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Welcome to Pressing Questions, Fast Companys workplace advice column. Every week, deputy editor Kathleen Davis, host of The New Way We Work podcast, will answer the biggest and most pressing workplace questions. Q: How can I improve my teams morale?A: Team morale isnt an extra or a nice to have. Its critical to a functioning company. And its not looking good out there. According to the latest Gallup report, only 36% of employees say they feel engaged at work. That means 64% of employees are feeling some degree of unhappy at work.Low morale can take a lot of different formsfrom feeling less enthusiastic, less motivated, or less satisfied with work, all the way to feeling burned out, apathetic, and resentful.It probably goes without saying that when employees have low morale they do a worse job. Not only are they less productive, but theyre certainly not feeling inspired to come up with creative or innovative ideas, and theyre more likely to quit or spread the negative vibes to the rest of the office.If youre a manager, here are three things you can do to help boost your teams morale: Treat your employees like adults The number-one bad boss complaint is micromanaging. Most people like to have a sense of autonomy in their work lives. At the same time, most people crave structure. So the best thing a manager can do is give their employees clear (and reasonable) expectations, and get out of their way.That doesnt mean you are absentee, it means you make yourself available to help address questions and issues, and set up regular check-ins, but otherwise trust that employees will complete their work in their own way. (Remember, that might not be how you would do it.) One important part of that equation is letting employees work where they work best. Many surveys have found that employees want more flexibility to work from home, while more bosses are demanding they come into the office. Unless there is a compelling need for someone to be in the office, an easy way to boost morale and give employees a sense that you trust them is to trust them to get their work done even if they arent clocking eight hours in a cubicle. Make people feel like they belong Remember the Great Resignation? Back in 2021, when people were quitting their jobs at a higher rate, there were a lot of contributing factors. But beyond the obvious thingslike fair pay, benefits, flexibility, and work-life balancethere was a deeper issue that hasnt gone away just because the job market has tightened. One of the top reasons people resigned during that period was that they didnt feel a sense of belonging at work. Especially in a climate where the very concept of equity and inclusion is under attack, its important to help employees feel like their workplace is a place where they are valued. Contributor Mita Mallick says that one way to help employees feel included is to be intentional about building community. Share regular updates and ensure people feel like they are part of the mission, she advises. Talk about your organizations failures and struggles, and celebrate the big and small wins. Make everyone feel like they own a piece of the mission to deepen engagement and commitment.Another tip from Mallick: To make sure new hires feel included, pair them with current employees and help facilitate introductions to employees in other parts of your company. If your company has employee resource groups, thats another good place to help employees build community. Add perks that show meaningful appreciation Oftentimes managements ideas of perks and fun make employees roll their eyes. Awkward happy hours and cheesy employee appreciation events do little to boost employee morale because they dont feel genuine or give employees something they really value. What do employees actually value? Time, money, and genuine appreciation.There are pretty simple and low-cost ways you can give all of those things. To give the gift of time, consider offering summer Fridays, or even a year-round four-day workweek. Fewer working hours doesnt have to mean less work getting done. It will likely mean that people will be more efficient (and less tired) in the time that they are at work. Another way to give the gift of time is the option for remote work. Not only does it give employees more autonomy (see above), it cuts down on commute time, giving people back an hour or two of their day.The gift of money might seem hard in lean times, but if you cant give raises as you have in the past, you might still be able to offer monthly spot bonuses for those who do exceptional work.Finally, genuine appreciation costs you nothing and can go a long way. If employees have low morale its likely that they feel what they do isnt noticed and doesnt matter. Remembering and recognizing work anniversaries and life events is baseline for employees to feel seen. Praising and celebrating work is equally importantand not just the big splashy projects that bring in money. Pay attention to those who solve problems, toil away at the necessary but unglamorous behind-the-scenes work, manage relationships, and more. Want some more advice on building your teams morale? Here you go: Employees who quit have realized this 1 missing thing about their job This workplace perk may boost your employees morale New study finds that hybrid work boosts moraleand profits 10 ways managers accidentally destroy team morale
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E-Commerce
The whole world mourned when news broke of Pope Franciss death on April 21. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church was admired even by nonbelievers as a man of progressive values leading the church into the modern era. While some wished his policies had gone further, most agreed that the late pope acted as a much-needed moral leader to humanity. His death leaves a void that must be filled through an election process known as the conclave, which starts today (Wednesday, May 7, 2025). Lets take a deeper look at that procedure, the frontrunners, and how the Catholic Church moves forward from here. Who is in charge after the pope’s death? Almost immediately after the popes death, his signet ringalso known as the fishermans ringis destroyed along with the popes lead seal. This is both symbolic and practical as these items are used to authenticate documents created by the pope. While the Catholic Church waits for new leadership, the College of Cardinals is temporarily in charge, but no major policies are made until a new pope is elected. Officially, this period is known as sede vacante, which translates to the seat is vacant. When does the conclave begin? The 2025 conclave begins today (Wednesday, May 7, 2025). It begins with a pre-conclave mass at St. Peter’s Basilica at 10:00 a.m. Vatican time (4:30 a.m. ET). Vatican News has a full conclave schedule on its website, including start times. You can also livestream certain activities at St. Peter’s Square courtesy of Vatican Media Live, the official YouTube channel of the Holy See. Finally, you can follow live news coverage of the conclave with most major news outlets. USA Today has an extensive roundup of where to watch. How does the conclave work? Eligible cardinals, prominent church leaders, and former advisers to the pope are locked awayfree from the influence and distractions of the outside worldin the Sistine Chapel to vote. The word conclave comes from the Latin phrase cum clave, which means “with a key,” so it’s a fitting name. In order to be eligible to vote in the conclave, cardinals must be under the age of 80. It is important to note that only men are allowed in the Catholic priesthood. There are 135 eligible cardinals for the conclave but Archbishops Antonio Caizares and Vinko Puljiĉ will not participate due to poor health, as Catholic News Agency reported. Francis appointed 80% of the cardinals voting for his successor, expanding the decision-making process to 71 countries and eliminating European dominance. For the first time ever, countries such as Rwanda, Myanmar, and South Sudan will also have a vote, the Washington Post reports. Upon entering the conclave, cardinals take an oath of secrecy, making the process even more mysterious. Outsiders eagerly await the results of the votes by watching the color of smoke emitted from the Sistine Chapel. On the first day after mass, the initial secret ballot is cast. In order for a winner to be declared, a two-thirds majority must be won. If not secured, the ballots are burned along with a chemical to make black smoke. After the first day, up to four ballots can be cast daily, two in the mornings and two in the evenings. The process repeats until the new pope is elected. White smoke, bells ringing, and a declaration of “Habemus Papam!” signal a new beginning. How long does the conclave last? This depends on how long it takes to reach a two-thirds majority. The longest conclave dragged on for almost three yearsfrom November 1268 to September 1271. Eventually Pope Gregory X was elected, as the Associated Press points out. Thankfully, modern conclaves in the 1900s and beyond have been much less suspenseful, lasting under four days. Pope Francis was elected in two days and many predict a similar situation for his predecessor. Who are the frontrunners to be the new pope? Although there are only two requirements for being elected pope, being male and a baptized Catholic, no one outside of the Cardinals has been elected since 1378, so President Trumps AI-generated image is a bit of a pipe dream, as this election will also likely promote from within as well. There are four cardinals whose names are swirling around as front runners: Seventy-year-old Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy served under Francis as the Vatican’s secretary of state. He has a global worldview yet is still considered a moderate. As Franciss former right-hand man, his odds are good going into the conclave, perhaps even too good. There’s an old Italian saying: “He who enters a conclave as a pope, leaves it as a cardinal,” so lets not put the horse in front of the cart. If 64-year-old Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines is elected he would be the first modern Asian pope. His election would also signal the churchs continuation of Franciss legacy. Tagle, who is a favorite among TikTok users, also spoke out on social issues and migrant rights. He urged the Catholic Church to be more inclusive and less harsh on the LGBTQ+ community, single moms, and divorced individuals. Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana, age 76, is an energetic conservative who once played guitar in a funk band. In 2013, he claimed not to want the top job in an interview with the BBC, but we are pretty sure hed take it if it was offered. His election may mean more old-fashioned family values, but Turkson did speak out against the criminalization of homosexual relationships in Ghana. Cardinal Péter Erdġ from Hungary, age 72, is also considered conservative, but has the respect of many more liberal members of the conclave. This makes him an ideal compromise candidate if voting comes to that. What will the final choice say about the future of the Catholic Church? With the world at large currently at a crossroads between traditions and progressive ideals, the new pope will signal how the Catholic Church plans to move forward. Will it continue with Francis’s more liberal ideals or will the pendulum swing the other way toward habit and convention? Only the white smoke can tellthe rest is secret.
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E-Commerce
Residents living near SpaceX headquarters in Boca Chica, Texas, will soon have a new public body through which to raise concerns about everything from road maintenance to garbage collection. Earlier this month, more than 200 residents voted to establish the city of Starbase, Texasa 1.5-square-mile community governed by three elected officials, all of whom have ties to SpaceX, the space exploration company based in the area. Of the 218 people who voted in the electionmany believed to be SpaceX employeesonly six opposed incorporation. The news marks a win for Musk, who has wanted the area around his companys headquarters to become a city since at least March 2021. It sounds like the city will be governed by a city commission comprising current and former SpaceX employees, who presumably answer to Musk, says Lily Roberts, managing director of inclusive growth at the Center for American Progress, a think tank that published a report on the rise of the new company town in 2019. Roberts believes SpaceXs control of Starbase poses concerns. But Ajay Agrawal, a professor of management at the University of Toronto who has studied company towns and visited Starbase for a SpaceX launch before the incorporation effort began, sees potential upside. Agrawal noted the areas lack of infrastructure. If SpaceX succeeds in its mission, then it will be like the Port of Los Angeles, except the gateway to space, he says. What he saw during his visit, however, didnt match that vision. It struck me how underdeveloped the route [from the airport] was. The fact that the commission is composed of individuals with ties to Musk may give some observers pause. Still, the incorporation process introduces limits on the citys authority. They obviously cant legally create some kind of independent society, says Roberts. Theyre still subject to state and federal laws. Given how little Musk has demonstrated that he knows about how government works, Im not sure that he knows that. Musk did not respond to Fast Companys request for comment. However, he posted on X when the incorporation election was ratified by Cameron Countys election department: Now, it is official! While Musk has welcomed the decision, Roberts argues that the companys desire to incorporate a city is misguided. Most businesses do not want to incorporate cities, she says. Businesses typically make a product or sell a servicethey dont want to worry about the sewer system or run a school district. Nevertheless, they may now find themselves responsible for managing those services alongside the civic aspects they want control over. It sounds like SpaceX wants power over closing the public beaches and public roads during their launches, says Roberts. Because this is a relatively isolated area, they might want to find a faster track to building new housing. But all of the city services that come along with being a city seem far beyond what SpaceX is equipped to provide. Agrawal isnt convinced thats a problem. Having visited the site, I wouldnt be surprised if they had already taken over things like garbage management and security, he says. They would need far greater security than what sort of a local police force of that area would have had [for their launches]. There are also checks and balances in place that prevent Starbase from seceding from federal oversight. They will only be able to control, or certainly influence, municipal-level decisions, says Agrawal. They won’t be able to override federal or state rules. Even if the three elected commissioners wanted to manage everything from trash pickup to road maintenanceand hand control to Musktheres no guarantee that Musk has the capacity or interest to govern effectively. I think that Musk has proven with DOGE that any skills he has are not transferable from business to government, cautions Roberts. He cant find the cost savings he promised, he accidentally fired people who keep track of nuclear weapons and then had to rehire them, and he keeps claiming that people receiving Social Security are dead when theyre very much alive. Because of these issues, Roberts offers a cautionary note to potential residents: SpaceX employees who move to Starbase may come to realize that theres a huge difference between the campus model of big tech firms and a whole town where everyoneincluding the teacher and the firefighter, not just the scientistshas the same boss.
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E-Commerce
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