Work Doesn't Have to Suck
Here’s Why I’m Here
The other day, I came across a meme while doom-scrolling Instagram — and it stopped me cold. Not just because it was funny (it was), but because it reminded me that I owe you some context about what this space is, what I’m doing here, and why I’ve started writing about my experiences as a coach.
The short version?
Work doesn’t have to suck.
It’s not just the name of this column — it’s become a kind of personal mission. A mantra. A challenge I’ve taken on.
After decades as an employee, business owner, freelancer, and now a coach, I’ve never seen so many people so unhappy at work. I want to change that — for them, and for myself. I’ve also been frustrated in my own professional life, especially with my work in photography. But instead of blaming the industry (which I spent too much time doing), I looked inward. I took accountability. And I decided to do something about it.
So here I am.
I want to tell your stories, share what I’ve learned, and build a space where we don’t just vent about work — we find solutions and connection.
Let’s Talk About That Meme
It captured so much of what’s broken in our work culture.
At the top: a tone-deaf sign from “management” blaming employees for a poor work ethic. Underneath: a scribbled, sarcastic response — anonymous, of course.
It’s all there: the communication breakdown, the power imbalance, the passive-aggressive silence. So let’s unpack it.
Where Employers Get It Wrong
A lack of motivation or performance often starts with leadership. It’s on management to:
Hire well — for skills and values.
Motivate fairly — through real compensation, not vanity titles.
Train consistently — because tools and goals evolve.
Give real feedback — early and often.
Create a stable, humane environment — not one driven by fear or shareholder panic.
Define success clearly — so employees know what’s expected and how to grow.
Avoid toxicity — because chaos and competition aren’t culture.
When these foundations are missing, everything else cracks.
Where Employees Can Step Up
And yet — employees have a role too. Here’s what I tell my clients, especially those just starting out:
Ask the hard questions before you take the job.
Accept what you’ve signed up for — and do it well before reaching for the next rung.
Learn to communicate clearly, especially when things get tough.
Know what HR is — and isn’t. (They’re not your therapist.)
Understand that degrees don’t equal experience.
Advocate for yourself — but with realism and readiness.
This isn’t an exhaustive list for either side. But it outlines the gap — and the opportunity. If we want work to suck less, we need to communicate better. We need honesty, clarity, and empathy — from the C-suite to the interns.
Why This Space Matters (And What I’m Asking of You)
I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what I can — and can’t — control. What I can control is this: how I think, how I show up, and how I communicate. That’s what this space is about. Work Doesn’t Have to Suck is a space for real conversations about what we want from our work lives and how to get there.
So here’s my ask:
I want to grow this into something bigger.
A podcast. A business. A platform where I can do this work full-time — and pay the talented people who help me bring it to life.
To do that, I need you.
I need readers who become subscribers. Supporters. Advocates.
If you’ve found value in anything I’ve shared — or if you just want to believe that work can feel better — I hope you’ll stick around. Share this. Talk about it. Help me build this into something worth showing up for.
That’s the pitch. Honest. Transparent. Straight up.
Thanks for reading — and welcome to the conversation.