Assorted Notes on Work and Life
Hello dear reader,
I am beginning to think that salutations are a waste of time - what if you are not in the best of your health or are not having a good day or are not in the mood to read my note. My salutation will only irk you.
Similarly, my valediction, of regards, cheers, take care, might sound fake at times.
Having said that, I still call you my ‘dear reader’ - because you take the time out to read my newsletter. For that, you will always be dear. Thank you.
Now moving on, I am sharing with you some assorted notes on work and life, I have been capturing consistently - hope you find them meaningful.
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Humanity
Intention is more powerful than action.
The defining human advantage is discernment - AI may still not be able to replace that.
Work, Performance appraisals
Being labeled “good” often costs more than being honest. The good employee, the good child, the good parent - all come at a cost.
Appraisals turn people into performers when approval matters more than purpose.
An appraisal with a pre-fixed outcome is theatre, not evaluation.
There are no points for effort or learning from failure in appraisals; only outcomes count.
Teams, Employees and Compliance
We are told to work as teams but judged as individuals - teamwork earns applause, not credit.
“Great employees” are often those who say yes to everything their managers want, not those who think independently or add value.
Image credit: Alamy
Managers & Leadership
Micromanagement is how insecure managers prove relevance; real leadership creates clarity, trust, and growth.
Gender, Merit & Equality at Work
Men and women are not the same and should not be forced to be - at work, merit and competence matter, with the same rules for all.
Children should be raised empowered, not to match genders. For example - there is no need to raise your daughter as your son or vice versa.
Culture, Hiring & Power
“Culture fit” often means nothing - it’s a camouflage term for “you are not like us.”
Interviews are one-way because hiring systems are built on power and gatekeeping, not mutual evaluation.
In a job, you are the product - work is a barter, not a one-sided favour.
Find your own (product-market-fit) PMF first.