For me, every career decision I’ve ever made has come down to one thing: the people I work with. Some of the relationships I’ve built through work have been among the most meaningful in my life. But let’s be real—work can also feel like a never-ending, soul-crushing assembly line, where people become little more than cogs in a giant, impersonal machine.
Ever been in a situation where there’s that one person at work who just makes you miserable? The one who somehow manages to drain your energy the moment they walk into the room? Yeah, you’ve got two choices: find a way to coexist peacefully or start updating your resume. I’ve experienced both, and let me tell you, when it’s bad, it’s really bad.
Tragedy and Togetherness: The Bonds That Last
Sometimes, though, work relationships transcend the mundane. I once worked in a team that faced unimaginable tragedy together. My very first boss was murdered. Yes, you read that right. It was a horrific experience but one that changed my perspective in many ways.
Our director handled the aftermath with incredible grace, providing the stability and support we desperately needed. We became more than just colleagues; we became a unit, a support system. In those moments, it didn’t matter that Jane never did her own work or that John’s stories were so incredibly boring. We saw each other on a human level. We leaned on each other. It’s those moments that make you realize the power of strong leadership and the importance of having someone to look to when the world seems to be falling apart.
But what happens when there’s no one to look to? When there’s no one guiding the ship through the storm? People start working in spite of you, not in support of you. They show up because they have to, not because they want to. And that’s a recipe for disaster, both for the company and the people who make it run.
Grandpa’s Work Ethic vs. Modern Workplace Realities
My grandpa got up every morning at 4 AM. He’d pack his lunch, usually some fried bologna and whatever else was around, and head out to the oilfield. He did his job, had a greasy lunch chat with his buddy, and came home to a hot meal, courtesy of my grandma. His life was predictable, and in its own way, fulfilling. When he was at work, he was at work. You needed him? Tough luck. They’d tell him to call you if they could find him.
Contrast that with today’s work environment. I’m not a morning person at all. I can barely manage to make myself a cup of coffee before I’m expected to be “on” at my kitchen table, where I work most days. I don’t have a wife cooking meals for me or a quiet ride home to decompress. Instead, I’m bombarded with Slack notifications, emails, and text messages—constant reminders of the never-ending demands on my time and energy.
And yet, it doesn’t have to be this way. Companies often overlook the one thing that could make all the difference: creating an environment where people actually enjoy being.
When Work Feels Like a Factory Line
Modern workplaces are starting to resemble factories more than offices, churning out productivity at the expense of humanity. Remember the old car lines at Dodge? It’s more like that than the glamorous “Mad Men” vision of the workplace. And if you’re in a negative environment, it’s like a car line with no quality control—everything falls apart.
Good offices can tolerate a few management flaws because people are driven by a sense of purpose and community. Bad offices can’t afford that luxury. Every misstep is magnified because people are already teetering on the edge, ready to bolt at the first opportunity.
The Ideal Work Environment: A Utopian Fantasy?
So, what would the perfect workplace look like? Here’s the thing: it would look different for every single person. The work upfront is crucial. What’s the foundation of positive relationships, meaningful work, and company goals? A business owner should be able to sell their mission and vision to the people they employ, making them feel like they’re part of something bigger, something worth investing in.
When companies start resorting to forced positivity and superficial perks, that’s when you lose the real talent—the authentic employees who genuinely care, not about the power or the money, but about the people they work with and the customers they serve.
Wrapping It Up: Let’s Reclaim the Workplace
Work shouldn’t feel icky. It should be a place where people come together to achieve something greater than themselves. A place where we can form relationships that matter and do work that means something. And yes, I’m talking about an environment that allows us to be human, flaws and all.
So, to all the companies out there: If you want to keep your people, start investing in them. Stop treating them like they’re replaceable. Create environments where positive relationships can flourish naturally. Because when work becomes more than just a paycheck, that’s when people stick around. That’s when people thrive. And that’s when everyone wins.