• | |

    Linked: Spotify’s Rogan problem is a cautionary tale for other tech platforms

    ByMike McBride Reading Time: 3 minutes

    The article below points out that many of the platforms that exist today may find themselves in a similar situation and face a similar temptation. As shareholders start demanding more “growth” of a platform they are going to have a hard time providing that. There isn’t a large group of people clamoring to get Twitter or Facebook accounts that don’t currently have one. Eventually, they may be tempted to provide some kind of content exclusively on their platform. This pushes them into being publishing and media companies as opposed to tech companies. (We could argue that many of these platforms have started to dabble in being media companies but that haven’t quite taken the step that Spotify did and buy exclusive rights to podcasts.)

  • |

    Linked: Actions of a good boss turning into a bad boss

    ByMike McBride Reading Time: 3 minutes

    It’s true. Our words and actions, especially when things are stressful, undermine what we think we are. You may think you’re being a good boss, and maybe most of the time you are, but those days when you’re stressed and short with people or the days you decide to not deal with a problem, become the days that define you in the eyes of the people who report to you.

    To them, you aren’t just another person having a bad day. You are the person who controls their success at this company for better or worse, so it’s not just you having a bad day, it’s the organization having a bad day, directed at them.

  • |

    Linked: Why hybrid work is emotionally exhausting

    ByMike McBride Reading Time: 2 minutes

    As I said, I was surprised, at first. The more I read however the more clearly I saw a picture emerging, of leaders implementing hybrid as the appearance of flexibility that isn’t really flexibility. How many of the stories shared are of people who are productive at home, but not allowed to simply be productive that way. Or of people who had any decision about how to schedule days in the office in a way that makes sense to them and what they need to do, taken away?

  • |

    Linked: What If We Just Stopped Being So Available?

    ByMike McBride Reading Time: 2 minutes

    This is really the thing. We all know that our devices are with us all the time, and we all know that everyone else knows. So when the notification pops up, there’s an instantaneous thought process that we all go through.

    And no, it’s not is this important or can it wait? The actual thought process is “they know I see this and are probably expecting a response”

    However the article below also points out that much of the time, that’s isn’t true. Someone was just reaching out and there is no hurry or even an expectation of immediate response but we don’t know that. So, we either drop everything to reply or we apologize for any delay in replying.

    Which makes no sense.

    I’ve been involved in direct work with clients in half-day training, or multi-hours long workshops and replied to an email afterwards with an “I’m sorry, I was tied up” opening.

    Yes, I’m apologizing for doing my job and paying attention to it.

    How dumb is that?

  • An Important Balancing Point – Be Professional Always

    ByMike McBride Reading Time: 1 minute

    I talk a lot about the Great Resignation and employees taking control over their own careers instead of just following along with what the company wants them to do. I stand by it, and like Mark, I am also thrilled that we are seeing a shift in the balance of power as employees start to recognize their value. But, he also raises an important post in the LinkedIn post.

    As long as you are there and getting paid you owe them your best. Be professional, even if the company isn’t. Do your job even if you plan on quitting tomorrow. Commit your best efforts to the project even if you don’t agree with it.