Lost Letters 1

To Dearie,

I am taking a moment to chuckle at a recent sign that I indubitably have indeed been out of the corporate world. For quite some time might I add.

I just had to share.

Imagine this scene:

It is a pleasant early spring day in Minnesota. A woman walks by my house.  The first thing I notice is that she wears a lanyard around her neck.  Her corporate badge hangs from that lanyard.

Can you imagine this?

I immediately became suspicious of her motives.

I think to myself: 

“What the hell is she doing?” 

Followed by:

“I hope to hell she doesn’t bother me.”

My instinctually negative response was more severe than what I generally reserve for the solicitors who do not bend to the decree I post directly on the door that says "NO SOLICITORS!"

I confess, it was a likely over reaction on my part.

I don't see many business people these days as you may imagine given my more recent endeavors.

After a moment she was well past my house and I breathed a sigh of relief. I then chuckled at my over reaction and thought of you.

And then commenced writing you this note that you now read.

Though, isn't a bit odd for a business woman to walk down my road, badge lanyard and all? I don't know about your neighborhood as you share so little about it with me, but in my neighborhood this is not normal behavior at all. I don't mean that as a pejorative. I mean that inquisitively. Of course, I canot discount a possibility that if we truly knew her motive for walking down my street wearing a badge lanyard, if we probed more deeply into motivation, we indeed may find her natural inclinations is an expression of an abhorrent nature. Which is a judgement, to be sure. But I would contest that were such judgment was derived, it would be derived ipso facto in this theoretical instance and therefor, as such, be wholly warranted. Of this I assure you.

By the by, and as your are still in the industry so to speak, I dare ask, are badges a thing again? Are we universally back to times of employee surveil? Good Lord say it isn’t so. But prey tell, did I miss this issuance? IF this is indeed true, then how 90s is that?! How post Reaganesque. Workers cannot be trusted! Workers steal! Workers boo! Surviel the workers!

Don't you even get me started on the actual thieves! Humph! (Stamps foot on ground!)

When she walked by the house, that woman's walk was purposeful. It was a walk of absolute intention. There was nothing incidental nor accidental about her countenance, her gate, nor her ambition. Her shoulders leaning forward as though they were striving to peer beyond the subtle breeze that resisted them. Like a prize fighter in the ring looking to decimate her opponent, she strode fearlessly into the path that lie before. Her head thrust slightly forward; not so much hinting as much as demanding the desire to get to her destination ever faster.

The traits she demonstrated in those few strides I witnessed were strongly suggestive of those I associate people of high levels of productivity. Look across any room of people. You will see many types. However, the people peering outward of themselves, nay, beyond themselves, are most often the most productive people of the lot. For they desire to understand the common goal so that they can help us reach that common goal. By leaning forward into the atmosphere around them it is as though there are demanding: "MAY I DOWNLOAD ALL OF THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION I NEED SO AS TO ENABLE ME TO DEVELOP A PLAN OF TASKS THAT I WILL THEN COMPLETE ON TIME AND UNDER BUDGET SO AS TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL WE SHARE? ONCE I AQUIRE THIS INFORMATION, LET US PART SO THAT WORK MAY COMMENCE POST HASTE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!"

To be sure I exaggerate. But only for affect. The sentiment is real. I saw in her during those few strides one of the most productive creatures the corporate world had ever produced. A creature to be feared were you to find yourself on an imposing team.

Was it any wonder I was suddenly startled into fear? Fear that she may take that purpose directly to my front door? Where would I gather the courage to resist such an unwavering force?

But thank God it was only an incorrect assessment on my part. Thus far this has been the sole instance of the activity I witnessed. I suspect it was a one off. Still, it did happen once. There is a non zero chance it could occur again. Best to keep a look out in these strange times.

Well, I need to tend to my chores. I just wanted to share this experience as I thought you would find it humorous.

Take care Dearie!