Who would put a sixteen-year-old in charge of a freight crew? The
answer is my boss—when I was sixteen. At the time, I didn’t think much about
it, just took the keys to the grocery store, showed up at 4:00 a.m. on Tuesdays
and Thursdays, and saw to it everyone did their job. But later in life, I
started to question the sanity of my boss at the time.
We had a crew of five, counting me. All of the others were older than I
was and probably much more qualified. While I was a fairly responsible and
dependable person, at sixteen, I obviously wasn’t mature. Evidently, my boss
didn’t think that mattered.
Even stranger, was that none of the crew had a problem with my age. We
all got along and each of them followed directions without complaint or
question. The freight got unloaded off the truck, put on the shelves, the
shelves faced, and everything cleaned up—and on time. I doubt it had anything
to do with me, I think they just made me look good.
Then, as good things usually do, that all came to an end. One of the
crew quit his job and the boss hired a new guy. For some reason, this new guy
didn’t think much of me. He wouldn’t listen, wouldn’t follow directions, and
pretty much didn’t want to work. And, he repeatedly let it be known that he
wasn’t going to be bossed around by a teenager.
I didn’t argue, or yell at him. Didn’t try to force him to do anything,
which meant I usually ended up doing his work and mine. (A great experience for
a few years later when I managed a fast food restaurant). This went on for a
month or so—until the boss showed up early one morning and hid out in his
office, watching and listening.
When the new guy started mouthing off, the boss made his presence
known—by calling me into the office. Apparently, someone (the crew would never
admit which of them) had tipped him off about the attitude of the employee,
which is why he’d come in early. He then wanted to know why I hadn’t said
anything. I told him I figured that’s why he had me there—so he didn’t have to
put up with difficult employees. I saw it as my problem and not his.
After informing me that if I faced similar behavior in the future I
should let him know, the boss grabbed an envelope from his desk and went to
find the disgruntled worker. Handing the guy the envelope, he said, “You’re
right. You don’t have to listen to a teenager.”
Bruce A. Borders is the author of more than a dozen books, including: Inside Room 913, Over My Dead Body, The Journey, Miscarriage Of Justice, and The Wynn Garrett Series. Available in ebook and paperback on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel Books, and Smashwords, or at www.bruceabordersbooks.weebly.com. Amazon Profile - http://www.amazon.com/Bruce-A.-Borders/e/B006SOLWQS Bruce A. Borders also serves as the Vice President of Rave Reviews Book Club http://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com
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