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About the AuthorThe Heritage Factor
The owner of the company had put together a great financial empire. He had wisely guided his enterprises to the highest peaks of success. He combined business savvy, hard work and patience to accomplish his dreams.
He was known by his employees as “Mr. B.” He was admired and respected by them all. Mr. B had two very trusted assistants. They were co-vice-presidents in their early 30’s.
Dalton Dyers, one of the V.P’s had recently made a major blunder in judgment that had cost the company some big bucks. Dalton feared for his job, dreading to face Mr. B. But Monday morning Mr. B walked briskly into Dalton’s office. “Dalton,” he said, “about that recent incident, let’s just let that be a lesson to us and move on. It’s not the end of the world, you know?” Mr. B reached out to shake Dalton’s hand. As he left, he said only, “Carry on!”
About four months later, the other V.P. made a costly mistake. What was going on? Both top aides, to the owner, had dropped the ball within a few months. Dyers had been forgiven and life went on as before.
Mr. B called his other V.P. into his office. “Shut the door,” he said after which he proceeded to give his V.P. Joel Biggs a royal dressing down. The room was full of intensity. Poor Joel hung his head. Mr. B raged on and on. “I guess you know, I will be docking your pay to cover this loss. And you will have one less week of vacation this year. Now get your act together and get back to work!”
Joel dejectedly headed out the door making his way down the long hall to his office. Then he turned back, humbly entering Mr. B’s office again.
“Just one question,” he said, “When Dalton’s mistake cost the company even more than mine did, you were patient and forgiving with him and you didn’t even dock his pay. Why?”
Mr. B leaned back in his huge leather executive chair, took his glasses off and answered, “Because he did not have me for a Dad for 31 years. I expected so much more from you because you are my son!”
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