In a spacious conference room, Gina found herself in an unexpected spotlight. Seated unassumingly, she listened intently as a senior figure she’d held in high regard launched into a critique. This leader, seasoned by years, seemed to relish the opportunity to critique, her motives were unclear yet piercingly personal. Gina sat stunned, uncertain whether what she felt was shock, dismay or wrath. Her mind raced traversing through every neural pathway in case she had missed something. After all, what was unfolding was entirely unexpected. Unexpected because she had been a hospitable host to her seniors, as is characteristic of her and her team. She had also had what she assumed was a pleasant meeting where her views regarding the new senior member had been sought and she had heaped genuine praises and shared what she thought was objective and constructive feedback. And so she sat still and breathed in the onslaught, the venom that flew from this person she barely recognized at this point. It would be an understatement to call it unprofessional. It was downright cruel.
The room, typically kept cool and comfortable for the roughly 100 or so staff members, felt suffocating that day. Whether it was the malfunctioning air conditioner or the stifling atmosphere of the conversation, it remains debatable. Through it all, Gina, a beacon of excellence and dedication, took the unexpected barrage with grace. Around her, the faces of colleagues reflected shock and dismay. Some, though, might have reveled in this moment, forgetting that a snake may shed its skin, but its nature remains unchanged and that whoever betrays another to win your favor will likely do the same to you when the time is ripe.
The scenario was a preamble for the introduction of a new senior team member. As he was introduced, a shadow seemed to be cast on the relentless efforts and achievements of those who had held the position before him. It was as if their contributions suddenly vanished. The room’s ethos, typically characterized by camaraderie and support, felt dismantled with every pointed word from the leader.
To even the least discerning listener, the leader’s undertones were unmistakable. Her tone, choice of words, and even body language seemed to revel in undermining Gina while lavishing praise on the newcomer. In a nutshell, the newcomer was hailed as a ‘savior,’ tasked with leading the audience from their metaphorical Egyptian bondage to the Promised Land of Canaan. The narrative was veiled in ambiguity, leaving the audience to untangle the confusion and form their own narratives. This vagueness, inevitably, led to even more unvoiced complications, with boundaries becoming indistinct. It would require the magnanimity of one of the involved parties to avert a clash of egos. The entire situation was not just tragic; it was downright ludicrous. Such a poorly executed display was unbecoming of an establishment of such stature – assuming those pulling the strings even took notice or cared.
But Gina’s resilience shone through. Displaying impeccable grace, she closed the meeting, her disappointment evident but expertly managed. With her signature warmth and grace, she acknowledged the leader, welcomed the new senior team member, and made her exit, her emotions kept in check but undeniably churning beneath the surface.
Grounded in her faith, Gina found solace. She drew strength from her beliefs, reminding herself of her journey and her intrinsic value. In the face of such an ordeal, she knew that she was not alone and that, no matter how challenging the moment, it too would pass.
What lessons did Gina and those who hated what was happening learn?
?Leaders are not defined by age, every individual is different and some, seasoned as they may be can act in ways that leave our mouths agape.
?Organizations can destroy a culture built over time in one day through avenues such as poor change management.
??Train your mind to stay calm amidst the storm. Solutions will come.
?Never forget those who have supported- regardless of their contribution-great or small.
? Respond-don’t react. You will emerge stronger and with a renewed sense of purpose.
I work in education, the place where empathy should be second nature. The above happened in a school setting. What do you think you would do to change that problem?
Boardroom wars are nasty and often very personal
The experiences can be rewarding . They can also be …mmh
Gina is undoubtedly a class act!?
As for the leader, I believe that when you know someone in person, and you decide to go ahead and call them out in public, whether directly or indirectly, you are putting up a public performance- which is uncalled for.
From the reading, Gina is the kind of person who doesn’t let things get to her easily. She is cool-headed, observant and respectful of authority. She knows how to handle herself in any situation.
In this instance, she faced microaggression from her boss.
These microaggressions hurt Gina and made her feel less valued at work.
So what should Gina do? I would suggest that she confronts her boss privately and calmly, and tell her how her actions affected her feelings and performance. Gina should be firm but polite, and try to understand where her boss is coming from. Maybe her boss is not aware of her own biases and how they impact others. Maybe she has some issues that she needs to work on.
By talking to her boss, Gina can show her that she is a professional who deserves respect and recognition. She can also help her boss become more aware and sensitive .
Gina should not ignore the microaggressions or let them slide.