CHAPTER 13
WHEN CHANGE ISN’T A CHOICE
Any change, any loss, does not make us victims. Others can shake you, surprise you, disappoint you, but they can’t prevent you from acting, from taking the situation you’re presented with and moving on.
—Blaine Lee
“IT’S NOT PERSONAL; IT’S JUST BUSINESS”
That’s what they say when they want to ease the pain of delivering bad news, right?
Guess what? It doesn’t work . . . at least not at the time.
Bill Spence was my favorite boss of all time.1 I reported to him for three and a half years while working at the diamond drill bit company I mentioned in Chapter 9. I would have worked for Bill longer except the company was sold and moving to Houston, Texas.
I knew that I wouldn’t move with the plant. I was an hourly employee working afternoons and evenings in shipping while completing my degree. Even so, the Friday afternoon conversation I had with Bill the day that would be my last day caught me off guard.
Have you noticed that unexpected life events are never preceded by a memo saying, “Tomorrow you will experience a difficult change. Get ready”?
IT REALLY WAS JUST BUSINESS
Bill’s conversation was professional and to the point: “You know that we are moving the plant in a few months, and we know that you aren’t planning to go with us. We’ve decided to let you go now rather than keep you on through the transition. Thank you for being a great employee. ...
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