Workplace Insights by Adrie van der Luijt
Careers aren’t really ladders, they’re more like messy scribbles with occasional moments of clarity. I’ve spent decades watching talented people waste years chasing what they thought they should want rather than what actually suited them.
The posts in this section reflect what I wish someone had told me thirty years ago: that the most successful careers are built on knowing your strengths, acknowledging your limitations and having the courage to navigate workplace politics without becoming what you despise.
Whether you’re just starting out or questioning decades of choices, you’ll find honest reflections on creating a career that works for you rather than burning yourself out for an organisation that sees you as replaceable.
Discover 11 powerful AI prompts content designers aren’t using that go beyond basic instructions, from vulnerability audits to stakeholder simulation, developed through real-world government AI implementations.
Government’s plan to extend GOV.UK One Login to council services risks creating new digital barriers for vulnerable residents. Learn how proportionate verification could make local government services more accessible.
We’re witnessing the end of the traditional mid-tier knowledge worker career. It’s an opportunity to redefine professional value in more uniquely human terms.
The expertise vacuum created by AI poses risks that go far beyond job losses. It threatens to undermine the very foundations of reasoned decision-making within organisations and society more broadly.
International Management Assistants’ founder Sonia Vanular wanted trainers and speakers to really challenge Executive Assistants to evolve their role, not just have them nodding along.
Imposter syndrome can be a real issue for management assistants in situations where you’re representing someone important, and failure simply isn’t an option.
Examining UK government digital inclusion challenges through GOV.UK One Login and Assist AI. How these initiatives address barriers for vulnerable users and what we can learn from international alternatives.
Discover 11 powerful AI prompts content designers aren’t using that go beyond basic instructions, from vulnerability audits to stakeholder simulation, developed through real-world government AI implementations.
Discover how career improvisation transforms professional limitations into opportunities. Learn practical strategies for navigating non-linear career paths and finding value in unexpected transitions.
Discover how trauma-informed communication in rejection emails can protect candidates’ mental health while acknowledging the realities of modern hiring processes in today’s challenging job market.
Learn how to protect your career and mental health after a failed project. Discover practical strategies from a highly experienced professional who’s survived major project failures while maintaining professional reputation and wellbeing.
Managing client expectations has become more challenging for freelance content designers and strategists in the AI era. Learn how content professionals can navigate pricing pressures and communicate their value when clients think AI can replace expertise. Discover strategies for sustainable content design in a rapidly evolving industry.
AI isn’t coming for copywriters’ jobs in some hypothetical future. The question isn’t whether this change will happen, but what you’ll do now that it has.
Navigating the AI revolution with a personal guide for Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Senior Secretaries and other management support professionals.
Learn how cultural fluidity becomes a professional superpower in navigating workplace transitions. Discover strategies for transforming imposter syndrome into unique insight across diverse professional environments.
Analyse the contradictions in the WEF Future of Jobs report where employers simultaneously predict AI transformation whilst expecting humans to show more creativity and resilience – all for less pay and recognition.