It's not like that

No, there’s nothing of a personal nature going on. It’s strictly professional. The man I work for is extremely busy, always in motion and hard to pin down because of the many demands on his time. Everybody knows this. So, aside from a few minutes of conversation here and there, about the only time I can really talk with him about work and the many new projects he is launching is over lunch.

Feeling like I owe an explanation

We go to lunch—they’re working lunches—often and this gets the rumor mills going. He’s the one who asks me to join him for lunch to go over business matters. It’s not unusual, however, for me to hear “Lunch with the boss, again!” or “Well aren’t you lucky!” from coworkers when I return from these midday outings. My usual reply is “We got a lot of work done!” These coworkers make me feel like I owe them an explanation, which, I realize, I don’t, but I offer one anyway.

I know that office politics and jealousies are a part of the job. I learned this in just about every job I’ve held, not matter how menial. What I didn’t realize is that I could be the source of rumors just for doing my job. And I don’t like it.

Smiles and salads

I’m a novice at being a professional, but I’ve already learned in a short three months that I can’t control others’ opinions of me and what I do. I can only do what I’m supposed to do to get my job done. If this means lunch meetings with my boss, who is enthusiastic about the work we’re doing together and has done a fine job serving as my mentor, then lunch it is. My responsibility is to the person I work for—who, coincidently, is the same person they work for.

I have learned the hard way to try to keep my focus and my smile when the comments come. And to continue to appreciate the wisdom given to me, along with a salad, by my boss.