Everyone Gets the Same From Me
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (78759)
United States
December 5, 2023 9:35am CST
I remember back in the day when I was a production lead at Coca-Cola. We had a visit from the Vice President of Operations, and I, along with the plant manager, Director of Operations and the Vice President toured the production areas.
The VP made repeated remarks about "cleanliness." I ran a fairly tight ship, and none of what I saw that he was remarking about stood out as "not within the ordinary." And I knew that any "mess" would be cleaned up prior to the end of my shift as it always was and was my policy.
I finally looked at the VP and firmly told him, "With all due respect, this is not an office. This is a production floor." He stood silent momentarily and I added, "This mess is a result of the work being done to pay everyone's salary here, including yours."
He said nothing further and we finished our tour. A few hours later I was called into the Director of Operations office with the plant manager, and they commented on my comment. They were not happy with me. I did not care.
"I don't care who he is or what his title happens to be," I told them. "Those are MY guys, it's my production floor, and if I think he is wrong about something I am going to tell him so. All he needs to be concerned about are the numbers and the results. The rest is none of his business."
I went on to say, "You are also quite aware of what my floor looks like at the end of my shifts. Rather than call me out for telling the truth, you should have defended me and agreed with me."
My rebuttals weren't necessarily a shock to them. I have a certain personality type. It is what has made me successful. I make no apologies and made none then. I am a take it or leave it kind of guy. You can always show me the door. But if you do? It's at YOUR peril. Not mine.
At the same time? If one doesn't like my personality? I frankly don't give a damn. My personality is also what drives my results, and that's what you paid me for. If you want the results, you will also have to deal with my personality.
Does that make me a jerk? Nah. It just makes me me.
11 people like this
11 responses
@allknowing (130064)
• India
5 Dec
Good that they did not sack you for saying all that (lol)
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
6 Dec
@porwest Since you say it is your personality then saying the same thing in a nicer way will not suit you.
2 people like this
@porwest (78759)
• United States
6 Dec
@allknowing You don't get nice when you are an a$$hole from me. lol
2 people like this
@porwest (78759)
• United States
6 Dec
I would not have cared if they did. I have always made it very clear that they need me more than I need them. I am ALWAYS prepared to walk or be told to walk. As I say so often, when you have money, you have freedom, and that includes the freedom to tell anyone where to go when you want, and how you want, and regardless of what they want. lol
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62205)
• United States
5 Dec
I remember a “chain of command” cartoon in the Navy…one side of the steps showed everyone kissing the butt of the person on the next step. At the top the “head honcho” was leaning over, taking a bite out of the butt on the first person below him on the other side of the steps. Everyone on “that side” of the steps was following suit to bite the person below him.
As for a production area…anyone who thinks that anything can be created without a “mess,” however minimal, is nuts. Ask any cook or chef.
2 people like this
@porwest (78759)
• United States
6 Dec
Many people are so used to people simply being sheep. I have never been able to be that. And my aim has always been to not put myself in a position to have to. It often reminds me of that old commercial, "Never let another man see you sweat." They were selling deodorant. But what I heard was a lesson in life. lol
1 person likes this
@porwest (78759)
• United States
6 Dec
Money is power and money is freedom. Never let another man tread on you. Never let another man think he's better than you. Never let another man have power over you. Never. It's not a brag, but my money has allowed me to do a lot of things other people wish they could afford to do. It just is what it is.
Unlike so many other men I have known, I will NEVER place my balls in their hands to squeeze however they want to. I will do the squeezing, thank you very much. lol
I work for no one. I never have. I never will. No matter how big or powerful you think you are. I am the boss, and nothing you decide to do can ever hurt me. Because I have never allowed myself to be in a position to be vulnerable nor bought.
2 people like this
@Beestring (13332)
• Hong Kong
6 Dec
I don't see any problem speaking out the truth to the boss.
2 people like this
@cherriefic (10400)
• Philippines
6 Dec
It makes you YOU and nobody can tell otherwise. It's better to show the rea you than pretend. Plus, it was the production floor! It was supposed to be messy.
1 person likes this
@2ndchances24 (4842)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
6 Dec
Good deal, I'm 1 that speaks my peace as well
I've always said what's on my mind rather they like it or not.
You can't get nowhere in life if you don't & that sucks later
in life when you're too old to change you're mistakes.1 person likes this
