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If you’re enjoying Niki’s Notes, please recommend this free subscription to a friend. They can subscribe here:
🧠 I’ve Been Thinking…
… about getting more subscribers so we can spread the word about improving workplace cultures. I’ve been writing this e-briefing weekly for about 2 years now. If you enjoy it, please share it with your friends and colleagues. You can find Niki’s Notes on LinkedIn, on Medium, and in your inbox. Don’t keep a good thing to yourself, share it with your best business friends!
🚀 Stories to Help You Drive Change
Hodgepodge shares this week, enjoy:
SPECIAL NOTE: If you hit a paywall on any of the stories I share, go to Google Search, enter the name of the publication and something about the story (author, title, subject) to get a natural search link that usually by-passes the pay wall. And hey, if you like the publication, consider subscribing to it—that’s how they keep the good info rolling! I’m hearing some paywalls are impenetrable, so for pubs like The Wall Street Journal and the NY Times, I’ll share a bit more here for those of you without subscriptions.
- Are you toxically productive? Maybe? Here’s help.
- Should we provide user manuals for ourselves for the people around us? Daniel Pink and Abby Falik say yes! I kinda like this idea.
- 57% of GenZs interviewed said they have no interest in managing others. Why? “According to 67 percent of the Gen-Z respondents, middle management roles ‘are too high stress with low reward.‘” What does this portend for business growth?
- New people coming into their careers are questioning the value of many accepted practices. Take surgeons, for example. Younger surgeons are pushing hard for work-life balance, something older surgeons say isn’t possible. While this is going on in all industries, this well-told example is worth the read.
- Mindy Gibbons-Klien shares her thoughts on the need for more thoughtfulness in the workplace and the world. We’re right there with her.
- I’ve talked a lot about the loneliness epidemic. This article from Harvard Business Review talks about what business gets wrong about loneliness. Thankfully, it doesn’t stop there. The article dispels myths and includes an assessment. The assessment provides actionable ideas for addressing this growing challenge affecting not only workplaces but the world. The link should get you to the entire article and I strongly suggest you read the entire piece, it’s high value.
- I know y’all like these random tips, so here’s one on making your PowerPoints more visually intriguing.
- Wondering who are the most powerful people in AI? I have a list for you, via Business Insider.
✍️ Journaling Is Good For You…
Here’s week 6 from our digest of inspiring prompts to help you be kinder in your workplace and encourage your colleagues to do the same.
As an example, the prompt above asks you to think ahead for opportunities to listen more purposefully.
Download the full, free, planner/reflector and let us know what you think.
🌟 Do Good Spotlight: Toys for Tots
Quick quiz: what organization has distributed 677 million toys to 301 million children? If you guessed Toys for Tots, you’d be right! The Marine Toys for Tots Program’s mission is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute them to disadvantaged children at Christmas. Learn how you can support them: Toys for Tots.
🖋 Noteworthy: These Companies on Chief’s Holiday Shopping List
Each of the companies on this Chief-member-curated list are woman-owned. Soooo many innovative and unique options to choose from. Go ahead – check it out.
🦉 You Never Know… Obesity
Years ago, I got an electric assist bike to enjoy biking again when my knees started to go. I found it interesting how many people said I was “cheating” because I wasn’t laboring to pedal anymore. It’s not a moped. You do need to pedal—a lot. It’s just easier than a standard bike—and much easier on the knees.
It’s the same situation when people accuse people who have difficulty losing weight of “cheating” when we take GLP-1 medications. Medical professionals are FINALLY understanding that every body factors calories differently. I take Zepbound and have taken the previous iterations of this drug for several years, losing about 40 pounds in the process. It helped me lose the most recent 10 pounds without changing my diet—which means I am eating the same low-to-no-carb 1,200 calories a day I’ve been eating for years and now it’s working big time.
There are many reasons why “eat less/exercise more” is not a direct line to the weight-loss goal, and now science is finally vindicating those of us who have been sharing our experiences for years.
I want to affirm, it’s not cheating to add help to the mix to attain a healthier life. If you have high blood pressure, you take medicine. That’s not cheating. If you have asthma, your inhaler is not cheating. If you were drowning, you’d grab a life preserver. It’s not cheating.
Part of my mission to change workplace culture requires rethinking assumptions and biases. We do this by sharing what we learn. I’m happy to talk 1:1 about my journey. Just reach out.
⏳Until Next Time…
Are you a resolutions-setting person? I am. And I made great progress on my 2024 goals this year despite challenges. I don’t expect 2025 to be easy, but I do expect a lot of wins. I’m going into next year with my resilience muscles set to “high.” How about you?
Niki