This week marks my one year anniversary as a manager in Corporate America. To celebrate said occasion my work wife, Karen, is also celebrating her freedom from those same corporate bonds. My friend's last day is today, December 18th, 2015. She is the rare individual that sees something she wants, takes control, figures out how to do it, does it and turns the page. I admire her skills and willingness to take a chance or risk that I otherwise would shirk from.
I met Karen a little less than four years ago. I was one of the people who interviewed her and then, in a scenario that would only work to foreshadow why she would leave, we didn't get back with her, left her dangling in the wind and then one day reached back out and offered her the job. We both worked for the same manager at that time who had the wisdom to recognize that Karen was a good fit the very first time we spoke with her.
It took only a matter of days or weeks for me to figure out I was fortunate to meet her. While I call her my work wife, it's more like a slightly wiser sister who actually likes me and doesn't mind my uniqueness. She would allow me to interrupt her whenever I wanted but was always thoughtful enough to not interrupt me. She would bring me McDonald's, on the regular, even when she might be dieting or avoiding fast food.
She was one of my main advocates in getting me into management. You have to have people who are willing be on your team. and she was always kind and understanding to me while I made the mistakes a new manager makes.
Her uncompromising self confidence that when she puts her mind to it and plans for anything, she can make whatever she wants to come true, come true. She is giving up the security of a consistent paycheck, not just for another paycheck but for work she finds rewarding. She is willing to take the chance that it might not work out but you never know unless you try. It seems so simple on the outside but the guts it takes to make those changes will always impress me.
She will probably read this and not agree with the vision I have of her in my head but it's how I will always see her. Good bye and have fun on your next adventure.
I read this last night at a meeting.
I met Karen a little less than four years ago. I was one of the people who interviewed her and then, in a scenario that would only work to foreshadow why she would leave, we didn't get back with her, left her dangling in the wind and then one day reached back out and offered her the job. We both worked for the same manager at that time who had the wisdom to recognize that Karen was a good fit the very first time we spoke with her.
It took only a matter of days or weeks for me to figure out I was fortunate to meet her. While I call her my work wife, it's more like a slightly wiser sister who actually likes me and doesn't mind my uniqueness. She would allow me to interrupt her whenever I wanted but was always thoughtful enough to not interrupt me. She would bring me McDonald's, on the regular, even when she might be dieting or avoiding fast food.
She was one of my main advocates in getting me into management. You have to have people who are willing be on your team. and she was always kind and understanding to me while I made the mistakes a new manager makes.
Her uncompromising self confidence that when she puts her mind to it and plans for anything, she can make whatever she wants to come true, come true. She is giving up the security of a consistent paycheck, not just for another paycheck but for work she finds rewarding. She is willing to take the chance that it might not work out but you never know unless you try. It seems so simple on the outside but the guts it takes to make those changes will always impress me.
She will probably read this and not agree with the vision I have of her in my head but it's how I will always see her. Good bye and have fun on your next adventure.
I read this last night at a meeting.
Look to this day,
For it is life,
The very life of life.
In its brief course lie all
The realities and verities of existence,
The bliss of growth,
The splendor of action,
The glory of power –
For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision.
But today, well lived,
Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.
Sanskrit proverb
For it is life,
The very life of life.
In its brief course lie all
The realities and verities of existence,
The bliss of growth,
The splendor of action,
The glory of power –
For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision.
But today, well lived,
Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.
Sanskrit proverb
