Panel 1:
An owl sits behind a desk in an office labeled “DEPT OF COMPLIANCE AND OWLICATION.” The owl is sorting through papers.
Caption: The suggestion box gets sorted…

Panel 2:
A close-up of the suggestions, including notes like “BETTER HEALTH INSURANCE,” “Actual days off,” “Lunch breaks,” and “Zen garden.” A paper labeled “Zen garden” is stamped with a red "APPROVED."

Panel 3:
Donna Lake, wearing purple glasses and a professional outfit, sits at her desk. There’s a knock on her office door.
SFX: KNOCK KNOCK
Name tag on desk: Donna Lake

Panel 4:
A fox with a raised brow and unimpressed expression stands at the door.
Fox: I understand your department won the mental health award, Donna

Panel 5:
The fox stands with paws on hips, eyes half-lidded.
Donna (off-panel): I will say my team was very enthusiastic...
Fox: Well, I’m glad to see the help is going where it’s most needed

Panel 6:
Donna Lake looks slightly annoyed, staring off in silence.

©2025 Tamara Bissell

CHOOSE YOUR STARTING POINT

CHAPTERS

The Winner is Chosen

From Donna's Desk:


So Parker stopped by today with that expression he reserves for “congratulations” he doesn’t mean and “support” he weaponizes.

He said, “Glad to see the help is going where it’s most needed.”

Which I believe is fox-speak for:
"You’re a mess, but at least it’s entertaining."

To which I say:

Yes, my team is enthusiastic.
Yes, we submitted a small forest worth of paper.
And yes, mental wellness is a real need—not a branding opportunity.

So here’s what I want to hear from you:

  • What’s the smallest, weirdest, or most surprisingly effective thing that’s ever helped your team feel human again?

  • Have you ever had a great idea survive the bureaucratic blender, and how did it feel?

  • And how do you respond when a colleague shows up with a smile that smells like sabotage?

Drop a comment. Share your experience.
Or tell me what you hope got approved, before I find out and have to practice radical acceptance.

I’ll be here.
Pretending not to refresh my inbox.

Donna

#IamDonnaLake
#WorkplaceWellness
#SuggestionBoxChronicles
#WomenWhoHoldTheLine
#MiddleManagementMagic
#QuietLeadership
#DonnaLake

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Want to grab some Donna Lake swag? Head over to Pithitude.

Start from the beginning of the strip.

 

 

2 thoughts on “The Winner is Chosen

  1. Thanks so much for your belief in us, Parker.

    1. Parker believes he is always the smartest one in the room. We’ll see how that works out.

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