What We’re All Struggling With but Rarely Talk About

Over the past week, I’ve had several discussions with friends, colleagues, and peers around some recurring themes. With every conversation, I’ve come to realize a few truths that, while cliche, seem universal:

Toxic bosses and teams drive people to quit.

It’s staggeringly common for people to change jobs, professions, career plans- or stop working altogether- because of bad bosses or toxic environments. Every third person I spoke to had a horror story about their boss. What’s striking is that these bosses often have bad bosses themselves.

On the flip side, many people start their own ventures because of these experiences (so there’s a silver lining, I guess).

The transition from individual contributor to team player is tough.

This is a major pain point for many. Most people aren’t taught how their roles evolve in this transition. The common perception is that being a team player means doing your own work plus everyone else’s. Sadly, in many cases, this is true. Without structured training, this shift often leads to confusion and frustration about identity/responsibilities.

The “more money, fewer problems” belief runs deep.

Whether true or not, the hope of earning more and living a better life drives most people to work harder. Practically, everyone preaches “work for happiness,” but if you read between the lines, the real message often is: work for money; everything else is fluff.

People rarely give real answers to direct questions.

When you ask a question, you might not get the honest answer you’re looking for. But through longer, more comfortable conversations, the real insights emerge. The trick is to create an environment where they feel safe enough to share.

Confusion around mentors, advisors, and guides is widespread.

The roles of god, guru, mentor, advisor, coach, and teacher seem to blur into one undefined space. While respecting them all is ingrained in us, knowing how to seek help: where to start, what to ask, or how to ask- is a skill most of us aren’t taught. Many of us come with the belief that figuring it out on our own is the highest form of achievement, so we hesitate to reach out.