Emotions From An Unemotional Man…

This is my last working day here at our Manila Office. Same goes for my wife. We’re off to San Francisco via Hong Kong on Monday.

I wrote a short thank you note to my friends and colleagues here at the office as well as our other offices here in Asia-Pacific. It was pretty hard to write the note as I’ve worked with most of these people a lot in my career and I would classify most of them as “friends” and not just mere “colleagues”. Here are some of the things I wrote:

“I would like to take this opportunity to say that it was an honor and a privilege to have worked with each and every one of you. There were are lot of challenges over the past years but it is encouraging to face those challenges with people who value the Company as if it is their own business; and who did not stray from the straight and narrow path of what is true and right.

That is why I am enjoining you to continue taking the high road at all times and to strive to make things better. Nothing speaks louder for an employee than superior performance.”

I don’t want to be preachy but most of the folks I’ll be leaving behind are demoralized and anxious due to changes and challenges within our Philippine Office. I just wanted to remind them that being true and right will never be easy but the rewards will be great.

I sent that note not expecting much for a response. I was gravely mistaken. As I right this post, replies are still trickling in. Some are the obligatory “Congratulations…”, “Keep in touch…”and the simple responses you typically get. Others are quite profound or what we Pinoys call: “Nakakataba ng puso…”. You be the judge. I have copied these responses verbatim:

“I have never experienced openly expressing all my concerns about people and events happening in my career and in the business unit where I belong to. You have always shown objectivity in decisions or advices you have given me. At lease that is how I view it. It may look like I have good relations with your fellow managers but I could not talk to them and discuss with them things that I discuss with you….”

“…I will surely miss all the times that I would walk up to your work station and ask for your opinion (these are what I call “precious moments” because I know fully well that you are a very busy man). You have as I have said given sound advices or opinions clearly showing me the pros and cons of a certain decision that I have to make especially in my career.”

“Salamat sa mga messages pampalakas ng loob / Tuwing ang bangka ko ay tila malapit ng tumaob / At nakikita ninyong halos di ko na maigaod / Salamat sa marahang tapik niyo sa aking likod…”

“Thank you too for unselfishly sharing your ideas/thoughts kahit alam ko nakaka-abala na ako minsan. We are greatful that you were there with us during those trying times…In fact, kahit na busy ka na masyado ngayon, we still find time to share some laughs. You have been a friend, a mentor and a role model.”

There are several more messages coming in. I’m really surprised by the responses I got. I made sure that everyone in the note I sent were in the BCC field i.e. the recipients wouldn’t know to whom the message was sent to other than themselves. People have a tendency to send glowing responses if they know that others will be reading their mail.

I would say that 99% of the respondents have never worked under me and yet I feel that I am responsible for all of their careers. I made it a point to try to talk to them not just about work – but also about life and their dreams. Most managers will find this approach odd or even worse, a sign of weakness. Well…different strokes for different folks.

It is heartening to know that you have made a difference…That others find value in what you did no matter how small. I seem to recall one World War II general saying that he would prefer to be called a “soldier’s general” rather than a “general’s general”. I’d like to think so as well. A manager is only as good as the people under him. And ultimately, people do not leave companies – they leave managers.

I’m sad…

I‘m sad I’m leaving…

I’m sad I’m leaving “my” people behind…

How’s that for an emotional statement from an “unemotional man”?

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