Author Description

You're exhausted, but you can't explain why. You work constantly—meetings, emails, putting out fires—but when someone asks what you accomplished today, your mind goes blank. Your task list sounds ordinary. Your exhaustion feels extreme. They don't match. You're not imagining it. You're not failing. You're doing invisible work. You translate between departments that can't communicate. You connect people to scattered knowledge. You predict and prevent crises no one else sees coming. You maintain team morale during chaos. You keep information flowing. You optimize broken processes. You fill every gap the organization has—without anyone asking you to. This work is important. But it's also destroying you. You can't take real time off. Planning vacation is harder than your actual work. You dread the catch-up more than you need the rest. You're doing work that isn't in your job description—constantly. You see patterns and problems others miss. You feel trapped. If you recognize your own work life in these words, this book is for you. What You'll Discover: The 12 patterns of invisible compensatory labor (and which ones you're trapped in) Why certain people get selected for this work—and why it's not your fault The five system failures you're compensating for Why your performance reviews don't reflect your actual contribution The sustainability equation: Can you stay, or must you leave? How to distinguish between temporary dysfunction and permanent toxicity How to make your invisible work visible (for recognition or job applications) Setting boundaries without guilt—the strategic "no" How to avoid becoming organizational infrastructure ever again You Deserve Better You deserve to work somewhere that doesn't require you to be invisible infrastructure just to function. You deserve compensation that reflects your actual contribution. You deserve boundaries that protect your health. Whether you're staying to advocate for change or preparing yo