Andddd we’re back, and thrilled to be on break with you!

It’s time to chill and level-up while enjoying this quick read.

GETTING AHEAD

Are you likable? 😬 

Seriously, do most people like you? Being likable by more than a few of your work homies is imperative to your success at work (and life!). It’s proven to increase your chances of getting a job, being promoted, and improving your overall happiness.

“Okay, I’m listening.”
Leveraging likability to level up your career and life involves engaging in small talk 🥲 so everybody likes ya. Small talk feels super awk, I get it, but connecting with more people at work will boost how you’re seen internally 🤓.

Small talk is an opp to make a connection and get to know someone (a colleague, manager, or that cutie at your local coffee shop). Basically, these superficial convos open the door to something deeper and more meaningful. These awkward little chats are great for:

• Finding common ground and shared interests

• Understanding a person’s non-verbal communication style: tone, body language, and rate of speech

• Improving spontaneity and overcoming general social discomfort

• Establishing the foundation for discussing deeper, more serious topics

“I get it. But... it’s just so awkward.”
YES. It totally is so awkward. But, practice makes perfect, my friend. Let’s play out a scenario below:

Here are some pro tips:

• Ask open-ended questions

• Stick to light topics: hobbies, travel, food, local events

• Notice if someone isn’t engaged in the group small talk; ask them a Q directly to include them: “What about you, Allie? See any good movies lately?”

• Keep the small talk brief – a few minutes at the start of a meeting

Now sit back, relax, and small talk your way into promotions, new friends, and a happier life 😇.

INCLUSIVITY CORNER

Backstage Capital – a VC founded by a gay woman of color, investing in companies led by underrepresented founders 🙌

As a queer girl in tech, I’m still a little sour that Backstage Capital didn’t take a meeting with me back when I was leading my startup... but hey, time heals everything or so they say lol. Okay but actually, Backstage Capital is a dope VC, founded by Arlan Hamilton. TIME Magazine covered her hella inspiring story. Get this, Hamilton didn’t attend college, yet she educated herself on venture capital, recognizing the necessity to enter the predominantly white, male-dominated world of startup funding to help underrepresented founders. She was determined to make her mark, and while she was homeless, sleeping on the floor of an airport in 2015, an investor wrote her first check that started her initial fund for Backstage Capital.

Today, Backstage Capital has invested $20 million in over 200 companies. Check out their portfolio companies, and cheers to Arlan Hamilton and her team at Backstage 🥂.

PERFORMANCE ENHANCERS

Raise your hand if you’re over pointless meetings

How many times during the week do you think, ”that meeting was useless AF.”

“Yeah, but what can we even do about it?”
I’m so glad you asked. Peter Yang, one of my personal fave Product Managers to follow, wrote a great article on this, but I made some tweaks.

Step 1: Identify key people that need to be involved. Avoid too many cooks in the kitchen.
Step 2: Create a shared doc and provide context. See below:

Step 3: Once the doc is ready, send it out in a Slack channel to the decision makers with this note: “Hey all! I’ve added you to this group because we need to discuss [this thing] because of [these reasons]. I’ve kept the group small to streamline decision-making via the doc (hoping we can forego any calls – I think we have enough of those). Can I get your feedback by [date]? Leave your comments / input in the doc.”
Step 4: Respond to comments as/if needed.
Step 5: Send a follow up Slack in the channel if 1+ peeps have yet to leave their feedback.
Step 6: After consolidating everyone’s comments and reaching a decision, share the outcome with the team in Slack: “Looks like we’re aligned on [this thing] due to [these reasons]. We’ll move forward with this. Thanks all for your help! ”
*If a decision isn’t reached: Push for one! “Looks like we’re leaning towards [this thing] due to [these reasons]. Any objections to moving forward with [this thing]?”

FRESH DRIPS

Shocking but Abercrombie is back in 🥵 

We haven’t forgotten that Abercrombie once sucked due to size exclusion, workplace discrimination, insulting our god, Taylor Swift, etc. They’re still on our watch list 👀. Rant over. Check our outfit of the week:

• Vegan leather straight pants
  Why we love it: reasonably priced, provide warmth without setting you on fire, wear-to-anything vibes, and tbh they just look dope

• Loose crew neck t-shirt (white)
  Why we love it: perf for a casual tuck, tones down the leather pants, and obviously we love anything loose

• Adidas court revival sneaks (cloud white)
  Why we love it: white sneaks always look fresh and the gum soles add some flare

*Take a screenshot and use Google Lens to find similar and more affordable options 🙌.

FOCUSED VIBES

Gimme some American Money 🤑

This week’s heads down winner is *initiate drum roll* Dopamine by BØRNS. Dive into this ethereal indie-pop album, it’s a chill, feel-good trip that’ll make your focus work so much more enjoyable.

COMIC RELIEF

Small talk 101 🤣

@charemv

#relatable #funny #meme #joke #fyp #fypシ #foryou

If you liked this newsletter, send it to some people, or drop it in your fave Discord server, Subreddit, Slack channel, etc. – any support means A LOT! Also, if you have content ideas or feedback, shoot it our way. Cheers, and stay sane, homies 😎.