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.
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.
Explore the ethical complexities of AI grief support tools from a trauma-informed design perspective. Learn why technology might bridge gaps in care while recognising the irreplaceable value of human connection in healing from loss.
Navigating the AI revolution with a personal guide for Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Senior Secretaries and other management support professionals.
Executive Assistant wellbeing starts with a trauma-informed approach to looking after ourselves. Pushing ourselves to be perfect combined with daily contact with emotionally charged information and events can result in burnout.
A brutally honest account of navigating unplanned career break challenges to care for an elderly parent, revealing the stark reality gap between claimed digital accessibility and actual user experiences.
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.
Discover how career improvisation transforms professional limitations into opportunities. Learn practical strategies for navigating non-linear career paths and finding value in unexpected transitions.
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.
Trauma-informed content can be produced with the help of AI tools without risking secondary trauma to the content designer or content strategist.
Google’s Super Bowl ad for its Gemini AI was meant to impress. Instead, it became a cautionary tale. The ad showcased Gemini identifying objects, including Dutch Gouda cheese—but it got key details wrong. It took cheese enthusiasts just hours to spot the inaccuracies, forcing Google to edit the ad post-launch.