DANGEROUS LIAISONS"We knew the position of vice president would go to one of
us, but after the first week I was sure it was Leslie's. She began
an all-out campaign to seduce our boss. At first it was just some
flirting, but then it was a few lunches together, and finally, she
told me smugly, they were going out after work on a real date. I
found out later that it ended in a hotel room.
"Well, I figured that was it—the job was hers. But to my surprise
she came into my office a week later in tears. What was wrong?
The boss had told her she was fired! He just couldn't work with
her after what happened. He'd give her a good reference, but
only if she kept quiet about their affair.
"I felt bad for Leslie, but I was thrilled when the boss told
me that the position was mine. It was the first time I realized my
low-key image might be an advantage."
Cynthia's "low-key image," which she had sometimes wished
she could change, sent out a subtext about her ability to do the
job well. True or not, we often assume quiet, unassuming people
are more efficient than sociable, flashy ones. Although Leslie was
just as good a worker, her extroverted style had a different subtext.
She was "available," and her flirting made that clear. It was easy
enough for her boss to respond, but while he may have felt that
a one-night stand was okay, he wasn't about to let a relationship
complicate his job. Leslie had misread his subtext.
SEXINESS IN THE CORPORATE WORLD
In actuality, it wasn't Leslie's "style" that did her in, although
her style sent out a subtext of availability. It was her assumption
that she could parlay that subtext into a promotion by sleeping
with the boss.