In today’s fast-paced work environment, many individuals, particularly men, often exaggerate their work hours. A study from a Boston University professor highlighted a consulting firm where employees fell into three distinct categories: those who genuinely worked long hours and excelled, those who negotiated more family-friendly hours, and a third group—primarily men—who pretended to belong to the first group while actually aligning with the second. These individuals crafted covert arrangements with colleagues who also had children to balance responsibilities. The outcome? The first and third groups received praise in performance evaluations, while the second group faced negative consequences. The lesson here is clear: to carve out a family-friendly schedule while still thriving at work, some level of deception may be necessary. Below are seven creative fibs to keep in your arsenal.
- “I’ve developed a strong connection with that client.” (Truth: That client is conveniently located near my home, allowing me to return by 5:30 PM.)
- “I have another client meeting set for Friday at 3.” (Reality: I’m helping transport the class pet for its weekend stay with us.)
- “I’m the project lead.” (In actuality, Maria is the lead, but she’s home with a sick child and has agreed to cover for me, so for now, I’m in charge. Please don’t contact Maria unless you want to hear her battling a stomach bug.)
- “We’re targeting 70% engagement by March.” (Truth be told, I can hit 80%, but I prefer to appear like a hero. No one needs to know I can multitask emails and turtle care at the same time.)
- “This project really plays to Alex’s strengths, right?” (Reality: Alex can absolutely handle it.)
- “Emma and I will be strategizing at an off-site tomorrow—catch you on Friday!” (In truth, Emma and I are taking a day off since it’s a teacher development day and our kids are home.)
- “I’m currently in the field.” (Actually, I’m dealing with a deceased turtle.)
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In summary, navigating the balance between work responsibilities and family life often requires a degree of creativity when it comes to communication. By employing these seven strategic untruths, you can better manage your time while still appearing committed to your professional role.
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