When you're not Clueless but a Loser[1], work harder to solidify your position than to accomplish the tasks you've been given. Obviously in tech, the easier way is to just monetize your own idea. Getting $60K a year from something you do yourself is better than a $90K job.
Post TL;DR: Employees should view themselves as equals to their employers and can take actions to improve their working conditions. Understanding your value to the company and the leverage you have is important. By exercising agency and making choices that benefit both you and the company, such as adapting workflows or using preferred tools, you can assert your influence. Working with your team and justifying your actions based on productivity and profitability can help achieve goals like changing work schedules or skipping meetings. Using strategic approaches with HR can be useful, but be mindful of the risks involved. It's essential to know your worth, leverage, and the tools at your disposal to bring about positive outcomes while keeping productivity in focus.