Ep 1 | Why Does it Feel So Wrong To Be Human At Work?

Season 1, Episode 1 (Live): Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Be Human at Work?Episode Description:Recorded live at the IABC World Conference 2023 in Toronto, this debut episode kicks off the Why Does It Feel So Wrong to Be Human at Work? podcast with a bold question: Are we slowly unlearning our own humanity at work?Co-hosts Pinaki Kathiari (CEO, Local Wisdom) and Chris Lee (VP at Gallagher, President of IABC Toronto) take the stage to explore why workplace norms—from performance reviews to thank-you notes—often feel mechanical, outdated, or just plain wrong.In front of a live audience, they break down:The habits we’ve inherited but never questionedWhy “How are you?” is no longer a real questionThe workplace tension between productivity and authentic appreciationHow performance reviews, workplace mandates, and default professionalism often strip away our humannessThe origins of the podcast and how serendipity led to a live launch on a global stageThis unscripted, high-energy conversation mixes storytelling, audience interaction, and honest reflections on what it really means to be human in today’s corporate culture.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome to the stage: Live from IABC World Conference02:00 – What inspired the podcast (spoiler: it started at a bar)06:00 – Rituals we never question: Email signatures, fax numbers, and apologies for appreciation10:00 – The weirdness of annual performance reviews14:00 – What it means to "unlearn" being robotic at work17:00 – Why does it feel wrong to ask “How are you?” and mean it?20:00 – Audience reactions: Code-switching, return-to-office, single parenting, tone-deaf messaging25:00 – The human cost of transactional internal communications28:00 – Why does it feel wrong to thank someone at work?32:00 – Return to office: Rationales, resentment, and what’s missing in the messaging38:00 – Emotional intelligence and new leadership styles42:00 – Let’s stop calling it a “competitive benefits package”47:00 – Psychological safety: Not a buzzword, a necessity52:00 – Final thoughts and call to action: Be advocates for humanityBooks & Resources:The Fearless Organization by Amy EdmondsonReality-Based Leadership by Cy WakemanThe Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoHumanocracy by Gary HamelGood to Great by Jim CollinsThe Confidence Code by Katty Kay & Claire ShipmanMic-Drop Moments:“Why does it feel wrong to spend five minutes thanking someone, but not five hours chasing a spreadsheet?”“If you have to explain authenticity, it stops being authentic.”“Being human isn’t a distraction from work—it is the work.”Connect with Us:Pinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn | Local WisdomChris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher Communication Special Thanks:A heartfelt thank-you to the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), María Jesús Villagrán Cabanne, Letty Wong, and the entire IABC World Conference crew for helping us make podcast history on stage. And to our live audience—you brought the energy, vulnerability, and validation this show is all about.Get Curious With Us:What’s one thing you do at work that you’ve never questioned—until now? That’s where the unlearning starts. Hit play, subscribe, and follow along as we unravel the little (and not-so-little) things that make work feel… not-so-human.Visit whydoesitfeelsowrong.com to learn more. Connect with UsPinaki Kathiari – LinkedIn  | Local WisdomChris Lee – LinkedIn | Gallagher CommunicationBree Bartos – LinkedIn | Local WisdomSpecial thanks to digital communication agency Local Wisdom (www.localwisdom.com) for really believing in our mission and making this podcast possible. If this episode made you think differently, laugh, or even yell out loud, we want to hear about it! Connect with us on LinkedIn, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share – maybe with your work bestie… or even your boss if you're feeling bold. We also bring these important conversations to conferences and private workshops, creating space for real, meaningful change. Take the first step at www.whydoesitfeelsowrong.com.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.