One Managers Journal

This is the real life journal of a manager I know. To read what this is all about, start here.

To comment on these entries, or ask questions, go to the Management Forum and post in the folder titled "Journal".

Number 12

Sorry I haven't written in a while. I was out conducting training for two weeks and am now on my Christmas break.

Anyway, my best friend (at work) e-mailed a draft resignation letter to me last night and dropped the bomb this morning: "I'm outta here...See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya"!! ; -). Got a job where they seem to do the right things right for the right reasons."

I'm willing to bet that I'm even happier than my friend. I feel like my prayers have been answered! It's so hard sitting by and watching someone you admire, respect and care about slowly go from being a brilliant, productive, funny person to being an angry, miserable introvert -- and not be able to DO anything, except listen and nod in agreement at most of their complaints and observations. When the opportunity presented itself and DID NOT jeopardize my own professional equity, I spoke on my friends behalf. But to no avail; In one ear and out the other. But after getting to know this person over the past year and living what was often a workplace nightmare, I breathe a heavy sigh of relief for my friend, my peers and the organization.

This is the person who forced the organization to take this long hard look at itself (the reason this journal exists), tried to help us be who we said we were, tried to help management (and peers) see what we could be doing better, what customers wanted and needed from us. And even when ALL of this person's studies, projections, assertions, and evaluations were confirmed by an external survey, rather than being grateful and appreciative of my friend's foresight and expertise, the suits were angered and embarrassed that a mere employee had identified what they failed (or didn't want) to see.

Rather than rewarding this person for leading us down the path of righteousness (you can lead a horse to water, but...), when the assignments were laid out, this person (along with three others; two deservedly so IMHO) was almost TOTALLY left out of the process -- PERSONA NON GRATA. The idea was to make this employee so miserable, that there would be no other choice but to quit. They won. Or did they?

Well, let's see. Employee finally quits - one for THEM. Employee goes to a new environment with a clean slate, no false baggage - one for employee. Employee makes more money, works for an organization that's already doing the stuff we just started THINKING ABOUT, gets more perks than possible where we are now, gets to work in a proactive, innovative environment...The possibilities are endless! It's definitely THEIR LOSS. Sure, they were able to force the employee out, but ONLY on the employee's terms. And I win too.

I'll miss my friend, but I'm happy that my friend is happy and that such talent and expertise will no longer be wasted.

Continued.......

Back

Close The Journal For Now