They Know What Works, They Just Don’t Do It
Hi there,
Back in 2012, Google launched Project Aristotle to figure out what made teams successful. After years of research, the conclusion was simple: psychological safety. Teams thrive when people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and know their contributions are valued.
Large companies know this. The research has been public for years, and countless executives have cited it in presentations and culture decks. But knowing and doing are two different things. Instead of building safety, many organizations double down on control: layoffs with little notice, return to office mandates, or biased review processes that silence honest feedback.
The truth is, the system often prioritizes power over people. It is not that leaders don’t know what creates healthy workplaces. It is that they choose not to act on it.
That is why this community exists. We are not here to wait for companies to do the right thing. We are here to share tools, strategies, and solidarity so we can survive and support each other in the environments we actually have.
— Wesley Faulkner
Survival Tactic: Reframing Stress as Strategy
Most workplaces treat stress like a personal weakness. If you are feeling overwhelmed, the message is often that you need better time management, better resilience, or just a better attitude. But stress is not proof that you are failing. Stress is data.
When you feel that knot in your stomach before a meeting, or notice your heart racing before a deadline, your body is signaling that something is out of balance. Instead of ignoring it or internalizing it, you can use stress as a guide.
Here’s how to reframe it:
Name the source.
Ask yourself, “What exactly is triggering this stress?” Is it workload, unclear expectations, or a lack of support? Naming it turns a vague feeling into something specific.Connect it to the system.
Remind yourself: stress does not exist in a vacuum. If you are overloaded, it might be because priorities keep shifting. If you are anxious about a meeting, it might be because the culture punishes mistakes. Recognizing the systemic causes helps you separate your worth from the dysfunction around you.Turn stress into action.
Once you have named the source, you can respond strategically. Overloaded? Push for clearer prioritization. Anxious? Prepare a script for speaking up. Unsupported? Document your contributions and ask for resources.
Stress is not just something to survive. It is a signal, pointing to where change is needed, in your boundaries, in your environment, or in the system itself. By reframing stress as strategy, you shift from being overwhelmed by it to using it as a tool for survival.
➡️ If you have a survival tip you would like to share, click the button below to submit it for the next newsletter.
The System is Broken: The Proof is all Around Us
Quiet Promotions on the Rise (Published September 19, 2025)
“Quiet promotions” are leaving employees with more responsibilities but no additional pay or title. Experts warn this practice is driving burnout, especially among younger workers. via Fortune
Gen Z and Office Frogging (Published September 19, 2025)
A new trend called “office frogging” sees Gen Z workers hopping between jobs and office environments in search of meaning and balance. The movement signals growing frustration with traditional career paths. via New York Post
Forget Burnout, Enter ‘Boreout’ (Published September 20, 2025)
Beyond burnout, “boreout” is emerging as workers disengage from repetitive, unchallenging roles. Lack of meaningful work is becoming just as damaging as overwork. via Yahoo
No Fall Hiring Spike (Published September 16, 2025)
Job seekers hoping for a seasonal hiring boost may be disappointed. Business Insider reports that hiring is expected to remain flat this fall, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in the labor market. via Business Insider
Site Updates: Fixes and Progress
No big updates this week. My whole family has been sick, and it has taken a toll. We will be back strong very soon, and I am excited for a few upcoming meetings next week that could bring new allies into the movement.
In the meantime, if you would like access to the media kit to help spread the word, please let me know. Your support keeps this project moving, even during the slower weeks.
Spread the Word: Strength in Numbers
Know someone stuck in a job with no clear way out? Forward this issue and help them join the community now. Together we can build a space where no one has to face work struggles alone.
They want us to feel isolated, like our struggles are ours alone. But the more we come together, the fewer of us will fall through the cracks. Every new subscriber strengthens this network and makes it harder for broken systems to silence or divide us.
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