HR wants to know: Where do you see yourself in five years?The soul responds: Still trying to afford therapyfor what the last five did to me.They want core competencies. I offermy ability to cry in the parking lotand still make the 2 PM presentation.They want metrics. I've got them:Panic attacks down 30% this quarter.Sundays ruined: holding steady at 52 per year.
Know your worth, they say, while algorithmscalculate our replacement cost.Know your worth, while the salary bandsare hidden like state secrets.Know your worth, as if worthcould be known in currenciesthat devalue human for efficiency.
But I'll tell you what I know:My worth is in the coworker I drove to rehab.My worth is in the intern I taught to say no.My worth is in staying humanin systems designed for machines,in choosing kindness when the KPIsdon't measure compassion.
The promotion season in the soul has no schedule,no panel interview, no salary bump.It happens in the moment you realizeyour worth was never theirs to evaluate.You've always been the CEO