The news today continues to be grim. I am trying to stay away from being engulfed by it as it is cyclical and today is just a bad day for the economy. The media is labeling it as the "turmoil in the economy." I have also seen reports on the "impact of greed." I feel bad for people who have been impacted by it without all the hype. The bottom line is that all this "news" is more than headlines. The rhetoric is "the good old boys" got us here. I love the accusations flying around and yet the fact that it is so much easier to criticize than do something about it.
I have been remembering a consulting company I interviewed with over 15 years. Although the job was in Toronto, I had to fly to their HQ to interview with the key partners to make sure I would fit into their "culture." They also made me go through a series of tests ranging from writing a story about a picture to answering a slew of questions. I was also interviewed by an organizational psychologist. It was a very long day since I am not fond of tests.
A week later I received a call from the Toronto office and we arranged a time to meet. I was offered a job but was also told they noticed that while I dress very well, I only wore pant suits. Their customers were conservative is what I was told and they would expect me to wear skirts and dresses. I was stunned but also relieved to find out what they were about as there was no way I would work for a company that told me how to dress. What would be next? How I part my hair? Who I am friends with? What I eat?
They also shared with me that if I join, I'd receive a full report from the organizational psychologist. And if I didn't, I can pay for the report and briefing. So, I didn't take this job and the next day the senior partner running this firm called me to tell me they didn't mean to mention how I dressed and for me to forget all about it. I couldn't. It turned my stomach. Would they say this to a man? No way.
They also shared with me some of the concerns of the organizational psychologist. One his biggest concerns is that I would have a difficult time working with people who were not at my level and that I need to be constantly challenged or I'll be on the next thing. This is what I am thinking about right now.
I am bored with what I am doing right now because of lack of vision. Last night before I fell asleep, I received the most ridiculous email and I just laughed it off as it showed me the gap in leadership that exists. There is no perfect work place. But when the people at the top are not strong leaders with limited vision, I do lose interest.
I still wear pant suits although I rarely wear suits these days. And I do have limited patience for people who have no vision.
hurrah for you! I have never heard this story. That is complete BS and I'm glad you walked away.
Posted by: Sheila | September 26, 2008 at 03:54 PM