It has been a rough week. In fact, I have wondered at various points during this last week if I was on TV. Instead of a bloopers show, it would be a real-life drama.
Three top executives quit on Monday. Rather, they have all quit at varying times within the last two months but it did not become public knowledge until Monday. As a knee-jerk reaction, they promoted my awful former boss and moved me back under him. He gave me a pep talk about how we can be successful together. I told the president I didn’t want to work with him any more. She told him I said that. He had a meeting with me to convince me otherwise. During this meeting, he also said disparaging remarks about our managers who had quit. One of the managers he was a big fan (if not the biggest fan) of last week when he were still in charge. At this point I went numb. I had never come face-to-face with such disloyality and it sickened me. He also took the opportunity to make cutting remarks to me about me (the title of this post included). I know he is trying to make me doubt myself so that I will need him. He needs me to be successful; I do not need him to be successful. But he needs me to need him. These are the mindgames I have dealt with for the past year. “I don’t know what else you want from me; I have done everything for you!” he pleaded.
Except be honest.
So I told him he is unable to control his temper. I told him I was uncomfortable watching him disrespect our collegues because it is never okay regardless of little you think of them. I told him I was not afraid of his temper, rather I did not choose to engage in such behavior. Then I told all the presidents - past, present and future - everything he said, right down to his disloyality. The former president - the one who he blamed for all the problems - was amazed and disgusted by this sudden turn and vowed to “take care of it” before he left. The present and future presidents promised a 30 period, after which I would not have to work with him any more. A mid-level managers encouraged me to file a complaint with HR. Another took me out for lunch to placate me with wine and sincere promises to distance me from this awfully disloyal person.
So here I sit with a glass bottle of wine watching my DVR shows, relaxing after a week to end all weeks. I am encouraged by the fact other people think his treatment of me is inappropriate. Even more so, I received a call from my recruiter today. The agency I spent five interviews with has decided to prepare an offer. The recruiter called to confirm my salary requirements before the official offer is prepared, so I expect to hear something early next week.