Brian RumaoFebruary 10, 2026
Work is love made visible.
Kahlil Gibran
When I interviewed in 2012 to join LinkedIn’s business operations team, the Senior Director of the group asked me about the backstory of the recommendations I had on my profile. A former classmate had called me “the hardest worker ever” (thanks, Andrew).
I went on to share the story of my immigrant parents, their work ethic, and the American dream. I told him I treat work like a privilege. He was taken by this, remarking he’s never heard anyone say that. But I meant it of course, and when I got the job offer a few days later, I accepted and left McKinsey a short time after.
Over 14 years later, I still see work as a privilege. Something I get to do, every day. With people I truly enjoy working with. Making a difference in small but meaningful ways. I rarely, if ever, complain. I don’t take feedback personally, instead seeking to understand and learn another’s perspective (it is after all, a gift we can choose whether to keep). Now with AGI on the horizon, the nature of work is going to rapidly change. Regardless, I’ll still treat it the same way: as the privilege of a lifetime to share our love with the world.