First Thing Monday #41

?? Hello Monday! Glad you all made it to another week with me. We had a neighborhood potluck last night that was a blast! I’m headed to a conference at the end of the week that may impact next week’s send. I’ll keep you posted!

?? 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.

Thank you for reading First Thing Monday! If you like it, I hope you’ll consider subscribing to receive new posts and support my work.

? What to read before your first meeting:

• Bosses Are Introducing RTO Mandates to Increase Turnover. Does It Work? ?(Inc.): In a surprising move, some executives are hoping to nudge unwanted employees towards the exit by forcing a return to the office (RTO). A survey by BambooHR shows that 25% of executives and even some HR professionals admit to this strategy. While some employees would consider quitting under an RTO policy, this approach is backfiring. Companies are losing valuable talent they want to retain, with high performers and even executives more likely to leave (33%). The potential cultural consequences are also concerning: lower morale, reduced stability, and a less innovative workforce. Who do these policies benefit!?
• What makes for a ‘good’ severance package? (Fast Company): While severance pay typically ranges from 1-3 weeks per year worked (with top performers potentially getting more), the key is negotiation. This can include extending health insurance, securing bonuses, and even stock options. The ideal time to start negotiating, believe it or not, is when you're hired. Focus on clauses like non-competes and non-solicitation agreements. Be wary of hidden clauses in severance agreements and consider consulting a lawyer, as some require continued work or travel after a layoff. Knowledge is power: understanding your company's financial health and your value strengthens your position. Finally, develop good relationships with your manager and HR, and don't be afraid to ask for more time or walk away if the offer is unfavorable.
• How to Write a Meaningful Thank You Note to a Coworker (Ladders): Saying "thanks" isn't just good manners, it's a superpower at work! Thank-you notes to colleagues can dramatically improve relationships, boost morale, and even help your career. The key is to be specific. Mention exactly what you appreciate about their help, their effort on a project, or just their positive attitude. A handwritten note adds a special touch, but a quick email works too. The most important thing is to be sincere and timely. Thanking someone right after they helped you shows you're genuinely grateful. A thank you note is a simple way to make the workplace a happier place.
• The Wildly Popular Men’s Shirt to Avoid Now: ‘It’s the Generic Go-To’ for Finance Guys (The Wall Street Journal): Sometimes it feels like we really learn what not to wear from the style mistakes finance guys make. The spread collar, once a symbol of preppy style via Chuck and Nate from Gossip Girl, is now seen as outdated by some in the fashion world. These collars are wider than classic point collars and can be unflattering, especially when worn unbuttoned. However, they are still popular with younger menswear customers and work well in dressier settings or with ties. For an alternate, consider a button-down collar or a point collar, which is making a comeback (but very hard to find—I’ve been looking for months). If you must wear a spread collar, opt for a semi-spread collar for a less extreme look. You can also take out the collar stays to loosen things up!
• 7 Tips for Empowering Mothers in the Workplace (Entrepreneur): To create a win-win situation, companies can offer flexible work options and remote work, allowing mothers to manage family needs without sacrificing career goals. Promoting women into leadership positions creates role models and fosters a culture of support. While professional development opportunities, even for those who took career breaks for childcare, ensure mothers stay on top of their skills and feel confident. Open communication about work-life balance allows mothers to prioritize well-being without feeling judged. Additionally, building redundancies in teams ensures smooth operation during parental leave and support when parents return.

?? The Water Cooler

• Ever been in a beautiful restaurant with an amazing meal only to realize you can’t hear anything anyone is saying around you? You’re not alone! After the pandemic, many of us became more sensitive to loud volumes in public. Restaurants prove to be louder than jets sometimes !
• Has your side hustle Airbnb biz slowed down? Do you live in or around Los Angeles? You should rent your place out for film and tv sets ! One of the benefits of having folks film at your house? Craft services are available for you, too!
• I just finished Dune . Now I’m reading Madonna: A Rebel Life and it’s mid. However, did you know she is one of six kids? And her mother’s name was also Madonna!? Would you be open to a Substack Chat where we share book recommendations!?
• I totally get the appeal of those fancy, name-brand candles . They smell amazing! But for everyday use, my $12 Cashmere and Lavender candle does the trick. It might not be the most luxurious scent, but it makes my place smell nice.

?? Reflections for this week:

• For you: With the arrival of Summer, it feels like it’s a good time to talk about taking time off. As someone who thrives on routine, taking time off can feel daunting. However, after a disconnected vacation last summer, I returned feeling refreshed and more focused. It made me realize that even short breaks can be incredibly beneficial for my mental well-being and overall productivity. Schedule your vacation time early in the year. Block it off on your calendar and treat it like any important meeting. This not only secures your desired dates but also sets expectations for your team and avoids last-minute scrambling.
• Your boss: Unused vacation balances can indicate team burnout or a lack of clear communication around workload management. It's important to encourage breaks to avoid employee fatigue and potential turnover. Instead of simply asking if they know the team's vacation usage, consider initiating a data-driven discussion. You could suggest, 'I noticed a trend of unused vacation days across the team. Perhaps we could analyze workload distribution and explore ways to streamline processes or delegate tasks more effectively. This could not only encourage team members to utilize their vacation time but also improve overall work efficiency.' This approach demonstrates initiative and positions the conversation around finding a solution that benefits both employees and the company.
• Your direct reports: Seeing you take time off can empower your direct reports to do the same. It demonstrates the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing personal well-being. Have an open conversation with your direct reports about their vacation plans. Offer assistance with workload distribution and project delegation to ensure a smooth handover during your absence. Outline any urgent tasks, delegate remaining responsibilities, and provide clear instructions on how to reach them (if necessary) in case of emergencies.
• Your co-workers: When colleagues take vacations, it can sometimes mean extra work for those who remain in the office. While I understand the necessity of vacations, feeling overloaded during someone else's absence can breed resentment. Open communication and a culture of team support can mitigate this. If a coworker is going on vacation, offer to help them tie up loose ends beforehand. This can involve offering to cover a specific task during their absence or simply checking in to see if they need anything before they leave. Additionally, consider normalizing conversations about workload during vacation planning. Discussing potential challenges and offering solutions collaboratively can help alleviate any burden on colleagues and ensure a smooth workflow. By working together, you can ensure that everyone enjoys their well-deserved time off.

?? And one last thing…

It was 9:30 am, the designated time for our weekly staff meeting. Everyone who RSVP'd to the calendar invite filled the virtual room, except our Director of Marketing. Panic started to set in as the clock ticked by. She was never late. After a flurry of messages across Slack, Discord, WhatsApp, and even a text message, we discovered our missing colleague was at a doctor’s appointment with her phone on silent. The irony wasn't lost on us – five different communication channels, yet a simple text message of "Can't make Monday's meeting" remained undelivered. Laughter, laced with a hint of relief, replaced the initial worry. But amidst the amusement, a sobering realization dawned: why did we need so many apps just to talk to each other?

This incident sparked a conversation about my frustration – the constant struggle of which app to use for what. It felt like everyone had their own preferred platform, creating communication silos and missed messages. The pressure to keep up with them all was immense. This tangled web of apps bit me recently when I thought I'd scheduled a crucial press release. Everything seemed done – content written, targeted audience selected – all that remained was a simple click of "send." But here's the rub: this was my first foray into Constant Contact. Overconfident from experience with other email platforms, I missed a crucial final confirmation step hidden within the app's unfamiliar interface. The press release never went out.

The wasted time, the frustration with myself, and the disappointment of my colleagues all stemmed from the overwhelming world of apps and the pressure to navigate them all seamlessly. Clearly, a different approach was needed. I know I’m not the only one who struggles with app overload. But there is hope! Even if your boss or your team isn’t up for the task, you can streamline your own approach to your app usage and create a more focused work environment.

Taking Charge of Your App Chaos:

Start by identifying the 2-3 core apps that make you most productive. Become an expert in these by learning all their features and shortcuts. Once I identified Slack, email, and our project management tool as my core apps, I took online courses via YouTube to master their features and keyboard shortcuts. Now, I can navigate them much faster and accomplish more in less time.

Next, schedule specific times to check each app. Treat them like focused appointments in your calendar. This minimizes context switching and allows you to dedicate uninterrupted time to each platform. Setting specific times to check emails and Slack has been a game-changer. It allows me to devote focused time to each platform, eliminating the constant urge to multitask and check notifications every few minutes.

Finally, group similar tasks together. Dedicate a block of time to emails, another to updating project management tools, and so on. Batching minimizes app switching and keeps you focused on one task at a time. Batching similar tasks, like responding to emails or updating project statuses, has dramatically reduced my context switching. I can now stay in the flow for longer periods and complete tasks much more efficiently.

Finding Allies and Influencing Change:

While leading by example is key, you might find allies among colleagues who share your app overload frustrations. For instance, I started by casually mentioning my frustrations with context-switching during a team lunch. To my surprise, several colleagues chimed in with similar experiences. We decided to dedicate a quick brainstorming session during our next team meeting. Together, we identified the core apps we all used for specific tasks and created a shared document outlining a streamlined workflow. This included designating Slack for quick updates, project management software for detailed task tracking, and email for formal communication and documentation.

Collaborate with your allies to create a streamlined workflow for your specific team tasks. Frame your approach around improving communication, reducing errors, and boosting overall team efficiency. Once we had a proposed workflow, I volunteered to champion the approach with our manager. I presented the data on how streamlining apps could improve our team by reducing how much time we spent on each app. This data-driven approach might resonate with your boss, even if they're hesitant about change.

Additionally, leverage personal productivity tools to your advantage. Use "do not disturb" features and turn off unnecessary notifications. Explore time management tools that block distracting websites or apps during focused work periods. Remember, change is gradual. By focusing on personal efficiency and demonstrating the benefits of a streamlined approach, you can inspire positive change within your team and potentially influence a wider company-wide shift towards a more focused work environment.

Don't let app overload dictate your workday. Take charge of your digital environment and reclaim your focus. You deserve to work smarter, not harder.

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Don’t forget to eat breakfast!

Jon

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