There was a rich man who was informed that his Manager was wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked ” What is this that I hear about you? Now I want you to give me an account of your management because your services are no longer needed.”
The Manager was sad and so frightened as he was about to lose his job and had neither savings nor assets to fall back upon. He had no other skills to look for any job and what’s worst is that he couldn’t beg anyone for a job.
What on earth was he going to do?
After thinking for a while, The Manager got a brilliant idea.
His boss kept a record of debtors and he was charged with making sure the debtors paid their loans promptly. What if he approached these debtors and negotiated an offer they would not refuse? These debtors would accept him in their house and maybe give him a job when he lost his present job.
So The Manager called these debtors and shared his idea. He let them understand that he would help them alter their debt.
So One debtor who owned a sum of 6,000 was made to alter his bill to 4,500 and for another who owned a sum of 1,000,000, the Manager made sure that his bill became 800,000.
What do you think happened when the Manager’s boss got to find out about the Manager’s transaction with the debtors? The Manager was praised and recognized for his shrewdness and great wisdom.
What!!!! Why on earth would the Boss praise such a Dishonest Manager instead of putting him in bars?
Now What does this story teach you about making a difference?
What You Should Learn From This Story
1. Learn To Communicate Effectively
Does talking automatically mean you’re communicating?
The Manager and his Boss had a communication breakdown. This lack of effective communication made it easy for the Boss to question the Manager’s competence without concrete evidence. The Manager wasn’t keeping his Boss informed or accountable in the workplace.
When communication is poor, trust starts to erode, and even good intentions can be misinterpreted. Communication is a skill that can be developed, so it’s important to learn how to communicate effectively.
2. Relationship Matters A Lot
Some people believe they don’t need anyone to achieve success, and some think relationships only matter when life is going well. If you share this mindset, it’s time to reconsider.
The Manager didn’t value relationships until he lost his job. Imagine being in a tough situation with no one to turn to—that’s exactly what the Manager faced. He learned the importance of relationships the hard way. Don’t let that be your story
3. Never Be Pressured Into Doing the Wrong Thing Just to Make a Difference
Two wrongs don’t make a right. The Manager could have thought of a better alternative to make a difference in the lives of the debtors.
So why did the Boss praise the Manager instead of putting him in Bars?
The boss had a sudden realization—an “aha” moment—about the value of relationships in business. His manager had been involved in a dishonest transaction, something that would typically lead to punishment. However, the manager’s actions demonstrated the powerful impact that building relationships can have in business.
The boss realized that if he had taken the time to connect with his debtors, he would have understood their challenges, pains, and the ups and downs of their businesses. He would have gained insight into their personal struggles, and how those struggles affected their businesses, and been better equipped to offer more tailored, supportive loans. This approach could have resulted in mutual benefits, creating a win-win scenario and unlocking new opportunities for his own business.
The boss saw that the manager, by focusing on relationships rather than just transactions, had built long-lasting connections that extended beyond the confines of business dealings. It was this ability to foster meaningful relationships that surprised and impressed the boss, leading him to praise the manager rather than punish him.
Over To You
What do you think about the story? Do you believe that the Manager deserves to be praised or punished? What would you have done if you were in the Manager’s shoes? How do you think the Manager made a difference?
Please share your opinion in the comment section.
