Becoming visible

Ashwin Goyal

Dec 6, 2023 — 1 min read

Mild-mannered and ambitious, he was surprised when his boss said, "You're doing great, but you need to work on your visibility.”

Eager to improve, he began making small changes, speaking up in every meeting and arriving early at the office.

Unimpressed, his boss reiterated, "You need to be more visible."

Not one to back down, he began sending daily email blasts to the entire company, showcasing his achievements and his team's progress.

Still unimpressed, his boss demanded more, "I can barely see you!"

Determined to resolve the issue once and for all, he started wearing bright-colored clothes and transformed his desk into a neon light show, complete with flashing LED displays of his project milestones.

Fed up, his boss pulled him aside and said, "Your enthusiasm is appreciated, but let's remember, it's your work that should stand out, not your tricks."

Waiting

"Later," she said practically, sitting in their modest living room. They were an average couple, conscientious and rational, choosing to be responsible before taking the leap into parenthood. He, a man of the modern era, was supportive of her autonomy. Besides, he wanted them to enjoy their youth.

Lying

He’s said it now. He never meant to, really. It just slipped out. Now, it's out there, and there's no way to reel it back in. This lie, his lie, wasn’t born out of malice. It was a knee-jerk reaction, a panicked attempt to