1001 Paperclips by Chad Schomber

1001 Paperclips by Chad Schomber

Share this post

1001 Paperclips by Chad Schomber
1001 Paperclips by Chad Schomber
The Ones Who Don’t Ask
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

The Ones Who Don’t Ask

An essay by Chad Schomber

1001 Paperclips's avatar
1001 Paperclips
Jun 04, 2025
∙ Paid

Share this post

1001 Paperclips by Chad Schomber
1001 Paperclips by Chad Schomber
The Ones Who Don’t Ask
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
1
Share

There’s always someone asking. For the raise. For the promotion. For a seat at a table they haven’t even wiped down. They hover near the boss’s door like stray cats. Drop keywords in meetings. “Leadership opportunity.” “Mentorship.” “Visibility.” What they mean is, I want more.

The wanting’s not the problem. Everyone wants. The trouble starts when the wanting comes before the work.

And then… there’s the other kind. The quiet operators. The ones who don’t ask. They’re not shy. They just don’t need to audition. They’ve been rehearsing in the dark for years.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to 1001 Paperclips by Chad Schomber to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 1001 Paperclips
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More