I’ve been feeling a little off over the past few days—you can probably read it in my posts. But last week, something changed. I got my fire back.
And all it took was one 15-minute conversation.
I sat across from someone I’ve worked with for years, someone who—until that moment—I thought had at least some level of respect for the work I’ve put in. Then they said it:
“Effort doesn’t count, only results count.”
That was the moment I met the real person sitting in front of me for the first time in 4.5 years.
Seeing People for Who They Are
In leadership circles, people love to talk about inspiring employees, motivating teams, and leading by example. But when you strip away the corporate buzzwords, some people don’t believe in any of that.
Some people only care about what’s on the scoreboard. They don’t care about the work that went into it. The late nights. The problem-solving. The foundational changes that will have an impact for years.
To them, if it’s not an immediate, flashy win—it doesn’t matter.
I realized in that moment that I wasn’t dealing with a leader. I was dealing with a toxic person—someone who, ultimately, will be the undoing of everything they’ve worked to build.
The more I think about it, the clearer it becomes:
They are a one-trick pony.
They only know how to do one thing:
Raise money (and spend money).
They don’t know how to lead. They don’t know how to build sustainable success. They don’t know how to cultivate loyalty, trust, or long-term results.
The Most Important Conversation of My Career
This short, 15-minute conversation—where I was essentially roasted and berated—was probably the most important thing that has happened in my professional life thus far.
Why? Because it was the neon lights at closing time.
You know that moment in a club when the music stops, the lights come on, and you suddenly see everything for what it really is?
That was this conversation.
And what did I do?
I stayed calm. I made my points clearly, confidently, and without emotion.
The result? The bully stormed out of the meeting like a child throwing a tantrum.
I didn’t yell. I didn’t argue. I didn’t engage in the game they wanted to play. I just stood my ground.
They Lit a Fire in Me
Here’s the part that matters most:
I’m thankful this happened.
Because while they thought they were tearing me down, they were actually fueling me.
Every day that I show up at work now, the fire inside me only burns stronger.
And no, I’m not lowering myself to their level.
I’m still passionate about my work.
I’m still proud of my results.
And I will deliver my best until the day I leave—not for them, but for myself.
But make no mistake—I will leave.
And when I do, I will take everything I’ve learned here and channel it into something greater.
If You’re Stuck in a Toxic Workplace, Know This:
I know I’m not alone in this experience. There are so many people trapped in workplaces where effort is dismissed, where leadership is toxic, where it feels like no matter how hard you work, it will never be enough.
If that’s you, don’t despair. There is a way out.
This conversation flipped a switch in me. It gave me so many ideas on how to help people in a similar situation—and I’ll be sharing more on that soon.
For now, just know: you are not crazy. It’s not you. And you have options.
Talk tomorrow.
