Concave vs. Convex: Leaders That Protect vs. Marginalize
We need to discuss what effective leadership looks like and what it definitely does not. Welcome back to Productivity, Without Privilege. I’m your erstwhile...
What Is Media Literacy, Really?
Knowing how to read the news and discern the intent behind framing choices is an essential skill in today’s media landscape. Welcome back to Productivity,...
Marginalized Voices Are (Still) Being Silenced
Your voice is important. It has power. That's why some people are terrified of it. Hello! Welcome back to Productivity, Without Privilege! You know me, I’m...
James Baldwin, and Why You Should Have a Creative North Star
We all need someone to look up to, even if they’ll never know it. Hi! Welcome back to Productivity, Without Privilege. I’m your host, Alan Henry, author of...
1:1 Meetings, Why You Need Them, and How to Improve Them
No one likes meetings, but some are necessary—not just for your career but also to protect yourself. Welcome back to Productivity, Without Privilege, where I...
Hot Book Summer: My 2025 Reading List
I’m officially calling it Hot Book Summer, mostly because the only heat I’m interested in is whatever’s in these books I’m about to read. Hello and welcome...
How to Manage Up and Prioritize When Everything Is Important
Slow down, it’s okay. The work isn’t going anywhere, and there’ll always be more to tackle. Hi hello! You’re reading Productivity, Without Privilege, a...
Human Resources Is Not, and Never Has Been, Your Friend
No offense to anyone working in HR, truly.
Stop Trusting AI With Your Creative Soul
It exists to harm, not help. Welcome to Productivity, Without Privilege. I’m Alan Henry, your MC for this newsletter, and yes, it’s two whole newsletters...
Do Not Trust "Helpers" Who Don’t Know What You Do
A few weeks ago, I spent a week in Europe, my first time traveling internationally in about a decade (although I’ve done a lot of domestic travel in the...
Thrive Out of Spite
There’s a song by Charlotte Sands called Spite, which pops into my head every now and again when I’m feeling a little down. And honestly, I think spite can...
They Not Like Us
I was strongly tempted to title this newsletter “Kendrick Lamar convinced me to quit my job,” but I think I’ll let his lyrics speak for themselves. Besides,...
When Being “Indispensable” Means You’re Being Exploited
Being marginalized in your workplace can feel like a lot of things, but it usually starts with the sense that you’re having more bad days than good...
Job Security? No Such Thing
The tweets usually go “I can’t stop thinking about [X],” but for me, these days, there are so many things that we collectively can’t stop thinking about that...
New Year, New...You?
Happy New Year, such that it is, right? I’m your host, Alan Henry, author of Seen, Heard, and Paid: The New Work Rules for the Marginalized, which apparently...
Don't They Know It's Christmastime?
Welcome back! I’m Alan Henry, author of Seen, Heard, and Paid: The New Work Rules for the Marginalized. (That’s an affiliate link, by the way, to my own...
Let’s Talk About Second Chances
Sorry about all that. Where were we? Oh yes, for those unfamiliar, or who may have forgotten, welcome to Productivity, Without Privilege. I’m your humble...
Don't Fear Failure.
Welcome back to a slightly off-schedule Productivity, Without Privilege. Suffice to say I’ve been busy, but instead of simply apologizing for the awkward...
The Right Way to Ask for More Money
One thing I’ve never been terribly good at is asking for a raise. I know, even though I’m full of tips on how you can get more money, and how to campaign for...
How good publications cut off new voices
A friend of mine recently asked, “why are publications, both in terms of journalism but also when it comes to books and publishing, so hostile to new...