Tom Desrosier
Much of what we believe about ourselves, our world and our politics, we learned from someone else.
Sometimes, years later, we still cling to this stufff, long after its proven wrong.
Go figure...
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Low hanging fruit…
When the idea is to kill Americans, as cheaply and with as little risk of being thwarted as possible…
Why not India:
Recall, the goal is not to survive the ordeal; but to create mayhem and terror - then die with utter glory, the martyr’s hallowed death - for Allah.
India…
That’s because America is too hard to attack these days. That’s because of the Patriot Act and George W, Bush.
Are you listening Obama?
Tom
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Culture Shock…
Ok - this part is different.
55 or so of my workforce are unskilled laborers and Spanish speaking only. Warm beating hearts all, hardworking, a job to do, a family to feed - but only capable of speaking halting English. And yes, each are here LEGALLY. In fact, they had to prove it as a condition of employment.
But what of the leader’s most important need of all? The need to communicate! What of my ear; always open, listening, what of those personal one-on-one conversations as I pass them in the hall or ride with them in an elevator.
And these laborers - all led by a layer supervisors who also speak Spanish, but English as well. And as I walk the facilities, and watch them at work with their people - I haven’t the first damned clue what they are saying; nor how the employee is responding.
An interesting problem.
No challenge.
No problem,
No, challenge,
No problem.
And so on.
Later, I met with these great-hearted people; their Operations Manager, a nice lady from Brazil. She had gathered them in a room for a meeting and was explaining to them the meaning and tradition of Thanksgiving. One of her floor-managers, a migrant named William, translated for me:
"…A number of Europeans came her to escape being killed due to wars; they faced many hardships; they gave thanks and ate turkey because that’s all there was to eat…"
I know, not historically accurate, but the sentiment - we or our descendants came here to seek something better than we left behind; and even if all we have are turkeys - there’s still plenty to be grateful for.
And then she led them all in a prayer of thanks.
Yes, these, who make a laborer’s meager wage - here in America and grateful for it. They taught me the meaning of Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving Day.
Tom
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Did I mention how I got this job?
As some of you know, I took a job as General Manager for a company that provides various ancillary services to a Pharmaceutical company. In all, I’m responsible for 125 people.
But its how I got here that I found most surprising.
Here are the salient points:
- I wrote a resume without military jargon. Write me at tom@dare2believe.com if you want a copy.
- I cruised my home state’s Department of Labor job bank and posted my resume against three jobs that I found interesting.
- A corporate head-hunter called me and interviewed me on the phone.
- I had seven more interviews over the next month - only one in a suit and tie.
- I followed none of the advice given at transition assistance training about being interviewed. Each time I went , I’d simply mention to the lead interviewer when he called me, "Hey, I’m new at this - what should I bring and how should I dress". Not only did they tell me, but added lots more helpful advice. And later, during the interview, when asked questions, I simply told the truth. I told them my weaknesses, I told them my strengths, I told them instances when I screwed up in my past… Whatever they asked, I answered truthfully and sincerely.
I suspected that they wanted someone who was honest and forthright. Isn’t that what you’d want?
And finally - there was no salary negotiation, it was simply take it or leaves it. You see, some of these companies hire you against a certain contract; the contract sets the salary and is generally set in stone. At least in the beginning.
Tom
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