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Tell me a story: Work shame

Anna Codrea-Rado

Mar 28

In response to my last newsletter, I received an email from someone correcting my grammar. It wasn't so much feedback (it didn’t point out any specific mistakes) as it was a harsh dressing down. In other words, they shamed me.

What bothered me the most about the email was that a fellow writer had sent it. It’s not the only time a colleague or industry peer has said something intentionally unkind to me throughout my career — it never feels good. Instead of simmering in silence, I wanted to talk about work shame because I know I can't be the only one.

So tell me about a time you were shamed in a professional setting.

Maybe you did a big presentation only for someone to tell you afterwards that you had something in your teeth. Perhaps you've received a backhanded compliment (eg “That was great! For a junior” 🫤). Or maybe you too have been the target of the grammar police.

It’s not nothing, it’s everything – share it here.

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