Anonymous
Post 01/17/2026 10:23     Subject: People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
This is just an odd question. Roger Federer’s whole personality is being a tennis player. Is that wrong?
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2026 10:18     Subject: Re:People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
They have a low EQ. They’re just following with the book says to do they don’t feel it. They don’t understand it. They just cosplay.
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2026 10:17     Subject: Re:People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
Anonymous wrote:Jobs often tend to substantially define us, although the extent to which that is true varies with one's profession and role. In law enforcement, for example, the job is rarely merely what someone does, it is in fact who one is, defining one's identity and substantially impacting one's worldview. Physicians and military people probably experience the same phenomenon. The shared training and experiences separate those who "know" from those who merely think they know what those roles involve and require of us.

The more successful one is in the corporate world, too, the more one's job becomes who they are - the prestige, income, and influence which come with higher-level jobs are very defining. There are only so many EVPs in major corporations, and attaining those kinds of levels requires a level of dedication and success which sets incumbents apart from lower-level workers.


This.

Job that require very rigorous training and/or dedication tend to become a person’s identity. Think medicine, law, finance. In so many ways you give up your life from 14 to 35 to get established in these industries. Constant studying, working, missing social events, etc.

This was absolutely me until about 39 and we had some health issues with a child.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 12:13     Subject: Re:People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
Jobs often tend to substantially define us, although the extent to which that is true varies with one's profession and role. In law enforcement, for example, the job is rarely merely what someone does, it is in fact who one is, defining one's identity and substantially impacting one's worldview. Physicians and military people probably experience the same phenomenon. The shared training and experiences separate those who "know" from those who merely think they know what those roles involve and require of us.

The more successful one is in the corporate world, too, the more one's job becomes who they are - the prestige, income, and influence which come with higher-level jobs are very defining. There are only so many EVPs in major corporations, and attaining those kinds of levels requires a level of dedication and success which sets incumbents apart from lower-level workers.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 12:03     Subject: People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
Anonymous wrote:Some of these people may be closed off because they don't really want to talk about their personal lives. Complex, afraid of judgment, etc. I think people with very straightforward/ approved lives (eg married with kids living in a nice suburb) have an easier time bringing their "whole selves" to work and seeming more open.


+1. Even just something like "what did you do over the weekend?" is not a question everyone is going to want to answer.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 11:49     Subject: People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
Anonymous wrote:Some of these people may be closed off because they don't really want to talk about their personal lives. Complex, afraid of judgment, etc. I think people with very straightforward/ approved lives (eg married with kids living in a nice suburb) have an easier time bringing their "whole selves" to work and seeming more open.


That is the most moronic thing I have read. You clearly like to go to work and talk about your "whole self." Fine, if you want to yap about your life all the time. But many of us with perfectly normal lives don't go to work to gossip and over share.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 11:46     Subject: People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
Some of these people may be closed off because they don't really want to talk about their personal lives. Complex, afraid of judgment, etc. I think people with very straightforward/ approved lives (eg married with kids living in a nice suburb) have an easier time bringing their "whole selves" to work and seeming more open.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 11:46     Subject: People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
Anonymous wrote:as opposed to people who have pickleball, golf, book clubs or pets as their identity.


Or lady of leisure persona of wine lunches where they discuss kids, spouses and clothes.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 11:44     Subject: People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:How do they do this? I am British and I find there are some Americans who seem like actual robots at work. It's one thing to be efficient, polite, focused on outcomes. It's another to be like - a fake person. Does anyone else feel this?


It's not a uniquely American thing. It's common among UMC professional types around the globe.


This. + you have no idea what they are like outside of their work-life world.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 11:43     Subject: People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
as opposed to people who have pickleball, golf, book clubs or pets as their identity.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 11:35     Subject: People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
Anonymous wrote:How do they do this? I am British and I find there are some Americans who seem like actual robots at work. It's one thing to be efficient, polite, focused on outcomes. It's another to be like - a fake person. Does anyone else feel this?


It's not a uniquely American thing. It's common among UMC professional types around the globe.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 11:34     Subject: People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
I'm French, and nationality has no bearing on this question. I'd wager that people who are very into their work love their jobs and wish to focus on that part of their identity. What's wrong with it?
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 11:34     Subject: People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
I think for some people, that really is their personality--some people are just stiff and calculated in their communication.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 11:32     Subject: People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
I knew one, but not very well so couldn't tell if she was a faker with Colbert-strength dedication or if that really was her personality.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2026 11:26     Subject: People who make 'corporate/ professional' their whole work personality
How do they do this? I am British and I find there are some Americans who seem like actual robots at work. It's one thing to be efficient, polite, focused on outcomes. It's another to be like - a fake person. Does anyone else feel this?