I’m Right On Top Of That, Rose

Filed Under Business Etiquette, Everyday Tips, People Skills, Communication

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Even those of you who, like me, grew up in the 80’s probably won’t get the obscure reference above. For those of you who do, I congratulate you on your taste in movies. Obviously, we share a similar appreciation of fine culture.

Just in case “I’m right on top of that, Rose!” means nothing to you, let me explain:

This quote is from the classic and widely under-appreciated film, “Don’t Tell Mom, The Babysitter’s Dead,” wherein Christina Applegate (the 80’s icon of “Married with Children” fame) is forced to get a real job when the babysitter that was taking care of her and her siblings for the summer, up and dies. She ends up faking her resume to get a job as the assistant to a big-wig in the fashion industry. Many fabulous 80’s outfits and hairdo’s later, Christina Applegate finds herself in over her head at the office. The only thing that saves her when her boss barks orders at her is this simple phrase – “I’m right on top of that Rose!” Even if she has no idea what she’s doing, she gives her boss a sense of peace and confidence by saying this one beautiful line.

Of course, eventually Rose realizes that Ms. Applegate is definitely NOT on top of it. After that, there’s a big kerfuffle with a semi-cute 80’s guy and an outrageous fashion show that rocks my world to this day, but Christina Applegate is still out of a job. The end of the movie sees her going to college or something like that. I don’t really remember. The main thing I remember is that line. It so beautifully describes a trap I fall into at times – and you probably do too, whether you recognize it or not.

Let’s call this I’m Right on Top of That, Rose Syndrome.

I’m Right on Top of That, Rose Syndrome is the feeling that you just want to make your boss happy. So you tell him exactly what he wants to hear, reinforce his confidence in you, and make him believe you are two steps ahead of them….even when you’re not.

For me, the problem stems from one thing: I hate to ask questions. I sort of feel like I should know everything. Silly, I know. But there you have it. Even worse, I think my boss expects me to know everything. I’m supposed to read his mind. I’m supposed to know what he’s thinking even before he’s thought it. This is why it’s so tempting to whip out “I’m right on top of that, Rose” when something catches me by surprise. It’s so easy to just say, “Yes, I’ve got that under control”. Even when it’s not true, it makes the issue go away for a minute. In fact, Christina Applegate was able to get away with it for quite a while. Rose thought she was on top of everything. Christina never stopped to ask questions, get clarification or ask for guidance. She was too afraid she’d be discovered for being a fake.

But you know what? Rose figured it out. They always do. And maybe if Christina Applegate had just slowed down and asked for help, she’d have gotten a bit more done. Of course, it’s only a movie. But it really demonstrates a key problem for assistants and it teaches us a valuable lesson: kicking things under the rug won’t get the job done. Don’t gloss over things you don’t understand just to keep the peace and prevent it being discovered that (shock!) you don’t know everything. In the end, it will only cause trouble. And even Christina Applegate couldn’t talk her way out of the problems she caused by letting Rose think she had everything under control when she didn’t.

So think about your patterns. Do you ever suffer from I’m Right on Top of That, Rose Syndrome? Why do you do it? How has it worked out for you?

I’m interested to know what others think about this. Please share your thoughts!!

If you liked that post, then try these...

How to Build Credibility as a Young or New Professional by Chrissy on March 25th, 2008

Are You Using the Sandwich? by Chrissy on March 14th, 2008

Be A Better Boss! by Chrissy on February 5th, 2008

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Comments

4 Responses to “I’m Right On Top Of That, Rose”

amanda on February 7th, 2008 10:44 pm

I think you’re mostly right on here - it’s a bad idea to pretend you’ve got everything under control when that’s the furthest thing from the truth. However, I think there can sometimes be an expediency to pulling an “I’m right on top of that, Rose.” I do it when my boss asks about something that just hasn’t gotten done yet - not because I don’t know how or there’s some sort of problem, just because there really isn’t time for everything. Her asking tells me that this is something that needs to be a higher priority than I’ve assigned it, which I’m now aware of and I can adjust accordingly without needing to having a long conversation about priorities.
Lorraine on February 8th, 2008 1:23 am

I knew exactly what you were referring to before needing to read your text! And I agree with your sentiments of the film! Although I remember the phrase coming about because when Rose hired her she was asked to shout that line out whenever Rose’s boss (or whenever needed) was breathing down their necks.

Thank you also for reminding me how old the film is
Richard Rinyai on February 9th, 2008 12:19 pm

I let my boss know that I will try to figure things out on my own before I start asking any questions, unless I know there is something I need to ask right away. This way, I am showing initiative, which she loves and will learn the end result much better, since I took it upon myself to try to do it.

Thanks,

Richard Rinyai
www.theprofessionalassitant.net
lar3ry on May 13th, 2008 7:40 am

I think you need to see the movie again.

Rose instructs Sue Ellen to say that phrase.

I don’t have the entire movie memorized, but when Sue Ellen first starts to work for Rose, Rose tells her “Oh, and one more thing, if I ever ask you for something when I’m with a client, no matter what it is, I want you to say, ‘I’m right on top of that, Rose.’” That instruction was followed by another memorable line: “Don’t feel overwhelmed, just do one thing at a time.”

With regard to Sue Ellen’s work ethic, I’d like to point out that she did ask questions. The first time she did so, Carolyn was a bitch to her. Undeterred, she asked the next person to come in, and that’s when she learned to delegate the QED reports. Finally, near the end of the movie, Sue Ellen personally took charge of designing the new uniforms while Rose was simply sitting in her office impotently with her head in her hands.

She was more successful at her job than you give her credit for.