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.
Drawing from three decades crafting content for vulnerable audiences, Adrie van der Luijt shares hard-won wisdom on creating trauma-informed content that genuinely works. Beyond academic theory, this practical guide reveals what actually helps people process information during their most difficult moments, based on real projects for the Metropolitan Police Service, Cancer Research UK and Universal Credit.
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.
The hollowing out we’re witnessing in software development, executive assistance and copywriting isn’t a coincidence. It’s part of a broader pattern reshaping virtually every knowledge work profession, though at different rates and with field-specific nuances.
Artificial intelligence is transforming knowledge work professions by eliminating mid-level roles while preserving entry-level and senior positions. Discover how this “hollowing out” is reshaping careers in software development, law, accounting, and other fields.
The PA Show Spring 2025 in London offers the perfect opportunity to quietly observe, reconnect and absorb the current landscape.
Navigating the AI revolution with a personal guide for Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Senior Secretaries and other management support professionals.
Trauma-informed content can be produced with the help of AI tools without risking secondary trauma to the content designer or content strategist.
Micro trauma—the accumulated effect of everyday stressors—significantly impairs users’ ability to process information effectively. Learn how trauma-informed content design principles can create more accessible digital experiences that accommodate cognitive limitations caused by stress, anxiety and distraction, helping vulnerable users complete critical tasks when they need support most.
Discover how competitive perfectionism can drive success across domains, from creating exceptional savoury macarons to leading digital transformation projects, while learning to balance excellence with empathy.
AI detectors are increasingly used by employers to filter out candidates who have used AI tools to write their CV or cover letter. Here’s what Management Assistants involved in recruitment processes need to know about them.
Trauma-informed content can be produced with the help of AI tools without risking secondary trauma to the content designer or content strategist.
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.
Artificial intelligence is transforming knowledge work professions by eliminating mid-level roles while preserving entry-level and senior positions. Discover how this “hollowing out” is reshaping careers in software development, law, accounting, and other fields.
Navigating the AI revolution with a personal guide for Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Senior Secretaries and other management support professionals.
Discover how workplace culture differences manifest in everything from lunch arrangements to birthday traditions. A Dutch-English ‘cultural translator’ shares practical insights for navigating international business environments and decoding unwritten workplace rules before accepting your next role.
An examination of how poorly written job specifications exclude qualified candidates. Discover the comedy and tragedy of modern recruitment, from misunderstood GDS standards to LinkedIn’s algorithm burying experienced professionals.