Forgiveness is the Attribute of the Strong by Marc LeVine

“If we forgave for as long as we hold grudges, the world would be a healthier and happier place”

―?Charmaine J Forde

John: Congratulations! I always wanted a Lamborghini. Are you going to bring it to work? What color is it? You owe me a ride in it. I'll buy lunch afterwards!

Bill: (looking puzzled) Thank you. I’m not sure… Excuse me, I have someone to see.

Bill storms over to Charlie’s office with a face contorted by sheer outrage.

Charlie: Hey man! What’s up??You look pissed? Is it about me?

Bill: John just congratulated me on my new Lamborghini. You must have told him about it? Did you or not?

Charlie: Yeah, I mentioned it to him and a few others. Why? We’re all excited for you.

Bill: You know... You have a BIG MOUTH! I'm sorry I told you about the car, at all. Thought you were my friend. I’m done with you! Just stay away from me! OK?

Bill stares at Charlie in disgust and storms out of his office. Charlies follows him from behind shouting at him down the hallway.

Charlie: Wait! Bill! What’s wrong? ?You didn’t tell me not to say anything to anyone about the new car…

Before Charlie’s last sentence was out, Bill had already retreated into his office, slamming the door behind him. He didn’t want his new car purchase to spread around the office and was afraid his CEO (Russ) would find out that he was driving a much more expensive car than the boss' own Mercedes. Some bosses – not all of them – are uncomfortable seeing their employees driving around in top tier luxury vehicles on what they are paying them. Not a great way to see things. It is just human nature.

CEO: Oh Bill… Glad I caught you in the hallway. We have an important meeting with Acme Widgets next week. I want you and Charlie to work together to prepare and make a presentation on the solution we discussed for them. By the way! Congratulations on the cool Lamborghini! They are beautiful cars. Enjoy yours!

Bill had a pained smile on his face as he watched the CEO fade down the hallway. He knew he would have to work with Charlie on this important presentation for their company’s largest client. There was no getting around it. It is what the CEO wanted. AND the CEO didn’t seem a bit jealous about Bill’s new car either. He overreacted for nothing. What now?

John: Hey Bill, I need those cost calculations today. Can you have them for me?

Bill: Did Charlie tell you about my new Lamborghini?

John: He sure did? Said he was so happy for you. Why? What's wrong? Wasn’t anyone supposed to know? Did you tell ask Charlies to keep it a secret?

Bill began to remember his initial conversation with Charlie. He was so excited about his purchase and with sharing all the details, he realized he never told Charlie his purchase was to be a secret and should not be shared with others. Bill immediately headed to Charlie’s office with a sincere apology.

Charlie: (seeing Bill in his doorway) I thought you were done with me?” ?You know you…

Bill: (Bill cuts Charlie off) Look man, I owe you a huge apology. I must have forgotten to tell you I didn’t want you to tell anyone about my new car. I feel awful yelling at you. I just saw Russ (CEO) and he was fine with it. In fact, he asked us to pull together a presentation on the Acme Widget Solution for next week. He left it in our hands. Imagine how it would have been like to work on this together, when I wanted to wring your neck?

Bill and Charlie chucked a bit. They then sat down and began planning for their upcoming presentation. Seeking new employment? Visit: www.thermosystems.com/careers

FORGIVENESS is a critical soft skill. One of the most important ones most of us need to work on. We should never hold grudges with anyone – especially co-workers we must work together with for the good of our employers. Differences must be settled, and we must move on – if not in friendship than in duty to the people, who pay our salaries and the customers, who deserve to receive the goods and services they paid for without added controversy. And - by the way - holding grudges isn't exactly the greatest for our health either. Just sayin.

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The Author

Listen to Marc's latest interview on The AutomationBlog Podcast with Shawn Tierney.

Marc LeVine?is a graduate of Syracuse (NY) University with a degree in Industrial Psychology, Marc is currently Talent Acquisitions and Learning and Development Lead at Thermo Systems. He is the recipient of the Excellence in Talent Acquisitions Award from HR Awards in 2021. His prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ, Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ, InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge NJ and Plainsboro, NJ and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ, a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his hometown of Freehold Borough, NJ