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BUSINESS-

MAN ' S BLUES

A Lesson in Integrity, Professionalism

and Earned Respect

n one of the companies He will take on multiple
I work with, there is a orders without complaining.
man whom I look up He is occasionally confronted
I to for three attributes with frustrating orders and
that I have always aspired to contradictory
instructions,
achieve in my professional life, but he somehow always
they are: integrity, professiona- manages to find his way
lism and earned respect. I am through this confusion with- that he walks into a room
sure you are wondering: who is out asking for clarification or with over twenty people in it,
this man and what does he do expressing frustration. moves around silently, making
for that company? eye contact with each person
For executives who work on or coming close by from the
His name is not relevant to the two top floors, none of right-hand side and with a
the story, but his job is. His them has ever had to shout at minimum of words, he takes
official role is "Messenger", him, admonish him, or express everyone's orders and deli-
but the role entails, in addition anything other than full satis- vers them without disrupting
to collecting "things" from one faction with his service. As far the meeting or even making
office and delivering them to as anyone can recall, he has his presence felt. While he is
other offices throughout the been with the company for doing all of this, he will deli-
building, the primary task of twenty-five years. No one has ver slips of notes from PAs
making tea and coffee, etc., ever complained about him, to their bosses, take pieces of
to staff and guests on the two and just as importantly, he paper and make copies, collect
executive floors. has never complained about printouts from photocopiers
anyone. and hand them to the persons
So, how can a man who basical- in question; all done in almost
ly performs a relatively simple For executives and visitors, total silence.
task with limited responsibility occasional and frequent, you
demonstrate so much integrity; only need to tell him your pre- If all of the above does not
professionalism and earn res- ference for drinks once: coffee, demonstrate these three qua-
pect at the same time? I am black with one sugar; tea with lities of integrity, profession-
glad you asked me this ques- milk and no sugar; green tea alism and earned respect, I
tion! with honey and so on. Once he don't know what does! Hand
hears it from you for the first on heart; would you say your
He is largely silent; only time, it stays in his memory last twenty-five years could
speaks when necessary. He lis- bank forever, even if you visit be described in the same way
tens to you intently, answers only every two years! I am one as my friend and hero above?
your questions fully without of the difficult ones who some- Personally, I would not.
elaboration or embellishment. times asks for coffee with milk
His face has a hint of a smile and sugar and sometimes for I have always said: when I
without breaking into a big Darjeeling tea without milk grow up, if I grow up, I would
and insincere grin. He never, or sugar. He knows just from like to be like him. I am
ever over-steps his bounda- the look on my face which serious!
ries or becomes too familiar of the two I have in mind!
with you. The most remarkable thing Mufid Sukkar
about this amazing man is

4 Businessman's Blues