Brenda and Her Boss
RED: Anger, Critical BLUE: Sad, Victimized
Brenda, is a mother of two teenage children. She is now single after being married for several years. She has a salaried job at a company where she has worked for several years. She has held the same position in the company and seen other employees who were hired after her get promoted over her. She never seems to have enough money or personal time. Brenda wants her children to attend college but is not sure how she will be able to afford it.
Mr. Phillips (Bob), has been working for this company for over thirty years. But he doesn’t feel appreciated for his experience, skills, and knowledge. He has gained a reputation of being domineering and condescending. Bob recently started supervising the Department where Brenda works as a team leader.
Scenario: Brenda’s boss, Mr. Phillips, proceeds to tell her how disappointed he is with the results of a project she and her team just completed. Brenda can feel her anger rising. She looks calm on the surface, but she is seething underneath.
Her boss is being unfair but continues his tirade.
Please share which response you think is the way Brenda should respond and how you would respond in her situation, in the comments section below.
RESPONSE A: Well how would you know Mr. Phillips? I have been team chief several years, but you have only been supervising this department a few months. You don’t have any idea how hard me and my team work to make this department succeed!
RED: Anger, Critical RED: Anger, Irritated
RESPONSE B: Mr. Phillips, I assure you me and my team excel at our jobs. Once you become more familiar with how the work is allocated you will recognize that we are doing and will continue to do excellent work.
RED: Anger, Critical YELLOW: Happy, Proud
RESPONSE C: Mr. Phillips you have been misinformed. If you continue to misjudge me and my team I will have to file a complaint with the Human Resource (HR) Department.
RED: Anger, Critical BLUE: Sad, Victimized
