If you read my last post, you know that I would have loved a chance to coach Nick, Dale, and Kurt, the three protagonists in the comedy “Horrible Bosses.”

If you’re not familiar with this dark comedy, these three men decide the only way to deal with their job problems is to kill their bosses. Somehow, the movie makes us sympathetic to these homicidal employees.

So how would I have coached Nick, the character played by Jason Bateman?

Me: So, Nick, what would you like to talk about today?

Nick (calmly): My boss. My mean, sadistic, jerk of a boss.

Me: Sounds like a challenging situation. You deserve credit for staying so calm while talking about it.

Nick: Yeah, well, I know what to do about it. So that part’s okay. I’m just having some disagreements with my friends about how to go about it.

Me: Well, you know, Nick, we coaches believe that you, the client, have the answers within you. You know best how to deal with this situation.

Nick: Thank you! I wish my friends could appreciate that.

Me: The important thing is that you appreciate it. So how can I help you today?

Nick: Well, like I said, I know how to handle the situation. I’m just getting stuck on the details.

Me: So what’s your plan?

Nick: I’m going to kill that &*(*&^ing *(&$#@& excuse for a *&%$#*^%ing boss!

Me (nervous laughter): Yes, Nick. It’s good to let the anger out. Now, seriously, what’s your plan?

Nick: I am serious. I’m just having a lot of trouble figuring it out. It’s not like I go around killing people. I’m a good guy. So I don’t know how to kill anyone.

Me: Yes, Nick, that’s understandable. Most of us don’t know how to kill anyone. Thank goodness.

Nick: Well, I feel stuck. I feel blocked. I don’t know how to take the next step. I think maybe I need an action item, a baby step.

Me: To help you move forward towards your goal of killing your boss?

Nick: Exactly!

Me: Nick, what’s the real problem here?

Nick: My boss is a jerk.

Me: And how does that affect your life?

Nick: Let’s see, he tricked me into drinking at 8:15am. He dangled a promotion in front of me, then gave it to himself. And when I threatened to quit, he said he’d never write a letter of recommendation for me.

Me: It’s understandable that you’d want to – um – get this guy out of your life. In some way. What are some ways you could do that?

Nick: I just told you. I could kill him.

Me: Yes, but what other alternatives do you have? Just so that you’re not tied to just one idea that could get you life in prison and possibly the death penalty.

Nick (thinking): I know! I could kill myself.

Me: Okay, let’s try something a little different. Something without any death in it. How did you get this job?

Nick: The usual way. I sent out a resume and a cover letter, did the interview thing, and got the offer.

Me: Okay, so how could you use that information to help you consider another possible alternative for getting your boss out of your life?

Nick: Sorry, you’re losing me here, Coach.

Me: Resume, cover letter, interview. Getting your boss out of your life. Any thoughts?

Nick: Oh, I think I get it. I can’t apply for another job. I told you, Harken won’t write me a letter of recommendation.

Me: And what kind of letter of recommendation did your last boss write you when you applied for this job?

Nick: Seriously, Coach, it’s not like I told the last company I was looking for a job. This company didn’t expect me to ……..oooooooohhhhhhhh! I do see another alternative!

Me (huge sigh of relief): That’s great Nick! Good job!

Nick: Although I have gotten kind of attached….no, you’re right. Wow, thanks. This was great! I’m going to recommend you to two of my friends!

Me: Oh, thank you!

Nick: Yeah, you’d be perfect for them. They want to kill their bosses too.

Me: Actually, I’m kind of booked up.

Stay tuned, because Nick is going to send Dale into my office next, whether I like it or not…