One of the most memorable moments in my 2025 happened just a few weeks ago, when I got hired as a writer by (signed an NDA not to reveal the company’s name, so let’s just call it an e-commerce agency) and got kicked out three days after signing my contract. If you’re familiar with how badly Erik Ten Hag performed at Leverkusen, well, at least he survived until day ten, a privilege I didn’t have.
They called me one day in September and told me it would begin with a three-month probation period, followed by a performance evaluation. Three days later, I was called into HR and told we had to part ways. I repeat, after three days in.
I’m not sure if this start and finish in the same week approach is becoming common in workplaces today, but no organisation should feel ethically justified in terminating someone after only three days without any warning or chance to improve. According to Seek, firing an employee without providing a reasonable opportunity to address concerns violates basic fairness expectations, making such actions appear arbitrary and irrational.
However, being someone raised with Asian values, I tend to look for positives in every situation. After hours (or days) of reflecting, here’s what I discovered.
Adaptability in modern workplaces
One of the most immediate things I learned was how adaptability has become an integral norm in modern workplaces, as it ensures that employees have what it takes to engage in challenges and meet the expectations set at their organisations. The increasing demand and flow of modern workplaces lead to an increase in employers’ expectations of what their employees can and should do.
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In my case, I realised I didn’t hit the ground running fast enough, which likely contributed to the decision. Data from Morton Fraser MacRoberts shows that 20 per cent of new employees fail probation, and 30 per cent leave within the first 90 days. Not quite three days, but I suppose mine was a special case. Either way, the numbers show that adaptability is critical for survival.
Being proactive and taking initiative matters
Adaptability helps you survive. Proactivity helps you thrive.
Today’s focus on work-life balance sometimes discourages employees from going the extra mile, but the reality is that initiative remains one of the few things that clearly differentiates us from AI. If machines are catching up on execution, then human judgment, intent, and initiative become more valuable than ever.
Going the extra mile also applies beyond workplaces. In relationships, effort strengthens connection. In marketing, it separates brands from the rest. The same applies professionally. Taking initiative signals commitment and helps build trust early on.
The whole experience taught me something simple: no one is responsible for our growth except us. If we want to stand out, especially when we are still new and have little influence over culture or processes, we have to do more than what is asked. And with AI always advancing, determination may be what keeps us ahead.
Do you agree that human determination will always take us ahead in the race against AI?
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