🦋 Content Shares to Inspire Workplace Culture Shifts

Each week, I share stories to help you elevate in the workplace. By fostering your best self in your work life, you’ll gain strengths that will benefit the rest of your life too.

• So many of you responded to Mel Robbins’ “Let them” advice in a recent issue of Niki’s Notes. So when I heard this new Oprah Winfrey interview with Mel, I thought I’d share it with you. Listen to the full podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you find your podcasts.

• I was speaking with the ever-energetic Filip Zolota when he shared that whenever he is “stuck,” and cannot go further on a project, he turns his energy to helping someone else. The shifting of energy not only helps another person, it unblocks his path and his project finds a way forward too. I LOVE this. Give it a try!

• Big advances to spark your innovation muscles: “Zandy Forbes is the founder of a pioneering gene therapy company, MeiraGTx, where she’s leading the charge in restoring vision for children born blind due to Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). The disorder has long been considered irreversible. By injecting healthy copies of the defective gene directly into the retina, doctors have helped children see their families (shapes, colors, and more!) for the first time.” Awesome! But wait, there’s more…have you heard of doctors restoring vision by implanting teeth in eyes? No, that’s not a typo; find out more.

• Kindness is contagious; pass it along.

• If business people could be more direct, compassion would be rampant in our workplaces. Yet, we follow old scripts and don’t risk being up front with others. That’s why I liked these tips on sniffing out potential layoffs.

• I belong to a marketers’ networking group, and one of the members asked the others for thoughts on what constitutes a good return to office (RTO) policy. My team ran the responses through Bing Copilot to summarize the recommendations. Sharing here:

Here are some common themes and suggestions for a good in-office policy based on the responses:

Hybrid and Flexible Models: Many respondents favor a hybrid approach, such as 3 days in the office and 2 days remote, or specific weeks dedicated to remote work. This balance provides structure while allowing flexibility.

Purpose-Driven Office Time: In-person days should be intentional, focusing on activities that benefit from face-to-face interaction, such as brainstorming, team building, and major meetings.

Employee Choice and Team Coordination: Allowing teams to coordinate their in-office days can maximize collaboration and ensure that in-office time is productive and meaningful.

Creating a Positive Office Environment: A welcoming and comfortable office space with amenities like natural light, plants, and social activities (e.g., office lunches) can encourage employees to come in and enjoy their time at work.

Clear Communication and Feedback: Regular check-ins and feedback loops are essential to ensure the policy remains effective and addresses both company goals and employee well-being.

Flexibility for Personal Needs: Policies should accommodate personal circumstances, such as health issues, personal errands, or bad weather, allowing employees to work from home when necessary.

Early Leave Policies: Implementing policies like early leave on Fridays can help maintain flexibility and boost morale.

 

These points highlight the importance of balancing business objectives with employee satisfaction and well-being to create a successful in-office policy.

• If you’re reading this, you probably agree we need more thoughtfulness in business today. I’ve got great news for you: The “Thoughtful Leadership Today” summit is happening in New York City on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Use the code “Niki” to receive a 33% discount. The summit includes a full day of learning, networking, and inspiration with world class speakers and thoughtful leaders. Hear new ideas, discuss key issues, and enjoy a buffet lunch. Come away inspired and ready to deal with opportunities and challenges more thoughtfully. Here’s the link to learn more and register: Buy Tickets!

• Leaders are fighting an uphill battle for managing their time, so where does that leave direct reports who need feedback and coaching? When direct reports learn the skills of “managing up” everyone wins. Here are 5 questions to ask your manager to help improve your impact at work.

• A university cancelled all classes after noon due to snow. One class in entrepreneurship started at 11:45 a.m. The professor decided to make ambiguity the lesson. Here’s what happened.

• Tony Jamous, CEO of Oyster, a fully remote company of more than 500 employees in 70 countries, shares the lessons he and his team are learning about making remote work successful. His points all resonate. For the people in the back seats, I’m screaming this one: “When it comes to remote, track results, not hours.” And Jamous goes on with, “Remote work has effectively shifted the focus from hours worked to results achieved. This priority shift is a driving force that lends to a more logical and satisfying work approach that’s good for your business and good for your people.”

• This is a guide for whistleblowers in tech. I think it’s interesting from start to finish, so I’m sharing….

🌟 Do Good Spotlight: Covenant House

More than 4 million youth will experience homelessness this year. Covenant House provides immediate and long-term support for young people facing homelessness and survivors of trafficking. They are open 24/7 and provide help to young people in 34 cities across Canada, Latin America and the United States. Discover more: Covenant House.

🎉 Just for Fun

Move over honeymoons — now there are lots of travel moons! 

⏳Until Next Time…

When life gets tough, remember: “Sometimes when you’re in a dark place you think you’ve been buried, but actually you’ve been planted, struggle makes you grow.” 
~ Christine Caine 

Niki