There are a few problems here. The new hire is obviously very good and does your job better than you. You show a willingness to learn from him, but you want to keep your job. That's logical.

Are you on his team? Are you a direct or dotted-line report? This is important to clarify, not just to you, but to him. Because he may see you as a representative of the Old Guard.

What this sounds like to me is that someone at C level management has decided that Something More is needed -- sizzle as well as steak -- and gotten it through: thus, the Wunderkind's hiring.

If you're both guys, my guess is that the newcomer is younger than you. Same if you're female, in which case, you've got covert ageism and sexism, feeling past your work and being passed over for "the boy." Cary is right in that you need to consider your long-term psychological reaction as well as your reaction as a long-term employee of this company.

Overall, I agree with his and your read. This isn't a situation for someone who hasn't moved lately to move, and unless you can resolve this system by carrying this newcomer's water and learning to the extent your dignity can permit -- or unless he flames out (which will be perceived as partly your responsibility), I think it would be smart to develop some weapons of your own.

My guess is that if you've been in one place for so long, you definitely should polish your resume and start networking. Build a viable profile on LinkedIn and start renewing ties with old contacts. Get a few projects with your name on them. Make sure your portfolio projects are at home.

If it gets disagreeable, they're trying to make you so unhappy you will leave. DON'T. You've been there 15 years. Make them "package" you with substantial severance (harder if you're female; you'll get the "girl's share," which is less); COBRA, unemployment and insist, if you can, on several things: make THEM pay the COBRA for X months and get a decent outplacement firm like Right or Lee Hecht Harrison or some other recognizable firm however you can.

Do not hire a resume writer until you have a workable draft; outplacement will help you and serve the coaching function. No reason for you to pay for it.

Also, if you're bonus eligible, stay until you get your bonus.

If this is what's happening, it's going to be painful, but if this is war, think of it as your exit strategy.

Good luck. I've been here, and it purely sucks.

I have the honor of being a citizen of the country which you have just called a "nugget of shit."

No one is asking you to come here or, if you're here, you may certainly leave.

Yes, I can't believe that I just said "love it or leave it."

What I am really saying is this: if you can't show respect, show some damn manners.

She did a good job with the books; she's going to be talking about what she knows about; and if she's settling down and not partying hearty, good for her.

Privilege got her the position. Performance will determine if she keeps it.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but fair's fair. I didn't like it when they griped when McKinsey hired Chelsea right out of Stanford and Oxford (if I remember right).

Thank you for calling this to my attention. I spent two hours reading it last night on SMITH, and it's magnificent.

First, congratulations on growing yourself to the point where you want more and accept the fact that you deserve to have it. This is the essential change.

If you're feeling used and not giving your conversational "turns," you've gotten some good advice here, including the advice to open up more. You're a good listener: make sure you're listening for the words "but how are you doing?" followed by a pause. You may simply have glossed over it.

If you don't hear it, try to say "I need to talk with you about X in my life."

If they don't respond, they don't respond.

Whoever gave you the advice about developing new interests gave you excellent advice. You'll mention them in passing, and it will be something new, something startling to people used to the same old good listener. At this point, you can ask, "sure, it's fun. Want to come?"

If they do, you have something besides Saint Themselves to talk about, and be sure you do your share of it. If they don't, you have a new interest.

This is working for me.

After being expelled from Harvard, Teddy Kennedy served for two years in the U.S. Army. Then, having proved that he had mended his ways, he was readmitted to Harvard, graduated, and attended UVa Law School.

Also buried at Arlington are Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis and two of their children, one still-born, the other (Patrick), who lived just a day.

Learn the facts before you get off on your own malice, will you?

Teddy grew himself up morally and created an immense legacy.

You guys, if you'd been in his age group -- and in his league -- would have whined that he got all the hot chicks.

You don't care a damn about Mary Lou Kopechne. She'd have been someone to use them and she's someone to use now.

To me, THAT dishonors her memory.

Giant Basterd, if you want to get drunk and gross and disorderly at this online wake, set 'em up!

Bet me they'd have been after poor Ms. Kopechne...

It's truly disgusting to hear them use her to vilify a man who was a hundred times better than they -- and who pulled himself up by his moral bootstraps.