Moriah had poured her entire career into a single company from the moment she graduated from university. Her position as a management trainee marked the beginning of a promising journey where she swiftly advanced, earning respect and recognition for her outstanding contributions.
For decades, Moriah was the backbone behind numerous successful campaigns. Her work ethic and dedication were unmatched, making her a valued member of the company.
However, everything changed when the company welcomed a new employee engagement manager, Mr. Drew. His goal was to bolster work-life balance through innovative programs, necessitating one-on-one meetings with employees.
When Moriah entered Mr. Drew’s office, she extended her hand with a warm smile, “Hello, Mr. Drew, I’m Moriah, Senior Manager for Customer Experience.”
Mr. Drew responded abruptly, “Hi, let’s skip the pleasantries. Please, sit.” This unexpected welcome struck Moriah as rude, but she let it pass, attributing it to a long day of interviews.
The interview soon took a turn when Mr. Drew questioned, “You’ve been here for 35 years? That’s more than half my age. How old are you?”
Moriah, maintaining her composure, replied, “Sixty, but still young at heart, thanks to my dynamic team.”
Mr. Drew’s reaction wasn’t one of warmth but surprise, “Sixty? Shouldn’t you be retired?”
Feeling underestimated, Moriah challenged him, “Is there a problem with my leadership, Mr. Drew?”
Mr. Drew, without hesitation, remarked, “At your age, shouldn’t your role be held by someone who resonates with our younger consumers?”
Moriah, her patience waning, decided not to entertain his comments further. Feeling frustrated, she gathered her courage and declared, “You tell the bosses I quit. Let everyone know.”
With her dignity intact, Moriah exited to collect her belongings amidst questioning peers.
“Head to Mr. Drew for answers,” was her only reply as she stepped into the elevator, leaving it all behind.
For the following weeks, Moriah cherished moments with her grandchildren, yet a part of her longed for the fulfilling work environment she had left.
One day, the company’s CEO called with surprising news. “Moriah, I’ve learned the real reason behind your resignation. Why didn’t you report Mr. Drew’s behavior?”
“I was simply tired of the conflict,” Moriah admitted.
The CEO expressed his preference, “Frankly, we want you back. The company thrives on your excellence, not his presence.”
Moriah hesitated, “I can’t return with Mr. Drew still there.”
“You’ve been promoted to managing partner. From now on, you oversee such decisions. We don’t need him anyway,” he assured.
Returning to the company, Moriah swiftly identified cost-cutting opportunities, proving several positions, including Mr. Drew’s, redundant. Under Moriah’s leadership, morale improved, and old grievances vanished with Mr. Drew’s departure.
Through resilience and integrity, Moriah reclaimed her rightful place, proving that experience and dedication triumph over fleeting judgments. Her story inspires others facing similar crossroads to believe in their worth and capabilities, regardless of age.
Moriah’s experience reminds everyone that with courage and steadfastness, they can overcome challenges and rise to their full potential. Share this story to inspire belief in the strength of character and experience.
