"It's going really well, thanks," you say.
"Really?" Janice says.
Bill nudges Janice. "I told you the peer program has value."
"I do not believe this is a winning conversational strategy," Alex says, "at least with respect to Janice."
"I appreciate you wanting to make sure it has value—that's exactly the kind of oversight and care I want from a VPAA. And maybe it doesn't work for everyone. But it's worked very well for Kayla and me."
"I agree with Bomomsay Clestenrogo," Kayla says.
Janice isn't pleased with your answer, but she's willing to accept it. "Thanks for those points. They give me something to think about."
So there, you tell Alex, and imagine sticking your tongue out at them.
"Even though you are acting childishly, I accept that my judgment about your strategy was wrong," Alex says.
Gee, Thanks