Take Only Memories, Leave Only Footprints.

Point to Ponder: The relationships with companies are purely business and temporary; but the value you deliver, the relationships with people and learning experiences are lifelong. - Pravin R Shah 

Storyline: This week I came across two interesting stories:  One young man got laid off from a large corporation. In his note he talked about positive memories of the year with the company. Many notes from friends and colleagues recounted fond memories with him. Next day a former colleague sent him a photo of a nice motivational note he had written a month ago on one conference-room board. It was still there.

The other story I heard was about the person who retired after 39 years with an organization. The person left all items (SWAG: Plaques, Mugs, Clothing..) that were given to her in various company recognitions and celebrations. The person left without saying goodbye to many longtime colleagues displaying an attitude “I have nothing to do with this organization.”

This brought back memories of my days in the corporate world, and hence this reflection…

Reflection: Very early in my career I had come to the conclusion that the relationships with your company/your employer are purely business and nothing personal. No matter what claims are being made about lifetime benefits, good corporate citizenship, the best place to work on the planet Earth etc; The bottom line is- its business, and all seemingly attractive, tempting things are only in the context of what serves the business interest. (Another story for some another reflection)

Since then I’ve considered every relationship with my employer/ company as a business. With the mindset that someone is entrusting me and paying me to deliver certain results in terms of products or services, my duty is to deliver best possible solutions. This mentality served me very well in entire 40 years career.(1975-2015)

But the valuable benefits of those business dealings were a lot more than just business results or what I got paid for it.

Many talented, wonderful people around the world became lifelong friends. Dealing with so many different industries, companies and countries resulted in many learning experiences that enhanced the understanding of different technologies, cultures and history. And the significant positive impact of our work was acknowledged and appreciated in many ways by the organizations and people we served at that time and even now (many years later).

(Shhhhh…And I have treasured every memory; notes from people, coffee mugs, pictures, paper weights, jackets, recognitions for delivering outstanding results.)

Take only Memories, Leave only Footprints.

 

 

 

Comments

[Sam]

Words of wisdom as always! While the grief maybe real with change of life, uncertainty, feeling of shame, shy to ask for help etc, time does put things in perspective. Believe that this place was just a station where we met fellow passengers and now our train of life will take us to the next station. In this journey, we will transform ourselves again and make us useful to another group of people with the relationships and skills that we developed.

[BQN Original]

Very timely and you left a big footprint. And you continue leaving them in still, all over the world!

[HEDDA ROBINSON]

This is really true. Some people work because they have to--for personal and professional reasons. I did too and like the one on the story above, I gained more-experiences -both personal and professional --and lots of friends. I met different people who some became friends that I hope for life though some come and go. However, when I left the workplace, I left treasuring the memories (good and bad) too. There were times that there are photos of events and other memorabilia. Certificates and letters I got--I had them in a binder. :)