Feb 9, 2023·edited Feb 9, 2023Liked by Dave Madden
Dave, your recollection of your interactions with Prof. Padunov is lovely. You've touched on something here that relates not only to academia, but to the private sector as well. The blurry boundary of professionalism vs. intimacy is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. Many of us live in fear of unwittingly offending or making uncomfortable a coworker and having to visit HR. The reassuring hand-on-the-shoulder gesture is a perfect example of something I would NEVER do anymore except to someone with whom I've known and worked with for years. I understand that it's important to establish professional boundaries and prevent harassment, etc. But, in doing so, I echo your fear that we've lost the ability to make deeper personal connections earlier in a professional relationship, and I think something is lost because of it.
Dave, your recollection of your interactions with Prof. Padunov is lovely. You've touched on something here that relates not only to academia, but to the private sector as well. The blurry boundary of professionalism vs. intimacy is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. Many of us live in fear of unwittingly offending or making uncomfortable a coworker and having to visit HR. The reassuring hand-on-the-shoulder gesture is a perfect example of something I would NEVER do anymore except to someone with whom I've known and worked with for years. I understand that it's important to establish professional boundaries and prevent harassment, etc. But, in doing so, I echo your fear that we've lost the ability to make deeper personal connections earlier in a professional relationship, and I think something is lost because of it.