Empires

There are empire builders one encounters in the work and other worlds. The EBs are well-meaning individuals who consider their mission in life, is to improve everyone else's. They feel they have the key to "the way it should be done" and proceed to make sure that everyone within their powers, does it that way. Or else. Working with an EB is challenging. Tolerance and patience are  the key. Eventually, although these kinds make your life miserable as they can if you don't bend to their will and ways, they will be found out and their reign ended. If you have been trod upon by this sort, the only solution is waiting and putting up with. It is pointless to point out their motives because they are convinced that their way is the only way. They come off as being kindly and generous. Their offers to invite you into their circle of notables is enticing and you feel gratified to be part of it. But, it is the first step in being a subject of their empire. From that moment on, if you continue, you must come and go as they wish, how they wish. "Ride with me to the event or meeting" is one example of the control. You will meet them when they desire, and are moved about according their dictates. Then comes the matter of working with them, but only in their way. Their favorite line is "Well, I don't do it that way. This is the way I do it." Out of gratitude, you do it the way they want you to but secretly you prefer your own way. Later on, you overhear them tell fellow workers how they have taken a deal of time to show you how to do things well, but you are still learning. By then, you begin to realize what you have got yourself into. It's hard to get out. Fortunately, there is light at the end of the tunnel when they elevate themselves through their "extreme generosity" to higher levels of accomplishment and you are, mercifully, left to go about matters the way you know best. The next time someone reaches out to be helpful, you think it over carefully and hazard being called jaded or paranoiac or cynical and do it YOUR way. For you, it's the best way.