There’s a social script we’ve all learned: don’t come on too strong. Whether it’s personal relationships or professional aspirations, we’re often taught to “play it cool.” Instead of saying, “I want to work with you” or “I’d love for us to be friends,” we hold back. We hope subtle signals and indirect actions will communicate our desires for us and eventually lead to the outcome we want. But what if following this social protocol hurts more than it helps us? TLDR below 👇 | Read this on the...
13 days ago • 4 min read
Hey there, Happy New Year! Usually, this is the time of year when I share a long year in review. However, when I went to write this, it really just came back to I became a mother this year. I went through an extremely personal transformation that I'm not really sure you're interested in reading about. I'm going into 2025 a much different person than I entered 2024. There's been a ton of behind-the-scenes hardship and growth. The highs were high (like meeting my little one), and the lows were...
20 days ago • 2 min read
Hey there, Happy Holidays! This week, I'm celebrating the holidays with my family, so I'm coming to your inbox with an oldie but a goodie. If you're someone who struggles with taking a break without feeling guilty, this one is for you. It will help you reframe how you think about rest and provide you with more examples of how to rest beyond just taking a nap. Also, a quick reminder that the Work Forward Society community is now open to new members! This is your last week to join for special...
27 days ago • 9 min read
Hey there, In case you missed it, the Work Forward Society community is now open to new members! Sign up within the next two weeks for special savings and bonuses. Let's make 2025 your year of less meetings and more real work. Join The Work Forward Society → Let’s explore an underutilized indicator of a great remote manager—valuable for both companies looking to hire and applicants seeking a great leader. Retention rates are typically the go-to metric to use, but I think an even better...
about 1 month ago • 6 min read
Hey there, we're taking a short break this week from our 'Ask a Remote Manager' series to share about something new I'm building for you. In case you missed it, you can catch up on the last four Q&A topics we covered here: What's the truth about ghost employees? What are your top 5 must-haves for remote workers? How do I find a great remote job? How do you communicate without bothering people in other time zones? Now, time for an exciting announcement! ⬇️ 2025 is almost here, and people are...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Last week, the internet exploded with a new attack on remote work, focused on the concept of "ghost employees" or workers who disappear from their responsibilities while still collecting a paycheck. As someone who has spent the past six years helping remote teams be as effective as possible, I want to set the record straight. Here's the truth: ghost employees are an outlier, not the norm. TLDR below 👇 | Read this on the web | Subscribe The Real Problem As I've said again and again, the far...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Hey there, This week is Thanksgiving in the US. Just wanted to say a quick thank you for subscribing to my newsletter and taking the time to read it. I know there are tons of newsletter options and ways to spend your time. I appreciate you letting me be a part of your day ❤️ As Black Friday approaches, we're bombarded with tech deals and encouraged to buy our way to productivity. But lasting success with remote work comes from our systems, not new gadgets. This week, let's focus on building a...
about 2 months ago • 6 min read
When I started Remote Work Prep in 2018, there was plenty of advice on getting a remote job, but very little on succeeding in one. That's why I've focused on helping people thrive after they're hired. However, I've been getting this question non-stop lately, so I thought I'd quickly address it. TLDR below 👇 | Read this on the web | Subscribe Getting a remote job is not the same as an in-person role. The biggest mistake I see people make is approaching a remote job search the same way they...
2 months ago • 5 min read
Hey there, I'm looking for remote companies that would like to be profiled for a new series on async-first work. I'll be highlighting *how* teams collaborate with fewer meetings, including sharing calendar screenshots for different roles (ex. here's a typical schedule for a software engineer at our company). Please reply to this email if you're interested in being featured! Joining a globally distributed remote team for the first time later this month. Time zones will span Pacific Standard...
2 months ago • 6 min read