Does adland wish it was ‘Severed’?

Since season two of Severance wrapped up on 21 March, many of us have been left wondering: what would it really mean to separate your "work self" from your "personal self"? Whether that sounds like a nightmare or a welcome escape, the show raises a timely question – what can today’s creative industries learn from Lumon’s retro-futuristic workplace?

No spoilers here, but the gist of Severance is that certain employees of Lumon Industries undergo a surgical procedure that splits their consciousness, creating separate "work selves" and "personal selves", AKA “innies” and “outies”. At work, they have no memory of life outside the office. At home, they have no idea what they do all day. Total disconnection. And Mark S, Helly R, Ms Cobel and the rest of Lumon's team on the severed floor, have much to teach us adlanders.

In the creative industry, we’re both blessed and cursed with the fact that creative thinking doesn’t stop at 5pm. Our inspiration and, importantly, our connection to culture and the cultural context come from life outside of work. Meanwhile, we’re plagued by expectations of long hours, unrealistic deadlines and relentless pressure.

“I am a person. You are not” – Helly R’s outie

Evolving work behaviours, remote working and new tech have blurred the lines between our personal and professional lives. In the real world, we need policies and practices that support people in bringing their whole selves to work.

Whole-self design is about integration, not compartmentalisation. If anyone on your team feels like they need to become someone else when you arrive at work, that’s a cultural red flag. It’s not about oversharing – it’s about creating systems, spaces and cultures that respect the full human. Flexibility, psychological safety, shared values and room for individuality all matter.

"Every time you find yourself here, it’s because you chose to come back" – Mark S

The Macrodata Refinement (MDR) office on the severed floor is a minimalist fever dream: white corridors, fluorescent lighting, no windows, no personal items. It’s designed not for people, but for control.

The innies might not know any better, but we do – office environments should be places people want to spend time in. Especially now, with companies pushing for more in-office presence. Designing for today means creating spaces that support psychological safety, creativity and adaptability. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but investing in environments that flex to people’s needs is essential. Just make sure your "Break Room" is better than Lumon’s.

"A handshake is available upon request" – Ms Cobel

A rare nod of recognition from Lumon’s management – though it hardly compares to the thrill of a Music Dance Experience or the legendary ORTBO (Outdoor Retreat and Team-Building Occurrence). Still, it makes a crucial point: recognition matters but reward is essential. We need to do it in ways that feel meaningful to the individual, not just the business. Our own team ORTBO to Amsterdam earlier this month is a testament to recognition and reward done right. The results? Better collaboration, a happier, more connected team and ultimately stronger work delivered for our clients.

“The work is mysterious and important” – Mark S

MDR is a satire of jobs that lack any clear mission and the burnout that comes with it. The innies are asked to commit without context. In reality, a company’s purpose and vision are vital for creating a thriving culture. But it’s not something to dictate from the top down – it has to be built with your people. Get it right for them, not just the business. A vision without real buy-in will leave you with a disengaged team – blindly following the handbook and wondering why it matters ("Praise Kier").

With season two now in the rearview mirror, it’s a good time to re-imagine how we work. The goal isn’t to draw a line between work and life, it’s to make that line easier to live with. That means building cultures that support the whole person, not just the job title. Because no one should need a mental elevator just to survive the day.