I was duped.

I thought that after many years, an issue had been resolved.  Finally, once and for all, not to be an issue again. 

You see, I was told from a very young age that if you could not add to something through monetary means, you needed to work your hardest, do your best and show whoever was “in charge” of you, that you were of value – hard-working, never backing down from a challenge, getting the job done.  My family instilled this in me, and I always believed it to be true.  It had served me well all my life; I was always considered to be a great worker and as my experience grew, one with leadership qualities and a fine work ethic.

When that mixes with a supervisor/boss who is a narcissist; one who has a truly fragile ego and must be the star of the show, you will have a toxic workplace.  Nervously being at work every day – never knowing when you would be called to the “principal’s office” to be chastised and for what.  The smallest incidents would blow up without warning, resulting in mayhem when it was least needed.  In fact, I have been in this position several times throughout my careers.

When I say that I thought the issue has been resolved, I meant my internal issues.  I was raised to be respectful.  Yes, I am sarcastic with my humor, when I am comfortable with someone, I will share many laughs and comments, but I never want to be disrespectful – any one of my relatives would have eagerly given me a swift kick in the pants if I behaved badly.  But my issue is truly wrapped around the respect I have for myself. 


When I say I was duped, I did it to myself.  My younger self did not possess respect for me to allow getting out of that situation quickly.  Somehow, I continued to put myself in similar situations – a narcissistic boss who cannot handle someone who does what they say they have come to do, working well with people, and getting the job done.  I finally realize that I need to respect the value I bring to the table, stand my ground and stop being disrespectful to myself. 

And in that respect for me, I will not make apologies to the way I have worked, nor how easily I work anyone else, and the results achieved.  Whether it is a 97% passing rate amongst my students on a final exam or completion of a business plan to help a startup, teaching business foundations to my balloon decorating competitors or becoming a published author, I will not allow someone to diminish me and everything I can do. 

The old saying of “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” is to be considered at its face value – it will not happen again.  For that, you can be sure!