An early March batch of links
Since the most recent batch of links went out, paying subscribers enjoyed a column about managing up, then a personal essay pegged to an unexpectedly tender moment with a friend out to dinner. This coming weekend, they’ll read about what everyone gets wrong about hybrid work.
Below, you’ll find a batch of links focused on the themes of this newsletter, which are career development, community building, and self care.
The most important factor for predicting cohesion and conflict at work.
That traditional way of thinking is increasingly no longer the case, because more and more older workers don't want to retire at age 65. They objectively have a lot to contribute. There's actually no research that shows that work performance tends to decline with age. There's really no statistical reason to believe that an older worker can't perform at a high level throughout their life, on average.
National parks made my immigrant family American.
The $2 Billion Question of Who You Are at Work. These personality tests rub me the wrong way because I once worked for someone who believed in them so much that once my test illustrated to him that I’d be a difficult fit with his style he only offered me a part-time role to begin. Years later, when I left, he considered me one of the best (full-time) staffers he ever brought aboard. I only found out about that rationale later on. Things worked out because despite our different styles I behaved professionally every day. So, no, I don’t find these tests all that fun to take - and to compare.
What happened to companies’ commitment to DEI?
Repair cafes are back after the pandemic, and they're only getting more popular. I had no idea that people volunteer to fix things for strangers. This is an incredible service to offer to the community.
Women in Tech Are Forever Cast as ‘Adults’ But Rarely as CEO.
They Retired. Now They Are Taking Care of Other Retirees. What a great service for those who are capable of doing it. “She can relate to her clients who have lost loved ones, her own husband having died when he was 47. “I know what they are going through,” says Ms. Greensfelder, who lives in the Tampa Bay, Fla., area.” (As an aside, this story features someone I met online a few weeks ago.)
NYC super-commuters travel up to 5 hours round-trip to the office. They say it’s worth it.
‘Is This It?’ When Success Isn’t Satisfying. This is a big topic in my circles right now, as people look ahead at the next 20-30 years of their careers and don’t see themselves in the executives leading the way. I can speak specifically for PR. The gatekeepers at the top aren’t my people, even if they make 2x-3x more than I do. I don’t want what they have. I want to be better than they are at the craft.
The silver lining amid the layoffs.
A Big Tech contractor thought he'd found the ideal full-time job at a $1 billion startup — then got laid off. He's a temp employee again, but now thinks his job is more secure. I believe we’re going to see a lot of people decide the contractor route is working for them and the lifestyle they prefer. I have spoken to several people in marketing and sales who have elected to embrace this path rather than resist it while they look for full-time roles. The mindset has shifted for the better.
Yes, There's a 'Right' Way to Brag at Work. Here's How.
How to Hire for Skills When the Skills Keep Changing.
Another significant change for workplaces is that reskilling is not a singular event or moment, but an entire shift in culture. Right now, training is often conducted as a separate activity from someone’s day job.
Everyone messes up. Here’s how to say you’re sorry.
Returning To Work After Your Great Resignation. It’s been interesting to see how the tone of how people feel about work has shifted so dramatically. “We should anticipate more change,” the article says. It means more people are one bad mood away from quitting and starting their own thing instead. The frenetic nature of the past three years has been difficult to manage, and we’re going to be seeing the impact of it on us for quite some time to come.