Dealing with Authority Figures 221
How do you feel about each possibility? Do you think you can handle each
one? Is the worst as bad as you’d thought? Take some time to write about your
feelings, perhaps in a journal.
Now that you’ve imagined the worst, it’s time to imagine the best that can
happen. If you were to talk to your boss openly and honestly, you might:
- help him/her see what’s bothering you, which could lead to a solution
- receive a thank you for your honesty
- earn your boss’s admiration and respect
- get a promotion or a raise
Now that you’ve thought through each possible outcome, do you believe
it’s worth it to talk to your boss? Do you feel better about having the conversa-
tion, knowing that it may lead to positive results? Write about your thoughts
and feelings, and ask yourself if envisioning the best-case scenario has given you
courage to take action.
Every situation has many possible outcomes. That’s the way it is with life—
there are many possible paths to take. If you’re unsure about what to do, ask
yourself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” And then take this one step
further and ask, “If the worst didhappen, what would my options be?” In the
above example, if you were to get fired for bringing up a problem to your boss,
would that really be so bad? Maybe you’re better off leaving this boss and job
behind. And maybe this would lead you to seek employment elsewhere—
perhaps someplace with a better boss and better pay!
Once you’ve decided to go ahead and talk to the AF, have a practice con-
versation (also known as a role-play). You can act this out by yourself or ask a
friend to help. Here’s how to do it:
- Place an empty chair in front of you. If a friend is helping, have him/her
sit in the chair. - Imagine the authority figure seated in the chair. If a friend is help-
ing, have him/her pretend to be the AF. - You go first. Begin talking to the AF. Say anything you want, even the
things you’d never say in real life. Make sure you use a wide range of
approaches. For example, you might say, “If it pleases your highness, I need an