Love and The Workplace – Part I – “You Had Me At Hello”

Listen up lovebirds – this series is not about having a secret crush on your boss, your co-worker, your subordinate or the guy who delivers sandwiches. Instead, this is about how you treat and manage your career. More specifically, I’m talking about the way in which we tend to fall head over heels in love with our employers. 

So you’re thinking, “Um, hello!  I do not love my employer!”

Don’t you though? Denial aside, maybe you’re not in love anymore. Maybe that certain je ne sais quoi has faded over time. I can buy that. But you once had it bad, real bad, and unrequited love can be a painful reality for anyone.

In this four part drama, we’ll examine how we set ourselves up for the fall by letting our professional libido lead us around like lapdogs. And in reflecting on such amorous pursuits, we’ll discover the same excitement, joy, fear, uncertainty, insecurity and betrayal that accompanies “true love”.

Duck and cover people ’cause here comes Cupid’s arrow.

Part I – “You Had Me At Hello”

Like so many affairs of the heart, it all started innocently enough. You weren’t looking to get into any kind of serious relationship right now. Sure, things weren’t going so well with your current beau, but you’d been with them for sometime and didn’t want to jump into the proverbial frying pan. What if things could be worked out? They could change, couldn’t they? And if they couldn’t, maybe you could change, right?

Well, maybe. And maybe not. So you decided to casually surf the net and check out the scene. Some of your friends had found some good relationships online, so what harm would it cause to read some ads and casually drop a few messages. You know, test the waters a bit. 

But as we all know, once the heart checks out, it’s hard to check back in.

What was once casual becomes more earnest as some of these sites and profiles get your blood pumping. You find yourself searching all the time, customizing messages to try and woo potential suitors. You entice them with a two-page teaser, matching exactly what they’re looking for against your own past. In order to make a better first impression, you spruce up your own profile a bit. A little embellishment never hurt anyone, right? Plus, once they get to know the “real you”, they’ll forgive a few exaggerations.

Then it happens. An email arrives asking for a time to chat. Sure you’re available on Tuesday at 3pm, no problem. Talking isn’t cheating, right?

The day arrives and this is your chance to really wow them. The nervous excitement is palpable as you answer the phone. Deep breath!

“Hello.”

You try and remain slightly distant, professional; remain measured in your tone and answers. The last thing you want is to appear desperate. But boy, don’t they sound nice? Sure, you’d be happy to talk about your five year plan. Self-reflection? Absolutely no problem sharing your likes, dislikes, hopes and dreams. You allow yourself a few sly smiles and when they ask for another call, you do a little happy dance.

Then, after talking on the phone several more times, you decide to meet….

Pray-tell, what will happen next?? Stay tuned for Part II in our series soon, and let’s keep the hearts aflutter and the conversation going.