This story is pure fiction....only the message is real.
Draw The Line....KML october 2006
As it became more than obvious, downsizing was hitting us all hard. As employee`s, we were all taxed from trying to find new an creative ways to produce results, and in the same vain...impress the higher ups.
The first day back after the long weekend gave us all a good look at what was going on within the company, more people you see at work everyday....not returning due to the dreaded downsizing. People who were there having coffee one day, were out on the street looking for a way to pay the bills.
Friends who had families and morgages, were tending bar, or picking up shifts at the local Wal Mart...a little work here and there.
A grey emptyness soaked the formerly busy office with a cushioned hush. Sound travelled well, but it was like it went off into the distance with out any chance of a reply. Sitting at my desk i thought about my own future. Was i producing enough? was i in the plans for the future? It became very apparent that not knowing our futures as employees, was gonna sure be hell.
The District manager came in at 9am sharp....to address the remaining staff. As he explained that the office manager had been reassigned to another city, and he was overseeing the current situation within our office. When done with the chat, he pulled myself and another employee aside. We were to have a special task to complete. When he told us what he wanted from us, i was more confused about my future than i had been in sometime.
"I want you to draw a line." he stated. "on this paper, draw a line...and thats all." As the district manager guided the two or us into a conference room, we noticed the two settings, each with a pencil and one sheet of paper. "When you are done, check with me, go back to work, then see me at the end of the day"
We sat, still confused, knowing that this somehow had something to do with the current downsizing in nthe company.
My co worker said to me "how hard can it be?", drew his line, and walked out...returning to work. I, on the other hand sat, and thought about what to do. I thought of drawing a long bold line, then instead, an average size line....nothing out of the ordinary. Before i knew it, and hour had passed. After drawing my line, it was almost time to go home. I went into the managers office, and told him i was done.
"I see", he said...."What do you think the company see`s a whole hour spent on drawing one line?"
Here it was, i could feel my time at the company coming to an end...why did i not just draw a line and return to work. The manager aske me to sit down, and he told me what he had decided. " Corporate offce had wanted to promote someone within the company...to become the new office manager. They had it narrowed down to yourself, and your co worker.
As i awaited his decision, i saw myself trying to gather together all my belongings in my office...and clear out...joining those already gone.
"Your co worked drew a line...and quickly returned to his job. You on the other hand, took your time,as i believe, to think out the situation...is that correct?" Yes, i answered, i just needed to think of all possibilities of a seemingly easy task.
The next thing i knew, i was shaking the managers hand, as he congratulated me on becoming the new office manager. " As we do not approve of taking a whole hour to draw a line....you did give it much thought, and enough concern to do what you believed was the right thing"
The moral of this story is.....
As much as you believe that your task is not worthy of your time, thinking, and considering all options is needed. In thought and time, comes great rewards, to those who hold fast, and choose to pursue.
Don`t give up.
