Things I learned at work

[theSQUIDSTER]

- The most important things I've learned at work, I learned in Primary first.  (The "Primary answers" ARE the primary answers.)

- Kindness is a principle of power.  Kindness builds and strengthens bridges to others.

- Say something nice about somebody behind their back.

- Smile at both strangers and co-workers.

- Open doors not just for ladies but for everyone.

- When you need someone to blame for the current technical difficulties, Microsoft is usually the safest scapegoat.

[Guest MormonGator]

4 minutes ago, theSQUIDSTER said:

- The most important things I've learned at work, I learned in Primary first.  (The "Primary answers" ARE the primary answers.)

- Kindness is a principle of power.  Kindness builds and strengthens bridges to others.

- Say something nice about somebody behind their back.

- Smile at both strangers and co-workers.

- Open doors not just for ladies but for everyone.

- When you need someone to blame for the current technical difficulties, Microsoft is usually the safest scapegoat.

All these are A+ advice. Love them. 

[Backroads]

I don't know if there is a particular lesson here, but it made me feel good.

My principal is the definition of professional, always dressed to the nines.

Now, I've been struggling with finding a dress for an upcoming wedding. Today I decided to try my luck at the local thrift store (found The Dress). I had gone for a run this morning, haven't showed in two days, was in t-shirt and patched jeans, feeling slovenly. 

I enter the store to see a woman in a casual ponytail and denim shorts and a basic shirt. No make-up. Took me a couple of minutes to recognize my own principal dressed down for the summer.

I guess the lesson is.. relax when you can. Enjoy yourself.

[Budget]

46 minutes ago, Backroads said:

I don't know if there is a particular lesson here, but it made me feel good.

My principal is the definition of professional, always dressed to the nines.

Now, I've been struggling with finding a dress for an upcoming wedding. Today I decided to try my luck at the local thrift store (found The Dress). I had gone for a run this morning, haven't showed in two days, was in t-shirt and patched jeans, feeling slovenly. 

I enter the store to see a woman in a casual ponytail and denim shorts and a basic shirt. No make-up. Took me a couple of minutes to recognize my own principal dressed down for the summer.

I guess the lesson is.. relax when you can. Enjoy yourself.

 

 

Instead of relax/enjoy yourself I saw this example as a thrifty, smart and professional person who maybe doesn't have as much money as people think she does - but she still carries herself well and takes care of herself so know one knows.  

I had a similar yet different thing happen at work.

I was getting a new vehicle after driving our minivan and being 'that minivan mom' for 13 years.  The van was in great shape for being 13 years old as I take very good care of my vehicles.  Still, a dealer isn't going to give you much for it so I decided instead I wanted to give it to someone.  I wanted to anonymously 'gift' it to someone who truly needed it. But I didn't know anyone in that position at that time. I called on a contact I knew who knew 'everyone' and asked her if she knew anyone in need of a free minivan? She said she'd get back to me.  The very next day she said she did.  I told her I didn't want to know who it was, but I was signing the title over and she could give it to them.

The day after, she brought me $100 in cash and told me the person who got my van insisted on giving me something for it and this is all she had at the time.  Without using names she told the person who got our minivan was a single Mom going through a divorce.  She has 3 kids, two of whom are still in elementary school.  Her truck is being repossessed and every day she drove it to work wondering if it would still be in the parking lot when she left for the day.  She cried when she found out someone was going to GIVE her a free vehicle.

That was a Friday afternoon.

Monday morning I went to work.  I had an office inside City Hall.  The City Administrator came into my office and sat down in the chair in front of my desk. She told me she wanted to thank me for what I did with my minivan. I was confused how she knew but realized she was very good friends with the woman I put in charge of finding someone so I'm sure they talked about it at church that weekend when they saw each other.  Then she started to tear up and repeated again; "No. REALLY.  Thank You."   ???  She started to cry and said, "yes... it was me who needed the van.  I figured I had to tell you because you will be seeing it parked int he parking lot every day and I knew you would wonder."

Yes.  One of the highest paid positions in the city, who was professional and dressed to kill every day in her suits, was in dire straights financially, going through a horrible divorce, needed numerous big repairs on a house falling apart and having her vehicle repossessed.

 

You just NEVER KNOW what your co-workers are going through in their real lives outside of the office.

[Backroads]

Love that story!

 

For the record, it wasn't so much the thrift shop location (thrift stores rock), just the fact that this professional woman looked no better than I and didn't always have to be the professional.

[Budget]

 

Backroads... then my story will just double as my answer to the OP question;  things I learned at work!  LOL.

You just NEVER KNOW what your co-workers are going through in their real lives outside of the office.