originally published on www.thegledaproject.com on 10 Jun 2014

So after all the excitement of the last 3 weeks and finally getting Gleda on the water (nearly) and not far off sailing it was back to work on Monday for me.

I am required to work until 19th June then be on “garden leave” (not actually working but available to work if they call you in) until my final employment date of 27th June.

It was great to see the girls that I work with to catch up and hear their news.  With the exception of when I had a spell in hospital a couple of years ago, 3 weeks is the longest time I have been off work.  As you would expect, some things don’t change.   The meanness of spirit of those with the power over those without, the obnoxious behaviour of one individual spoiling the last months of what, for some has been a lifetime of employment.  Those who have been chucked away, disregarded and certainly ignored still come to work, they still “do”, they talk about going off sick for stress (which would be justified) but they don’t.  They know that the other members of their team will have to bear the brunt of their work and they don’t want to put upon the others and be a burden.  They may grumble but they carry on and provide the excellent service that 6 months ago they were being praised  for.

This is what the organisation will lose.  The intangible elements of people; the team that works together without the need of constant managing;  those people who do what needs to be done; those who ensure the office runs smoothly to give fast efficient customer service to members of the public and other staff members;   those who do not turn away from tasks as “beneath them”, but pull together to help get the job done.  A senior director also leaves the organisation this month and I ask myself who will be missed most?  A strategic decision maker or those with the key to the office door to let everyone else in,  those who are first in line to answer the phone to members of the public, those who ensure there is milk in the fridge for the tea and coffee, those who make sure there is a spare loo roll on top of the cistern…  I will let you decide which one you would notice first is not there.

For anyone out in corporate land I would ask that before you disregard the quiet one, the one who is maybe on a low salary and possibly thought unimportant and dispensable, take the time to find out what they do outside of the job description issued.  This person may be your most valuable and loyal employee, the one who keeps the wheels turning smoothly – I’m not saying the wheel won’t turn without them but maybe not as smoothly.

I am fortunate that I am in a position not to have to be an employee particularly with the opportunities I have, should I wish to pursue them, with Forever Living Products and their business model. More on that anon.

Is it a coincidence that the migraines I have been struggling with all year, but did not have one episode in the 3 weeks in Devon, are hovering again?

Anyway, 7 days and counting until I become a Professional Freedom Voyager.