Shant Zadoian | My Opinions

In today's corporate landscape, we're constantly told that technical skills alone won't guarantee success. While this is undeniably true, I've been reflecting on what really matters when it comes to professional advancement, and whether the traditional playbook is worth following. The Expertise vs. Presence Paradox Technical expertise, while valuable, represents only one dimension of professional success. The way we present ourselves and interact with colleagues often carries equal weight in determining our career trajectory. But here's where it gets complicated: the "right" way to carry yourself professionally seems to be a moving target wrapped in contradictions. The False Choice Between Likability and Authority There's an ongoing tension in professional environments between approachability and authority. I've observed two dominant schools of thought: Camp One believes that friendliness and accessibility are signs of weakness that undermine prof...

California drivers, gather around. I bring you groundbreaking news: the laws of physics do not magically bend for you just because you are late for brunch in Malibu or rushing to beat traffic on the 405. Yes, whether you are glued to someone’s bumper at 70 mph or giving them a generous cushion of space at, wait for it, the exact same 70 mph, you are still going 70 mph. I know. Shocking revelation. But here is where it gets interesting. The only thing that actually changes is your likelihood of becoming an unwilling participant in a rear-end collision. The closer you are, the less time you have to slam the brakes when the car in front decides to stop suddenly. And contrary to popular belief, tailgating does not warp time and space to get you there faster. It just warps your bumper when you inevitably miscalculate. So let us rethink this whole riding their bumper strategy. Want to arrive safely and without insurance paperwork ruining your day? Give some space. Your arrival time will not ...

We often hear corporations argue that government regulations are bad for business. They frame regulations as roadblocks to innovation, competition, and consumer choice. But here’s the irony: while corporations want to free themselves from government oversight, many are quietly working to regulate us, the people, by influencing how we live, think, and even love. This realization hit me recently while watching a news segment. A doctor specializing in "sex therapy" was interviewed, suggesting that couples should schedule their intimacy the same way they schedule business meetings, complete with reminders and preparation time. At first, it seemed like a quirky, even harmless idea. But then I paused. Why is this message being amplified? Why does it keep popping up in media conversations? The more I thought about it, the clearer it became: corporations aren’t just selling us products anymore; they’re increasingly selling us ways of life. From what we eat, to how we exercise, to how...

There’s a simple truth that often gets overlooked in the noise of modern life: anything beyond what we truly need turns harmful. Think about it for a moment. Food is essential for life, but too much of it can bring sickness. Ambition drives us forward, but unchecked, it can consume relationships and peace of mind. Even something as seemingly harmless as rest, when overindulged, becomes laziness that holds us back. Power, ego, vanity, fear, anger – all of these have a place and purpose in human experience. They are not inherently bad. In fact, each of them can teach us something valuable or help us navigate the world. The problem begins when we lose balance. Excess tips the scale from helpful to destructive. What makes this idea powerful is its universality. It applies to the way we eat, the way we work, the way we chase success, and even the way we think of ourselves. Moderation is not about deprivation. It’s about wisdom. It’s about knowing when enough is enough, and understanding tha...

The United States continues to face challenges like unemployment, housing shortages, and increasing strain on resources. One perspective worth considering is how addressing undocumented immigration could shape the economy in the long run. Undocumented workers have long filled critical roles in industries such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality. Over time, they learned the skills needed for these jobs, often starting with little or no prior experience. By the same logic, American workers, if provided the right opportunities, incentives, and training, could adapt and step into these roles as well. The transition would not be simple. Businesses might face higher labor costs as they raise wages to attract American workers. Industries would need to invest in workforce development, and the economy would likely experience short-term disruptions. But over time, the shift could create a more self-reliant labor market where higher wages, reduced strain on housing and infrastructure, a...

When I moved to the USA a couple of decades ago, financing options for home furniture typically spanned 12 to 24 months. It was manageable, and it made sense for significant purchases. Over the years, however, I’ve noticed a troubling trend: corporations have quietly extended financing terms to 60, even 120 months, normalizing this shift by keeping monthly payments artificially low. This isn’t just about furniture—it’s a symptom of a larger issue. As consumers, we’ve been conditioned to finance everything: homes, cars, furniture, and sometimes even everyday items. The pride of ownership has been replaced by a culture of perpetual payments, locking people into decades of financial obligations. The corporate strategy is clear: stretch payment terms, raise prices, and make it seem "affordable" in the short term. But at what cost? It’s time to pause and ask: Are we truly gaining, or are we just falling deeper into a cycle designed to benefit big corporations? What are your though...

When I first arrived in the U.S. over two decades ago, one of my top priorities was to learn English. Like many immigrants, I enrolled in ESL classes at a community college. However, I quickly realized that the curriculum, heavily focused on grammar, was not the fastest route to becoming conversationally fluent. It felt like being taught to run before I even knew how to crawl. A family member suggested I try listening to KPCC (now LAist), a local radio station in Los Angeles. Their conversational content became a valuable tool for learning English. For years, FM 89.3 was my go-to station in the car. But over time, I noticed a shift in their reporting. While they claim to remain politically neutral, it is clear that their content leans left. This in itself is not a problem since media outlets are entitled to have a perspective. What is troubling is the lack of transparency in declaring their stance. This realization has fueled my growing distrust in media reporting overall. It seems tha...