I used to ’employ’ a house painter who was excellent at his craft. He was not, however, the greatest conversationalist in the world – but then he wasn’t hired to chat – his forte was painting and decorating. After each completed job, he would leave me with the sincere invitation to call him if I ever needed to be ‘touched up'(!) This, for your information, would occur roughly every eighteen months or so when he would be asked to return – because his work was outstanding. Continue reading
nostalgia
Taking a different kind of lead…
I’ve had a few bosses in my time and I think I could say something positive about all of them – except one. There were bosses about whom I could happily wax lyrical and with whom I remain great friends to this day, others whom I respect/ed enormously and the remainder – well – they were an acquired taste let’s say – oh and then there was ‘The Exception’. Let me ask you a question. Do you ever look at your superior or boss and wonder how they managed to get where they are? I mean does one need skills and talent and knowledge of subject to lead, motivate, discover and develop potential in others? I would say so, wouldn’t you? So when you find yourself being ‘managed’ by a person who has none of the aforementioned attributes but has the capacity only to cause mayhem at every turn, questions surely need to be asked. ‘The Exception’ was a case in point. Continue reading
A ‘Tail’ of the unexpected…
Once upon a time, a little family went out to buy a new hamster. They were missing their now deceased pet so much, that a replacement had to be found. They returned from their ‘safari,’some hours later with – a Border Collie – which was of course way too big for the vacant hamster cage (and no, they didn’t try him for size!). Everyone was thrilled to have the dog home (for a trial period), except mum who was extremely apprehensive and even a little afraid. Now Brig, for that was his name, was discovered languishing in kennels, looking rather thin and thoroughly miserable. He had been earmarked, from birth, for competitions and trials but had been sadly ‘overtrained’. Consequently, he was timid – but he was black and white and beautiful. Before the family reached home the children had already made a list of essential supplies, planned where he would have his bed, best food, fashion and grooming accessories and exercise rota – trial period my eye!!! There would be no going back. Continue reading
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