Introduction

                Bethany went to her same office, at the same time to do the same things like she had for the past two years but today was different.  She had a new boss.  Bethany had loved her old boss who had become a mentor and positive role model in her life.  However, Bethany was always up for a challenge and enjoyed meet and working with new people.  She had been named the most outgoing girl in her senior class of high school and had been awarded the “Bulldog” award from her college lacrosse team for being the most dedicated teammate on the team.  She knew she could handle working with a new boss, it would just take some time and patients on Bethany’s part.   She was ready for the task at hand.

Background

                Growing up Bethany enjoyed playing sports with her friends and soon realized that she was actually a talented athlete and enjoyed the feeling of success and accomplishment when playing with her teammates.  She liked winning.  Once in high school she truly learned the power of being a female athlete.  She won countless awards for her skills on the field hockey and lacrosse fields.  However, she had yet to realize what an asset athletics would turn out to be for her.  It was not until her junior year in high school that she realized there could be a future for her athletically after high school. As the recruiting letters poured in, Bethany became aware that she did not have to follow in her parents footsteps and go to the University of Virginia like most her family members.  Through the support of her parents and careful consideration, Bethany accepted a lacrosse scholarship to Georgetown University in Washington, DC.  Her door for opportunity burst open.

                After a successful four years at Georgetown, Bethany knew she wanted to pursue a career in athletics.  After a few mind numbing positions not related to athletics she decided to take her future into her own hands.  She heard about a position in a private secondary day school athletic department in Alexandria, Va.  One of her college teammates had attended the same school and said that Bethany’s future boss, Marsha, was one of the most influential and inspiring people in her life.  Bethany accepted the position and enjoyed it tremendously.  Although Bethany knew to reach her career goals she would need to work her way up the ladder and eventually go back to graduate school to further her education she thought working under Marsha would be very beneficial at this point in her career. 

                Bethany’s first two years in her position were enlightening.  She learned from Marsha by shadowing, mimicking, observing and asking questions.  Bethany enjoyed learning the art of management and negotiation through exceptional people skills.  However, Bethany’s enjoyment at work changed drastically when Marsha decided to retire from her positions. 

Professional Challenge

                When Bethany’s new boss, Jess, came into the picture Bethany was eager to have a new mentor and learn new skills.  The first few weeks were challenging, training Jess and teaching her the ways of the land.  Bethany gave her the benefit of the doubt when Jess became frustrated or demanding.  Bethany tried to explain how the department worked but Jess wanted to change everything at once. Jess also wanted to format the athletic department in a similar fashion to her previous school’s athletic department, which was a boarding school.  Jess’ previous position at the boarding school was not in their athletic department.  Bethany thought the frustration and challenges of having a new boss would pass in a month or two, but the turmoil continued and became apparent to others.  Bethany became the sounding board for all other members of the athletic department, which ultimately became extremely draining on Bethany’s once always positive attitude.  Never wanting to “rock the boat” Bethany tried her best to defuse any situations or complaints before they escalated to higher authority.  However, complaints about Jess were coming in from all areas, coaches, athletes, teachers and parents of the students.

                As the tension and stress of the job mounted Bethany did not want to be perceived as a complainer or slacker to her colleges.  She continued to work with Jess and tried to portray a positive attitude at all times.  However, if the situation mounted beyond what Bethany felt she could handle she did find comfort in talking things through with one of her colleagues, Andy, who also happened to be her fiancé.  Andy’s office was just down the hall from Bethany’s and she was able to speak with him whenever she needed her own sounding board.  Andy encouraged Bethany to speak with Jess’ immediate boss but Bethany felt that she would be perceived as weak and confrontational. 

                Was this what Bethany signed on for?  How could she have made the situation better for all parties? 

Personal issue

Working with Jess and hiding the concerns of her colleagues began to take a toll on Bethany.  She was not her normal happy self and did not like the way she took her unpleasant situation at work out on her family and friends.  Andy had to listen to Bethany complain constantly, at home, at work, on road trips, you name it, he heard it.  Bethany sought advice from her parents and sisters but only turned it down in frustration with her current situation.  Why was her happiness suffering because of one just person?  Bethany wanted to find a way to work with Jess and be happy at the same time.  She did not enjoy going to work, working or even coaching the high school girls’ lacrosse team anymore.  What was once joyful and fun had become a daunting task.  All Bethany could think about was how can I change my situation without seeming weak or like a failure?  Bethany was getting the same advice from all areas.  Be proactive, talk with Jess’ boss, take yourself out of the situation, go back to school, confront Jess, find a new job…it was just a job.  Although these pieces of advice were logical, Bethany did not want to quit, she did not want to fail.  How could she take this negative experience and come out a winner?