Jessica's Friday Five

Hi Reader, I'm writing this earlier in the week than normal because, as you're receiving this, my family and I are in DC housesitting for some cute pups and one cat (I always love Trusted Housesitter + credit card points for making trips like this possible). If you're in the US like me (and especially if you do not consider yourself an activist), I encourage you to watch this video with some excellent advice. Let's get to your Friday Five! Print this for April Fool's. If you want to have a...

Hi Reader, Welcome to the March issue of Monthly Management Memo. There are hundreds of new folks here since the February issue, so welcome - I'm Jess, and this newsletter is one way I support those of us managing teams to do that with a little more ease, joy, and effectiveness. On a housekeeping note, I recently updated the subscriber preferences options for you, so you can click here to let me know which kinds of emails you want to receive from me (or click anytime on "manage your profile"...

Hi Reader, This weekend, my 10-year-old requested we go to Great Wolf Lodge for one night as part of our spring break adventures. It will likely be quite fun and zero percent relaxing (IYKYK). I plan to spend some time sitting away from the water slides and jotting postcards to voters for a crucial election in Wisconsin. Before I pack goggles and swimsuits and watch my Auburn Tigers hopefully advance tomorrow in March Madness, let's get to your Friday Five. Stop Using Grill Brushes: I follow...

Hi Reader, This email was written several days ago so that I could be offline most of this week on vacation. Today I'm on the road to Palm Springs for Alt Summit (if you happen to be attending, I hope you'll let me know so we can say hi!). I've got my family in tow so that they can enjoy the sunshine and pool while I am in sessions since the kids happen to be on spring break. Next week, we'll be in D.C. housesitting for some cute pups (shoutout to Trusted Housesitter for making that...

Hi Reader, Spring vibes have arrived in my hemisphere of the world, and I'm also bringing them to our Friday Five. I wanted to bring us a way to all do something good today, despite knowing there's an enormous amount to be done. As Sharon McMahon says, "We let the enormity of the world’s problems keep us paralyzed with indecision on how to help. And I’m here to tell you: the answer is to just do something. Stop letting the wheels of your mind spin, and just pick up an oar and start rowing."...

Hi Reader, Guess what, Friday Fivers? We surpassed 12,000 subscribers to this email newsletter earlier this week. I thought it'd be fun to celebrate with all of you, so if you'd like to enter a little raffle, scroll to the bottom, and I'll pick 3 using a random wheel of names. I'll send the 3 winners each a book of your choice from a local bookstore. How fun. We'll do it again when we reach 13k! I love a good community tradition, don't you? Let's get to your Friday Five. Shingles. More and...

Hi Reader, Our water heater went out this week - a not-so-fun adventure of determining next steps (we decided to replace it with an electric version as a greener solution moving forward that also saves money in the long-run) and finding ways to keep ourselves and our kids clean. My husband used our sous vide to warm up water to clean the children yesterday, which prompted the 8-year-old to let us know "I prefer regular showers". Us too, buddy. Us too. Here's your Friday Five! Show up for...

Hi Reader, I'm writing this while I've got this playing over on my second monitor to help bring some calm vibes to what feels like a very not-calm external environment globally. Those of us leading teams have what feels like an increasing load on our shoulders these days, so I'm sending this in hopes something here provides more joy and ease in your leadership this month. Let's get to your Monthly Management Memo - as always with something bold, something new, something borrowed, and...

Hi Reader, It's been a week full of people in my life. As an introvert, I really love a good day of no meetings to focus on interesting creative work (like writing this newsletter!). At the same time, this week felt rich and lovely with so many good people doing good in the world crossing my path in various ways. I'm ready for some solo work time AND I'm energized by the people in my life. We contain multitudes, don't we? Reminds me of this song I was introduced to in this space a few years...