Morning After

In the book I am writing about the Judas Spirit and its role in betrayal in the office setting, I include a chapter that has a working title of "The Morning After." Essentially it looks at the ramifications that acts of betrayal have on all of those concerned. The research that I have done on this subject has shown me that the consequences of betrayal typically approximate the magnitude of the act. The greater the impact on the betrayed the greater the impact on all those around.

I liken this effect to the scene in the movie "Apocalypse Now," where Robert Duval's character says that he loves the smell of napalm in the morning. He goes on to say that, "it smells like victory." Anyone who lived through the Viet Nam War era knows a little about napalm, particularly the fact that its devastating effects are not limited to those who are targeted. So is the case with betrayal.

Last week, I had no further to look for an example of this than the Las Vegas Sun which ran a story about Mary Kay Peck the former city manager for Henderson being fired. While the comments that followed the article varied with some wanting to grant the woman sainthood and others wanting her burned at the stake, one thing was apparent, at least to those of us who have worked with her. Her demise was an example of one reaping what she had sown. On a minor scale, I had been the victim of her treachery so I have first hand experience of her m.o. Others who had been more recently victimized by her backstabbing spoke out and went to the people that could do something about it. Mary Kay paid the ultimate workplace price with a public beheading. What she had done to others came full circle back to her.

Having moved on from the City of Henderson many years ago, I had already forgiven her for what she had done to me. However, I took comfort knowing that God is a God of justice and what we do to others He will do to us. God in His mercy forgives and yet He also allows us to suffer the consequences of our sins. So is the case with Ms. Peck.

The lessons from observing this case emphasize the hurt and the widespread effects of those who practice betrayal. They also serve to drive my desires to finish my book so I can play a role in helping those hurt by betrayal learn to forgive and move on.

If you have a story about betrayal in the workplace that you would like to have considered for inclusion in the book, I would love to read it. Please email it to me at betrayalintheoffice@yahoo.com.