How Dad Unintentionally Taught Daughter Not To Fear the ‘Company Execs’

It’s normal to feel nervous ahead of a meeting or an interview—especially if it’s with one of the big bosses. But this viral video proves that company executives are just like any other employee.

Bob Driscoll, 61, is seen in the video taking a call, eating chocolate, and using his iPad while seated in his home office chair. He is dressed in a blue T-shirt and a headset.

If it wasn’t for the text layered over the clip, one would never know that Driscoll, from Plano, Texas, is the director of accounting and planning at his own company.

His daughter Amy, 23, (@amyyelizabetthh) told Newsweek why she was inspired to film her dad working and share it on TikTok. So far, the footage has racked up 1.4 million views since it was shared on April, 9.

The on-screen text says: “Me being nervous about meeting with executives,” followed by, “remembering this is how my dad, an exec, is on calls (playing on his iPad, nibbling on bunny, not listening at all).”

Management consultant Amy told Newsweek: “I came downstairs before an important meeting to see him looking very relaxed—and it made me feel more at ease.

“It can be intimidating to be on calls with the higher-ups, so I’m glad many people have resonated with the video.”

At the time of writing, the popular video has amassed over 125,000 likes.

In March 2023, Pew Research Center asked Americans how they view their jobs. The nationally representative survey of 5,902 U.S. workers found that at least six-in-10 of those who aren’t self-employed are treated with respect at work. Over half (78 percent) of respondents said they can be themselves at work all or most of the time.

The results found that older workers aged 65 and over consider their job to be fulfilling (68 percent) whereas, those under 50, are more likely to describe their job as stressful and overwhelming.

Recently, Newsweek shared an article about a Gen Z assistant who works from home and is so at ease with her boss that she took a call while at an appointment.

But this isn’t the case for every employee, like Amy, some may find meetings or interviews nerve-wracking.

Her dad told Newsweek: “My biggest advice would be stay relaxed, be yourself, and be a good listener.”

The clip has amassed over 575 comments—with many justifying that directors aren’t much different to their employees.

One user said: “My mom is an exec and she spends all her meetings scrolling Pinterest and online shopping.”

“As an exec, 100 percent. I’m doing my laundry like the rest of y’all,” said another.

A third commenter said: “My dad is an exec and I grew up with him being muted on his phone during calls driving me to and from school while I complained.”

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