Thinking outside the box

Ashwin Goyal

Mar 24, 2024

"I followed the framework to a T, called the customer, did everything by the book. And this is what I've got to show for it," she said, holding up a half-assed PowerPoint.

The boss grinned, "Great job following the process! Your dedication to the framework is truly commendable."

His colleague walked in, beaming with pride. "Check out this incredible outcome I achieved by thinking outside the box!"

The boss waved him off. "Just stick to the rules, and maybe one day you'll create something as unremarkable as her."

Remembering the good days

"Remember when our company was just a small startup? We were so agile back then," he said. "Now that we've grown so much, things have gotten way too comfortable around here." She nodded. "Oh, absolutely! Health insurance, paid time off? It's

Scheduling an email

"I should schedule it as late as possible, so they think I worked late," he wondered, staring at the draft on his screen. "But what if someone responds immediately and I don't respond? I can just say that I crashed right after sending it."