriasis if you have it! Once I left the diagnoses to the professionals and started using their expertise and prescription-strength products, my skin has never looked better. And I’ve never been happier!

Thank you for reading!

Jon

Follow me on Instagram at @misterfantastik