Lehman Bros v Pewley Down Infant School
Keith Rozelle, Sales Marvel
LinkedIn for Grown-ups | Empowering SMEs to Win. On LinkedIn | Mentor: Help to Grow | Author: How to Sell Virtually
The 9/11 attacks had just happened and the world was in a state of shock; a chilling moment in world history
People were busy re-evaluating everything that was important to them, creating a phenomenon which came to be known as cocooning.
I had been working in mid-town Manhattan for 9-months launching our North American operation, though I was incredibly lucky to be working out of the London offices that particular week.
I’d just left a client meeting in the City when our MD phoned, telling me that we had a customer "in trouble" and that they needed to see us immediately. I told him that, per my Outlook, I was on my way back to Guildford to watch my son play in his school football match.
So, why was I leaving work early to go watch my eldest play football?
"One Sunday night after reading him a bedtime story (Harry Potter no doubt), my son turned over to go to sleep and whispered "see you next weekend Dad.'"
I felt physically sick as I felt the full force of those softly spoken words...
"my ego for travelling the world in 1st class was seriously undermining the relationship with my children"
Right then, right there, in that precise moment, I had decided what my priorities were without thinking through the potential ramifications to career, which would turn out to be profound. I know in my heart that it was the right thing to do, that that customer meeting could surely have waited until the following day and that the Pewley Down 3pm kick-off waits for nobody, not even for me.
There are (hopefully) very few occasions in one's career where the future comes down to a "pivotal moment" but this was one such example. Whilst life has certainly not been a bed of roses since then, I'm really glad I made that particular decision.
Earlier this year, I was both rewarded and humbled to watch my eldest cross the finish line in the Barcelona Marathon; Lehman Bros on the other hand is no more...
So, yes, you did read the subject line correctly; Lehman Bros really did take on Pewley Down Infant School all those years ago...in a gargantuan battle for my heart.
Decide what really matters to you and, as Jack Nicholson once advised " Act accordingly."
You'll be glad you did.
Profound moment for you Keith and no doubt the right choice for you. Nice article!
Careers and Widening Participation Professional | Careers Coach | Careers Associate | University of York
7 年I still regret missing my daughters performance as Mary in the nursery nativity play; i was told that Joseph apparently got stage fright and my daughter at 3 quite comically took charge of the situation and recruited her best friend to play the role! I have no regrets that I subsequently decided to jobshare and enjoyed being able to commit to both my working life and raising my 2 children.
LinkedIn for Grown-ups | Empowering SMEs to Win. On LinkedIn | Mentor: Help to Grow | Author: How to Sell Virtually
7 年Well said Juliet!
Careers professional committed to empowering others and raising and realising aspirations.
7 年Reading this reminds me how our career path reflects all aspects of our lives; challenges, conflicts and opportunities lead us along an unpredictable route with achievements, rewards and surprises as we go. What matters is how we navigate and being ready to take advantage of the next possibility.