BLOBBY'S BLOG

The Mayor of Simpleton

I was with my last employer for 11 years - a huge organization where I knew most everyone. Or knew of them, at the very least. A peer of mine would call me 'the mayor'. While we'd walk to lunch, usually a few dozen people would say "hi" to me. It's been a long time since I've been 'the new guy'.

But yesterday wasn't bad. I met everyone who works at the office. Mind you there are only 60 people who work in this office as opposed to 13,000 who worked at my old place. There are only 600 people in the entire company, instead of 33,000 in my last.

Cleary the corporate culture cannot be the same. During my interview with the CEO he confirmed that by saying something that just kind of stumped me. Actually a few things.

• Failure is accepted. As long as you pick yourself up and keep going.

NEVER would such words be uttered in my prior organization. Even if you had never failed - the fear the executive staff put out there if you did was palpable.

• Backstabbing and/or gossiping is not tolerated.

Though I won't say doing those things were officially encouraged in my previous enviornment, but no one ever put the brakes on loshon hora. In reality they normally hit the accelerator. It's how many many people got ahead.

I'm hardly exempting myself from that behaviour, but right or wrong - it is what one did to survive. It was a learned trait and it will be nice not to have to use it as a method of advancement. Or used against you.

If the day wasn't so so so so so grey, I would have taken some pictures of my 25th floor view. When it gets a little brighter and clearer I will do and post.

This is going to be an interesting chapter in my life. I have to live it. You only have to choose to read it.