GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE (MY QUIET PLACE 47)

Rita had gone through a rigorous process before finally securing the job. From the many aptitude tests; industry based tests to the final interview session. The Chief Executive had told after she picked up her letter that from the first day she came, he knew she was going to join their team but with the structure they were building they wanted everything to go through due process. Everyone seemed to agree except the Human Resources Director and she didn’t hide her disdain from the word go.

It wasn’t hard to see why anyone with a bad attitude won’t feel threatened her presence. Rita was very attractive and confident of herself and her ability. Your first attraction might be physical but if you sat with her for fifteen minutes you will just want take everything in her head and put in yours. Well spoken, intelligent and highly cerebral. You could pick her head on any topic and she wouldn’t let you down in the discussion.

Working with the Human Resources Director was like living in hell. Not only did she make the experience a bad one for Rita, she occasionally reigned some verbal insults as though to remind her she was under her even though they both worked in different departments. In the early years, colleagues asked Rita to just leave instead suffering herself but amidst tears she said she would only leave for a good reason and not because of anyone.

Many years later, Rita is now married with kids and the Human Resources Director is still there but the clashes are reduced especially since her responsibilities are now diverse. She’s now at the peak of her career and adding even greater value to the organisation. Little wonder she got more promotions than anyone else coupled with a lot of bonuses and packages for excellence in discharging duties.

The organisation decided to take a risk and expand their services in the process increasing their reach. This eventually paid off as it made them a major player in the industry. Rita played a huge role in the many acquisitions bringing to bare her experience in that field. Two years later everything is set, the Chief Executive moves to one of the other businesses and Rita is made to replace him as CEO -the new number one.

She recalled the day the announcement was and how it meant her stepping up above six people to assume the new role. The business was more lucrative and even more profitable than before. Rita had the option of forming her own team or reorganizing the old. Apart from a few minor adjustments, she maintained the status quo.

Nine months into the new role the Human Resources Director comes into her office trying to explain an error that she made and pleading for a little more time to make it right. Rita watches her almost in tears as she explains her cause trying to get a soft landing almost kneeling down in the process. Rita tells her she’ll look into and revert soon especially since the board was meeting in a month.

At an industry meeting where we met recently, Rita reminded me of my counsel to her many years ago about how I said she should continue to do her work irrespective. She said after that statement it was like things got worse but because of our conversation, she held on.

I’m in My Quiet Place (a place where I recount the events of the past period) researching for a meeting I’ll be having in a few days when I see Rita’s name as one of the recipients of the nation’s national wards. I just thought of patience, resilience, honesty and strength of character can push you up.

Kindness is basically being polite, compassionate and thoughtful. No matter the position you occupy or what you control or how high you are, always be kind and willing to help. Do not get drunk with the power you have today. Power is transient and can leave you as quickly as it came. There are many lessons in history to learn.

Rita said she gets embarrassed when her former boss now calls her 'madam' and she sees how guilty she looks when they meet even though she has told her countless times she has nothing to worry about. If you are still seating on your high horse and you treat people arrogantly or in a condescending manner you better get down and learn to walk with others.#MyQuietPlace#TurnAroundThursday##DiaryOfACorporateTrainer#WorkChronicles#Training#AllInAdaysJob#ManagingPeople#