WORK Unsolicited Advice: The Answers Are In The Building

Jennifer Fisher came by this week. She has a lot of energy and a spicy, strong, fuck-it-let’s-do-it vibe. Her baubles are also next level.We talked about working for what you want, failing and figuring things out, the importance of salt, toothpicks and being happy being yourself.If you’re looking for a gift for the girl who already has everything - check out our Food52 x Jennifer Fisher toothpick!If you’re looking for beautiful things for home and table - don’t miss our Black Friday / Cyber Monday bonanza - Everything is waiting for you on Schoolhouse and Food52.Watch full episode on YouTube. This is WORK Conversations. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

Hi! I’ve been on 3 red eyes in the past week. I can’t quit a red eye no matter how hard I try. The lure of not wasting the day in a plane always trumps the blur, hangover-esque daze of the next two days after a night of no sleep. Sidenote: It’s fall and apparently the changing fall weather causes bumpy sky roads according to the JetBlue guy at 6am today. This is what work is like this week.On this episode of Unsolicited Advice we are talking about geopolitical uncertainty and its bearing on your work. Hello Tariffs. Goodbye Margins.Listen in if you care to understand how stuff that’s high above your pay grade or that seems way far away from you can impact what you have to work with and what your work is going to be like.This is WORK: Unsolicited AdviceWatch full episode on YouTube. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

Today we’re talking about group chats and what not to put in them, the problems with meeting culture and what makes A players leave (read: growth).This is WORK Net/Net Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

Alright, Mita is back with us on the pod. We’re talking bad bosses, bad employees, bad attitudes and how to break the cycle of feeling bad at work. Here’s the rundown of what we’re talking about today at WORK. * Work friction is rising because roles, priorities, and expectations are unclear.* Layoffs create survivor guilt and overwhelm for the people who stay.* Leaders often skip rewriting roles or resetting priorities after org changes.* Ambiguity grows when bosses avoid conflict or lack clear direction from above.* Weekly priority meetings and repeat back communication cut through confusion.* Managing up is essential. Employees must surface gaps and ask for clarity.* Weak or absentee bosses create space for employees to lead and accelerate.* One on ones matter. Bring value so they never get canceled.* Boundaries break when people step into others’ jobs to avoid their own.* Remote work increases miscommunication without consistent rituals and tools.* Generational tension stems from different eras of job security and loyalty.* Cross generational teams work best when everyone teaches and learns from each other.To learn more about Mita - Get her book “The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn From Bad Bosses.” This is WORK Conversations. Watch full episode on YouTube. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

Today we are talking about disruption.People hate disrupting themselves. It’s scary, may not work, is a general pain in the ass and is hard.It requires vision, fortitude, foresight, being misunderstood, being on the edge and being ok with it.Su Hawn and Erika talk about the places in my journey where I’ve opted to remodel versus remake (and why it was a mistake), the challenges in re-routing the road and my grandfather being a land surveyor.This is WORK Underlined. Watch full episode on YouTube. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

Alright we are back with the WORK Net/Net. Here’s what we’ve got:Gen Z isn’t into you as their boss, whatever project you have them working on or the free snacks (just kidding they love snacks). Know what else they love? Love. Instead of finding connection on dating apps, Gen Z is looking for love in the office. PSA to the Gen Z crowd: This is not a new phenomenon.Thirteen signs it’s time to quit your job. This one goes out to all the job huggers out there and my favorite former colleague whose computer password was Getajob (for 21 months in a row).Lastly we talk about being emotionally regulated at work compliments of Warren Buffett. Hard to imagine Warren not regulated about anything besides Sees candies and Coca Cola but I digress. This is the WORK Net/Net.Watch full episode on YouTube. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

Valarie Jacobs is a futurist. She’s built her career capturing and understanding signals, curating and editing those signals to provide a thesis on trends and conveying and implementing strategies to help companies adapt, morph and evolve into the future.Remember when everything became organic? She helped companies understand that trend and change their product mix, brand strategy and supply chain to stay competitive and compelling in the face of changing consumer demand.She’s now helping people understand trends, desired outcomes and how to work backwards to lay a strategy and a map that guides you from where you are to where you want to go. Enter: Backcasting. Valarie joined me in NYC for an At Home At Work and an intimate conversation on understanding the future and feeling confident and empowered to get there.This is WORK Conversations with Valarie Jacobs. Watch full episode on YouTube. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s unsolicited advice is about underrated leadership skills. Listening is my #1.We are in a time of work where people are reticent to lead. Either they’re not good at it, don’t think it’s worth the headache, or no one ever taught them how to strive for it.We talk about why leadership it’s important and the subtle skills that help people, teams and projects succeed at work.This is WORK Unsolicited Advice. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

The Net / Net today is about job hugging.Blitz recap:Last summer was quiet quittingThen we moved to quiet crushingNow we are outright huggingThis is like having a teenager. Defiance turns to angst turns to remorse / insecurity.Job hugging is real, it’s happening and as consumer uncertainty mounts and the year end layoffs arise, it will only be more prevalent.It feels like we are in a time of clinging to what we hold or know to be true.This reminds me of this Wilson Phillips Song. Does anyone remember this music video? I always wanted to have hair like the short blonde.Survive and thrive when the job market feels impossible.Watch the full episode on YouTube. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe

In 2023 Daniela and I were in Boston for something at Barstool - I can’t remember what exactly. It was spitting snow like it does in the Northeast. I had on my favorite winter hat and got a like from Shit That I Knit. This is how I met Christina Pardy. I liked her instantly - she’s a Masshole. Sweet, gritty, creative, earnest and motivated. I had her come to Barstool and we talked about her company and her vision. I was on here the other day and saw a post from Christina about selling STIT. It was vulnerable and honest. She talked about her mom, lifting weights, skipping the wine and reimagining her future.I think people shy away from talking about the end of things - like there’s something shameful about it. I wanted to have this conversation with Christina to give light and space to the things that don’t work outChristina joined WORK to lay it all out. This is our conversation.Watch the full episode on YouTube. Get full access to WORK at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe