| Re: 05.21.18 |
Subject: Re: 05.21.18 by TommyT-Bone on 2018/5/21 12:59:54 Went to dinner with some guys I worked with in the P.O.. Three of us retired, the other two retiring within the next year. Two of them I've known closely since the early 80's so we have plenty of remember when stories. When we worked together we had a special bond. We looked out for each other, worked hard together and even avoided calling in sick to prevent putting a heavier load on our workmates. This team of workers clicked for quite awhile unmanaged. Yup, no bosses in house. We were good at what we did and worked best when left alone. Trying to enforce strict guidelines, hard ass tactics or major changes in operation because of an "I'm the boss" mentality often backfired. They resulted in grievances being filed with the union, calls to the safety office, use of sick leave and a number of other supervisor behavior modification applications we were prepared to use. After piling up a supervisor with a months worth of paperwork they usually eased there positions and tried to listen to why things work as they work. I've even gone to the point of telling a boss "If you want to micro manage everything I do, fine. I'll only do what YOU tell me to do. If you have me do this then that won't get done. Which do you want done, this or that. Both was often the bosses response. Can't happen. Can't do two jobs at once. I can do this or I can do that. Pick one. One of the ways we coped with stress and pressure was through humor. We laughed often. Last night at the dinner table my buddy Eddie brought up an age old story while I was eating my salad. I busted a gut laugh with a full mouth. Covered my mouth as salad dressing and lettuce spewed forth through the cracks accosting my cross table mates with salad specs. I regained composure only to once again fall victim to laughing with the same result. I really can't remember when I laughed this hard. It would have to be back when I was a kid. Even tears flowed from laughing so hard. We don't get together often but when we do ..... it's a hoot. We always share a big hugs when it's time to go. Friendships like that are evidence of a life well lived. |
