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How One High Achiever Deals With Haters
What to do about the sour grapes, the folks who want to rain on our parades, and the trolls when they come for you.
I remember when I was promoted to CEO at my company back in 2015. It was mid-week when the company-wide email went out, notifying all staff of the change. There was a wave of people who immediately reached out to say congrats and send me well wishes, there were the folks who went on about their business as per usual, and then there were the select few who seemed legitimately upset about the news. I saw sideways glances and noticed the way conversations stopped when I entered a room. It felt really strange, and I was uncomfortable.
One long-time colleague asked me if we could take a walk. I agreed, and as soon as we got out of the building, he asked me “what did you do to get this promotion?” I was confused. We’d been working together for years, and he definitely was familiar with my work, achievements, and qualifications. His implications — made more clear with his raised eyebrows and leering expression — were gross and disrespectful. I told him I had worked really hard for a long time and implored him to clarify what he was really asking. Of course, he didn’t say more to me — he scurried back into the building, and I became aware later that he turned into the…
