Questions

• What do you obsess over? Do you spot a consistent theme?

• What is the cause of your insecurity? What is at your core that manifests itself in obsession and defense?

• Do you take responsibility for your actions and reactions or do you put it on other people?

• What can you do, in terms of priority or time management, to be sure that you are always completely prepared before a meeting?

• How do you feel about confrontational action? What sort of preparation can help steel your courage?

• Would you rather be “safe” and unhappy or free and happy?

• What are you doing to ensure that you have the backing in the marketplace and in your bank account to take a risk that might cost you your job?

• How much difficulty can you live with before you start to change from the person you love into someone you don’t even recognize? What is worth this?

• Do you realize that your managers are not omniscient and that if you have a track record for good judgment, solid results, and unquestionable ethics, you are more likely to be heard?

• Have you done everything possible to make a difficult situation more palatable?

• Does empathy with a manager’s situation and stress level help you to see the issue more clearly, perhaps to your advantage?