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Just like spouses who can’t hope to compete with a new mate’s deceased husband or wife, now that the former “perfect” exhibit manager is gone, even her negative attributes will fade away, as people will only remember the halo over her head.
Make a concerted effort to avoid discussing her past failures or even her accomplishments with co-workers because that will only trigger resentment or the inevitable — and probably unflattering — comparison to you. When others bring her up in conversation, be sure to only have positive things to say, such as, “I’m glad you had Susan here to take us this far along in the department. Now it’s our job to take it to the next level.” Or, “I appreciate the job she did in getting us to this point. The best way to respect her effort is to continue the success.” That way, you link your team’s future success with you to their past with her.
While replacing a trade show superstar can prove challenging, the trick is to not acknowledge her reputation as competition for your own. As one of the characters said on the crime drama “The Wire,” “The game is rigged, but you cannot lose if you do not play.” While the show’s character was talking about the down and dirty world of Baltimore politics, it’s just as true for the rough and tumble world of exhibiting.
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