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Adele Leung

We Are Not Machines

Working in corporate for the last year and a half, there is a fresh observation that I have gained. Like it or not, corporate is the place where it is normal to compete and climb higher. Everything is about recognition and the preservation of one's own role and elevation of it.


Being myopic about what "I" need often shuts and blocks people out without us being aware. Often conversations are initiated only if there is something to gain, or if that person has to do something for you. Gossip maybe rife but truly asking how someone is, or sharing how life is going, is rare.


I've gone through a separation in my marriage during this year, and even though I am strong in dealing with life, and deeply appreciate the ability to work so that I can reign in my focus to work with settled emotions, there was only truly one person in the entire office that I was able to share this with and felt supported when I did. Life is imperfect, and we all go through stuff, whilst the speed and culture of corporate in a day to day momentum simply does not allow people to connect is a harsh but true reality. No matter how busy we think corporate life pushes us, it is crucial we always remember we are not machines. Every body needs and flourish under care and nurturing. Even a smile, a hello, a look into someone's eyes is important-being in the office being made to feel invisible, with no eye contact, no conversations made, not even a hello is a cruelty that no matter how high your position is, is still cruel.


Some of the people I admire the most are the cleaners in an office, they are the people who set the space every single morning for us to walk in and do our work. The lack of appreciation for them, or simply an ignoring of their hugeness, how do we feel that can impact on the whole office, as well as "your" work? Similarly, the ignoring of any person in the office no matter what their role is, no matter if it is your busyness, insecurity, superiority, discomfort, protection or what not, it is still a devastation that we eventually have to bear.


It was poignant when I feel so much appreciation for the cleaners in the office and many others-every morning seeing their smiles and absolute openness in receiving me and likewise myself to them, that when I asked to take a photo with them, one of them looked at me with teary eyes and said "Thank you for seeing us."


Enough said.






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