Thought-provoking Things Worth Sharing - Issue #174
DEI programs may be dead, but the advantages of having a diverse workforce didn't change.
That’s the premise of this article:
The Benefits of a Diverse IT Workforce
For technology teams, diversity is a strategic imperative that drives better business outcomes. In IT, diverse leadership teams generate 19% more revenue from innovation, solve complex problems faster, and design products that better serve global markets — driving stronger adoption, retention of top talent, and a sustained competitive edge.
Welcome to this week’s collection of thought-provoking things. For each issue, I will share information about careers and workplace culture, mental health in the workplace, talent development, and key insights into privacy, security, and legal technology.
You can learn more about me here: Mike McBride Online.
Is there anything more to say about that? The data is clear. It’s been clear for a while now. Diverse teams have a significant advantage over homogeneous teams.
As I said a few months back:
We know these strategies create a better workplace, so I see a simple mandate as business owners: Ignore the pressure to scale back DEI efforts and remote working opportunities. Embrace both, hire the best talent in the labor market, and create dynamic, engaged teams.
Target your competitors who are pushing everyone back to the office and eliminating diversity efforts, and kick their ass in the marketplace. It's what a free market expects of you.
Companies that have killed off these efforts because the political winds have shifted deserve nothing less.
Careers and the Workplace
Worth Reading - If You’re a Deep Thinker, You Might Not Be a Quick Thinker
Making room for both quick and deep thinkers will yield the best ideas and results. Is your workplace a space where deep thinkers can take time and come back to ideas and discussions? If not, there's some valuable insight that isn't being shared with you.
This is a good question:
If you are managing people, Communication is The Job.
No kidding - Bosses admit they're using return-to-office mandates to trim down teams—without needing to announce layoffs.
Artificial Intelligence
I shared this last week - and here’s a follow-up on the Otter.ai allegations:
AI Notetaking Tools Under Fire: Lessons from the Otter.ai Class Action Complaint
AI can’t manage because management is a human skill. - Why AI Can't Replace The Human Skills Every Executive Needs Now.
Hmm - UK Gov M365 Copilot Trial Found Little Productivity Gains.
Training and Development]
When you don't provide management training or have it available but never give the new manager time to attend, what do you think happens to their performance as a manager? Again, you've undermined them. You've put them in a position to fail.
Why would you do that?
Mental Health in the Workplace
Sharing - They need therapy — but are turning to A.I. instead.
What would be beneficial is an adult conversation about establishing guardrails around AI tools to mitigate worst-case scenarios, while also planning ways to ensure that more people don't have to rely on them for therapy because they have no other options.
Doomscrolling To Hope Questing: Digital Mental Health In 2025
Hope questing vs doomscrolling: Learn to break free from negative scrolling habits and embrace uplifting digital content for better mental health.
Why Photography is Mental Health Self-Care for Me.
Photography goes against everything society says we should be doing. It requires you to slow down and notice the things around you. It requires you not to be in a rush and to be still, waiting for the right moment and the right scene. It demands attention and forces you to open your eyes to what is happening around you, rather than what is happening in your own mind.
It also often requires moving your body - walking in nature, wandering around the neighborhood, or even your home and yard.
BTW, as mentioned in the article above, you can now purchase prints of my artwork. More options coming!
This is a good idea - Finding balance – and better mental health – through service.
Privacy, Security, and Legal Tech
How concerned should businesses be about leaders’ personal devices being hacked, and what kind of wall should be in place between those devices and company data?
Phantom Hacker Fraud: The Corporate Risk You're Not Monitoring
Project management failures aren’t always about the tool. There are many people who blame Teams for their own issues.
Worth Reading - The Last Days Of Social Media
They may not be the perfect medium for connecting with other people online or staying informed, but at least we get to choose what we subscribe to and what fills our readers' and inboxes. As an internet user, I've always been a fan of RSS as a way to stay informed and follow my favorite sources. As a creator, I've learned to love newsletters as social media has become less effective for sharing my blog posts. As someone with many friends in faraway places, I've been a fan of social media as a technology that can keep us connected, but it seems to be doing less and less of that these days.
It’s been a few years since I sat in the hot seat at trial, but if that’s something you find yourself doing, keep this handy. Additionally, if you work in eDiscovery, keep these considerations in mind as you navigate the process, as they are the outcomes of that process. - Trial Presentation Tech Tips Every eDiscovery Team Should Know.
Also, your eDiscovery tech is only as good as your people. I agree 100%. - The Human Side of eDiscovery: Building Teams That Blend Legal and Technical Skills.
That’s all, folks. If you found something interesting in this week’s newsletter, please share it with your friends. It’s the best way to help support the effort I put into sharing this with you each week.