Work Is Not School: Surviving Institutional Stupidity
11 hours ago
- #Career Development
- #Workplace Dynamics
- #Organizational Behavior
- The transition from school to the workforce reveals that meritocracy is not as straightforward as expected.
- Organizations operate on flawed psychology, imperfect decisions, and competing interests, not just merit.
- High-performers often face unwritten rules and organizational absurdities that challenge their expectations.
- Assuming stupidity over malice helps maintain curiosity and agency in navigating workplace dynamics.
- Performance is necessary but not sufficient for career advancement; visibility and influence are crucial.
- Perception of your work is as important as the work itself, shaped by those in positions of influence.
- Objective fairness is rare; subjective decisions and reputations often dictate opportunities.
- Positioning your contributions effectively involves timing, context, and persistence.
- Recognizing and adapting to different standards and playbooks within organizations is key to success.
- Career advancement becomes more subjective and competitive at higher levels, requiring resilience.
- Choosing which career game to play consciously prevents sleepwalking into unfulfilling paths.
- Focusing on your circle of control helps maintain agency and avoid burnout.
- Diversifying sources of meaning beyond work ensures resilience against setbacks.
- Understanding organizational absurdities allows for more skillful navigation and contribution.