11/06/2026
I'm still just so dumbfounded.
Ageist. Racist. Controlling. Cheap.
These were the accusations flung at me. To my face, even, as I sat across from this individual.
Now, I'm all for constructive feedback. If I've done something wrong, tell me. If there's something I can do better, I'm willing to listen.
But these adjectives? Just asinine.
And so completely out of left field.
To this day, I still have no idea where they came from.
I mean, if you know me, you know none of those things accurately describe me. And if we're going to throw around outrageous accusations, do I need to point out the obvious? Those last two? HELLO. Antisemitic tropes aren't exactly a good look, either.
But here's the real problem.
This gal DIDN'T know me. At all.
She'd had maybe two brief interactions with me during meetings. Beyond that, she knew NOTHING about me, my character, my values, or how I operate.
Yet somehow, she'd arrived at these sweeping conclusions.
And, as I later learned, these weren't just things being said to my face. They were being discussed behind the scenes with other people I worked with, too.
With everything else going on right now (IYKYK), this was the absolute last thing I needed on my plate. I may be strong, but damn if I'm tired.
Here's the thing, folks.
I'm perfectly okay with someone not liking me. We're not all going to be everybody's cup of tea. That's life.
But if you don't like me, at least have a legitimate reason. Don't manufacture one. And certainly don't invent character flaws or make outrageous accusations to justify your feelings.
There's a HUGE difference between having an opinion about someone and deliberately trying to destroy their reputation.
Spreading misinformation, making baseless accusations, and recruiting others to turn against someone says far more about YOUR character than it ever will about theirs.
And here's a lesson worth remembering:
Your reputation is one of your most valuable professional assets. You don't build yours by tearing someone else's down.
In fact, when you resort to this kind of behavior, you risk doing exactly the opposite of what you intended. People notice. They remember. And eventually, they start questioning your credibility, too.
I suppose I get it. Insecurity doesn't always sound like, "I don't like myself."
Sometimes, it sounds like constantly finding something wrong with somebody else.
Introspection is hard. Accountability is hard. Taking responsibility for your own behavior is hard.
But people who are genuinely comfortable with themselves don't need to tear other people apart to feel better about who they are.
So, let me leave you with this:
Lie all you want about me. Continue to make baseless accusations. Keep digging.
The people who actually know me aren't buying it.
Cream ALWAYS rises to the top. ⭐
And eventually, the truth has a funny way of finding its way out.
As for those who participated, encouraged it, or stood by while it happened? Don't be surprised when your own reputations suffer the consequences.
Because here's another thing I've learned:
How you treat people, especially when you think nobody is watching, says everything about you.
And THAT is the legacy you leave behind.
