Strength

[brad_chase]

Comments

[denise_bauer]

It seems to me that your colleagues subscribe to the notion that "Perception is reality." Unfortunately, most people do not want to take the time to go beyond the surface.

[brad_chase]

Admittedly, I've done the same to some of them. It's human nature. It's shorthand. It's a way to keep things superficial. I know it's not unique to me. Not to pry, but have you experienced being pigeonholed?

[denise_bauer]

Are you kidding? *Laughs* The biggest perception people have of me is that I am too confident for someone my age. I like to think of it as knowing what I want and going after it.

[brad_chase]

*nods* Focus can be a beautiful thing, provided one knows when to diplomatically go around a roadblock as opposed to running it over. Career Survival 101.

[denise_bauer]

Point well taken. If you don't mind me asking, where do you see your place at Crane, Poole and Schmidt?

[brad_chase]

*Feeling more at ease, Brad always appreciates someone asking his opinion - and being interested in him, in general* That's a tough one, Denise. I'd like to think it was for my talents as a litigator; however, there's an undercurrent of politics in this firm. Typical, granted, but nonetheless, unsettling.

[denise_bauer]

And when it comes to politics, it's impossible, even detrimental, to ignore. You are forced to play the game.

[brad_chase]

*nodding in agreement* I try, instead, to let my loyalty to an old friend guide me rather than playing the game. End results the same, though. *a sardonic smirk* Forgive me for sounding trite, but why can't we all just get along?

Are you a gamer?

[denise_bauer]

Gamer? I play games and I try to excel at all of them. It's called survival.

[brad_chase]

Denise, you're definitely on my team for Crane, Poole and Schmidt softball. Granted, we've yet to play. Shore's threatened to go Norma Rae on us if we make team-building exercises mandatory.