The Camel That Got Me Into Trouble!

I read a short eye-catching post this morning, which was composed by a Dr. Richard Claydon, where he said: "I had an interesting chat with a very interesting recruiter, focusing on the state of the industry. A relationship that we will keep warm. What was most eye-opening was his comment about how I would be treated by the recruitment industry. That I would be impossible to qualify and, even if I was, I would probably end up scaring the people interviewing me. I like to think I'm fairly knowledgeable about my field. That this knowledge would generate fear in the very people it is designed to help is a little disconcerting."

This comment instantly took me back in memories to my teen years, specifically, when I was in ninth grade. It was an incident in my life that left an impression on me, and opened my eyes to a less-flattering quality in human-beings which I was not aware of till then... you'll figure it out in a bit...

The class was going to be tested on biology/ecology, and the subject was about the adaptation of organisms to the ecosystems they inhabit. The exam was four questions, each scored at 25%.

Biology, as it is with all the sciences, was always a subject that I enjoyed and did well at, due to my immersion and interest in the field since my very early childhood. The exam was 'easy,' because I knew my stuff, so, I completed the test and turned in my paper. As students do, my friends and I congregated outside the class and started comparing answers; I was confident that I will Ace this exam.

My father was a very serious man about his children's education. In a matter of fact, until college, my education was received at select private schools all-through since first grade (which I skipped -went to second grade at 4.5-years old). Dad would always take the time to stop by our schools and meet-up with the principles and each of the teachers to get updates and share feedback from his end too; and he spent our weekends reviewing our homework with us and mentoring. The teachers respected and loved him. I could not hide a thing from the man... he always knew what's-up, especially when it came to our schooling.

Two days after the aforementioned exam, the moment of truth arrived, and we were going to receive the graded papers. To my astonishment, I received a grade of 75%! In a split-second, I went through a flood of feelings all at the same time! Shock, fear, anger, pensiveness, sadness, embarrassment... then I collected myself. I read the exam, and found where the teacher had faulted me...

... the second question on the test, which was an essay test, bar this question, stated the following: "Explain in bullets: how does the camel adapt to the scarcity of water in the desert?" I'll never forget my answer, which was:

The camel does so via several means, they have an exceptional ability to minimize their water losses by:

• Producing an exceptionally sparse and concentrated urine, as well as very dry droppings.
• They minimize water losses in their exhalation air by using their noses as effective water exchanges.
• They have the ability to drink large amounts of water, which is stored in their blood stream and tissue.
• They have an exceptional ability to tolerate relatively severe dehydration, and elevated body temperatures.
• In regards to what many believe, about the camel storing water in the hump, they are incorrect. The hump is used as a "food store" in the form of fat/lipids, and when the camel needs energy, it metabolizes the fat to that end.

The teacher had underlined the second and third bullets with his black and yellow Staedtler red ink ballpoint pen, and then he did the same to the last bullet, and then crossed out the word "metabolizes.", and next to this bullet he wrote "-25%" and circled it.

I waited until he asked if anyone had a question about their exam, or grading, and a bunch of students got up and approached him at the front of the class; I--then--used to be a bit shy, so, I waited till the crowd thinned and I walked up to him at his desk. He looked at me and asked? "Do you have a problem Raéd?" I quietly answered back: 'well, I have a question... why was my answer here [and I pointed at the answer on the exam paper] marked incorrect?'

He replied back by saying: "was that the answer I gave the class in the class notes (he always tested from his class notes, and expected us to answer verbatim)? I said: "not exactly, but I know that this is correct, and if you like, tomorrow I can bring the encyclopedia I have at home to demonstrate that my answer is correct too!" He rebutted by asking: "What did the notes say?" and he opened that question to the class (whom now were taken by the ensuing dialog between the teacher and I, especially my friends whom were feeling sympathetic)... one student answered: "by storing water in the hump!"

The teacher stared at me and asked me to just return to my seat, and said that he will not change the grade. I advised him that I had other bullets that were correct, and he replied that he is willing to give me partial credit of five points (as if it was a case of charity).

At that stage I was barely able to contain my emotions from the injustice I was enduring, and blurted out: "you are unfair, and even ignorant!" He laughed, and motioned at me to re-approach him... when I arrived next to him, thinking that he is going to discipline me, or dispel me from class, he motioned with his index finger that I get even closer, and then whispered that he will give me back the 25% he took off my test at the end of the semester, and add it to my final grade.

That was not satisfactory for me, because I still had to confront my father with 75% on a test that I already told him that I aced! The teacher told me to have my dad call him... that was no comfort to me.

The afternoon arrived, school was over, and I was praying that the company's chauffeur will pick us up from school and not my dad... I just did not want to confront him yet... I wanted to think this situation through. As fate usually deals us, we are often presented with just that: what we fear (probably as an opportunity for us to over come it)... and there I see my dad's glistening classic white sedan, with the tan leather top and chrome accents, driving up to the school's gates... an instant diarrhea moment!

I could see him smiling through the windshield that was reflecting a glaring hot sun that afternoon... I dreaded disappointing the man; my brother--who went to the same school--got into the car first, and the front seat was reserved for me, as the eldest, a privilege I would only loose if my father was really dissatisfied with a behavior of mine, which seldom happened... on days like this, I preferred the back seat where he could not stare at me with his hypnotic eyes (especially when he was disappointed), or reach for me with his arms!! [LOL]

I made peace with my mind, and was ready to receive whatever punishment, or lecture, I was to be dealt... until this day, one of my favorite songs by George Strait, "Love without end, amen," reminds me of that feeling. I buckled-up, and as the car started to accelerate he asked: "Raéd, how did you do on the Biology exam?" I was hoping that he may have forgotten about it since it has been a few days! "I did OK", I replied, and he came back with: "OK is not an answer, it is not a grade... what happened?" I looked at him with piercing eyes, holding tears back, while biting my lips shut, and then, I just could not...

... with all that I was feeling I let it all out! I was practically screaming at him (which, normally, I would never dare to do--respect wise), and I said: 'that stupid teacher (something I would not have said before either-respect wise, again) docked me 25 points [out of 100] on an answer that was correct and he refused to admit or correct his error! and now, you are going to heap it on me too!"

My father looked at me for a moment before he redirected his attention to the traffic we were driving in, and said, "take it easy, son... what was the question?" I told him, he then said "what was your answer?" and I elaborated. He asked: "why did you not answer the question the way he wanted?" and I answered 'because he was wrong, and I was right beyond doubt' ... he then turned to me, and almost in a demanding voice said: "when the teacher tests you, you give him the answer he wants so to earn the grade!" ...

... at that moment, I felt so confident... everything seemed crisper and brighter... more saturated and peaceful! I had my father in a corner (argument wise)!! After a short pause, I looked at him and quietly said: "that is hypocrisy... you are the one who taught me that I should always stand by the truth and facts, in addition, dad, you are the one who taught me that we go to school to acquire knowledge so that we become informed, more productive, and better people, and not just to score grades and claim a piece of paper (certificate)'... the only sounds that could be heard after that statement was made were a few cars honking outside, and the A/C blower humming with a low, monotonous, susurration... that was the end of that debate... he did not say a word about the subject till we arrived home thirty minutes later.

Once we arrived at our villa, my dad took me aside, and said, "I understand what you said, and you are right. I will speak with the teacher later and understand his point of view, and we will take care of this... it's not a problem." I got my 25-points back at the end of the semester, where they were added to my final grade (which the teacher made a point of telling me about at that time).

Years go by, and life goes on... I start the first day of my corporate career at Allstate. After a serious and encompassing orientation and training day, all the new hires were given a written multiple-choice exam, in addition to the technical one on the mainframe terminal simulators.

Ms. Audrey Gonzalez was my manager, and she was proctoring the exam. In the middle of the exam, which was many pages long, was a question that had three answers: "A", "B", and "C" to choose from... based on the training that was given, none of them really were correct, although, one was close... I wrote-in a "D" and filled-in the correct answer! The exams were corrected, within an hour, as we were watching presentations via a video projector...

... Ms. Gonzalez, congratulated the class on a job well done, reviewed the test's answers, and then singled me out and asked that I stand, as she was smiling... she said "there was a mistake that has been on the exam questions for a long time, and no one noticed or pointed it out to-date, but Raéd did just that today... not only that he noticed it, but he corrected it too" ... and she placed a copy of my sheet on the projector for the class to see! Talk about a moment of glory for a young geek... myself!... instant PR and popularity [lol]... what ensued after? A glorious half a decade career with the company, which was everything about professional and personal growth... I still perceive and promote Allstate as one of the best companies I ever served at, with some of the best leaders I have ever had the privilege of serving under.

The lesson to be learned...

Never drop your standards, on the contrary continue to critique and improve them, and when the matter is important or critical, always stand your ground if you know beyond doubt that what you present, or represent, is better.

Always maintain a higher standard even if the environment about you is not of the same... Leaders seeking quality will always be on the lookout, and if the management you are amongst are not of that caliber, then, you must ask yourself: "What am I doing here?" and then reorient your expectations or career direction accordingly.

In regards to recruiters: they are people, just like you and I, and as such, there is the good, the bad, and the ugly, so do not give people more credit than they deserve, and neither allow their biased perceptions pollute your confidence nor misdirect your goals... be a critical thinker, recognize things for what they actually are, choose what works for you and the success of the team you are a member of, and continue to maneuver accordingly towards your vision and objectives. Life is about taking calculated risks, and remember the adage: "if you have not failed in your life, you have not lived."

... my 5￠ worth.