Business

Sometimes Leadership Sucks

If I did not stop their affair, I would pay the price

“To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

Christmas Party, No Spouses Allowed

I was trying to mind my own damn business at a company Christmas party when one of my managers, Carol*, walked in with her blouse and breasts askew. One was up, and one was down. Her bra was in the wrong place. She returned to the party first, then another of my direct employees came in a minute behind her.

I always try to be aware of my environment. Since I practice situational awareness, I observe things others might miss. There was something strange going on between those two. Company functions are never only what they are called. Parties, lunches, picnics, always contain an element of company politics and intrigue. We were at the boss’s house to celebrate yet another exceptional year for the company.

There were no spouses since the party started at three in the afternoon. We left work and drove to my boss’s home. Drinks were flowing liberally, and my boss had catered the party with one of the best Thai food joints in the city. We could party to our heart’s content as there were drivers to take us home if needed. Our cars would show up the next day.

A Work Husband

This employee was one who had a “work husband.”

“A work spouse has been defined as “a special, platonic friendship with a work colleague characterized by a close emotional bond, high levels of disclosure and support, and mutual trust, honesty, loyalty, and respect.” Work Spouses- Defining And Understanding A New Relationship

Carol and Joe had produced some of the most innovative customer services in the company in a long time. She oversaw shipping and receiving. The shipping and receiving departments connects the company to the supply chain. Shipping and Receiving are how raw materials enter the facility and how finished products leave.

Joe was in charge of production. The production department turns the raw materials into finished products. Joe and Carol worked together day and night to keep our products flowing to our customers in a timely fashion. They both worked directly for me.

Because of them, our customers could order from us, track their product in build and out the door to their home. There were cameras in shipping to allow them to see their order being packed for shipment.

Of course, Joe and Carol called each other their work husband and wife. Everyone knew they stayed late and worked hard. There were nights when I went home, and the only other cars left in the parking lot were theirs. No one assumed they had a physical relationship because both had loving and supportive spouses at home. Both loved their families. The two families had met and shared outings. It appeared these two were about to step over the line between close friends and lovers at the party.

Liquor Driven Behavior

Liquor loosens the straps on behavior and logic. The lack of spouses and free drinks had already caused an incident. The incident was now escalating into a five-alarm fire. I spotted Joe heading to the main entrance and realized they were getting ready to leave. This was a liaison in process.

Oh, no, you don’t mess up the best collaborative team I had in a long time with cheating. People from different departments were working together in a way that was making work almost enjoyable. Because of Carol and Joe, everyone in the plant would get a nice bonus in their checks next week. I would pleasantly surprise the two of them as I had added an extra $10,000 to each of their bonuses.

If these two had sex with each other, I would pay the price for it eventually. The fallout would not only affect their families but my work team. I had to stop this now, but it was not my business what they did after work hours. Consenting adults can do what they want. Damn it. Sometimes I’m not too fond of this job.

Oh No You Don’t

I saw Carol heading for the main entrance also. Now was my chance. I stepped in front of my female employee, intercepting her before she reached the exit. “Your titties are twisted, and I said, looking down. “Let’s hit the restroom right quick, and I’ll help you.” I guided her toward the toilet.

Before helping her with her breasts in the restroom, I first splashed cold water on her face. I deliberately messed up her make-up. I helped her out of the glittery strapless she had on, and we adjusted her bra back into place. She had on one of those strapless bras so her dress would look good.

I tipped my head forward and looked at her through my top eyelashes. “Maybe, we need to hook it tighter,” I said. “We should try a few different notches.” I took my sweet time hooking and re-hooking that bra. Then she needed to fix her make-up. Then I needed to fix mine. By the time we came out of the bathroom, forty minutes had passed. She and I were both coming down from our drinks. Time cooled her carnal impulse, and her logic was returning. I could see her inner married woman asking her, “Are you stupid? What part of what you were about to do was a good idea?”

Right Thing, Wrong Reason

I had diverted her long enough that the other employee was gone… as was my Christmas spirit. I got us both another drink. Mine was a double dirty martini, Bombay Sapphire vodka, extra olives. Hers was a glass of red wine. I told her I appreciated all the work that she had accomplished. Right then, some other employees joined us, and the party continued.

As I sipped my drink, I thought about the move I had just made. I didn’t care if they cheated on their spouses; I cared that their indiscretions would make my job harder. I sighed. I knew all about me, and this was classic me - doing the right thing for the wrong reason. Being a leader is a bitch, sometimes.

Toni Crowe retired as the Vice President of Operations to pursue her dream of being a writer. Toni has written six books, two of which won the 2019 Reader’s Choice Gold Awards. Her bestselling business book, “Bullets and Bosses Don’t Have Friends: How Do You Manage A Man Sitting With His Dick in His Hand?” was one of the winners. Her first book, “Never a $7 Whore” was the other.

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