Are you experiencing career enmeshment? | Why a 3pm work break is so important | How to nail the first 5 minutes of a job interview

Are you experiencing career enmeshment? | How to nail the first 5 minutes of a job interview | Why a 3pm work break is so important

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Ask "why not?" not "why?" if you want to get ahead at work

A letter from editorial director Lisa Smosarski.

The words we choose at work are not just important for communicating clearly but also in defining our state of mind. There are reams of evidence to prove positive words influence us into a more optimistic state of mind (and vice versa) but it's the way in which you respond to colleagues' suggestions – whether you are a 'Why?' or a 'Why not?' – that really can define how positive or open-minded you are.

Most of us have propensity for both (often dependent on who we're speaking to and whether you rate them) but if you're not sure which camp you fall into, ask yourself how you would respond when faced with these suggestions from colleagues.

"We'd love you to try this new platform."
"Why do we need a new platform? We've been getting fantastic results with this one."
"Why not, let's see what it can do!"

"I've not a new idea for our campaign"
"Why do we need another idea? I love the idea we have."
"Why not see where this can go?"

On the face of it, the difference is subtle – they both include positive sentiment but where Whys are trying to close a door with their questions, Why nots are pushing it open.

This isn't about compliance. Why-not people don't agree to everything. In fact, I find Why-nots challenge and question more because they tend to come from a default position of knowing they don't have all the answers. Why-nots dig deeper, collaborate, are open to new ways of working or business opportunities, and rarely offer unnecessary barriers to beneficial change. They think with their heads. Whereas Whys are all heart, it's their way or no way, and they would prefer to change your mind than accept they'll need to change their own.

If that doesn't convince you, consider this: Why-nots tend to be happier in their work as they lean into the support, innovation and experience of others. And they can also cope and thrive around change, which in today's ever-evolving work environment is a skill we're all going to need.

So, the next time you feel yourself about to push back with a 'why?', consider spinning it into a 'Why not?' and open yourself up to finding out what really waits behind that new door.

Know Your Worth: "How I negotiated a pay rise 6 months into my first job"

Take your background audio seriously

Digital editor Ellen Scott shares insightful hacks to make work that little bit easier.

Are you someone who can only work in silence? Or the type to stick on a playlist, only pausing when you have to speak up on a Teams call? If you're not sure what soundscaping works best for you, make it your mission this week to do some trials and figure it out, because audio plays a far larger role in our performance at work than you might think.

We know that disruptive noise in an open-plan office can wreck our mood and increase stress. We also know that for many of us, the sort of ambient sound you hear while working at a café can be beneficial in entering flow state. Now, a new study highlights the importance of the style of music you're playing and how this aligns with the work you're doing. The research found that when background music at a workplace isn't tailored to what workers need to do their specific jobs, it can have a significant impact, leading to staff feeling more tired, unfocused, and struggling to enjoy their work.

In the study, the effects varied between people depending on what they personally needed from audio and their sensitivity to sound, which suggests that finding the right soundtrack for work is not a one-size-fits-all situation. If you're someone who thrives when slower, classical music is playing and finds it difficult to screen out noise, you're going to struggle to work in an office where someone's blasting out the most upbeat, fast tempo pop possible.

The research also found that allowing workers to listen to their own music could make us happier and more productive. The key takeaway here? Sound matters, and what makes for optimal sound really differs from person to person. Tell your boss that the next time they're turning up the volume on the radio, suss out what music works best for you, and where possible, take control of what's coming into your ears when you work. Personally, I'm partial to a bit of Japanese Breakfast.