Thursday, April 27, 2006

Make up of a Manger

This morning I got to work to find a card sitting on my desk.  I looked at the handwriting, really I was attempting to determine if the handwriting matched that of the article left earlier, but it was different.
I put my stuff down and opened the envelope.  It was a beautiful card with a personal note from my former Manager.  Not my direct manager, but two managers above.  I read the note and teared up a little (I’ve been out late two nights in a row, I’m a little tired which makes me easily emotional.)
I made up an excuse to go and see some of my other new teammates, they sit on a different part of the floor.  I wanted to see if they too received messages from our former manager.  They did.  I immediately thought, “that is what makes a good manager.” It didn’t cheapen the card for me, knowing she gave one to everyone else, it made me appreciate her even more. 
I realized that this type of action is what makes a regular manager a good manager, the human touch.  The fact that she took time out of her schedule to write personal notes to 15 or so people shows that she cares about what’s happened, shows that she appreciates us in a way that email would never do.  That is the way my new manager acts as well.  He always has time to listen, never rushes you (unless he doesn’t have a choice) and cares.  I’m glad that I am getting exposed to people with such values.