Escaping the Grind (Sort Of): What ‘The Office’ Taught Us About Good Work
Written by S. Maryam
What does good work feel like?
That’s the question our team set out to explore when we signed up for The Office — a quirky, immersive experience that looked part Escape Room, part therapy session, part museum.
We didn’t quite know what to expect. But as a young team that spends most of our days juggling emails, meetings, decks, and snack runs, the idea of pausing to reflect (in an escape room, no less) felt inviting and intriguing. So off we went — the four of us — ready to be amused, confused, and hopefully enlightened.
The Game Begins
From the moment we entered, it was clear this wasn’t your average “solve the code to open the door” kind of escape room. We were cast as new hires at a company, trying to survive our first day while navigating tasks that looked suspiciously like the real-life ones we often roll our eyes at — onboarding paperwork, unclear instructions, chasing down mysterious approvals.
The team intently working on their “tasks”.
But as we worked through each puzzle, something subtle shifted for me. The tasks weren’t just tasks. They were metaphors. The ambiguity we faced mirrored the grey zones we navigate in real life. The conflicting messages and miscommunications felt eerily familiar for some of us who had experienced it before in a past organisation. The “company culture” we experienced in the room made us reflect on the real cultures we operate in — and contribute to — every day.
Cute workplace archetype stickers
Mentorship in the Midst of Mayhem
A standout moment was the flash mentoring segment. Midway through the experience, each of us got a precious pocket of time with a Bold at Work mentor — someone who held space for our questions and musings. It wasn’t about receiving answers. It was about being heard. And that was surprisingly moving, in the context of what good work meant to us.
One teammate walked away saying, “That 10-minute chat on understanding my archetype was more insightful than some hour-long career talks I’ve attended.” Sometimes, the most impactful conversations are the ones that aren’t rushed or rehearsed — just real.
Beyond The Game
As we regrouped after the experience, we found ourselves unpacking more than just puzzle solutions. We talked about:
The kind of workers we thought we had to be, versus how we actually are
The subtle pressures we carry, and where they come from
What fulfillment really looks like, beyond hitting KPIs
For some of us, it was validating. For others, confronting. But for all of us, it was a reminder that “good work” isn’t just about output — it’s about alignment, meaning, and being seen.
P.S. We didn’t “escape” The Office in time.
But maybe that’s the point.
Every year in the month of July, we experiment with different placemaking projects and pop-ups to explore what good work can look like for us. If you are interested to collaborate with us to explore and expand the idea of good work, email us at hello@boldatwork.sg
