In a recent LinkedIn post, Tim Denning shares a poignant conversation with his two-year-old daughter that reframed his perspective on work and corporate values. The post, which has resonated with many, details how his daughter’s innocent questions about his job loss led to profound insights about the true meaning of work.
Denning recounts the moment his daughter asked why he no longer went to the office. Faced with the complex reality of corporate layoffs, he opted for a simplified explanation: “Sometimes companies forget people matter more than numbers.” This statement, however, was met with a child’s unvarnished logic.
“That’s stupid. At daycare, we help everyone. Nobody gets left out.”
This observation, as Denning highlights, cuts to the core of what work should ideally be. He uses an analogy to further explain the situation to his daughter, comparing a potential scenario where some children are excluded from class based on speed, rather than their effort or learning style. His daughter’s reaction – “That’s MEAN! Everyone learns different!” – underscores the inherent unfairness perceived when human value is disregarded for metrics.
The Disconnect Between Corporate Metrics and Human Value
Denning’s post critically examines the chasm between corporate objectives and the fundamental human desire to contribute and be valued. He contrasts the often-cited corporate jargon like “family values” with the harsh reality of layoffs driven by quarterly numbers, suggesting that such rhetoric can be mere marketing.
The pivotal moment, Denning describes, came when his daughter asked, “Are you sad you can’t help people anymore?” This question revealed her understanding that the purpose of a job is to help others, a stark contrast to the spreadsheet-driven, politically charged environment Denning had experienced.
“Now I help people in a different way. I write things that make them think. I teach them stuff. And I get to pick who I help.”
He explains how he redefined his role to his daughter, emphasizing that his current work as a writer allows him to help people in a way that feels authentic and chosen, rather than dictated by corporate demands.
Children as Unlikely Mentors
The insights gained from his daughter’s perspective are summarized by Denning as key lessons:
- Jobs are about impact, not just physical presence in an office.
- Companies that devalue people are not worth dedicating one’s career to.
- Being fired can sometimes be an act of liberation.
- Meaningful work is centered on helping people, not solely on boosting stock prices.
Denning posits that his young daughter possesses a clearer understanding of meaningful work than many corporate leaders. He further shares a recent exchange where his daughter responded to a question about why people stay in unhappy jobs by stating, “Because they forget they have choices.” Her follow-up, “That’s silly. There’s ALWAYS choices,” serves as a powerful reminder about agency and the potential for change.
“She’s 3 in 2 weeks. Still asks hard questions. Last week: ‘Daddy, why do some people stay at jobs that make them sad?’ Me: ‘Because they forget they have choices.’ Her: ‘That’s silly. There’s ALWAYS choices.'”
Concluding his post, Denning encourages those in unfulfilling jobs to reflect on their own situations, suggesting that a child’s perspective on work—centered on helping others—might be the catalyst for re-evaluation. He invites readers to share their own experiences of learning about work from their children.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Tim Denning on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on November 5, 2025 | View original post on LinkedIn →