5 Things / The Paradox
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A study conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York highlights a significant paradox surrounding remote work. While approximately two-thirds of the participants expressed concerns that remote work has had adverse effects on aspects such as workplace culture, team dynamics, communication, and training, it's noteworthy that over half of the respondents also recognize the advantages of remote work in terms of recruitment. However, an even larger proportion—around two-thirds—view remote work as a valuable tool for enhancing staff retention.
The way that I see it, if remote work helps recruit and retain employees (especially those from underrepresented groups who are likelier to experience microaggressions at work) – yet also negatively affects workplace culture and teams, that’s a fixable problem.
I wrote about this in May but it bears repeating: start meetings with “connection before content.” That means just a couple of minutes at the beginning of each meeting where everyone shares something going great this week, and something not going great (or rose-bud-thorn). Could be work-related, personal, or whatever. Sharing the wins and the struggles before moving to the work content opens an opportunity for further discussion during 1:1s, if necessary.
The bottom line is that we can’t assume we know what’s going on with the people on our team. But we can become more curious. Creating a simple structure for that is one way to begin improving workplace culture and building psychologically safe hybrid teams. Of course, it’s complex, but with intention, it’s also possible to find a win-win.
Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:
1st Stadium Built for Professional Women’s Sports Team Going Up in Kansas City
Kansas City is constructing the world's first stadium purpose-built for a women's professional sports team, the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League. The facility, backed by co-owners including Brittany Mahomes and Patrick Mahomes, aims to empower women's sports, inspire investment in the riverfront, and bring in an expected $1 billion to the economy. What I love here is that the stadium's construction signals a pivotal moment for women's sports, which has always been seen as secondary to men’s. This represents a shift in perceptions and a lasting commitment to their development and success.
“Illustrate Change,” an Initiative to Drive Greater Diversity in Medical Imagery
Johnson & Johnson launched "Illustrate Change," an initiative to enhance diversity and representation in medical illustrations, which have historically represented white people. This effort includes a diverse medical illustration library, a fellowship to support illustrators of color, and an awareness campaign for more inclusive healthcare. This matters because lack of representation in medical imagery affects communities of color, potentially leading to mistrust and ultimately poorer health outcomes. (h/t to Karen Catlin)
Amazon Expands Fertility Benefit to Workers in 50 Countries
Amazon expanded its fertility and family-building benefits program to employees (including hourly workers) in 50 countries globally. It’s been available to U.S. employees since 2019. Through a partnership with Maven Clinic, Amazon employees can access virtual appointments with healthcare professionals for fertility and family-building guidance such as egg freezing, in vitro fertilization, adoption, and surrogacy. It’s important to note that Amazon this benefit does not cover the costs associated with those processes. Still, it supports a holistic approach to employee well-being, which can enhance job satisfaction, retention rates, and overall workplace culture.
A Musical Centering on a Group of Young Adults With Autism Is Heading to Broadway This Fall
The documentary-based musical "How to Dance in Ohio" is set to debut on Broadway, portraying young adults with autism preparing for a spring formal. Seven actors with autism are in the cast. The 2015 HBO documentary showcased a group learning the layout of the venue, how to accept an invitation to dance, how to touch people, and other social skills. The musical tells the “story about people on the cusp of the next phase of their lives, facing down hopes and fears, ready to take a momentous first step … and dance.” Haven’t we all been there?!
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