EDITION 871
31 MAY 2021

As another week slips by, here are 10 things which caught my attention and may have escaped yours. This newsletter is sent to 50,000+ subscribers each Monday at 10am. Please share on social media and forward to your colleagues and friends so they can subscribe, learn and engage. I would be very grateful if you did.

1. How to accommodate failing up. Making mistakes at work and still moving up the ranks is often witheringly referred to as ‘failing up’ - the ability to advance in your career; for example: being promoted, finding a better job, being selected as a project lead. Failure is a learning experience that is critical to career and personal development, and it can lead to great success. But the problem is that not everyone is afforded the privilege to fail without fear of demotion, stalling or firing. How can workplaces ensure everyone is allowed to learn and progress from their mistakes? READ MORE

2. Government puts NHS data up for sale. England’s NHS is preparing to scrape the medical histories of 55m patients, including sensitive information on mental and sexual health, criminal records and abuse, into a database it will share with third parties. The data collection project, which is the first of its kind, has caused an uproar among privacy campaigners, who say it is “legally problematic”, especially as patients only have a few weeks to opt out of the plan. The Financial Times

3. Masks may stay as cases rise. Facemasks and guidance to work from home could remain in place after June 21 as ministers plan to “prioritise” the end of social distancing. Amid fears that the variant’s spread could undermine plans to lift all restrictions next month, ministers are discussing a partial end to the lockdown. The Treasury wants to prioritise the end of the “one metre plus” distancing rule and the “rule of six” indoors, moves viewed as crucial to supporting hospitality and retail. BBC

4. Reasons why we have been missing hugs. Not only does hugging feel good, but it boosts our physical and mental health. [1] Hugging can help regulate our sleep, by reducing levels of hormone called cortisol. Our body produces cortisol when we are stressed, but it can cause broken sleep and insomnia. [2] Hugging increases our sense of well-being, helping us build and maintain relationships by releasing feel-good chemicals called endorphins. [3] In the long term, hugging can make us more resilient as it releases a hormone called oxytocin, which reduces anxiety and plays a role in social bonding. Infants who get lots of cuddles are less likely to suffer from anxiety in later life. [4] Hugging can improve our physical health, too, by regulating cortisol and oxytocin, it gives our immune systems a boost. Cuddling in bed can even make you less likely to catch a cold. World Economic Forum

5. Consider a midlife career switch. What happens if you reach a point in your working life and suddenly feel unfulfilled? Should you make the jump and change careers? It can be scary but listening to the voice telling you to switch gears can be the best thing for your overall happiness. Milestone events or life changes can often prompt a rethink: I left my 26-year career in the Royal Navy for a new career in leadership and management after a former colleague told me “Your second career will be longer than your first”. Have you switched careers in mid-life? What advice would you give to people thinking about taking that first step? Please share your thoughts. CONTACT US

6. UK worst for private jet pollution. Britain has been named as Europe’s biggest polluter from private air travel. Analysis by Transport & Environment, a campaign group, found that carbon dioxide from private jets in Europe increased by about one-third between 2005 and 2019, with flights that entered or left the UK responsible for nearly a fifth of these emissions. The report also found that last August, when commercial flights were down 60% year-on-year, private jet traffic had already returned to pre-pandemic levels. The Times

7. PM plans new national flagship. Boris Johnson says a new national flagship will promote British trade and industry around the world. The vessel, the successor to the Royal Yacht Britannia, would be used to host trade fairs, ministerial summits and diplomatic talks as the UK seeks to build links and boost exports following Brexit. Labour said: “We’d want to see it built in Britain, supporting jobs and skills in shipyards here.” The Times

8. Amazon buy Hollywood’s MGM. In its second-largest acquisition after supermarket chain Whole Foods, Amazon has agreed to buy iconic Hollywood studio MGM Holdings for $8.45 billion. The move shows the new emphasis placed by the e-commerce giant on entertainment – and its budding role in the streaming wars as it bulks up Prime Video. Known for "The Pink Panther, "Rocky" and the James Bond franchise, MGM was founded in the silent film era. The Guardian

9. Idea of the week. Many of us tend to be hard on ourselves when we make even the smallest of mistakes. But berating ourselves for a slight slip up is unhealthy and unhelpful. Here are a couple actions I've found to be more effective at pulling me out of a setback-induced slump. [1] Treat myself like I would treat a friend. [2] Remind myself that I am a person who is learning. [3] Think of all the things I've done well. Editor

10. The bottom line. The poverty rate among working households in the UK is the highest ever, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research. It says relative poverty has reached 17.4%. It blames higher rents, soaring property prices and childcare costs. Daily Mail