I worked for this French dude years ago who called me into his office and told me I had to “tone down” my “New Yawk” accent.
I was a tad offended.
Not because of what he said.
Or how he said it but . . .
Who was saying it.
This guy was guilty of butchering the ever loving crap out of the English language for as long as I knew him so I told him.
He didn’t dig it!
He then became indignant and reminded me that he could speak two languages.
He asked me if I was bilingual.
In my most sarcastic tone, I told him no that I wasn’t bilingual and I was straight and into women only.
And around and around we went until I said something really offensive to him.
I told him that I had a hard time accepting direction from someone who didn’t know how to say the “F” curse properly.
Note: When he would get mad at us sales folk he would refer to us as the “Funken Sales Team” Pardon my French
Then he would wonder why we’d laugh at him during a moment that should have been completely inappropriate. I mean if you are going to yell at a group of people and use the “F” word, you don’t want them laughing at you unless you’re Chris Rock.
Needless to say, I didn’t make “Employee of The Month” and we parted ways soon after.
Sometimes people will try to change you
Give you unsolicited advice
Offer you some “coaching”
They might think they have your best interests in mind but sometimes . . .
They really don’t and in some cases, the only reason why they’re offering you this “coaching” is to keep you on the defensive long enough . . .
So you don’t see all THEIR blemishes!
So . . .
Be yourself and be comfortable with that awesome person!
Rumor has it . . . its the only one you get!
Oh, and now that I had my macho moment telling you how I set some misguided butcher of the “F Bomb” straight . . . I will tell you that I selectively left out the part where I was quite hurt and actually second guessed “Paul Castain”
Don’t ever do that!
Today you are cordially invited to be YOU!
And if others don’t like it or like you . . .
Well I guess they can all just Funk off 🙂
Your turn . . . Do you think people can see through us when we’re trying to be someone other than ourselves?
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Amen Paul! I’ve found this is a LOT easier to do now that I’m, let’s say a bit long in the tooth, but it’s still a valuable reminder for all of us. I may not be everyone’s cup of tea (or shot of vodka as the case may be) but I’m not interested in becoming something I’m not just to make someone else happy. That’s just being false and it will show through in the end. Not to mention generally make you absolutely miserable in the process. Been there done that – but never again.
A perfect read on a Monday morning before the prospecting starts! Uncle Paul indeed! 🙂 Thanks bro! 🙂