I just want to let you know again, as the form you signed out in the waiting room indicated, that anything you say during our sessions is strictly confidential. It will not leave this room.
So, tell me why you felt the need to solicit my professional services today.
“I’ve been under tremendous pressure lately.”
At work?
“Yes, at work.”
What kind of pressure?
“The heavy, hurried, in-your-face sort of pressure.”
Please be more specific. Are you being asked to do more at work?
“You bet I am.”
Your boss is asking you to do more?
“My boss? No, he’s not asking. Actually, my boss doesn’t ever say too much. If anything, I’m having to do more at work because he’s not doing a better job coordinating the other workers, the guys on the other side of the line.”
Oh, so you work on an assembly line?
“Look, I don’t mean to be complaining, but the reason I’m getting picked off so much is because I’m trying to make things happen with very few resources.”
Now we’re getting somewhere, but it’s picked on, not picked off. So some colleagues are picking on you at work?
“Yep.”
Does this occur on a regular basis?
“Seventeen times in the last few weeks, five times in one day last week. It was horrible. They were relentless. Well, some of it I probably deserved.”
So you may be inciting such actions?
“Yeah, I already said, I’m trying to make things happen. I make tough, quick decisions. I’m trying to give us some momentum to move forward.”
And some folks are averse to this?
“Our competitors, of course. But the problem is my decisions are not panning out. We’re going backwards. It’s frustrating for me and for a lot of people.”
Why don’t you quit your job, find something else? Move away?
“Can’t. I just transferred here from Denver. Big contract. Besides, I want this to work out like everyone else.”
As your therapist, I am professionally obligated to inform you that I cannot be held accountable if the advice or treatment I provide does not help your problem at work.
“I understand.”
You see, Jay, not every decision you make is a correct decision. You’re going to have a fair share of detractors, even interceptors along the way. My advice is to keep doing what you’re doing, attempting to make forward progress. Things will fall into place. Your boss and his/her boss will be held accountable in the long run. You, Jay, are a winner.
“Thanks, I really feel this is helping.”
Great. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to catch the second half of the Vikings/Lions game. That Favre is something else.
Contact: bspencer@wjinc.com