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by insanitybit 1022 days ago
I've just found that to be the opposite. When someone is out of office their work is really easy to see. You can just look at their contributions. In fact, it's kind of on them to go out of their way to show the work because a lot of the natural "ah yeah I just got that done, that was tough" conversations won't happen.

The people in the office have a farrrr easier time relying on non-work to look good. They can have conversations, build relationships, etc very naturally. They look like they're working so it's just easier for them not to. I can sit at my desk all day reading HN and I look like I'm working, people will assume I must be. If I'm sitting at home all day reading HN, not so much, I'd better have something to show that I got something done.

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> The people in the office have a farrrr easier time relying on non-work to look good. They can have conversations, build relationships, etc very naturally. They look like they're working so it's just easier for them not to.

Worked with someone really good at this. She'd walk the halls in the office with a very serious, determined look on her face, always with laptop in hand. Always drifting past where the Directors and VPs sat. Always striking up conversations with people above her on the totem pole (never, ever being seen talking to a lowly worker bee). Always visibly demonstrating vague "bustle" and "activity." A naive manager would observe her behavior and think to himself "Ahh, yes, the buzz of Business™ Being Done". People like this see their careers absolutely THRIVE in the office, and are desperate for RTO.

This is the Costanza Disposition, the idea that all you really need to do is look annoyed and people will just assume that you're super-busy and overwhelmed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC8PzhNuh7w

Yes, exactly this! Forgot all about the Seinfeld reference. The more years I work, the more I realize how much of it is this ridiculous performance art / theatrics. And the most talented actors are winning.