Honest conversations about the psychology of modern work culture
I didn’t set out to become the office weirdo who ate lunch in their car, but corporate survival sometimes means finding a place to hide. A silver Honda became my lunchtime sanctuary in 2004, complete with crumbs between the seats and a view of the sprawling suburban office park. The decision stemmed from pure survival …
Some meetings exist only to prove they happened. I recognized the exact moment my meeting with the company’s chief technology officer shifted from possibility to performance. His eyes glazed over at my proposal like I’d just started reading him the tax code. His thumb flicked up lazily on his phone. A barely contained sigh. A …
The workplace demands more than just labor — it demands performance. “What are your weekend plans, Victoria?” my manager asked, coffee mug in hand. Her smile carried the expectation of enthusiastic sharing, of keeping up our daily performance of workplace intimacy. I had played this scene before. The script called for something upbeat — maybe …
Some of the most meaningful friendships come with an expiration date. The waiter set our plates down. Deanna poked at her ravioli, not eating. Outside, the wind slammed against the windows hard enough to shake them. “My husband thinks I’m ridiculous,” she said. “Getting emotional about someone I’ve known six months. A work friend.” She …
People are staring at me. I’m sitting at LAX Gate 12 after a week-long vacation. I can’t stop crying. My flight home leaves in an hour and I’m overcome with sadness. As the tears fall down my face, a woman with kind eyes sits beside me and asks, “Are you okay?” I consider saying something …
“You’re right, but it doesn’t matter,” my sister Helene said. This was her response after I shared about my refusal to comply with a background check request. The company I worked for ran one when I was hired. A client wanted to run their own. I said no. “What do you mean?” I asked. “You’re …