Your Long Weekend Reading from Backstory & Strategy
From the 40-hour work week to fixing silos, catch up on the ideas that mattered this week.
So, I don’t know about you, but this was a busy week and I’m glad that it is not just the weekend, but an extended one at that.
In case you fell behind on your Backstory & Substack reading, here is what I published this week:
The Real Way to Fix Silos (It’s Not an App)
If you’ve ever worked for any organization, large or small, you’ve probably encountered silos. You know what I’m talking about. Silos: that frustrating cultural dynamic in which teams or departments get so wrapped up in their own day-to-day business, and sometimes even…
When Trust Walks Out the Door: Why Newsrooms Need Translators Now
On August 20, Pew dropped a report that hit hard: fewer than half of Americans say they trust journalists to act in the public’s best interest. Nearly half think we’re losing influence, only 15% say we’re gaining ground.
Leaders Need to Learn, Too. Here’s an Opportunity.
If you’ve followed Backstory & Strategy, you know I put a lot of weight on being a lifelong student. That’s true for reporters and editors, but it’s just as true for leaders. If we’re not learning alongside ou…
When Nonprofits Hear “Revenue,” They Hear “Sellout”
You’ve seen it. You’re in an all-staff meeting. Sharing good news. A new grant, a successful fundraising campaign. You mention the word “revenue,” and the room changes. Shoulders tighten. You can almost see the adrenaline spikes.
Strings Attached
How some bailouts create lasting change while others just postpone the inevitable. A deep dive into the hidden logic of rescues, from the auto industry to the art world.
How We Lost the 40-Hour Work Week (And How to Get It Back)
We’ve all been there. You have a job that pays you for 40 hours a week, but it’s been obvious for a long time that it’s mathematically impossible to do your work in 40 hours. Fifty, sixty hours? That’s where the pressure is. Not because the work actually needs it, but becaus…
Feel free to kick back, enjoy the good weather (at least if you live in Pennsylvania) and catch-up on anything you have missed or share that piece that your colleague or friend would really benefit reading.
I’ll be back Monday with something new, so until then, have a great weekend. And, as always, thank you for your support and encouragement.
-Yoni
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