Written By: Lauren Howard
The game is rigged against you.
So don’t play.
We are set up to fail in so many ways.
Don’t be too quiet because then they won’t respect you, but don’t speak up too much because then you’re difficult.
Be careful how you say things because you don’t want to seem aggressive, but how are they supposed to help you when you don’t tell them what you need?
Don’t leave exactly on time because then you’ll seem uncommitted, but also have children if you want to be treated like your time outside work is valuable.
Use your unlimited PTO as you see fit but make sure that it’s convenient for the company and that you have coverage.
Family first, but only if it’s convenient for everyone else.
Celebrate having five minutes back at the end of a meeting-that-should-have-been-an-email, but also be okay with putting in hours on the weekend.
Be on time, but be courteous when everyone else is late.
Be assertive, but not like that.
Be intelligent, but only if you’re also “likable.”
Be confident, but don’t be impressed with yourself.
Be authentic, but don’t make anyone else uncomfortable by questioning the status quo.
You don’t have to play a game that you can’t win.
You might have to exist in it while setting yourself up for something better, but that doesn’t mean you have to participate.
The game is rigged, so don’t play it.
Let’s create a new one.
Founder & CEO at elletwo