'Bye, Lesley

2004 ended with a global jolt, and for me, the new year ushered in an unwelcome personal jolt---the news that my manager Lesley would be leaving Element K. I am sitting here wishing that I could say my good-byes in person, but since I can’t, this space will have to do. You all are probably thinking, why would someone be upset about losing their boss? Bosses—like in-laws—aren’t supposed to be likable. They are, after all, one of the top things that people hate about their jobs.

But Lesley never fit the boss stereotype. (Being called "boss" was one of her pet peeves). Almost from my first day at Element K, she became my mentor and role model. I wanted to be like her when I grew up. (Never mind that I’m older than she is!) I loved working with her, because I constantly learned from her. I was fascinated by her amazing energy, her cheerfulness, down-to-earth approachability, and her ability, in a classroom, to make even the mundane seem interesting. To make sure that we always recognized the positive around us, she made it a requirement that every staff meeting begin with “glimmers and shines” (or "shimmers and glimes," as we re-christened them), an acknowledgement of the small things that were going well but which usually go unnoticed. She reminded us frequently to assume good intentions in others. But mostly, she made it easy for me to do my job. She gave me equal parts freedom and support. She never monitored me, rarely reprimanded me (ok, maybe once or twice, when I really deserved it!) and never intimidated me. Yet she got more work out of me than anyone else ever has. She did it with inspiration and appreciation, rather than intimidation. After my move to India, our weekly conference calls ("Ask Lesley" sessions, as I called them) became my lifeline to a world that, separated by 9 time zones and 9,000 miles, it was easy to feel disconnected from.

So, dear Lesley, know that you will be greatly missed, on both sides of the world.

I'm not even going to tell you good luck, because I don't think you'll need it. And yes, I am happy for you, as you begin this new adventure in your life.

But for me, I’m just plain miserable. :o(

Comments

[Lesley]

Ok Basia-you made me cry! First because of your much too kind words, second because I'm going to miss you a TON (and our weekly chats are going to cost us in phone bills!), and third because now there will now be world-wide recognition of that huge and unfortunate zit on my face the last week you were here-it had it's own zip code for god's sake!!!! you had to take pictures???
However-you have no idea how grateful I am that this wasn't in polish (as many of you know when Basia gets really mad she spouts off in Polish!)Now-for the sake of your blog readers-put some of those beautiful pictures of your adventures on your blog!!!!! (i'm still your agent you know!!!!)

Lesley