Slice of Work #14 — The Man Who Hired His Boss

I knew Thomas who wanted to move out of his firm and had landed a cushy job in the same city that he lived in. A big plus. The added advantage was the prospect of some stocks that would fetch him good money. He seemed coasting along in his life after he had put down his papers.

As was his nature, he called up a few of his friends to let them know about it. When he called up one of his ex-team members, Sheen, he got a strange response. While all others had supported his move, Sheen was hesitant and Thomas asked him about it. Sheen said, “Thomas, I have been thinking about who should be my new boss in the firm that I have joined. I think it should be you.” Thomas was a bit hesitant but he asked Sheen to progress the referral.

Things moved fast and he got selected. It was an MNC and the leaders he met were very fine people. He forgot all about the stock and the money. It did not seem to matter. The only rub was that it was in another city. He called up Sheen and told him about his selection. Sheen was at his persuasive best to take the job. Thomas consulted his family and the shift happened. A new city, a new culture and new settings.

Thomas grew in his role and did well for himself as I knew he would. I have often thought of Sheen. He was so selfless and had the courage to ask his ex-boss to join the firm that he was working. In a way he hired his boss. I knew Sheen and asked him the reason for asking Thomas to join his firm and laughingly he said, “A known devil is better than an unknown one.” He is a good man and I don’t think I learnt enough from him, he added.

Sheen moved on to become a leader in another firm and is doing well for himself. Leaders are made, and made differently. Each one of them. The best of them find goodness in others and even hire them as their bosses.

Slice of Work #1 — The Final Interview & the Old Coordinator

He was an ordinary man doing an ordinary job in a not so ordinary company. Let’s call him Mr C – a recruitment coordinator. He was bent of age but had a sparkle in his eye and a keenness to serve.He had taken us around, given us a lot of information. He put in a kind word of advice and was supportive of each of us who had come in for the final interview.

Ever keen to know our background, and had asked a lot of questions. A good listener, he had been encouraging of anything we said.After the interview was over, he took the others aside, then came back to two of us and congratulated us. Said, “It is important to be kinder to those who were not selected, and that takes time.”

Many months later, I met him again at the head office. I invited him for some coffee and asked him about his life and his work. He swept that question aside and said gleefully, “I knew you would be selected. I have met so many people and am 99% sure who would make the cut.” “It is my life’s work,” he added with pride. I gently asked, “Does your boss know about this.” He smiled and kept silent and I could see a teardrop well up in his eyes as he turned and walked away. That was ages ago.

Each job has a specialization, and people who handle it know the best. They often become experts and long to be consulted but are seldom asked.Their tasks are often seen as mundane. Forgetting that God is in the details. And they can reveal a lot of insights. They are the diamonds in the rough. All it takes is a genuine interest in them and an inclusion that instills a sense of ownership of their work and the company. To check and to value a person’s point of view regardless of where they are in the hierarchy is a value learnt over time.

Fast forward >> As I set about to interview the next person, I asked the seasoned coordinator what she thought of the candidate. There was a gleam in her eyes as she started to speak. And I remembered Mr C...