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About this quote

What does it mean?
Meetings fail when uncreative people are forced to pretend they are creative, leading to toxic environments.
In plain terms
Workplaces get toxic when people can fake creativity or competence.
What can you take from it?
Authenticity in work is essential to avoid toxic cultures.

Where it applies

  • corporate meetings
  • brainstorming sessions
  • performance reviews

Putting it to work

  • hiring for fit
  • encouraging honesty
  • reducing meetings

Questions to consider

  • Why do we force people to fake competence?
  • Can creativity be mandated?

Another view

Some structures require pretending to function.

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