The Boss at Her Best

I came as close to having the "exit conversation" with my boss as I will probably come before I leave. Out of the blue I received in invitation to come into her "inner sanctum" for a brief meeting.

She allegedly wanted to impress upon me her desire to look out for me in my retirement, thrusting under my nose a "separation clearance" form that must be signed showing I am not absconding with any official property when I leave on May 3.

She asked about my infamous Blackberry that as of a couple of months ago was still coming up duplicatively on someone's inventory sheet. I assured her the Blackberry had been turned in and that I had a piece of paper to prove it. She reminded me that I would not get one dollar of retirement pay until I was officially cleared. I will be so glad when this woman no longer has anything to hold over my head. She agreed to do the necessary "research" to clear my name.

I just couldn't pass up this rare opportunity of face-time to ask her if she had any regrets about anything that had happened over the past several months. Her answer – "Absolutely none."

Even though this left me in somewhat of a state of shock, I couldn't resist following it with another question – "Do you think you have treated me fairly?" Instead of giving me a direct answer, she simply reiterated her intolerance with employees that could not back their boss under any circumstance. This statement just reenforced my decision to leave.

She patted herself on the back for going along with my wishes for a departure with no fanfare. I can only imagine that when and if she ever leaves, she will order up a brass band and champagne.

I walked out of that office wondering once again just what makes this woman tick? What hold does she have over the world that they all sit at her feet shaking their heads yes to whatever she says?