“Easy to say, difficult to do. Bringing value,” I repeated.

“Not sure what you mean. I think it is a respect issue,” Joan replied. “You think I can gain respect by bringing value. What does that mean?”

“Look, you are new here. You have been with the company since November and her manager for only two months, she has been here for twelve years. She knows her job, what does she need you for? Why would she go to one of your silly meetings, anyway?”

“My meetings are not silly, they’re important,” she protested.

“The meetings are silly to her, until you prove otherwise. Even acknowledging you in the hallway is silly to her, until you prove otherwise, until you earn her respect.”

“But, I was hired in to be her manager, some respect should come with the territory. I know she wanted my job, but the company hired me instead.”