Never take a person's dignity: it is worth everything to them, and nothing to you

“I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” - Jackie Robinson

Story Line: Once upon a time, a company hired a young fellow who had just graduated from college. He impressed his colleagues with his high energy, unlimited enthusiasm and superb attitude. He kept on delivering great results and rose fast through the ranks. In a few years, his reputation grew and became Go to Guy for many colleagues as well as senior management.

Irony or what but what motivated this person was neither money or promotion but recognition of his work. And he equated recognition with more challenges with more projects. His manager and senior executives liked him and constantly challenged him with difficult assignments.

One day there was reorganization as it happens in companies and a new manager arrived. He had heard about the reputation of this young fellow and wanted to check out first hand. After a few minutes of chat, the new manager asked him "How old are you?" When the fellow mentioned his age, the manager replied "Only 25 and you are already at this level in organization? I had not even reached that level at 36. Don't get any more ideas about Promotion for next few years."

This new manager took pride in his "No Nonsense, Direct" style. He even shared his meeting conversation with his two bosses. Both Bosses looked at each other and knew right then and there that they would loose that young fellow. The very thing that kept that young man highly motivated was undermined: Respect.

Anyway, that young man is the owner of a very successful business and every client he has dealt with seeks him out again and again for his services.

Reflection: from Thurgood Marshall speech

Certain people have a way of saying things that shake us at the core. Even when the words do not seem harsh or offensive, the impact is shattering. What we could be experiencing is the intent behind the words. When we intend to do good, we do. When we intend to do harm, it happens. What each of us must come to realize is that our intent always comes through. We cannot sugarcoat the feelings in our heart of hearts. The emotion is the energy that motivates. We cannot ignore what we really want to create. We should be honest and do it the way we feel it. What we owe to ourselves and everyone around is to examine the reasons of our true intent.

Comments

[Ted]

Sounds like that manager did the employee a big favor

[Macho Management]

My Dear, It is all Business, nothing Personal.

[RK]

Thank Heavens for the bad managers. The world could not have been a better place without them. They are God sent to spur innovation and growth that comes with new start ups and new ventures.

[OD]

Respect has to be earned. It is not handed on silver platter.

[KS]

New manager more interest in levels and compare with himself then respect value of employee.
His thinking, seniority more important than results. It is good employee leave the company. In many place hard to leave and employees stay but no motivation.
Good companies go bad when managers like this.

[NS]

In this case, the person probably did not deserve any promotion - but the straight talking manager should have said that the issue was the person's work needed improvement, or the person was insufficiently qualified, or had a bad attitude, or all of the above. Could have been true in this case, but generally speaking, being insufficiently old isn't a valid reason. :-)

[No NonSense]

Lack of common sense and Lack of understanding human psychology are evident in here. The young man in the story, like few others I know, did not care about titles, money. What motivated him was challenges.
By telling "Don't get any ideas for promotion (something that did not matter to young man anyway) for next few years" he effectively told the young man that it does not matter what you do for next few years. We count years not results.

Again, the issue has nothing to do with promotion or title but choice of words and lack of understanding human feelings.

[CM]

I disagree with OD.

It is trust has to be earned, not respect.
Respect should always be given.

Until there is a good and sound reason to which one loses respect for another, all of us in our professional work and personal lives should treat other people with respect... from the CEO to the janitor.

Being belittled, underminded, yelled at and backstabbed are things that not only break trust and respect but also break business deals and is the antithesis of success in the workplace.

[JackL]

If I were that young guy, I'd talk to HR right the way. This so called "no nonsense" manager has just exposed the company to a big fat law suit for age discrimination regardless of the context.

The 2 bosses that found out about it should also realize that it's a red flag and if they keep that manager on, they will have a brain drain on their hands.

[CM]

I disagree with OD.

It is trust has to be earned, not respect.
Respect should always be given.

Until there is a good and sound reason to which one loses respect for another, all of us in our professional work and personal lives should treat other people with respect... from the CEO to the janitor.

Being belittled, underminded, yelled at and backstabbed are things that not only break trust and respect but also break business deals and is the antithesis of success in the workplace.