I was notoriously outspoken - without aid of alcohol, I might add - in my last job. For many years it didn't matter, as my bosses were immensely blunt and thick-skinned, enjoyed my ruthless honesty, trusted me, and were happy to let us creatives do our thing, provided we delivered in our work (which we did). My bosses weren't perfect and could be exceedingly demanding, but this phenomenal tolerance of my snark was one of their finest attributes.

Then Americans took over the company and that all changed. They said they wanted honesty, but boy-oh-boy, they didn't...