| In the past week, I've received several emails | | | | First of all, get your facts in order. Start recording |
| with the subject area basically declaring, | | | | writing what has happened. Don't worry about |
| "Employee in distress . . . call ASAP!" After sorting | | | | editing at this point, just get it all out and add as |
| through the various issues and problems, they all | | | | your memory is jogged. This is not for other |
| carried similar themes-their professional integrity | | | | eyes at this point. If you know of someone who |
| and credibility was being undermined by someone | | | | has witnessed some of the things and is |
| in a senior position. Ironically, I know a few of | | | | supportive, ask them to add anything that might |
| them and am aware of the quality of their work | | | | refresh your memory. Assure them that you are |
| and their professional reputations. | | | | not putting their name forth; rather, you are just |
| Although all the players are different, the actions | | | | trying to get the sequence of events down in |
| had a common ground and the impact of them | | | | case you have to defend yourself. |
| on their respective targets was equal. In one | | | | Next, ask for the identity of the accuser. Don't be |
| case, the saboteur was the head of an insurance | | | | surprised if it is declined. Ask for a meeting with |
| company that is well known and can be | | | | the principals. Your job is to be well-prepared and |
| considered leaders in its field. | | | | non-emotional. Ask for a neutral place (not in the |
| In this case, Patricia (not her real name) is | | | | boss's office) and be prepared to listen closely. |
| acknowledged as among the best in the training | | | | Your dialogue can go something like this: |
| of new agents in her industry and routinely gets | | | | George, last week when you publicly accused me |
| outstanding evaluations from participants. She has | | | | of being racist and sexist, I felt angry, belittled |
| been, and still is, a successful agent in her own | | | | and undermined. It sounds like you don't support |
| right. She has a humorous streak-many have | | | | the work I do, or me. Is it your intent, George, to |
| thought her better than some of the best | | | | undermine and belittle my work and me? |
| stand-ups! | | | | Now stop, don't say another word. This is blink |
| The Set Up | | | | time-he or she who blinks will most likely lose |
| Her contract with her employer allows her to do | | | | step away. Will George say that his intent was to |
| independent trainings for individuals outside of her | | | | belittle and undermine her? Most likely not, he will |
| responsibilities to the firm. She had given her boss | | | | probably hem and haw and attempt to side-step |
| taped, unedited copies of all her programs and | | | | what was done. If this is the response, then get |
| had invited him to attend any of her training | | | | ready to educate him . . . what behavior do you |
| sessions. Finally, he did. But not to support, much | | | | want him to display in the future? And, if he |
| less applaud. No, he came to ding, and ding he did. | | | | repeats it, what are you going to do? |
| Some unflattering feedback from a recent | | | | If he does say his intent was to make you look |
| attendee motivated him to "drop in". | | | | bad, the cards are on the table. He's the boss, |
| During a break, he pulled Patricia aside and began | | | | run, don't walk to get relocated. Get out, this is a |
| his tirade. He told her he had gotten an email that | | | | toxic workplace. |
| referenced several stories that she used the | | | | Unless you are dealing with a life and death |
| previous week (and had used many times prior). | | | | situation, people who hide behind anonymous |
| He insinuated that based on the email that she is | | | | framing should be discounted immediately. Most |
| racist, sexist, even anti age and appearance. That | | | | likely, they are dealing from a position of low |
| her humor was inappropriate. He even said that | | | | power, low self-esteem and are riddled with envy. |
| the anonymous e-mailer claimed that she had | | | | The Patricias of the world are highly competent |
| made incredibly derogative statements about | | | | people who take pride and pleasure in their work. |
| others. Her boss became louder-as if his intent | | | | There will always be nay-sayers who don't like |
| was to rattle her performance with the training | | | | what competent people do, or possible them |
| session in progress. | | | | personally. |
| I asked her to tell me the stories. All were good, | | | | Management must get behind and support their |
| made the point; some had humor, some quite | | | | keeper employees and dump the losers. Shame |
| poignant. I heard no racism, sexism, ageism or | | | | on any manager/boss who publicly dresses down |
| lookism types of remarks, not even a hint. As I | | | | or accuses an employee. Double shame when |
| listened to each one of them, the only thing that | | | | they invade space to do so that is not theirs. |
| went through my mind was, "So, what's the big | | | | Triple shame that they would pay credence to |
| deal here?" She shared other happenings since | | | | one person to and risk the loss of a valuable |
| that event . . . all of them spelled trouble for her. | | | | employee with accusations of various prejudices, |
| So, what does one do when it looks as though | | | | as well as slander. The sad news is that the |
| you are being set up for a fall? | | | | above scenario has become routine for too many |
| For You . . . | | | | organizations. Zap it. |