Positive Minds | Positive Stories | Edition 011

A good boss teaches us what to do. A bad boss teaches us what not to do. A good boss leads by example, in all situations. A bad boss leads by his title, in all situations. We learn from both. Both can change our career for good or for bad. It depends on which boss we choose to follow the lead.

In my professional life, I have had the immense privilege and great opportunity to have met and worked with great leaders; who are warm, smart, values-driven and passionate about their work. My first boss was among these great leaders. He has been and remains a role model to me.

“What could I do to show my gratitude to someone who has been everything to me: a boss, a mentor, a coach, a trainer, a friend, a counsellor; all at the same time”, I asked myself .

After careful consideration, I decided to send him a letter of gratitude as my season’s greetings for 2018. I invite you to read it.

A letter of gratitude to a friend and mentor

Today, I reflected on my personal and professional journey. I realized how privileged I have been in life because of some amazing people God has put on my path. You are one of those people.

Having the opportunity and privilege to meet you in the early days of my career was a blessing. Working with you has been a lifetime opportunity. Your strong work ethic and your commitment to justice, fairness, accountability and transparency are unmatched.

I am extremely grateful to you for so many things that I could write an entire novel about them. Let me mention just three of them.

First, in 1993, you bet on a 24-year-old young man with no experience based on a handwritten CV, a half-page covering letter and his academics records. Why did you bet on him? I couldn't say. Very early on, you taught me values such as integrity, transparency, accountability, professionalism, modesty; values that serve as a compass for me today. I still remember your very simple and yet so powerful definition the role of development workers, using a metaphor. Back in 1993, here is what you said to me:

“Imagine that the community we support was a tree. It is the tree's responsibility to extract from the soil the nutrients and water it needs to grow. Our role as development workers is to empower the tree to accelerate this process by making it more effective, efficient and sustainable.”

Second, in January 1999, I was about to leave my job at Plan International to join the UNHCR in Rwanda. You asked me about my motivation. “I want to have experience in operations management ,” I said. “What if you can have the same experience here with Plan International. Would you still leave?" you asked me. After our conversation, I changed my mind and decided to stay. I sent my resignation letter to UNHCR before even starting the job. A few months later, in April 1999, you appointed me as Operations Support Manager, in charge finances, HR, admin, IT. This position was my career launchpad.

Third, in 2010, when the position of Regional Director, West and Central Africa at Plan International become vacant; you find the right words to convince me to apply. I didn’t want to because I felt it was too big a shoe for me to wear. “I don’t know anyone who can do this job better than you,” you said. With hesitation, I applied the closing date of the applications. I got the job.

To my big surprise (or should I say to my dismay), you applied to the position of Country Director I left to be Regional Director. I recused myself from the recruitment panel. You got the job. Against my will, I become your line manager. Three years later, in 2013, you retired. In your farewell letter, you said this: "One of my greatest pride in life has been to retire under the supervision of someone I recruited nearly 20 years ago”. And with a lot of humour, you added: "I have an eye for talent". With this statement, you have taught many of us the true meaning of humility.

As the new year begins, I feel compelled to express my profound gratitude to you because

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” ─ William Arthur Ward.

Happy New Year to you. I wish you a long and enjoyable retirement!

May God bless you!

Coul