For two days this week, I worked in a place like that! At least that's how it appeared to me. Something very obviously struck me about the entire group I worked with. They were all exceptionally nice and friendly, seemed perfectly happy, were helpful, smart and proud of their company and their work. They were proud to tell me that they don't use acronyms in their company, or other pointless corporate cliches, and they cut all the other usual crap too. And I could see it before they told me. I'm sure it's not perfect there, but what I saw appeared to be. There was no negativity or insecurity it seemed. Everyone working well alongside each other. Everything co-ordinated and apparently running smoothly. You could almost feel the respect, certainty and control flowing around the room between people. Wow.

So, who was responsible for creating this no-nonsense zone?

Was it the employer? Well....partly. They've done well. But it takes two to tango doesn't it? I'd like to give the employees credit too. They got themselves into that position. I talked to them and asked a lot of questions about how they positioned themselves. Turns out they were the sort of characters who were happy to just be themselves. Then apply for a job.

Step 1: be yourself

Step 2: apply in accordance with step 1

Obviously they did their research, then planned and then actioned their way in. They beat their competition because they applied for the right job. They actively pursued something fun and exciting to them that enabled them to behave authentically and make a living being themselves. They were genuinely the right fit. And it seems they've been well rewarded, spending their working days in the no nonsense zone.