What Did A CEO Tell to 20-yr Junior Analyst?

A sweltering Monday noon in Jakarta. I was thinking to have quick lunch in a mid-tier food court alone. Reaching the ground floor in the office, a familiar voice called me from the back. That’s my boss, no, my CEO! Shortly said, I had my (special) lunch with him. We tapped into a Japanese royal restaurant with dim light and calm tone.

Nervy? Obviously! I flashed back to what my co-workers told me about him. “He is so humble. Can you imagine, a CEO asked us to wait him taking the car under the rainy sky and then picked us up? People even can’t differ which the CEO and the co-workers!”.

I remember too, in his recent birthday, he gave a short speech but stayed long in my mind, “Yes, I am happy if you all are working happily.” Heard simple, yet it felt really sincere.

Well, forget the memories. The problem is, he is now right in front of me; what should I talk to him, how should I respond, what is the proper menu to order, and I should eat politely. Those thoughts were circling crazily in my head.

“Hey, this one tastes good,” he dispersed my imagination.

Surprisingly, he started the conversation and my worries slowly sank. My CEO shared his actionable plans to build up our growing company, told on how he saw the visionary future, and what’s gonna be the next waves.

I am impressed. My biggest question is, where did he learn to do this all, as he spent his most time as an analyst.

“I read a lot, try a lot, learn a lot, think a lot, experience a lot. I just do what I can do best, with the belief that one day it all prepares me for a role in the future. Now, I can optimize all the skills I’ve earned far before I am here now.”

I couldn’t agree more than this!

Sometimes, you think you work more than your dollars-paid, serve more than your seniors, and do more than what you should. In the deepest belief, the world is just preparing you to be something with big role in the future, which requires today’s spirit and effort.

Thanks God I’m Here! :)

Written by: Felicia Putri Tjiasaka