💜 Call me your Q2 hype queen

Hello and Happy Thursday!

Can you believe it’s already Q2?

I don’t know about you, but I always get swept up in “new year, new plan” energy…only to mosey into April feeling frustrated by how little progress I made on all those important (but not urgent) initiatives.

Last week, instead of succumbing to that energy, I forced myself to stop and really reflect on what I DID accomplish. Honestly, it’s the best choice I could have made.

Sure, there are plenty of to-do’s left open, initiatives not started, and boxes to tick. But there are also some really cool things that did get finished!

So why can't I focus on that?!

Instead, I’m the queen of completing something and then immediately moving to the next item on the list, without first giving my wins their rightful recognition. If you’re also plagued by this tendency, I encourage you to spend five minutes today jotting down everything you have accomplished in the last three months - both big and small.

 Take it from me - it’s a dopamine hit you won’t regret. 

Your “glass half full” cheerleader,

Jill

P.S. Hit reply and send me your biggest win from Q1. I promise to send you back a delightful celebration by email! 

Looking back at WTWT and Friends in Q1

Y’all, we were busy in Q1! From January through March, Want to Work There was full speed ahead, harnessing all the good positive energy of a new year even while we tackled tough topics. Here’s a rundown of all we focused on in the last few months.

Want to Work There highlights: the big topics we tackled

• Stay interviews: In February, we covered stay interviews, with a fresh resource for you to get started ASAP. Our ready to use Stay Interview Template outlines an interview to conduct with each teammate at their yearly “workaversary.” If you’re not sure you or your team are ready for stay interviews, it still offers great questions you can start sprinkling into one-on-ones or team meetings to deepen your understanding of your team.

• Navigating layoff anxiety: If your team is feeling the anxiety of working through the age of highly publicized layoffs (in tech and beyond), we put together sample language you can use to address those concerns. We know it can be hard to find the right words to tackle the trickiest topics, so we figured we’d offer you a jump start. Want to make this your own? Duplicate our template to put your own spin and voice on things.

• Conducting a layoff: If you’re orchestrating layoffs at your own company, I don’t need to tell you how high the stakes are for getting this right. Our tip list of 11 ways to conduct layoffs respectfully and empathetically combines insight from best practices, seasoned professionals, and emerging trends in HR and employee experience. It’ll guide you through the considerations and experiences you need to center to get layoffs as right as possible in your own company.

We were far from the only ones kicking off the new year with a bang. Folks across the People and HR community cranked out some amazing content and resources that made our work and lives richer. Here’s a recap of some of our favorite goodies from Q1.

Tech Worth Talking About

• Data on demand: PeopleMetrics.FYI, a new tool from the founders of OpenOrg, launched in private beta. Promising a significant set of relevant, recent market data, it’s perfect for those looking to get more data-rigorous in their People strategy this year.

• Easy-entry AI: If you, are a tad intimidated when it comes to AI, this curated list of artificial intelligence assists and tools is a perfect place to start. They’re designed specifically for People team needs, supporting everything from Onboarding, to interviewing, to crafting job descriptions, and so much more more.

• Don’t sweat the stack: Ever wish there was a complete database of all the HR programs out there to help you evaluate (or reevaluate) your tech stack? Wish no more; Stakkd has you covered, with a beautifully user-friendly database laying out options for HRIS software, ATS options, learning management systems, talent development platforms, and more. So slick, so easy, so helpful.

Guides Worth Downloading

• Neuroinclusion FTW: The world’s largest neurodiversity employment network, Mentra, put out 5 Steps to company-wide neuroinclusion. It’s got practical, actionable tips to walk the talk when it comes to equitable, meaningful experiences for neurodiverse teammates.

• The right way to layoff: Future Work Design’s excellent guide to ethical layoffs proved an invaluable resource for our layoff discussion. If you’re considering a reduction in force at your company, I recommend giving it a read before your next planning conversation.

• A shot of brilliance: Luke O’Mahoney’s PX Espresso content packs an even stronger and more delicious punch than your morning ristretto. For great insights, an impressive roundup of guest contributors, and super-digestible content on all things people-first, check out his entire podcast and newsletter archive.

Insights Worth Noting

• F*ckin’ fired up: “If you want to be a better leader, ally, and human at work - read this book.” That’s just one review of Anessa Fike's The Revolution of Work: Fuck the Patriarchy and the Workplace it Built. It’s whip smart, entertaining as it is enraging, and full of the info you need to create more equity at work.

• Data rigor in the age of layoffs: For data-backed insight on layoff anxiety, we turned to Perceptyx’s excellent report on how uncertainty changes the work experience. If you manage people, or influence the employee experience at your work, it’s a worthwhile read.

• Creators crushing the game: In our last newsletter, we highlighted four of my fav LinkedIn creators: Paul Ladipo, Madison Butler, Cassandra Babilya, and Cassidy Edwards. Give them a follow if your feed needs an injection of wisdom, wit, and expertise.

Oldies But Goodies

Okay, okay, I couldn’t help myself! I know we’re digging in on Q1 goodies, but these vintage WTWT resources deserve some love too.

• Creating a team charter: Our guide to establishing a Team Charter is just what you and your team need to unpack how you aspire to work (together) in service to the goals, mission, and values that drive you.

• Onboarding audit and project planner: We launched this meaty, two-part resource last year to help you audit your current onboarding process, move into project management mode, and track the individual onboarding of each new employee. Instructions for how to use it are right there in the resource for you - dig on in!

• The manager expectations matrix: Empower your managers’ success by giving them clear expectations for success in the role. This tool is the perfect place to start if you need to better define what success in the role looks like in your organization.

What Comes Next

Looking forward to more from Want to Work There between now and Q3? We can’t wait to deliver! Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Listeners unite: We’re serving up fresh new episodes of the Want to Work There podcast! After a few months off, I’m excited to announce we’ll soon release brand new episodes on topics including:

  • improving the candidate experience

  • building trauma-informed workplaces

  • destigmatizing disability at work

• Fresh insights: Deep dives into big topics, including:

  • why organizational goals often fail (and what to do about it)

  • leading thoughtful discussions around return-to-work mandates

  • the ultimate guide to utilizing employee survey results

• Join us: We’re also gearing up for more collaboration across the board this quarter, including:

  • writing opportunities

  • podcast guest spots

  • case study spotlights

  • sponsorship opportunities

I’m excited to collaborate with more brilliant minds in the People and HR space. If that’s you, and you’re interested in contributing in any way, please send a message to [email protected]!

THINGS I'M LOVING RIGHT NOW

Daunted no more: Finding a therapist can be hard. Between stigmas around mental health care (ugh), a lexicon of different modalities, insurance snafus, and finding someone who respects and understands your unique experience, it can be a lot to navigate. Luckily, this phenomenal guide walks you through resources, FAQs, and considerations to help you find the right therapist for you.

The tools for your "returnity:" Oh how I long for more resources for caretakers returning to work from parental leave. So I was thrilled to find this return to work guide covers questions to raise in your first few 1:1s back, connects you with more in depth resources, and gives tips on navigating lactation at work.

Being brave: Last week, I tried out for a musical! It was the first time I’d auditioned for anything theater-related in over 20 years. Did I nail the audition?! Uh…no. In fact, I lost my place halfway through my song, panicked, looked up at the casting directors, and blurted out, “Well that didn’t go well!” You know what? I’m SO glad I did it! Trying something new is vital to remembering what it’s like to be a beginner, with all the rich opportunities for growth beginner-hood entails. This week, I’m loving moments of bravery - both big and small. If you’ve been avoiding one, this is your sign (and I’m SO rooting for you!).