Read Online Who's on Top? by Karen Kendall - Free Book Online

Jane?”
    â€œMmm?”
    â€œThanks.”
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    T HAT J ANE’S CLIENT , L ISA Collins, had no self-esteem was an understatement. Shoulders bowed, head down, she shuffled into the office and waited to be asked before sitting down. “Thanks for seeing me,” she mumbled.
    â€œOf course. How can I help you?”
    â€œWell, it’s my, um, boss. She acts as if she’s the queen of the universe and I’m her slave.”
    â€œI see. Well, let me ask the most obvious question first. Have you thought about changing jobs?”
    Lisa crossed her legs, then tugged at her skirt. Then she uncrossed and recrossed them. “Well, yeah. I’ve done that three times now. But this situation keeps happening. It’s like I have a Kick Me sign on my back. I’m a good employee, I do exactly what I’m told, I’m never late, I work extra without complaining. I don’t know why I get treated so poorly. Like I have no life of my own and have nothing better to do than serve. And now she wants me to work through the vacation I’ve had planned for a year!”
    Jane made a sympathetic noise. “Have you tried saying no?”
    Lisa swallowed. “I’m afraid I’ll get fired.”
    Jane leaned forward. “But, Lisa, you’ve found three jobs—easily, right?”
    The girl nodded.
    â€œSo you’ve found yourself positions with no problem. If for some reason you did get fired, would it really be the end of the world?”
    Lisa looked shocked. “But I’d get a bad reference!”
    â€œYou’ve got other ones, right? You wouldn’t even have to use her. Besides, are you so sure your boss is that unreasonable?”
    Lisa hesitated, then shook her head. “I think she just forgot about me being gone for those two weeks.”
    â€œAnd when you reminded her?”
    â€œShe got irritated and said she really needed me then. She’s preparing for a big sales pitch. But I have plane tickets! And cruise tickets. And a friend’s going with me—it’ll ruin her vacation, too, if I don’t go.”
    â€œOkay. You’re going to have to stand up for yourself,” Jane said.
    â€œI was afraid you were going to say that. How?”
    â€œI’d suggest that you tell her firmly that you have long-standing plans. If she still resists or tries to make you feel guilty, then offer to call a temporary agency to get her some help while you’re away. Do not give in.”
    Lisa still looked uncertain.
    â€œYou’re assuming you have no power in this situation, and you do,” Jane told her.
    â€œI do?”
    â€œYes. Good, hardworking, intelligent assistants are hard to find these days. You’re a precious resource, not a slave.”
    â€œI never thought about it that way,” said the girl.
    Jane nodded. “That’s why she has all the power. She doesn’t want to fire you, Lisa. She’d have to interview, decide on and train someone else. Most people dislike change.”
    â€œYou’re right….”
    â€œI think you’d benefit from the assertiveness seminar I teach,” Jane said. “It’s inexpensive and will teach you how to communicate your needs and not get pushed around. Are you interested?”
    â€œYou bet,” said Lisa. “I’ll sign up today.”
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    J ANE’S NEXT APPOINTMENT WAS with a middle-aged man named Barry Stall who wanted to take radical steps to improve his health but kept sabotaging himself.
    The problem, she explained, was he tried to tackle too much at once. He couldn’t quit smoking, lose forty pounds and become a triathlete in one day.
    â€œIt takes twenty-one days—and some studies say sixty—to make or break a habit, Barry. I’d advise cutting out the cigarettes first, maybe with a prescription to help you with the cravings.” She advised very small, realistic goals.
    She also asked him to look at some