Stuck and bland or mobile and flavorful

Why isn’t living a good life more flavorful? Filled with sugar and spice and everything nice? It’s a question everyone asks in some form or another, at various times in their lives, Including me. Early on in my life I questioned the bitterness continually tasted over the years.

My heart goes out to those that struggle. But I put up a boundary to those that are contented in staying stuck in the struggle. I will try to move heaven and earth for those whose struggles are a growing opportunity. Those are the kind of people I identify with. But to have someone sit back and let you do their heavy work? Moving on!

In managing people

On the eve of my saying good-bye to managing people, I was reflecting on this. I’ve managed all types. From those who I would not have in my social circle, to those who have left a deep mark in my heart, I will never forget. For the last seven years I have experienced myself in repeat through a woman we hired as many years ago (I see a lot of myself in her). I’ve had to deal with the struggle of introverted-ness, psychological short comings, professional attitudes as well as regular ones. One time I had a grown woman of 40-ish stand in a corner (as in time out) so that she would not have to take break with the rest of us on the crew. It’s not the craziest but it’s up there.

I’ve worn many hats as a manager. The one I like the most is boss. Helping people to reach their greatest potential is the highlight of my day. Showing them their potential, then watching them develop and broaden it makes everything worth while. I am leaving a great bunch of people to my successor, who happened to be one of them. I hope she has as much fun on the job as I have had over the years. Don’t get me wrong, in the beginning it was the most frustrating thing. I had a group that was relentlessly stubborn, could tell nothing but lies, lazy, you name it. But eventually they retired, fired themselves or was promoted.

The losses are sad

With the exception of the woman who stood in the corner, I felt a sense of failure with each one that chose to go a different way. I often wonder what happened in their lives after leaving. The ones I know about are: One woman died of breast cancer. Another died after being retired for only three years! Another quit after being promoted. The others I will just have to wonder.

I know I invested more in them than the job required, but I was looking past that to the lives they wanted to live. Thankfully, I have a boss that could see the value of the investment. As a result, I leave a special and priceless crew in tact. They are so diverse, yet look out for each other and compensate for one another when needed. There is very little drama on the crew as I did not example it or appreciate it from them.

In good hands

The example I set was one of compassion, tolerance, forthright, truthfulness and sacrifice. The very act of my retiring was to save one of the crew from losing their job due to a cut in labor for our department. It’s who I am, and have strived to be. The woman taking my place will not resume where I left off, but will make her own path and I would not have it any other way.

She will taste the sweetness of success and a job well done, as well as the bitterness of disappointment. But her life will be robust and more flavorful for having had the experience. I’m proud to have been a part of it.