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Ms. Lippard:
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Hello, Doctor Balis.
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Dr. Balis:
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Hello, Katherine.
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Ms. Lippard:
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Well, I talked to Jake.
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Dr. Balis:
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And?
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Ms. Lippard:
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And we're getting married!
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Dr. Balis:
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What?
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Ms. Lippard:
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Yeah. We had a good talk about our relationship and about commitment, and we decided to get married. It's happening in June.
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Dr. Balis:
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This is a surprise.
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Ms. Lippard:
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More than you know. Doctor Balis, what day is it?
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Dr. Balis:
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It's Wednesday. Why?
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Ms. Lippard:
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Wednesday?
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Dr. Balis:
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Wednesday, April First...oh.
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Ms. Lippard:
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Gotcha!
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Dr. Balis:
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Yes, you did. I wasn't expecting an April Fool's joke from you.
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Ms. Lippard:
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No one does, it's so out of character. That's what makes it so effective. I've been having a blast at work.
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Dr. Balis:
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I can imagine.
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Ms. Lippard:
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Okay, I'm through with that for the day. Down to business. I did talk to Jake on Sunday.
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Dr. Balis:
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How did that go?
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Ms. Lippard:
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Not too bad, actually. I had my mind made up, so I was secure in the knowledge that I could stand my ground. And I handled it pretty well. Have you ever had to fire anyone?
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Dr. Balis:
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No, I haven't. I'm sure it's not easy.
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Ms. Lippard:
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Well, it's never pleasant, but anything gets easier with practice. If you're careful, you can make the employee see that it's the best thing for him and for the company. And if it's not, then you shouldn't be letting him go in the first place.
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Dr. Balis:
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So you used these arguments with Jake?
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Ms. Lippard:
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Well, I used those skills with Jake. We sat down together and evaluated the relationship, enumerating the strong and weak points, and we agreed that we weren't a long-term prospect. And so we decided that we may as well not bother to continue.
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Dr. Balis:
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How did he take that?
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Ms. Lippard:
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Fine. Almost too well.
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Dr. Balis:
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What do you mean?
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Ms. Lippard:
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I'm chagrined to find that I'm a little disappointed about how well he took it. He was sad that it had to end, but he said he suspected he wasn't going to be able to hold on to me much longer. He said he was thrilled to be in love with me for a while, but he knew all along that he was out of his league. That's just how he put it. It was all very civil.
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Dr. Balis:
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Hmm. So what's disappointing about that?
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Ms. Lippard:
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I think I'd feel better if it would have broken his heart a little. Is that mean?
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Dr. Balis:
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That depends. How would that have been better?
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Ms. Lippard:
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I guess I'd feel more like it was worth it, like it was more real, like he was as invested in this as I was.
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Dr. Balis:
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But Jake's lack of investment was part of why you left him.
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Ms. Lippard:
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Yeah, okay. I just want to know that losing me is a real loss. That I'm not just another woman to him.
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Dr. Balis:
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But you're not just another woman. You're a successful, educated, intelligent woman--you have a lot to offer to a man. You're sensitive and caring. You're willing to make a deep investment in the right relationship. These are values you have, that you know about. It seems like Jake's inability to see that was part of the problem.
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Ms. Lippard:
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If he can't see what a great thing he had, that's his shortcoming.
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Dr. Balis:
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Exactly.
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Ms. Lippard:
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Wait a minute. He did know; he said so. He said I was a great woman and he was sorry he wasn't able to hold onto me.
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Dr. Balis:
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Do you think Jake didn't feel strongly enough to put forth the necessary effort to preserve the relationship?
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Ms. Lippard:
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No, that's not it. We just don't fit. He was trying, too. And we might have made it work. But it would have been just settling, for both of us. Neither of us is the other's ideal mate. But I still feel a loss.
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Dr. Balis:
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Tell me about that.
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Ms. Lippard:
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It was a comfortable relationship. But I didn't expect to be sad after it was over. I thought it would just end. Now, I find I miss him.
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Dr. Balis:
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Are you having second thoughts?
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Ms. Lippard:
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No, not really. I know I did the right thing. I guess I don't really miss Jake as much as the relationship. Actually, I suppose I won't be missing him at all. We agreed that just because we're not meant to be a couple doesn't mean we don't like each other. So we might hang out together some time. I did enjoy the hang gliding, and hiking. We might do some more of that stuff together.
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Dr. Balis:
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So you're still friends.
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Ms. Lippard:
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I hope so. If I can pull it off.
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Dr. Balis:
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Have you ever had this opportunity before?
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Ms. Lippard:
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No. I've only had the one other serious relationship. Oh, hey. I wonder why I didn't notice that before?
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Dr. Balis:
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What?
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Ms. Lippard:
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Back in college, I was in love with this guy named Andrew. This man I just met, his name is Andrew, and he's associated with a college. What a coincidence. Or is it a pattern?
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Dr. Balis:
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Do you see Andrew as a romantic interest?
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Ms. Lippard:
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Gee, I don't think so. I never considered it.
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Dr. Balis:
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Is he much like your previous Andrew?
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Ms. Lippard:
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Not much. Not at all, really. That one was more like Jake--adventurous and athletic. Okay, forget it. I got dependent on that first Andrew, and he took off for an adventure. I didn't get dependent on Jake, and I dumped him. And we may still be friends. And the new Andrew is nothing like either of them. So I'm not following a pattern, never mind.
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Dr. Balis:
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Okay. So are you happy with how things are now with Jake?
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Ms. Lippard:
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So far. It wasn't as ugly as it could have been. And we may remain friends. That would be nice.
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Dr. Balis:
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Good.
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Ms. Lippard:
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Okay. So, I'm still learning the lessons of Frank. I've moved all the day-to-day office responsibilities to Jeff, and I'm even going to get him involved in the upcoming insurance renegotiation. Now I know why executives are so hard to reach in the office.
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Dr. Balis:
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Why is that?
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Ms. Lippard:
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Because they're not there. If there's nothing big on the burner, there's nothing to do. So they play golf, they vacation, they network. Right now, there's this one big project that's been taking a lot of time...this reminds me, I have another clipping for you, Doctor.
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Dr. Balis:
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Katherine, what is this about?
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Ms. Lippard:
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Well, ask yourself: why do executives at a company suddenly start buying all its stock? Why does a company burn through its cash reserves in its profit sharing plan to buy its own stock?
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Dr. Balis:
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That's not what I was talking about. Why this sudden interest in my knowing what SII is up to in the market?
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Ms. Lippard:
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I'm just trying to do you a favor. You've done so much for me, I'd like to be able to do something for you, too. This could be a tremendous buying opportunity.
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Dr. Balis:
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I see. Are you taking advantage of this?
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Ms. Lippard:
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I can't. I know what's going on; it would be insider trading. But I haven't told you anything, I've just shown you articles that are already in print and are public knowledge. if you read the papers and make the decision on your own...
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Dr. Balis:
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I see. Thank you for the advice. I'll make this decision on my own.
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Ms. Lippard:
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Good. So I was talking about work. Once this project is completed, I'll have plenty of time on my hands. I'll network, I'll work at the Alliance. And I've discovered Social Venture Partners. It's a socially responsible, philanthropic, venture capital firm. They teach people how to be philanthropists and also provide venture capital for socially responsible businesses. I think I'll join.
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Dr. Balis:
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That sounds good.
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Ms. Lippard:
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Yeah. I think Daddy would like it--his daughter is using her wealth and expertise to help out society.
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Dr. Balis:
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I'm sure he would. Katherine, this is not the first time you've mentioned how your father would feel about what you're doing with your life. I think this bears further investigation.
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Ms. Lippard:
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You do, huh?
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Dr. Balis:
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Yes. It seems to be a recurring theme. Why do you think it continues to be important to you to have your father's approval?
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Ms. Lippard:
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I thought we covered this. It's natural to want approval, particularly from people who are important to you.
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Dr. Balis:
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Certainly. But I sense there's more to this than that.
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Ms. Lippard:
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Okay, there probably is. But I don't think there's time for that right now. Next time, okay?
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Dr. Balis:
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I'm going to hold you to that.
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Ms. Lippard:
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Okay. Do you think I should play my April Fool's joke on Alex?
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Dr. Balis:
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Maybe you should feel him out a little first.
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Ms. Lippard:
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Yeah, he does tend to come in here kind of tense. Okay, until next time.
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Dr. Balis:
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Good night, Katherine.
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###
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Doctor Balis' Notes on this Session
Transcripts of Katherine Lippard's Communications
