Tag: business
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The KPI Clown: When Numbers Replace Common Sense
Every toxic company has one. The manager who cannot see past the numbers. The boss who thinks performance is not about actual results, but about how well you can contort your work into a dashboard. Meet the KPI Clown. On paper, key performance indicators sound useful. A way to measure progress. A way to track…
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The Growth Opportunity That Was Just More Work
Every toxic company has its favorite phrase. For some it is “we’re like a family.” For others it is “we’re still figuring out the process.” But my personal least favorite is the one that appears right before they dump a mountain of extra work on your desk. “This is a great growth opportunity.” It sounds…
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Culture Fit Means Obedience (Not Belonging)
If you have ever been rejected for being “not a culture fit,” you already know how hollow that phrase really is. It is the corporate equivalent of “it’s not you, it’s me.” A vague, noncommittal excuse that says nothing and means everything. Companies love to parade their culture like it is some priceless artifact. They…
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The Signs Were Everywhere (But Leadership Was Too Busy Laughing Up Top)
Every company loves to say “people are our greatest asset.” It is a neat little phrase for slideshows, hiring pitches, and feel good newsletters. But if people are truly the greatest asset, then why is leadership always the last to notice when their best ones are heading for the door? Because the signs are never…
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The Team-Building Exercise That Broke the Team
Few words strike fear into employees quite like “mandatory team-building.” On paper, it sounds positive. Who does not want stronger bonds with their coworkers? Who does not want to feel like part of something bigger? But in practice, corporate team-building exercises are less about building teams and more about wasting time, dodging real problems, and…
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Unlimited PTO (That You’ll Never Actually Take)
Unlimited PTO. The perk of perks. The promise of freedom. The dream benefit that recruiters love to flaunt like a shiny badge of modern culture. It sounds incredible on paper. Take as much time as you need, whenever you need it, no questions asked. Finally, no accrual spreadsheets, no awkward conversations about rollover, no more…
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Performance Reviews Are a Corporate Scam (And You’re the Target)
Let’s stop pretending performance reviews are useful. They’re not about growth. They’re not about recognising your hard work. And they definitely aren’t about fairness. What they are — is a slow, calculated performance for the company’s benefit. A nice little HR ritual designed to keep control, justify pay freezes, and keep you just insecure enough…
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HR Is Not Your Friend (And They Never Were)
There’s a widely held myth in the corporate world that Human Resources is there to help employees. That HR exists to support you, guide you through challenges, and make sure you’re treated fairly. It’s a comforting idea — and a dangerous one. Because the truth is this: HR works for the company. Not you. Not…
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Middle Management: The Career Path for People Who Failed Upwards
The Myth of the Busy Manager There’s a certain breed of person you meet in every company. They’re not technical. They’re not particularly organised. They don’t create anything. But somehow, they’ve ended up in a role where they sit directly between the people who do the actual work and the ones pretending to make important…
The Toxic Boss 