Is It Me Or My Chair You're Looking For?

POINT TO PONDER

 

It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles. 

                                  - Niccolo Machiavelli                          

 

STORY LINE by Anand Shah

In the mid-80's, I was entrusted/chartered to manage a department of people. There was one very talented guy named Fred who led one of the subgroups in the overall department. Fred and I developed a good rapport and got along well.

But there was a unique thing about Fred that puzzled me and raised my curiosity. Every late afternoon Fred would stop by to shoot the breeze and often compliment me for various things. Working for a company whose motto at that time was, “Only the Paranoid Survive,” I started wondering if Fred really liked me or there was another motivation. 

So one afternoon when Fred stopped by for his usual visit, complimenting me as usually did, I asked him, “Fred, let us be honest. Are you really interested in talking to me or do you visit because of this chair that I am sitting in and this position that I hold?”

Fred was a man of high integrity and got puzzled with the question. He assured me that it is the mental synergy, respect and friendship that drew him to show up before departing home. He enjoyed the stories I shared and our conversations.

Still being paranoid I told him, “Only time will tell. Let us see what happens once we no longer work together.”

Months later I joined another company to return to California. But Fred was a man of his words. He did not give up on me and kept in contact through the years. Irony of Fate of what but 12 years later I badly needed a job and Fred along with the person who was my mentor helped me to land a job in their company.

Comments

[CH]

Real connection - from the heart.

[Practical]

Most of the relationships are all business nothing personal. In such cases Chair is more important than the person in the chair. Relevance is as long as he/she is in the chair.

[friend from China]

Many folks in power position's ego get attached to the chair; then after chair gone they wonder why no one around.

[Jeff]

Relationships of power are temporary, relationships of heart last forever.

[Fred]

Anand
Good friends are hard to find so once you get one it's worth investing time to keep them.
Fred

[A Fan]

Thank you for keeping these weekly Reflections; I always enjoy reading your simple truth outlook of life.
Take care and enjoy,

[FR: The Young and The Restless (JY)]

It is always a delight to read your story. World is a small place, and what goes around, comes around. Treating people with heart can never fail. :)