Years ago, when I worked in the claims department of an insurance company, my supervisor called me into his office to discuss what he referred to as my “marked decrease in productivity.” He provided me with an official-looking document that ranked all the workers in terms of their contributions to the company. My name was at the bottom. “I thought you were supposed to be smart,” he said. “So what’s the problem here?”
I considered his question for several seconds, then made the mistake of telling him the truth. “I’m sorry, sir,” I said, “but lately I’ve been depressed.”
