How to use the 12 Steps to deal with difficult bosses and stay sober.
In sobriety I had a manager who was extremely hostile, and working under her suppressive thumb was very, very difficult.
I recently left, and now I’m working in an environment that is exactly the opposite — supportive, encouraging, kind, professional. It’s awesome, and I can’t believe I stayed at my previous job as long as I did.
Having said that…
Here are some of the principles we learn through the 12 steps:
- we admit powerlessness
- we practice genuine humility
- we let go of self-centeredness and self-seeking motives
- we surrender continually to a Power greater than ourselves
- we deal with resentments as soon as possible
- we keep our side of the street clean
- we practice self-honesty, honesty with others, and honesty with God.
- we take responsibility
- we let go of character defects
- we make amends
- we pray for those who harm us
- we practice patience and tolerance and we avoid contention
- we pray throughout the day and ask God to help us and guide us.
- we right our wrongs as soon as possible, every day
- we focus on helping others
I never had to drink while I worked for Ms. Hostility, because the power to not drink comes from God. Some days, the serenity prayer got me through the day. Some days I went home in tears and cried myself to sleep — but I didn’t drink, no matter what. I did a lot of writing while I worked for her, and I discussed my difficulties with my sponsor constantly. (She’s SO happy I don’t work there any more!)
She taught me how to apply the principles of the 12-steps to my relationship with this horrible supervisor. I paid close attention to my resentments because I knew they would hurt me more than they would hurt her.
A person cannot “drive us to drink” because God is more powerful than that person.
I hope there’s something I’ve written that will be helpful to you.
Karen
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