“Is This a Job… or Just Another Drama Series?” | by Julian D | Sep, 2025

Ever worked at a place that feels less like a workplace and more like high school? You know, the cliques, the “cool kids,” the never-ending mini soap operas. I feel like every office has this to some degree. Some are harmless — just lunch buddies who stick together. Others? Full-on Cold War vibes.

At my office, the clique game is strong. Veteran level, you could say. And here’s the kicker: the person at the very top — the one who’s supposed to unite everyone — is actually part of one of the cliques. Like, seriously? How are we supposed to work as a team when the referee’s out there playing for one side?

And this clique? Oh, they’re experts in theory. They’ll say things like,

“We should support each other, we should stay united.”

Great speeches, honestly. But when things get messy? Suddenly, eyes are closed, ears are shut, and it’s all about protecting their own little bubble.

The whole mess really started when someone got promoted out of nowhere. No clear process, no assessment, no tests — one day they’re just sitting at a new desk with a shiny new title (and probably a fatter paycheck). If they had the track record or skills, fine. But nope. The biggest talent on display was… let’s say… advanced communication skills. The kind that goes upward really, really well. If “brown-nosing” were an Olympic sport, this person would sweep gold, silver, and bronze.

And of course, the “fast-tracked” one didn’t waste time getting close to one of the new higher-ups. Every time they talk to the boss, their whole face transforms — like flipping a switch from normal mode to “extra sweet.” Watching it almost gives me diabetes.

The funniest part? We had a company workshop once, and the facilitator asked,

“Who inspires you most in this office?”

Normally you’d expect answers like a hardworking mentor or a creative colleague. But this person? With full confidence, they answered:

“For me, it’s… our new boss.”

The entire room went silent. I almost choked on my coffee. The boss gave an awkward smile, and somewhere behind me someone started clapping — very slowly. Pretty sure it was 50% sarcasm, 50% trying not to laugh.

The drama doesn’t stop there. One afternoon I was making coffee in the pantry when the clique walked in whispering about “the boss,” “projects,” and “bonuses.” Then they spotted me. Instantly, the conversation flipped to:

“Uh… so yesterday I tried this mango pudding recipe, it was so good!”

I almost lost it right there. The topic shift was smoother than a badminton rally. If they played Mobile Legends, that “switch topic” skill would have a 0.5-second cooldown.

Then there was a serious division meeting about missed targets. Everyone’s focused, laptops open, notes being taken. Suddenly, the fast-track says:

“I think the best solution is to follow our new boss’s visionary strategy.”

I nearly inhaled my sandwich. Visionary strategy? We’re talking about monthly targets, not a TED Talk. Even the boss looked at the projector like,

“Wait, which vision are they talking about?”

And don’t even get me started on group photos at office events. Instead of just lining up, the clique has a formation plan. They flock straight to the boss, the fast-track wedges into the middle, and suddenly the three of them look like leads in a K-drama. The rest of us? Background extras.

Now, jokes aside, cliques like this are risky. Decisions that should be objective end up biased. Small issues get blown up depending on “what the gang says.” Information gets filtered, edited, and passed around like rumors in a school hallway.

If work was Instagram, cliques would be the “Close Friends” feature. Except here, the exclusivity actually affects careers, not just memes and weekend selfies.

From the outside, though, they look so united. Laughing, eating lunch together, posing for photos. But if you look closer, some of them don’t even like each other — they’re just pretending to keep their spot safe. Honestly, their acting deserves an award.

The big lesson I’ve learned? Work isn’t just about skills. Office politics is real. Sometimes it’s not the smartest who survive, but the ones best at building “alliances.” The danger is when people forget that the point of work… is actually to work.

Me? I try not to get sucked in. Too exhausting. I’d rather use my energy to grow myself. If you focus on doing good work and staying true to your values, it’ll show eventually.

And when the drama gets too much, I just grab a coffee, take a deep breath, and tell myself:

“Relax. Enjoy the show.”

It’s free entertainment, after all. Who needs prime-time soap operas when you have live-action workplace drama, complete with professional actors?

At the end of the day, I like to believe everyone has their reasons. Even the ones who seem like world-class bootlickers — they might be doing it for their family, financial security, or personal ambition. As long as they’re not actively harming others, I let it go. I stay in my lane.

Because real teamwork doesn’t need cliques. All it takes is a shared goal, clear communication, and maybe a little humor. And if the cliques don’t dissolve? That’s fine. Just keep a safe distance… and don’t forget the popcorn.

So… what about you? Ever dealt with office cliques, or do I just work at the live set of a drama series?