A while back I received this anguished email:
“Hi there, I currently work in a busy office environment. I enjoy my job; it’s absorbing, challenging, and there are good opportunities for me to progress. My only problem is that I don’t get on with my immediate boss. She’s demanding, controlling and always finding fault. I can’t report her for bullying as her behaviour stops short of abuse and she is well-liked and respected by management. Please help me understand how to handle her.”
Queen of Swords Characteristics
This woman sounds like a classic Queen of Swords - she expects the same high standards from others that she demands from herself. Her unshakable self-belief often blinds her to the effect she has on her colleagues. She’s tough and ambitious; she has a job or a goal to achieve and she thinks that everyone around her has the same aims in mind. Her criticisms can be harsh, her decisions unwieldy. She rarely concedes an argument.
Her superiors recognise that she is effective at her job and are reluctant to interfere, even if she is a bit of a control freak. They, frankly, are probably nervous of upsetting her.
The Queen of Swords has many positive characteristics: she is forthright, concise, astute, meticulous, truthful, candid, and objective. Of course, these same characteristics cause her to set the bar very high for her ‘subjects’.
On a bad day, the Queen of Swords is nit-picky, querulous, irritable, bossy, demanding and over-controlling. Her poor underlings have to bear the brunt of her bad mood. It’s very likely that the writer of the email above shares a code with her co-workers to warn the others what sort of temper she is in.
The Softer Side of the Queen of Swords
As well as their overarching suit characteristics, all the tarot Queens are defined by a secondary element - water. Therefore, it’s quite useful to know that beneath her steely surface, the Queen of Swords has a softer, empathic side. She mostly chooses to keep it hidden, but if you know it’s there, you can tap into it. Air (Swords) and water (Cups) can combine to make steam, or bubbles. It’s good to think of this Queen as being ‘bubbly’. It’s just a question of getting her to show that fun side.
Often, all it takes for a Queen of Swords to soften is time. She is adept at presenting her public face, but even she needs friendship and empathy occasionally. You could find that she lowers her guard during an office outing, party or some other situation where the daily office rules are relaxed. Be careful, though, that you don’t overstep the mark - when you return to normal working resume your usual demeanour - don’t assume you are now best buddies. She will determine whether the relationship will become friendlier. Or not.
How to Please a Queen of Swords
If the employee gains her respect by carrying out assigned tasks, doing more than is asked of them and making sure their work is error-free, she may single that person out for favourable treatment. She is likely to recommend them for promotion, and perhaps go a little easier on them because she trusts them. So letting your Queen of Swords boss see you making an effort is worthwhile. However, never, ever suck up to her. She cannot stand sycophantic behaviour.
Your Queen of Swords boss has the capability of seeing both sides of an issue. She will appreciate you asking for her advice as long as it is not something trivial that you could work out for yourself. Don’t waste her time. However, if you have a knotty problem, then she will help you unravel it and make sense of it. In fact, she loves a mental challenge.
Her main requirement is that her workers be completely truthful with her. If you make a mistake, own up to it. Go to her and admit it before she discovers it for herself. After throwing a fit, she will appreciate your courage and honesty. She will not tolerate a liar or a person who won’t admit their errors, so be up front with her and it will pay off. On the other hand, do not report your co-workers for a less than stellar performance - our Queen can see right through anyone attempting to push blame onto others. Trust and loyalty are very important to the Queen of Swords.
Mirroring the Queen of Swords
Taking on some of the character traits of a Queen of Swords in an honest way, will earn dividends. If she recognizes some of herself in another person, she is likely to reach a place of mutual respect quite quickly. She prefers you to stand up for yourself than to roll over in submission. If you have the courage, you can disagree with her on an issue. She may become angry but, given time, she will see that you are right and will acknowledge it. You must keep your objection firmly on the matter at hand and not let it degrade into a personal battle of wills. You’ll never win.
It’s Good to have a Queen of Swords in Charge
Working for her is harder than for ‘normal’ bosses. However, your department will be top, performance-wise. You will gain a good reputation if you can work well with a Queen of Swords. You will also gain invaluable experience and learn to make decisions. You will always know where you stand. Your efforts will be noted and you will be looked on favourably when opportunities for promotion come along.
Getting along with a Queen of Swords boss is a test of your own character - are you up for the challenge?
Note: Originally published by the author at Lunar Café.
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