Welcome to the latest edition of the Social Capital Newsletter. Social Capital is an intangible asset at the heart of a new and dynamic view of success, one that is changing business and the world as we know it during one of the most difficult and turbulent times in recent history. Before the Great Recession, employers often had the upper hand when negotiating with employees. But that changed during the pandemic: 47 million American quit their jobs in 2021 alone. After two years of remote work, employees want to work when and where they want--and know it can be done effectively--and many have persuaded their employers to offer the type of flexibility that Social Capital companies championed all along. But there's a flip side to this, as Bob Glazer points out in "Too Many Employers And Employees Are Locked In A Zero Sum Game Power Struggle." Now some employees are adopting the callous attitudes of the most toxic companies, for instance, by ghosting employers on the first day of work. With talk of a slowdown in the headlines, the pendulum could swing back, but Glazer says it's time to quit duking it out and find a middle ground between the needs of individual employees and what companies want. For more of Glazer's ideas on building a Social Capital workplace, see "Constant Chaos and Leadership Burnout."

Accelerated Partners founder advances a better way.

...And it's not what you're thinking, says CEO Jon Clifton

Workers Are Calling the Shots in the Great Resignation
Lose the Sale, Not Your Integrity
The Secret to Becoming A Caring Leader

The untimely and tragic death of Tony Hsieh--one of our 10 inaugural Social Capital CEOs-- left a gaping hole in the fabric of the business world, where he had a seismic impact on current thinking about what it takes to create a caring workplace. But his groundbreaking ideas live on in Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion and Purpose, a manual for Social Capital companies that want to create a better world for their employees, customers and communities. Hsieh, known for his authenticity, wrote the book without a ghost writer, and in his own words, he shares how he united the company around 10 core values that allowed him and his team to combine profits, passion and purpose. If you're looking to tap into more of your authentic self as a leader, see, "America's Most Authentic CEOs Discuss How To Be Real." 

If you're back to commuting and need an incentive to wake up at zero dark thirty, it may be time to treat yourself to some java from Black Rifle Coffee, known for powerhouse blends like "Power Llama Roast" and "Coffee or Die." The "Complete Mission Fuel Kit" ($53.47) includes four 12-oz. bags of its signature products. The mission-driven company in Salt Lake City was founded by veterans and is committed to hiring 10,000 veterans. 

Editor's Faves: As the Social Capital concept catches on, we have more great stories to cover than ever before. Next week our editors will select their favorite stories of the past year, looking back at the incredible work they did to contribute to their employees, customer and communities as the world made a comeback from the pandemic and took a bold step in the future. 

Women's levels of stress, anxiety, worry, sadness and anger have reached a 10-year high around the world, according to new research by Gallup and Hologic, Inc. Experts attribute soaring levels of discontent to the emotional burden women bore during the pandemic, as their families coped with job insecurity, unstable housing and interruptions in education, childcare and medical services. Aware of the tremendous contributions their women employees make, Social Capital companies are recognizing the added emotional and logistical burden they handle at home and are taking steps to make sure they don't have to choose between work and family. If your company is looking for ways to retain the working moms on your team, check out "Jill Koziol and Motherly Celebrate All Moms As -- Gasp -- Successful Women."

Finland just announced it is awarding 160 days of paid parental leave to both new mothers and new fathers--an important recognition of how important it is for parents to have the time they need to care for young children. In the U.S., some employers' parental benefits rival progressive countries like Finland. One Social Capital company that is setting the pace is Hewlett Packard Enterprises where parents get up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, and up to 36 weeks to transition back to work after a child is born. The family-friendly policy--available to both moms and dads--pays 100% of an employee's salary. That may seem costly but we consider it an investment not just in the future of the company's workforce but in the wellbeing of the next generation. You can read more about HP and other companies that take employees' family responsibilities seriously in "Family Still Matters: CEOs Who Support America's Most Important Institution."

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