Having a rough time with a “heavy hitter” at work? 
          Does this person sign your payroll check?  Are you physically or politically intimidated?  Do your hands shake and your blood pressure take off like an F-15 when he/she enters your work space?
          Let’s face it, to pick a fight with a “power person” is something like calling the IRS with a dare to audit you this year. 
          Power people threaten us because we believe they suck all the power out of us when they arrive.  We see the landscape between us denuded of anywhere to hide.  The “agent orange” of positional power has left us with no options.
          Let’s begin here.  The assumption that you have no choices is a crock.  There is no truth in it.
          You and I always have choices and the ultimate decision could be to kiss Mr./Ms. Power good-by.  Come on, life is just too short to go into work and have to spend hours in a restroom either hiding or dealing with stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome.
          Once you realize this whole “victim” thing is not true, it is time to craft a plan.
          First, decide if the conflict is personal or professional?  If it is professional, you are home free.  You can always disagree about process, timing and outcomes.  Hey, it is just business, so there is no big deal.
          If it is personal, you will need to determine what has been “triggered” in you when you and the power person connect.  Normally this person probably has a history of walking all values that are sacred to you.  It is essential that you name this violated value(s) because you will need this information in the very near future.
          Second, arrange a meeting in neutral territory.  Make sure neither of you brings “turf” issues to the table.  This table has a ton of stuff on it already.
          Third, take the initiative with an opening statement that equates to an invitation.  It might sound like this, “I am concerned about the tone and content of our recent communication.  Let me be specific…”  Or, “When I heard (a fact or verbatim statement) in our one-on-one meeting last week, I felt (declare an emotion).  I am asking for clarification.”
          If you are not ready with a clear, assertive statement, I would bet my entire “Eagles” CD collection, this conversation’s next stop is Hades. 
          Fourth, if the person gives you no response or “I don’t know what you are talking about,” or “Hey, it is obvious you have a problem, not me,” respond with, “I don’t share your perception.  Where do you think we should go from here?”
          Notice that I am fighting fair by constantly ending every verbal response with a question.  Questions mean answers and answers mean we will start talking to each other.  I want to let the person know I will not be intimidated, cajoled or frightened into silence.
          I’m the first one to openly admit there are liabilities to fair fighting with a power person. 
          It seems to me, though, that the greater risk is to mutter and moan our way into retirement, whisper at coffee break and die an early death because anger ate us alive.