Jehan Ara – President P@SHA – writes:

I have personally always believed that nothing is worth losing your dignity over. I remember when
I got a job in Hong Kong many years ago. It was a good offer and one I
was really looking forward to but I was haunted by the first interview
I had at the organization. The big boss, an Englishman – Adrian Batten
- who later became a good friend, was throwing around 4-letter words -
he was angry about something. I thought as I considered taking the job
“Would I be able to handle that kind of verbal attack? Did I even want
to no matter how much money there was in it or how much opportunity it
offered?” I could have turned down the job. I didn’t. However, at the
final interview I told my soon-to-be employer “This is a new field of
work for me. I am bound to make mistakes. When I do I want you to point
them out and I will make sure I don’t make the same mistake again, but
please never raise your voice because the day you do, I will walk out
and never come back. My dignity is all I have.” He looked at me (a
young, itsy bitsy girl with checkered experience) and said “Is that an
ultimatum young lady?” I nodded, a little scared but not willing to
back off. He smiled and said “You’re on!” I worked for him and with him
for 9 years and we had a number of disagreements but NOT ONCE did he
raise his voice.

Powered by ScribeFire.