Dear Children,
Reflecting on the question of who was the worst boss I ever had and how I dealt with them has taken me some time. Honestly, looking back, I can’t say I’ve had truly bad bosses. Each person who’s been in charge of me left me with valuable lessons, even if it wasn’t clear at the time.
One of my first jobs was on a food processing line at Pet Milk in Coldwater, making $2.78 an hour. The work was fast-paced; I had to pack tacos as they came down the line, and it was tough keeping up. My boss there was quite pushy, but in hindsight, he needed to be. The job required speed, and he was just trying to ensure everything ran smoothly. I learned the importance of keeping pace and the value of hard work there.
Then there was my time selling disability insurance door-to-door, mostly around Lima. My boss, Bill, was a decent man, but his ethics around the products we sold were questionable. He wasn’t overly concerned about whether our offerings were truly the best fit for our customers. Despite this, I gained invaluable sales experience and learned to approach conversations with confidence. Yet, after six months, I couldn’t continue selling a product I didn’t believe in. Bill wasn’t a terrible boss, but the situation wasn’t ideal. He showed me the importance of integrity in work.
My first boss at Crown Controls during the third shift introduced me to a different work culture. We often had more downtime and ended up playing Euchre for an hour after lunch or engaging in practical jokes. Although not overly focused on productivity, he protected us like his own, taking the blame to shield us from trouble. His leadership taught me about responsibility and the protective nature of leadership.
Through these experiences, I’ve come to understand that being a boss is a complex role, filled with its own challenges and pressures. It’s taught me to approach others with kindness and forgiveness. Being in charge doesn’t exempt anyone from making mistakes, and it’s a job I doubt I’d perform any better in their shoes.
If there’s a lesson in all of this, it’s to not judge our bosses or coworkers too harshly. Harsh judgments only foster negativity and make it difficult to work together. Life, like work, is complex and filled with challenges. Approach it with kindness, and let your memories of others be marked by grace. Remember, in our weaknesses, we find the strength Christ provides, guiding us to act with compassion and understanding.
With all my love,
Dad