In my opinion, work doesn’t just stop metaphorically at 5:00 PM. Why? Simple. Your brain and body need time to process the day. You meet people, jump from one meeting to another, or handle one “crisis” after another. In short, your brain is flooded with stimuli and needs to make sense of it all.
Maybe you take a moment to reflect or evaluate how things could have gone differently. What could I have done better? Did I even have any control over it? Or maybe you just need to vent during dinner or over a drink with a friend.
So no, it doesn’t just stop—it continues until you’ve processed it. Do you agree?
On the day I wrote this (usually a few days before I post), I was in a team meeting. During such meetings, everyone gets their turn to present their work. One particular presenter completely captured my attention.
I enjoy observing people and recognizing behavioral patterns. I don’t always get it right, but I find it fascinating. After two conversations and a comment from a colleague, I started noticing a pattern in how this person communicates. The realization hit me only after I got home and sat on my couch at 5:00 PM.
Whenever this person was confronted with difficult questions from the team—just as had happened before when we asked what we considered logical questions—he immediately fell into what I can only describe as a “child state.” He would metaphorically puff himself up, throw around jargon, boast about impressive places he had worked, and emphasize how many people are working for him. Why does he react this way? I don’t know. Maybe the root of it lies deep in his past.
Let’s be clear about one thing: this is not a bad person. He’s not going to change, and I’m certainly not going to try to change him. That’s beyond my control. What is within my control is how I deal with it. What I can do is remain mature and still find a way to collaborate effectively.
Unfortunately, I don’t have all the answers. Maybe you recognize this type of person and think, Finally! Someone who knows how to handle them. But the truth is, I don’t. What I do know is that egotistical people often just need a little recognition. They want to be seen.
And that’s what makes working with people so interesting. We are all unique and complex. Let’s continue to respect one another and treat each other with positivity. We all deserve that.
Do you recognize this behavior in your workplace? How do you handle it?