In short
How to respond at work when you’re initially praised like a “pet,” then reframed as a “threat” after higher performance.
Key claims
Don’t try to “go back to pet” by diminishing yourself; instead lean into your developed skills and knowledge. Collaborate with the boss by showing how your success reflects well on them, but recognize limits if you’re still treated as a threat. If the boss views you as a threat, other departments may value your growth—consider “testing the waters” elsewhere.
Notable examples
The “pet-to-threat” framing itself; switching departments after repeated threat treatment.
Guests
Not mentioned in the transcript.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VONavigating the Pet-to-Threat Transition
0:04 to 0:27
Understand how to handle the shift from being valued to being seen as a threat at work.
“It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks.”
Navigating the Pet-to-Threat Transition
0:56 to 1:56
Understand how to handle the shift from being valued to being seen as a threat at work.
“I think the instinct is to immediately try to go back to pet, which would be diminishing yourself.”
Navigating the Pet-to-Threat Transition
2:07 to 2:24
Understand how to handle the shift from being valued to being seen as a threat at work.
“Over 4 million businesses have skipped the line with Stamps.com.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:01This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome, that's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required. Compatibility and availability varies 18+. Listen to the heartbeat. Chevy is called the heartbeat of America for a reason. With SUVs made to move with your rhythm.
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1:14And I would say under no circumstances do that. You should lean into the things you've developed and the skills you've learned and the knowledge you've gained. But I think, can you do that in a collaborative way with this person, right? Can you demonstrate how that you developing reflects well on them? They should see your success as their success. But there's also a limit. And if you're going to be seen as a threat and you're going to get treated as a threat, there may be, it may be time to think about, is there another department? Yes. Hear, hear. That's what I was thinking. Yeah. If your boss now sees you as a threat, others in the organization probably see how you've grown.
1:56And it may be time to sort of go test the waters. Still waiting in line? Again? That's time you'll never get back. Save time and money with Stamps.com. Over 4 million businesses have skipped the line with Stamps.com. Join them to save up to 90 % off carrier rates from your computer or phone right now. Print postage for certified mail, registered mail, and packages in seconds. Then schedule a pickup right from your home or office. For a limited time, go to stamps.com and use code podcast for a free welcome gift. Taxes and fees apply.
From the publisher
Responding to the "Pet-to-Threat" Treatment
23 Oct 2024
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Have you ever felt like you’ve been so good at accomplishing your work goals that your boss suddenly sees you as a threat? Women at Work co-hosts Amy Gallo and Amy Bernstein have some tactics for dealing with “pet-to-threat” scenarios like this.
Listen to HBR’s Women at Work podcast for more advice from Amy and Amy. Season 10 starts October 21. In the meantime, the show’s feed has six years’ worth of episodes to scroll through, on all sorts of skills and topics.
Listen here: https://s.hbr.org/4hiuKbl
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