Dr Tobore Gbemre
Treat Applicants, New Joiners, Interns or NYSC Personnel with kindness...

Let me tell a short story that happened some years ago and is still playing out..

A new engineer was employed into an organization in the early 2000s. On joining, he had a manager who didn't like him. The manager frustrated him, criticized his work and bypassed him for training and growth opportunities. This young engineer kept being professional and delivered on his task. His quality job spoke for him and he got transferred to work directly with the MD as his Technical Assistant (TA).

That signalled his exponential growth in the organization. He was sent for training and courses, both local and overseas, sent for conferences and seminars and he enjoyed regular promotion, which made up and surpassed all what he lost.

Fast forward to year 2018, the young engineer had risen to become the Deputy MD of the organization while his former boss was now retired. During the processing of the former boss' retirement benefits, the DMD needed to sign and he saw his former boss' name. He remembered all what the former boss subjected him through. Being human, he got emotional and delayed signing..

The former boss had fallen on hard times due to the recession and the ongoing devaluation of the Naira which eroded his savings over the years, and needed his benefits for survival..

To cut the story short, it took a lot of people to pacify the DMD before he signed and released his benefits to him. When they eventually met, the old boss could not look at him in the eyes and he felt ashamed. The DMD forgave him and they made up.

Whether you're currently a Manager, General Manager or Executive, remember a day will come when you'll retire. You won't work forever!

Be kind to applicants, new joiners, Interns, NYSCs and fresh hires. In 15-20 years from today, you would have probably retired and these Interns, NYSCs and fresh hires will be the ones at the helm of affairs then. They'll be the ones to pay your pension, medical and retirement benefits. Do you get?

I'm talking to you, yes, YOU!!!

Titles and Positions are transient and ephemeral. Do not get conceited, proud or get carried away. Please, remain humble and be fair in your dealings...!

That young boy, girl, Applicant, Intern, NYSC or new joiner of today will grow and become an Industry Leader in years to come when you'll be retired, and they may be in charge of decisions that may affect you..

This is just a gentle reminder for us to treat people kindly and be transparent in our dealings.

Have you ever been picked on unfairly by a senior colleague? How did you handle it?

Also, if you were the DMD in this story, would you have forgiven your former boss?

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