November, 2010
I closed the door behind me as I left the CEO’s office. I felt great as I was told that my work was exceptional and it was important that the publicity office write an article about me for the newsletter and the local newspaper. No other companies in town had a CHO and it was important for the company to herald its guy at the head of his class.
I went back to my office and sat down, a little drained from the experience, for I was expecting a smack against the head by a 2 x 4 board. Somehow my fears were in error and I was now becoming part of the inner circle within an inner circle. After taking a deep breadth I returned to my work and then noticed it was time for lunch. Suddenly, I received call from an old friend in legal, who asked if I would join her for an “off site” lunch across town from our offices. I said yes, but wondered why so far away from the offices? Oh well, the place has fantastic food, and a change from the normal bland sandwiches would go well with my raised spirits.
Nancy picked me up in the parking lot and she drove five miles across town. We chatted all the way as she was my wife’s best friend from as far back as kindergarten. Although she had no children, she treated our children as her nephews and nieces and the kids just love her. Once we sat down and ordered our lunch, she looked around the room for a third time, leaned across the table on her elbows and stared straight into my eyes. She nodded as if she were saying “it’s ok” to herself. Sitting back in her chair, she took a sip of water and stared at me again. Finally, just before the food arrived she dumped the news on me.
She told me a little story about receiving an email by mistake, which had something to do with me. It was an ugly message, full of hissing, snarling and dirt. As I listened I could feel my face wrinkling with sorrow and trepidation. People I thought liked me, actually loathed me to the point I should probably expect to see my picture burning on my desk someday. I had images of graffiti splattering my office walls. Apparently, someone pushed the email out to too wide a crowd, so others beyond the intended recipients had received it as well. Nancy wasn’t sure what was about to happen, but it was clear to her that an orchestrated attack was being set on my position. All she was doing was providing me with a little friendly informant-like heads-up.
I looked down at the huge bowl of award winning soup. I couldn’t eat it. Then came the ribeye, I couldn’t eat it. Finally, the Key Lime Pie, I at that! There is food and there is food, but Key Lime Pie is my form of drug for when I feel down. What timing! Nancy looked across and asked if she should share the information with my wife? I said no, it was better left totally confidential.
Back in the office, I just sat there for hours, even when the lights when out automatically. I drove home, said good night to the kids and the wife and went to bed, begging forgiveness for an oncoming illness. On my pillow was an envelope from my buddy Jerry. My wife had placed it there earlier in the day. I wondered what Jerry had to say?
Hand written note from Bill’s friend Jerry, received
November, 2010
Expect them to start pushing you out by micromanaging your operation. They will overload you with work and start criticizing the quality and timeliness of your reports, etc.
Eventually they will openly challenge your personality, your value system, even your integrity. Don’t take it personal, it is just the nature of a beast called: Passive-Aggressive Behavior.
You will experience it in its most classic form, as it will be fueled by insecurities, suddenly exposed vulnerabilities, fears turning into phobias, and the usual suspects bordering on the exploitation of sociopathic licenses.
You just got to love it for what it is worth. Give a call when you have a chance. A buddy of mine is looking for a new president for one of his companies in town. It is a perfect fit for you. They need someone who doesn’t fit into their culture;which needs an extreme organizational makeover to move them into the 21st Century. Jerry