Why Silicon Valley Needs Therapy

Silicon Valley, birthplace of many of the world's most innovative and influential tech companies, has long been viewed as a beacon of success and opportunity, so it's become a desirable destination for entrepreneurs and billionaires. However, beneath the gleaming exterior lies a darker reality. Many of the companies that operate here have a reputation for fostering toxic work environments that put employees under incredible pressure, and the negative impact on mental health is becoming increasingly apparent.

Employees in Silicon Valley have reported that working long hours has become commonplace. Employees and CEOs have a habit of working 50-60-hour weeks to meet unrealistic quotas, along with taking their work home. According to the WHO, a person who regularly works longer than 55 hours a week is 35% more likely to suffer from a stroke and 17% more likely to suffer from heart disease. Unfortunately, this community sometimes prioritizes profit and innovation over the mental health of its employees, even leading some to commit suicide. CEOs are not immune: 49% of Silicon Valley CEOs claim to be stressed and overworked.

The Duck Syndrome

"Duck Syndrome" has been coined to describe people who appear happy and thriving on the outside but are struggling on the inside. It's like they have "duck feet" that furiously paddle beneath the surface.

People with this syndrome frequently try to hide any signs of distress or unhappiness behind a confident and cheerful facade. In the short run, this may help them "pass" in a toxic work environment, but over time, it can cause them to become increasingly isolated and disconnected from their genuine emotions.

The culture of Silicon Valley is well known for valuing logic, control, and success. Its emphasis on productivity leads to a reluctance to "waste" time dealing with personal issues. But the danger of trying to be tough and suppress emotions is that people can reach a breaking point without an outlet to turn to. Tech companies may have jumped on the trend of creating quantifying health and meditation apps, but this does not translate to prioritizing their own employees' mental health.

Leaders May Have Low EQ

In many ways, the technology sector represents progress and optimism. Young, ambitious individuals have made a name for themselves in the technology industry through diligence, originality, and innovation. However, a closer look reveals that even though many young leaders in Silicon Valley are highly intelligent and technically adept, they may lack emotional intelligence (EQ) and empathy.

Psychologist Katy Cook, who has studied psychological phenomena in Silicon Valley, conducted an intriguing study in which she counted the number of times Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said "I think" in response to feeling-based interview questions during an interview. Over 80 minutes, Zuckerberg said "feel" once and "think" 28 times. According to Cook, the cognitive imbalance in the technology industry is represented in the way leaders like Zuckerberg may put logic and reasoning ahead of feelings.

A Lack of Diversity

Successful young entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley are "disproportionately white, male, and highly educated" (Atlantic, 2013). Individuals can develop empathy deficits when exposed to a toxic work environment with little diversity. When there isn't a wide range of people working together, it can be easy for bias and discrimination to go undetected. The tech industry is notoriously closed off and profit-driven, so it stands to reason that other essential values, like respect for sound mental health, would suffer.

For workers who belong to minority groups, a lack of diversity can lead to feelings of isolation and alienation. This can damage their self-esteem and undermine their confidence in their ability to contribute in meaningful ways. Further, it can create an atmosphere in which employees cannot engage with others on equal footing, which can cause them further distress and anxiety. In addition, ageism in Silicon Valley is pervasive, with older workers often passed over for promotions or feeling like they're seen as less valuable than their younger colleagues.

The Extra Difficulties of Being a Gifted Engineer

Being an engineer in Silicon Valley is not easy, and if one happens to be intellectually gifted, that actually adds extra challenges. In general, these individuals may need more challenging tasks to stay engaged and motivated and more autonomy to complete projects on their own terms. It can be easy for them to become bored and burned out while also feeling underappreciated and underutilized by their companies. Following are some common mental-health challenges these workers may face:

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Once the smartest person in the room, they are now just average. Gifted engineers have grown accustomed to being the brightest and fastest person in the room their entire life. However, now that they are surrounded by equally intellectually competent people, their position in the pecking order may be called into question.

The pressure to keep up with everyone else can lead to unrealistic expectations. When they fall behind, they may feel as if they have vanished into the background. Instead of being praised for their achievements, they may feel as though their efforts and dedication have been forgotten or overlooked. Navigating this new reality without feeling inadequate or inferior can set the scene for downwardly spiraling mental health.

Being bright can make socialising difficult. Individuals with high intellect and analytical skills often have a tendency to overthink and analyze situations, which can lead to misunderstandings and social awkwardness. This may make it more challenging for them to form friendships with people who share similar interests. Dating can also be problematic as they seek a partner who understands and appreciates their intelligence without feeling intimidated or overwhelmed by it.

Conversations involving deep analysis, critical thinking, and originality captivate them more than small talk, making activities such as parties and dating seem monotonous. Additionally, their ability to comprehend complex topics and conversations may intimidate others, further exacerbating feelings of isolation and alienation.

In tech, there's an answer for everything. Not in the real world. People working in tech might have become used to adopting an engineering frame of mind, which comprises excellent skills in logic and analysis. Since they are constantly deconstructing complex problems, almost everything becomes an issue that needs to be fixed, but many things cannot be solved in life; they can only be accepted and lived with. For example, they can't always "solve" emotions. The more they try to analyze things and find ways to make feelings disappear, the more they stick.

Therefore, while they are excellent at what they do, they may not be accustomed to dealing with emotional difficulties. They may have trouble understanding or managing intense feelings, and may fall back on unhealthy or self-destructive coping strategies or self-soothing devices such as substance abuse.

Conclusion

It's become clear that, for many, the hyper-competitive, high-pressure environment of Silicon Valley wil not be conducive to maintaining positive mental health. As companies in other industries begin to shift toward more employee-centered approaches, Silicon Valley corporations cling to outdated beliefs about productivity and success.

However, change is possible. Companies can choose to prioritize the well-being of employees by implementing new policies and strategies that foster a healthier work culture, such as reducing the pressure to constantly perform, providing access to mental health resources, and promoting work-life balance.

It's time for Silicon Valley to take a step back and reevaluate its priorities. The negative impact of their expectations on employee mental health can no longer be ignored. By creating a more supportive and inclusive work environment, leaders can foster innovation and progress while also prioritizing the well-being of the people who make it possible. Ultimately, success is not just measured by output, but also by the happiness and fulfillment of those who make it happen.

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