Our (In)visible Work

Career

Beyond a New Title: The Quiet Reinvention of a Career Shift

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on May 30, 2026

Even before the new role, you've been doing the exhausting, invisible work of identifying transferable skills, managing uncertainty, and rebuilding your professional identity.

Even before the new role, you've been doing the exhausting, invisible work of identifying transferable skills, managing uncertainty, and rebuilding your professional identity.

Artificial Intelligence

Managing the Machines: How AI Intensifies Work

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on April 30, 2026

While AI is intended to drive productivity and efficiency, constant interactions with it often intensify work rather than simplifying it.

While AI is intended to drive productivity and efficiency, constant interactions with it often intensify work rather than simplifying it.

Leadership

Leaders Should Stop Suppressing and Start Signaling Emotions

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on March 31, 2026

Let’s make a clear distinction for emotional intelligence: Self-regulation is about choosing the most effective emotional response, not trying to eliminate emotion altogether.

Let’s make a clear distinction for emotional intelligence: Self-regulation is about choosing the most effective emotional response, not trying to eliminate emotion altogether.

Leadership

The Hidden Practices That Make Accountability Work

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on February 28, 2026

Leadership accountability is not just about holding others responsible. It is also about creating the conditions, systems, and culture in which others can be responsible.

Leadership accountability is not just about holding others responsible. It is also about creating the conditions, systems, and culture in which others can be responsible.

Motivation

While Chasing the New, Don’t Neglect the Now

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on January 29, 2026

January is exciting and exhausting because we chase newness and ignore maintenance. To succeed, we need to reinforce systems, reconnect relationships, and reduce friction.

January is exciting and exhausting because we chase newness and ignore maintenance. To succeed, we need to reinforce systems, reconnect relationships, and reduce friction.

Family Dynamics

The Heaviest Gifts of the Season: Love and Loss

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on December 20, 2025

Behind holiday gatherings is a hidden economy of relentless effort and emotional management of our love and loss. This season, let's recognize the weight of this work and share it.

Behind holiday gatherings is a hidden economy of relentless effort and emotional management of our love and loss. This season, let's recognize the weight of this work and share it.

Leadership

The Doer Delusion: Mistaking Responsiveness for Strategy

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on November 28, 2025

The habits that led to your promotion — speed, reliability, and having all the answers — are the same habits that will cause you to flounder as a first-time leader.

The habits that led to your promotion — speed, reliability, and having all the answers — are the same habits that will cause you to flounder as a first-time leader.

Workplace Dynamics

Ghost Growth Is Silently Killing Workplace Engagement

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on October 31, 2025

The failure of leaders and organizations to respond to employees' relentless efforts and ambition will drive the most talented employees away.

The failure of leaders and organizations to respond to employees' relentless efforts and ambition will drive the most talented employees away.

Media

The Extra Work of Managing Media Misinformation

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on September 29, 2025

Acting as a digital janitor for family, friends, and coworkers, constantly sweeping misinformation debris, is exhausting. The role pays nothing, but the hidden labor costs dearly.

Acting as a digital janitor for family, friends, and coworkers, constantly sweeping misinformation debris, is exhausting. The role pays nothing, but the hidden labor costs dearly.

Workplace Dynamics

The Unseen Work of Leaders, From Listening to Inspiring

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on August 26, 2025

Beyond the title, a leader’s true impact often lies in the unseen. This invisible work is the silent force shaping culture, fortifying operations, and managing team dynamics.

Beyond the title, a leader’s true impact often lies in the unseen. This invisible work is the silent force shaping culture, fortifying operations, and managing team dynamics.

Emotional Labor

Making Summer Memories: The Invisible Load

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on July 30, 2025

When the labor behind every summer memory is seamlessly executed, it often goes unnoticed. This leads to a false perception that little to no work was required.

When the labor behind every summer memory is seamlessly executed, it often goes unnoticed. This leads to a false perception that little to no work was required.

Identity

The Covert Work of Celebrating Identities

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on June 26, 2025

When parts of one's identity are misunderstood or overlooked, there is invisible work to do. This is the paradox being told to celebrate, while also being expected to perform.

When parts of one's identity are misunderstood or overlooked, there is invisible work to do. This is the paradox being told to celebrate, while also being expected to perform.

Career

Seen, Heard, Promoted: Breaking the Double Bind

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on May 30, 2025

Many start their careers proving their value behind the scenes. For women, standing out means managing the double bind, linking wins to impact, accessing networks for visibility.

Many start their careers proving their value behind the scenes. For women, standing out means managing the double bind, linking wins to impact, accessing networks for visibility.

Relationships

The Hidden Harm of “Be Grateful” and Weaponized Gratitude

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on April 30, 2025

Weaponized gratitude twists thankfulness into a tool for silencing concerns, avoiding accountability, and upholding power especially in inequitable and emotionally-taxing settings

Weaponized gratitude twists thankfulness into a tool for silencing concerns, avoiding accountability, and upholding power especially in inequitable and emotionally-taxing settings

Workplace Dynamics

The Hidden Confidence Tax: Time to Bargain for Better

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on March 29, 2025

Women in the workplace often face a confidence tax—an invisible barrier that inadvertently forces hesitation and false competition.

Women in the workplace often face a confidence tax—an invisible barrier that inadvertently forces hesitation and false competition.

Gratitude

The Hidden Impact of Appreciation

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on February 25, 2025

Appreciation strengthens relationships, boosts well-being, and fosters teamwork. A simple “thank you” creates a ripple effect of positivity. Start today—your impact matters!

Appreciation strengthens relationships, boosts well-being, and fosters teamwork. A simple “thank you” creates a ripple effect of positivity. Start today—your impact matters!

Leadership

The Silent Force: Why Middle Managers Matter

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on January 29, 2025

In 2025, let's recognize the often-unnoticed leaders who quietly navigate change, shape culture, mentor talent, and provide emotional support by simply thanking a middle manager.

In 2025, let's recognize the often-unnoticed leaders who quietly navigate change, shape culture, mentor talent, and provide emotional support by simply thanking a middle manager.

Self-Help

Bringing It All Together: The Invisible Tape of Our Lives

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on December 17, 2024

As the year wraps up, we often overlook the hidden labor of those who keep everything together. Prioritizing deliberate rest will help us all rejuvenate for the year ahead.

As the year wraps up, we often overlook the hidden labor of those who keep everything together. Prioritizing deliberate rest will help us all rejuvenate for the year ahead.

Emotional Labor

The Invisible Labor of Hosting Thanksgiving

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on November 18, 2024

Behind the turkey and pie lies the untold story of Thanksgiving: the invisible work of hosts. From calculated coordinating to emotional juggling, discover the unseen efforts.

Behind the turkey and pie lies the untold story of Thanksgiving: the invisible work of hosts. From calculated coordinating to emotional juggling, discover the unseen efforts.

Attention

Why We Miss the Work That’s Right in Front of Us

Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D., and Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D. on October 11, 2024

The constant work of our mothers, partners, coworkers, and friends goes unnoticed daily because of our inattentional blindness. This is a signal that your attention needs a reset.

The constant work of our mothers, partners, coworkers, and friends goes unnoticed daily because of our inattentional blindness. This is a signal that your attention needs a reset.