Dealing with Adversity...

I am the product of being a Dad of 4 kids growing up in the early 2000's. "Phineas and Ferb" was always a cartoon that I found humorous - you know, *ahem* when the kids would be watching it - and I just "happened to catch a glance." *ahem* ??"There's one hundred and 4 days of summer vacation..."??

(My adult kids read my posts and articles... this one is for you Jake, Mick, Bug & Benji.)

So. What happens when your boss becomes (or always has been) Hienz Doofenshmirtz from Evil Incorporated - and he brings out the "shrink-inator" or the "disintegrator-inator" because he perceives you as an obstacle? Could a boss really be that mean-spirited - making your life difficult with the sole intent of causing you to leave the company or just simply attempting to make you irrelevant?

It happens every day. Folks are caught between a mean-spirited Hienz Doofenshmirtz and HR policy, that may or may not protect them, every.single.day. If this resonates with you - I hope this article is an encouragement for you.

The question becomes - how do you become Perry the Platypus? "glack, glack, glack, glack, glack." (Sorry this is my best attempt to make the sound that Perry makes. - weak attempt, I know.) If you are not familiar with the cartoon, Perry is the arch-nemesis of the evil scientist trying to use his evil influence to take over the tri-state area.

If you have read some of my previous articles and posts, you are well aware that I have had a Hienz Doofenshmirtz as a boss before. He tried to use his "disintegrator-inator" on a few of our staff members in the office. It didn't work. He considered several people in the office as "obstacles to success" or "obstacles to his success?" (Not really sure which one?) Sometimes, it is almost humorous how vindictive some people can be. If it wasn't such a difficult and sad situation, you might be able to muster-up a laugh. So if you find yourself currently in this situation, how can you handle this type of adversity?

It takes courage.

How did I handle it? I took him head on. I was his arch-nemesis. I defended my staff as he would habitually talk about others behind their back - attempting to undermine their efforts and character. I pulled out a "hate-inator" shield and I pushed back. I called him on his duplicitousness. I mean really - what could he do? I was already short before he tried to shrink me with his "shrink-inator..." so maybe I lost an inch in my height? - I couldn't tell.

One thing is for sure though, I didn't lose my spirit. Nor did I lose my passion for leadership - if anything, it only has only helped me understand why being a great leader is so important.

To be sure: While the process was painful, I am a better leader because of it.

If you are struggling with this sort of unacceptable behavior, consider the following:

• Talk to Human Resources - see what can be done.
• Talk to your colleagues - there is a good chance that they may be experiencing something similar.
• Reach out to friends and confidantes for encouragement and advice - you're not in this alone.
• Finally, document, document, document. Dates, times, circumstances, situations - every detail you can remember. Upon my departure from this place of employment, I turned in 16 pages of documentation along with my letter of resignation - so there was evidence supporting those who were left behind.
• Have the courage to defend those that are in the cross-hairs of the double barreled "disintegrator-inator / hate-inator."
• and Yes... sometimes departure is the best option so that you aren't robbed of your joy on a daily basis and, more importantly, that you don't start to believe the lies of Hienz Doofenshmirts of Evil Incorporated.

If you find yourself in these circumstances - Hang in there. Be courageous and be "Perry the Platypus." (glack.glack.glack.glack.glack.)

Note: If my articles resonate, feel free to share with your network. If my article has, serendipitously, crossed your feed - and you like what you see; feel free to follow me. There are surely more articles to come. (Comments are always welcome too.) ??