Thought-provoking Things Worth Sharing - Issue #87
I wasn't planning to write about layoffs again - but then I got laid off.
So yesterday was an exciting day, huh?
4/20 - of course.
Again, Twitter turned into a mess with no verification that anyone is who they say they are now.
SpaceX blew up on launch, but was that a success?
And I got laid off.
The funny thing about going through another round and, this time, being dumped out myself is it makes me glad I have written previously about layoffs at Google, Meta, Microsoft, etc. because now I can point you there again. It’s not just sour grapes at getting laid off. I said what I said then and believe it even more now.
Facebook layoffs are a reminder that your job won’t love you back.
Do Layoffs Fix Anything, or Do We Have Them Because Everyone Else is Doing It?
In the end, what happened to me was not a surprise. For a variety of reasons, I completely expected to get laid off eventually. I just thought they would give the changes implemented two months into the first quarter more than one month to see results. But that’s not the way the tech world works. Investors want immediate and considerable results in the short term.
So let it be yet another reminder to all of us. Work isn’t the place to put all your personal value. There’s more to life than being a pawn in this game.
Careers and the Workplace
Linked - If You Were Arrested for Being a Leader, Would There Be Enough Evidence to Convict You? - Kevin lays it out pretty simply. Quite a few people in leadership roles aren't leading anyone.
There's No Such Thing As A “Dream Job” Anymore - As I said earlier this week, younger workers are watching. Is it any wonder they are forgoing W2 employment in favor of other options?
I wrote this in the post before being laid off as well:
She mentions a round of layoffs as an example of breaking trust, and I'm glad she included that. All too often, when a round of layoffs occurs, senior management will return to talking about the culture or set of core values they expect all employees to follow without ever acknowledging that it's different now. You can't just return to talking about the importance of teamwork and diversity when you just canned 10% of the team as if nothing happened.
What happens to society when the only thing we are good at or spend time doing is work? Anne Helen Petersen asks:
Job posting laws cause friction between employees and employers - This was the point.
Training and Development
At work, we are asked to make adjustments all the time. In our modern, technological jobs, we are constantly facing change. The individuals and teams who will succeed are the ones who've gotten comfortable with it. They've prepared for the change and know they can adjust on the fly because they know the work well and are used to making the proper decisions. Those who don't have a deep understanding of what is going on will overreact to change and commit turnovers.
Want to Remember Something? Blog About It - The final step is explaining what you’ve learned to someone else. Guess what? Writing about it on the web accomplishes that.
Mental Health in the Workplace
Why Are Lawyers at Greater Risk of Suicide?
Overcommitment is often valued and rewarded in law, starting with grades in law school and ending in financial rewards and honors. However, while motivating, external validation does not add to psychological well-being or happiness (Krill et al., 2023), and overcommitment to work can distract lawyers from fulfilling activities and relationships that improve well-being. In other words, stress, depression, over-commitment, and loneliness all contribute to each other.
F*ck It, I Need a Break! Why Rest and Recovery are Key to Success - Is it possible for employees to take a sabbatical? Most don’t even get much of a vacation.
When it seems like everything is uncertain - Uncertainty Is A Hard Feeling To Sit With. Here’s How To Lighten The Load
Security, Privacy, and Legal
Please Don't Take Chances with Stalkerware
Let me repeat what I've said before. If you are in an abusive situation and your partner has had access to your phone, leave it behind.
LockBit ransomware for Macs surfaces - Everyone should take the appropriate precautions to look out for ransomware attacks, no matter what OS you use.
Majority of US IT Pros Told to Keep Quiet About Data Breaches - not ideal.
Why isn’t anything bulletproof when we need it to be? - MFA is NOT Bulletproof
That’s it for this week. I will disconnect today and the weekend before figuring out what’s next for me professionally. As I’ve said many times before, we will get through layoffs because it’s just what we do, but I’d rather do it together, with all of you, than have any of us doing it alone. Stay in touch, folks.
Sorry to hear 😞 good luck figuring out your next steps!! 🍀