SHIMURE

The TAURUS Boss
　

"Haw the creatures order one about, and make one repeat lessons!"

"I sent to them again to say It will be better to obey."

You say you have one of those sweet Taurus bosses who never nags or fusses, and you don't need any advice or tips on how to handle that complacent, dear, docile creature? You have him just where you want him-in the palm of your hand? Well, you're certainly learning your Sun signs just in time to avoid a disaster. Before it's too late, you'd better memorize the one major rule for dealing with a Taurean executive: Don't try his patience too far.

It's a tougher rule than it seems. If he's a typical Taurus boss, he has such enormous patience, it's downright tempt*ing to try it. His manner is so peaceful and his disposition so spady, you're apt to think of him as "good old Mr. Bearimple." Then you'll start treating him like a nice, shag;y bear, who's a little stubborn perhaps, but kindly and perf
Yes, I know that Goldilocks got away with eating Papa Beai's porridge, sitting in his big chair, and napping on his »d. But bears are not bulls. Don't confuse your aninals. Just because they get them mixed up in the stoc1. market doesn't mean you should get them mixed up in tie office. Bears live in the woods, and sometimes go afte: honey. Bulls live on the farm, and sometimes go after pusly people. Bears can squeeze strangers hard in a spirit of fin, but they mean no harm. They're playful. Bulls can destoy trespassers and china shops in blind fury, on pur*pose. They're dangerous. End of zoology lesson.

T>day, you're safe. But who knows what tomorrow may brirs? It may bring you sudden regret that you tried the pati;nce of your Taurus boss too far. You may wish you hadi't imposed on his good nature with such casual confi*dent. It's not hard to see how you got on the wrong path. It bppens all the time to people who work for Taurean exeiutives. He's so meek and understanding when you turn in i letter that's sloppily typed, you may not bother to che;k your spelling too often afterwards. He's so consider*ate when you mess up the figures on your semiannual rep'rt, you may be a little careless with your math on otbr papers. Since he doesn't yell and glare at you when you take an extra half hour at lunch, you may try for an ixtra hour the next week, and gradually stretch it to twc hours. It's so easy to slide into a fool's paradise. Have yoi allowed yourself to drift into these lazy habits under the spell of your Taurean boss's easy-going personality anc quiet manner? You'd better hang one of those "Dan*ger-Ferocious Bull" signs (the kind you see out in the cointry) over your desk. It might save your life very sod, or at least your job, and sometimes one is pretty syonymous with the other. You can't very well say to yoir landlord, "I'm sorry I'm three months behind on my ret:, but I haven't found a new job yet. I got fired from my las one with no notice, because, you see, I had this boss wh> was born in May-and I didn't understand about the

Taurean temper because of the Venus rulership. It was that darned Venus that fooled me." If you find a landlord who won't give you an immediate eviction notice after that ex*planation, you must live in the land of Oz.

It's much easier to practice your Sun sign knowledge in the beginning. The reason your boss was so nice and un*ruffled when you typed that letter, made those mistakes in the report and lingered so long over your lunch hour, was not because he's a nice, shaggy bear pushover. Nor was it because he's too shy and timid to express his wishes or exert his authority. Frankly, he didn't see any point in em*barrassing you by making a big fuss over one or two or even a few goofs. He figured you had enough common sense (remember that phrase) not to repeat yourself like a broken record. He decided to watch you patiently to see if you were practical enough to profit by past errors on your own. Aye! There's the rub! His patience was care*fully calculated toward a definite purpose-to test you, and to give you a chance to prove your mettle. He admires people who learn the knack of disciplining themselves. He's a self-made man. Why shouldn't you be? He's willing to give you the opportunity.

He is determined to give everyone a fair break. He won't judge hastily. He won't expect miracles overnight, nor will he mind if you're a little slow in catching on to his methods and his very set procedures. You'll be given a chance to find your way around, and hell look the other way more than once if you stumble in the dark. But make no innocent, naive mistakes about his ultimate goal. He wants things done his way. His way could conceivably be the way things were done when the Smith Brothers got to*gether and decided to cure coughs, but to him, it's the tried and true, proven method. Besides those fellows still cure his coughs! As long as his methods keep making money, he's going to be loyal to them. He's willing to waste plenty of his huge supply of patience to find employees who fit his cement mold. However, once you've pressed his pa*tience too far, he will first balk, then snort in anger, and finally shout, "You're fired!"-possibly at the top of his lungs. (At least it will seem loud, because it will be so emphatic.) Your only warning will probably will be that he failed to answer your cheerful, unsuspecting, "Good morning," the previous day. Know beyond any doubt that he's not going to change his mind after he's decided to sack you. Nothing changes the Taurus mind, once it's made up. He may give you a generous slice of severance pay, because he doesn't want that cold-hearted landlord to throw you and your sick grandmother and the twelve chil*dren out in the snow. But he won't give you any more chances once he's firmly convinced himself that you're dead weight to the company he cherishes only a shade less than he does his wife. It's not that he is unkind. Your memory is short if you think that. His is not. Recall, as you read the classified ads for a new job, how kind he was for all those months when you were so carefully taking advantage of his faith in you.

The Taurean boss is a thoroughly practical soul. Al*though he needs to feel that his business allows him to ex*press the beauty in his nature creatively, he needs even more to succeed materially. Taurus men are never satisfied to run a small business. They want to build it into a pos*sible empire. The Taurus boss won't be content without some expansion, however minor. There will be no dra*matic, sweeping changes, and progress will proceed one step at a time. Hell build gradually, without flash or fan*fare, but he'll build. He sticks to anything he starts and finishes what he begins, and he'll expect you to do the same thing.

Don't try too many short cuts. He wants his facts plain, not fancy. Taurus bosses have no more patience with the art of gilding the lily than Capricorn executives. One of his favorite phrases will be, "Get to the point," but he'll say it without rancor or sarcasm. Lengthy preliminaries in ex*plaining ideas make him nervous, though he'll retain his outward immobility.

It will be frustrating when he refuses to budge an inch for your most exciting concepts, and when he won't let you try out that new system you read about in Fortune (or picked up from your brother-in-law, who's such a crackerjack promoter). Granted, sometimes he's wrong for refusing to listen to progressive ideas, and you'll feel smug when another company tries them first successfully. But over the long haul, when the final score is tallied, hell come out ahead. What if that new gadget he stubbornly rejected as "a harebrained abortion of some schizophre*nic's daydream" runs into a snag, and the company that zoomed ahead by using it suddenly goes bankrupt when the gadget backfires? Then your smugness will be replaced by a foolish feeling, and finally by respect for this some*times grumpy, often obstinate, but kindly and understand*ing boss, who has such a practical head on his sturdy shoulders.

Taurus executives usually prefer football to baseball, and peace to noisy arguments. He'll always try quiet common. sense discussions to avoid emotional scenes. Remember, common sense is his key phrase. But that doesn't mean he's lacking in imagination or appreciation of the finer things in life. You'll be pretty sure to make a large hit with him if you wear good perfume and polish your nails with a rosy tint (if you're a girl, that is). He loves nice smells and soothing, pastel colors. Youll also please him if you occasionally bring him a jar of home-made vichys-soise your mother cooked-but you'd better call it potato soup. Fancy names and titles don't impress him as much as they make him uneasy. Men who work for a Taurean should wear quiet, blue ties, sensible shoes, and keep their feet on the ground, not on his desk.

You may chafe at his stubborn, bull-headed attitude at least once a week, but remember this about your Taurus -boss: he's also stubborn about being loyal to people who never let him down. Be one of those people, and you'll never have to fear the dangerous bull. He's really quite gentle if the red flag of defiance isn't waved in his face too often. Grab some concrete blocks, and help him build his empire. He'll be glad to share it with you, if you deserve it. Promotion he understands. Featherbedding he does not. "Good old Mr. Bearumple" will expect you to carry your own weight, but he'll always give you a lift when the load gets heavy. He's strong and dependable. He says what he means and he means what he says. You won't need an interpreter. If he says you're a blockhead, leave quickly and quietly and don't quibble. If he says "You'll do well enough," you have real job security. That means you've passed his test of loyalty, sincerity, ability and potential. Move to the head of the class. You've made the honor roll. Congratulations! Don't let it swell your hat size, and you have a promising future ahead of you.

　

　

　

The TAURUS Employee
"Well, I never heard it before ... but it sounds uncommon nonsense.1

First of all, I hope you don't have your Taurus employee working for you as a salesman. If you do, have his horoscope checked as soon as you can. He may have some planets in Gemini, Aries, Leo or Pisces. In that case, you can safely let him continue to peddle your wares. Other*wise, you each would be better off if you gently eased him (for goodness sakes, don't push him) into some other position with your company.

As a promoter or salesman, he may not make the best possible impression on your clients. In giving a spiel to a customer, his normal attitude would be, "If you want it, take it. If you don't, move along." The average Taurus employee isn't about to perform a fast buck and wing for a prospective buyer. Nor is he noted for his golden tongue and outpouring of imaginative, descriptive phrases. Unless you call "Umph" and "Gumph" and "Mmm Hmm" and "Mumph" imaginative, descriptive phrases. Not that he doesn't have many sterling qualities. He does. But they're usually not the kind to sway people or press them into signing on the dotted line. He's far more likely to tell them why they shouldn't get involved.

The most important reason Taureans seldom gravitate to selling, however, is related to the basic Taurus need for security. He must feel a sense of security in his work, or his potential for success-which can be tremendous-will be markedly diluted. No matter how large the possible reward may be, if it fluctuates, the Taurus employee will prefer the safety of knowing how many dollar bills he can count each week. A Taurean on straight commission is usually one of the unhappiest human beings in the world. A set salary, plus a bonus incentive for sales, would come closer to giving him the sense of achievement he needs, but even so the position of salesman isn't the ideal spot for the bull.

Of course, there are a few exceptions to the rule, in addition to the aforementioned planetary influences. Most Taureans can handle certain low-pressure sales pitches with distinction, if the product is solid and stable, with built-in security. But the list is short. Farm equipment, tractors, manure spreaders, trucks and mowing machines or such would be right up his alley. Those he could sell. He talks the same language as the people who buy them. Money is another item he can handle on either side of the desk, and selling cash may even be a specialty. Translated, that means he's a super man to have in charge of the loan de*partment, if your business is banking. But let's be truthful, how much persuasion is needed to convince an insolvent man he needs money?

There may be a couple of other categories where he could shine as a salesman. Real estate, for instance. A Taurean is perfectly at home showing people through houses or telling them about the value of the land. He'll point to the view and say, "Umph." Then hell describe the landscaping possibilities with an ecstatic "Grumph." After that, he'll demonstrate the plumbing and closet space with "Mmm Hmm," and finally discuss the financing with a firm "Mumph." Hard as it may be to believe, the answer from the prospective home buyer will probably be, "Yep. I'll take it." After which the Taurus salesman will answer, "Okay. You've got it." Or something similar. The trick here is that the Taurean honesty and obvious de*pendability impresses people who are socking down enough money for a house. Then there's the field of education. He believes in firm foundations and facts with such fervor, and he has such faith in preparing for the future, along with a positive distaste for ignorance, that he could talk a girl into taking the engineering course at M.I.T. He wouldn't see anything silly at all about a female studying engineering. To him, practical is practical, regardless of sex.

There's also a possibility that a Taurean with a Gemini ascendant or Mars in Gemini would make a superior radio or TV announcer. The typical, musical tones of Taurean speech coupled with Gemini charm and glibness can make him a natural in such media. Then, too, if the right planets were in Aries at birth, their influence could conceivably combine with his Taurus Sun to give him exceptional pro*motional or public relations abilities, though he would never be a high-pressure type. I'm afraid that just about covers the territory for a Taurus salesman. In most other areas, and without the proper additional planetary influ*ences, he's much better off doing things that come more naturally to his imperturbable nature.

One of those things is known in politics as holding the center together, an ability which is also extremely valuable in the business world. Whatever desk he's assigned to, he'll root himself behind it with determination to succeed, and he probably will. He'll work slowly and aim for perfection, which he usually achieves if he's left alone and not pushed too fast. The more responsibility the position requires of him, the smarter you'll be to put him in charge. You'll seldom enjoy the services of a more dependable, trust*worthy and honest employee. Hell seek to help your com*pany expand, not his own ego. A successful Taurean wear» the same hat size as he did when he was still trying.

Much as he dislikes change, if he's an exceptional Taurus, you won't keep him forever. He won't leave be*cause he's flighty, but for a basic reason that's part of his nature. Once he's established the growth of your company, he's not the type to remain there and run it for you. Taurus is more interested in building power and wealth. He likes his freedom too much to be tied to the constant manipulations of guiding a complicated business, or of being the unseen cog. He's reliable and content to stick, but he wants to be free to continue to build instead of being tied up with intricate details. When there's no more incentive to grow with your firm, he'll feel the legendary Taurean itch to lay his own foundation and erect his own empire, minor or major.

A Taurus employee, whether he's exceptional or average, is always an outstanding worker, and one of his most endearing qualities is his willingness to take orders without resentment. The reason behind it is simple. He has an inner conviction that the way to become a boss who gives orders is to be first a cheerful subordinate who takes orders. His respect for authority is based on his knowledge that when he becomes an executive, he'll expect his employees to follow his directions. As a boss himself, hell have definite and probably rigidly set ideas and methods. There*fore. he finds nothme stranae or unpleasant about your insistence on adhering to a fixed pattern when he works for you. As far as he's concerned, you're in charge.

Such an attitude is obviously quite a bonus, but don't let his kindly disposition nor his sensible acquiescence to superiors fool you into thinking he can be easily shoved around. He has a sort of Machiavellian detachment toward those who think they're manipulating him, and he'll handle them with smooth tact and diplomacy. Yet, if you look closely, you'll see his tongue is in his cheek while he's humoring the aggressive people who try to drive him. In the end, Taurus will have his own way. His success is even more assured by his ability to wait as long as necessary until he wins out over the pushy types. However, when his personal emotions are trampled on or his deep pride is hurt, his cool steadiness may disappear and be replaced by a childish stubbornness. Remember, that while he's pouting, he's combustible, and liable to explode finally in a fierce display of temper. It won't last long, and the bull will be ominously quiet after such a "charge," but if the cause isn't rectified immediately, he'll simply leave, and he won't glance behind him. When a Taurus goes out the door, he has left. There won't be any sheepish returns to try again. The back of his broad shoulders will be the last you see of him. Nothing you can say or do will per*suade him to reconsider. The bull makes up his mind so slowly in the first place, there's never any need to take a second look at the matter. Taurean foresight precludes the need for hindsight. Since his is such a sensual, loving na*ture, you can probably find plenty of ex-sweethearts who will sadly tell you that when he waves goodbye he doesn't come back for encores. In both love and business, people frequently make the mistake of thinking the Taurean's pa*tience is eternal, just because it takes him so long to lose it.

The female Taurean employee is usually a real jewel. If she's a typical Taurus, she'll have a quiet, low-pitched voice and soothing manner. These women normally make great executive secretaries. Emergencies don't throw them off balance. A crisis brings out the best in them, and that's considerable. She may be a bit slower than the others with typing and dictation. She's not exactly a fireball, and you'll never see her riding a motorcycle to work, but her job will get done. Well done. Like the males, she feels that if a job is worth doing at all it's worth doing well, to the very best of her ability. Every May person has that motto chiseled somewhere permanently. This girl won't yawn in your face when you're expounding your pet theories. If the ideas are practical, shell probably converse with you about them like a man. Her views will be worth bearing, and her ap*proach will be sensible and logical. But don't let that give you the impression she's not a real female.

Be careful. This is not a woman who will ordinarily be*come involved in casual office flirtations. She can cut up and be loads of laughs, but underneath her warm, bovine humor is a mind firmly set on marriage. If she accepts a dinner invitation twice, she's probably already sizing you up as a good provider for a lifetime, not just an exciting date for a rainy Thursday. These women are quite serious about the stakes in any romantic game. If you fit the qualifications of a Taurean female as husband material, you're not an ordinary man by anybody's slide rule. The man in the company who's the recipient of the Taurus woman's attentions is the man to watch. He's going some*where. If it happens to be yourself, you may soon lose a peach of a secretary, but you'll get a wife in a million, which should bring you out ahead.

Female Taurus employees are pleasant to have around because they smell nice, they look nice, they're gracious and they don't smoke cigars, among other things. (Unless you happen to have one with an Aries Moon or ascendant, who would smell and look just as nice, but who might very well smoke cigars and shout a little.)

Taurus people of both sexes hate to sleep in strange beds, a phrase they're fond of repeating. Therefore, most Taurean men and women prefer to spend their vacations at home. Barring a Gemini Moon or Sagittarius ascendant, the grass will always look both greener and thicker in the bull's own backyard. When he's on vacation, sensually sip*ping lemonade and inhaling the scent of flowers from his hammock, you can safely call him in for an office emer*gency. Hell probably oblige with a good-natured grin, and even feel it's his duty to help out. But don't impose too often. There's a limit to his patient acceptance of repeated impositions, and it's foolhardy to risk making him angry to discover that limit. Stop while you're ahead.

The bull works happily as a florist, in the livestock or poultry industry, in supermarkets or in the wholesale food industry. He makes a good doctor or engineer, too. And he can be quite contented in an artistic career. The sound of music and the visual hypnotism of art pull him mag*netically. He's never more at home than when he's ex*pressing himself creatively, through his senses, as long as the financial rewards are sound and the foundation isn't shaky.

A Taurus songwriter is usually miserable, especially dur*ing the lean years, before he writes his first big hit. But when he combines his creative talent with the more stable, secure task of producing records or arranging scores, he's in his own element. You'll find that every Taurean singer or composer, without exception, eventually ends up in the production end of the music business to some degree.

After the bull has found the right meadow, where the opportunities grow plentifully, he seldom seeks change or new fields to conquer. He'll weigh, balance and soak up knowledge of his career through years of devotion to it. He can put up with a lot, if he's convinced himself there's a future, and if the occupation fits him snugly or "feels good" to him. Taurus is incredibly capable of persevering until the reward comes, but only when he's at the center of things, never when he's insecurely chewing around the edges and hoping for a break. Once he feels the necessary sense of achievement and security beneath him, and once he's planted himself in a position where he can build ever higher, he moves forward with confidence. Then he becomes irresistible to the elusive, fickle goddess of success. It won't turn his head. He'll stay faithful to her, but he'll put her in her place-and it will be a lifelong love affair.

　

*'// takes all the running you can do,

to keep in the same place.

If you want to get somewhere else,

you must run at least twice as fast as thatF*

"When people consult me, it's not that I'm reading the future; I am guessing at the future. Based on the omens of the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it, what comes later will also be better."