The Influences that Define our Lives 2
Very few adults can look at their lives and honestly state that they were destined to be what they became with no assistance from anyone. A sense of divine right, so to speak. I am not one of those, nor do I know anyone like that.
My career path had some bumps at the beginning, more so due to a little military issue and being in the wrong job at the wrong time. The early 1970's were not the kindest to engineers in the aerospace industry.
I found a job working as a support engineer in a field that I knew nothing about, but my degree and common sense were the reason I got the job.
That and I refused to collect a check from the state for doing nothing. An unemployment check has never felt right to me.
As I was completing a call one afternoon from a customer, I was approached by the CEO of the company. He had overheard part of the conversation I had on the phone and told me to come to his office in 15 minutes as we needed to talk.
Thinking that I could be on my way to colleting those state checks, I sat and tried to replay what had transpired.
I went to the door and peeked in. I was ushered in and told to close the door.
I was then given a mild dressing down for the manner in which I was talking to the person on the phone. He emphasized the importance of the people that gave us business and that while we held a prime position in the business, we were not the only source, and competitors would be more than happy to steal our clients.
He then handed me a piece of paper that had been handed to him years previously as well, as he was once just a simple errand boy in the company and did whatever was asked. Working hard and being in the business as it was being started allowed him to achieve his position as well as wealth.
I kept that paper and share it below.
This sheet has done well for me over the years and even as I talk to people today, I remember the few minutes I spent with that man.
The Influences that Define our Lives 2
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