In a recent LinkedIn post, Shulin Lee discusses the detrimental practice of chasing recognition that is often unacknowledged by employers, leading to burnout and a lack of genuine appreciation. Lee shares a personal anecdote about once being the person who never said no, replying to emails late into the night and skipping lunch in an effort to prove dedication, all in the hopes that someone would notice and validate their efforts.
The Illusion of Recognition
Shulin Lee highlights how many individuals, including brilliant colleagues observed over 15 years, fall into the trap of working excessively hard for what Lee terms “fake awards.” These are the unstated, often unrewarded efforts that employees undertake, believing that being indispensable equates to being irreplaceable, or that saying yes to every request signifies value. Lee directly challenges this notion, stating:
“I used to be the person who never said no. I replied to emails at 11pm. I skipped lunch to prove I was dedicated. I thought if I just worked harder, someone would notice. Someone would finally say: ‘We see you. You matter.’ No one did.”
According to Lee, this pursuit of phantom accolades is a self-defeating cycle. The post emphasizes that companies rarely, if ever, offer formal recognition for actions like answering emails at midnight or skipping meal breaks.
The Real Cost of ‘Fake Awards’
Shulin Lee argues that the only person truly losing out in this scenario is the employee themselves. The relentless pursuit of these “fake awards” leads to burnout and a feeling of being undervalued, despite the immense effort expended. Lee points out the disconnect between perceived effort and actual reward:
“Your boss won’t give you an award for skipping lunch. Your company won’t celebrate you for answering emails at midnight. And no one is keeping score of how many times you said yes when you should’ve said no.”
As Lee elaborates, the belief that constant availability and an inability to say ‘no’ equates to being valued is a misconception. Instead, it often results in exhaustion and resentment, without yielding the desired recognition or career advancement.
Setting Boundaries for Sustainable Success
The core message of Shulin Lee’s post is a call for setting healthy boundaries. Lee advocates for taking necessary time off and learning the crucial skill of saying no to unreasonable demands. The post suggests that:
“A healthy workplace will respect you for it. The unhealthy ones? They never would have anyway.”
In Lee’s view, establishing boundaries is not a sign of weakness or lack of dedication, but rather a strategy for self-preservation and long-term professional well-being. By prioritizing personal needs and learning to decline requests that are unmanageable or unrewarding, individuals can foster a more sustainable and fulfilling work life. Lee encourages others to share their own experiences with “fake awards” they have stopped chasing, inviting a broader conversation about workplace expectations and personal value.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Shulin Lee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on July 9, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →