Do you accept the rumors?
Monday, July 14th, 2008
Q: Masters, I am always worried about what other people think of me. When I was at a conference recently, my employees were told derogatory stories about me by an employee who is leaving. She told them that I didn’t care about them or the company and that she was the only one who ever supported them. She took credit for the increase in sales which I worked hard to achieve, and told them she was leaving because she couldn’t stand working with me anymore. I feel like quitting my job rather than facing them. What should I do?
A: The employee who is leaving has always wanted your job. She was unable to convince your superior that she was the one who deserved the job you have worked so hard to maintain. She is leaving because they would not listen to her demean you any longer. The company is extremely happy with your work and the way you supervise the rest of the employees. They would be the first ones to tell you if they didn’t think you were doing a fantastic job.
The departing employee hopes to leave you riddled with doubts about yourself and a legacy of ill feelings. She tried to ingratiate herself to the others so that she could continue to taunt you, through them, after she left. You are making it easy for her by accepting the garbage she has left around.
Your pathway to employment bliss is self-confidence. When you allow yourself to realize what a terrific job you have been doing and are doing, you will know you are the reason the store is so successful. If you let the rumors she laid take hold, you are saying to the others either “what she said was true” or “I don’t deserve to be your boss.” Do you truly think that?
Take inventory of everything that you have done. Accept that you are the moving force behind the sales. Don’t listen to what others say. What they say cannot hurt you unless you believe it is true and accept their lies. Stick by what you know.
