The Qualities of People
I will admit that during my corporate years I do not recall receiving a performance apparaisal that did not delve into my, as it was often stated, inability to suffer the fool gladly. I also seem to remember that at the time, I was often unsure if they meant that as a good thing or bad thing.
As years have passed and political correctness is all the rage, I now suspect that that was a criticism that I was suposed to correct. Evidently there was an addendum to my marching orders that I did not receive. I only got the part about this business is a mess, go fix it or we’ll find someone else who can. If you can’t turn a decade of losses into profitability in six-month, shut it down.
Evidently there was another part about don’t hurt anyone’s feelings before you fire them and close the business they’ve spent their entire career at. Ooops, mybad.
I must admit, I’ve mellowed with age and now wish to show my kinder and gentler side. Here is my definitive list of what all people possess:
- A gift
- Something you don’t know
- A perspective you don’t have
- An idea you haven’t thought of
Every person also deserves:
- Your compassion
- Your respect
- You to be at their side to defend their rights
Not to get all mushy, but I as I have aged, I am beginning to think that there may be some truth to the notion that there is more to life than work. I refuse to jump to any rash conclusions, particularly since this would go against everything I have known to be true.
Richard Gabel
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