Latest news with #K
Fast Company
09-05-2025
- General
- Fast Company
Why ‘k' is the most hated text message, according to science
A study has confirmed what we all suspected: 'K' is officially the worst text you can send. It might look harmless enough, but this single letter has the power to shut down a conversation and leave the recipient spiraling. According to a study published in the Journal of Mobile Communication, 'K' was ranked as the most negatively received response in digital conversations—worse than being left on read or even a passive-aggressive 'sure.' The study found that the single-letter reply often signals emotional distance, passive-aggressiveness, or outright disinterest. Despite its brevity, 'K' carries surprising emotional weight. Adding an extra letter—making it 'kk'—softens the tone of the reply entirely. Variants like 'ok' or 'okay,' while still cold, tend to be interpreted as neutral or merely formal. Many of our day-to-day conversations happen over text, which means there are now unspoken codes of conduct to follow. Opening up about your emotions but don't want to sound too serious? Make sure to add 'lol' to the end of those texts to show you're just in a silly, goofy mood and not suicidal. Giving advice to a friend that you don't want to be held accountable for? Add an 'idk' at the end of the sentence to mitigate culpability. Non-verbal cues like tone, facial expressions, and body language can be difficult to convey via our phones, leaving the door wide open for misunderstanding and misinterpretation. Sometimes generational differences also impact how we send and interpret texts. In some cases, textual miscommunications can be relationship killers, research has found. Some texters recognize the power of 'k' and are willing to weaponize the letter to serve their own motives. One X user called it 'the digital equivalent of slamming the door while making dead eye contact.' Another added: 'K is short for 'you're dead to me.'' Others advocate for the convenience of the single-letter response: 'I've learned that rather than replying with a wall of text explaining how you feel, you should just type 'K' and hit send. No sense in wasting your valuable words.'
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
The Art Of Recharging: A Creative's Guide To Staying Energized
Dr. Heidi Davidson is the CEO of Galvanize Worldwide, the world's largest distributed network of marketing & communications experts. 'I'm an expert on burning out.' That's how K started her conversation with me one afternoon—a conversation that would leave a lasting impression. She calls herself a creative alchemist, a title that speaks to her ability to transform ideas, experiences and raw inspiration into something greater than the sum of its parts. This is a process that requires curiosity, courage and the willingness to experiment, much like an alchemist refining base metals into gold. Over time, I've learned invaluable lessons from her about balance, burnout, recharging and self-care—lessons I desperately needed as someone working in creative services who hasn't always done the best job of looking after myself. As I reflect on what I've learned and how I've applied it, I thought I would share some of those lessons in the hope that others might benefit as well. Burnout rarely happens overnight. It builds gradually, disguised as extra hours, shrinking breaks and an ever-present sense of guilt when stepping away. K described burnout as ignoring the whispers until they become shouts. For me, those whispers were fatigue, frustration, lack of creativity and a creeping loss of passion. Learning to recognize those early signs allowed me to course-correct before reaching a breaking point. I've also learned about the idea of living in alignment with the body's natural energy cycles. Some days, your energy is meant for deep focus; other days are better for brainstorming and creativity. Instead of forcing productivity at all costs, I've started paying attention to when I felt most energized and when I needed to rest. Surprisingly, this shift didn't decrease my output—it improved it. I used to think recovery meant long vacations or weekends away, but true balance is built in small, consistent moments: five minutes of breathwork before a call. A quiet walk around the block between meetings. Drinking water and stepping away from the screen instead of pushing through. And most importantly, giving ourselves permission to take this time. These micro-moments have been game-changers in my daily routine. Creativity thrives when you're not constantly emptying your tank, so I've learned to set boundaries with clients, establish clear timelines and resist the urge to over-deliver at the expense of my well-being. By protecting my creative energy, I not only produce better work but am also finding more joy in the process. Recharging isn't just about rest; it's about doing what genuinely fills you back up. For me, that's watching my kiddo's baseball game without phone distractions, reading for pleasure, cooking new recipes and spending time with friends without a looming deadline or constant phone checks. It's these joy-filled moments that create a ripple effect and lift our energy long after. The more we nurture those positive experiences, the more they seem to multiply, infusing even ordinary moments with a sense of lightness, clarity and calm. Perhaps the hardest lesson K taught me is that self-care requires intentionality. This stuck with me, and I realized that my well-being deserved the same level of commitment I give to my work and relationships. Scheduling self-care like scheduling meetings has helped me stay accountable not just to my calendar but to myself. Some days, you'll do it all right, and some days, you'll crash and burn. The key is to forgive yourself and start again. This mindset shift has helped me be kinder to myself on the hard days and celebrate the progress I've made. These lessons have changed how I approach my work and my well-being. As creatives, we often pour ourselves into our clients, projects and teams, leaving little energy for ourselves. I've learned that true creativity flourishes when we prioritize our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. Thanks to K, I'm no longer on the path to being "an expert on burning out." I'm learning to be an expert in balance, recharging and creating a sustainable path forward for myself and those around me. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Independent Singapore
06-05-2025
- Independent Singapore
‘I don't want to play this game' — Man says his coworker turned hostile on him after promotion rumours
SINGAPORE: An employee took to an online forum to rant about a stressful situation at work where he feels like a female co-worker perceives him as a threat to her promotion. Posting on the r/askSingapore forum on Monday (May 5), the employee explained that his co-worker 'K' has started becoming 'hostile' towards him ever since a rumour started circulating that he's being groomed for the assistant manager role. Both of them currently hold a senior lead position, just one rank below the assistant manager role, and he's observed the tension growing as K has started making occasional jabs at his work quality. On top of that, K has also been going behind his back and asking others about his previous leadership experiences. 'K has not hidden her intentions to become assistant manager (and eventually manager). She's good-looking, clever, charismatic, and extremely motivated. She's good at her job, but God forbid if you get in her way because she will tear you down and turn the others against you,' the employee explained. According to the post, K has been with the company for only four years but has already received three promotions, which is considered extremely rare in their workplace. Moreover, the employee also opened up about feeling uneasy about K's tactics when it comes to office politics. 'As I was once her senior (I've been here longer than four years), I have seen her play politics against others, and it honestly frightens me. She's good at wrapping the male managers and senior colleagues around her little finger.' Despite all this, the employee clarified in his post that he had no desire to get the assistant manager role. '[It] is something I do not want. I have tried out leading two teams, and the experience was so stressful I told my direct manager I am happy to stay as senior lead forever,' he said. 'I just want to do my work. Work 9 to 5. Then, go home and not stress about managerial nonsense.' He ended his post by asking for advice on whether being upfront could possibly defuse the tension. 'Should I just tell her to her face that I don't want to play this game? How do I convey to my colleague that I am not a threat to her promotion and that I do not want to engage in (office) politics?' 'Just do your own thing properly and go home.' The employee's post sparked a wave of responses from fellow Redditors, many of whom empathised with his situation and offered advice on how to deal with the tension. Some encouraged him to speak directly to K in a calm and professional manner, suggesting that transparency might help clear up any misunderstanding. One advised, 'Bring her out for a coffee 1:1 with the pretext of trying to know her better. Share your experiences and your disinterest in promotion, and praise her for the good qualities you saw in her. Be vocal about praising/thanking her publicly (but don't be fake about this!). In private, subtly elevate her to your manager/peers—word would eventually slip to her that you are supporting her. When she jabs at your mistakes, thank her for her feedback with a smile and acknowledge that you can do better.' Others, however, warned that confronting someone who thrives on office politics could backfire, especially if that person is already seen as influential by higher-ups. One said, 'With people like these, it doesn't matter if you tell her face-to-face that you aren't interested. She will just think that you are just pretending. Just do your own thing properly and go home; there's no point engaging so much.' There were also those who advised him to keep his guard up and document any instances of inappropriate behaviour, just in case things escalate. One commented, 'Document everything. Your work process. Your final work. Whatever work, la, all must document. You may never need it, but it's better to protect yourself. These people can be a bit… Obsessive. If she has perceived you as a threat, there's nothing you can do to convince her otherwise.' How to handle a co-worker who sees you as a threat Navigating workplace dynamics can be tricky, especially when a colleague sees you as competition. According to Julian Lewis, writer for ZellaLife, if you're facing tension because a co-worker thinks you're a threat to their promotion, it's important to respond with grace, clarity, and strategy. First and foremost, always maintain professionalism. Don't stoop to negativity; let your work speak for itself. If you feel safe doing so, consider addressing the issue directly with the co-worker using non-confrontational 'I' statements to express how their behaviour affects you. For example, you could begin your statements with 'I feel like…' or 'I noticed…' At the same time, Lewis suggests keeping a record of any concerning incidents, as this may be useful if you need to escalate the matter. He also recommends seeking guidance from someone you trust, such as a mentor, another co-worker, or a senior colleague who can offer a fresh perspective. Most importantly, look after yourself. Stress from toxic dynamics can wear you down, so prioritise self-care and reach out for professional support if things become overwhelming. Read also: 'Am I selfish for wanting to live alone?' — 34 y/o man doesn't want his mum & brother to move in with him
