That just ain't cool

What will you be remembered by?

They say that first impressions are important. To me, it is the integrity that you hold from the time you start to the time that you finish.

Be it in your career, in a meeting or even in a brief encounter with someone that you do not think you will ever meet again.

I have watched, listened to and experienced what it is like to be treated lesser than others. There are times when I just want to give up on people and stop trying to believe that there is always good intent.

Sometimes people can be so rash.

A superintendent once told me that I needed to be more confident. Years later, I was reminded to be the same by another boss. Years after that, I was told by my manager to be more assertive.

These stick. People need to realise that criticism stick. No matter how true they think that their thoughts might be, it hurts and it sticks.

Mine were relayed to me much gentler than others. I think I have got it good. It pains me to see and hear the lows that people experience because their leaders lack the skill, knowledge and tact to uplift their team members to where they believe they should be or have the potential to be. Instead they bash them down and make them feel so much lesser than they are.

A part of me is already trying to justify why people behave the way that they do. That they are overall very good people. It is just that they are caught up in whatever situation they are caught up in and that you have witnessed them at their worst.

But is that fair? When is it okay to take your frustrations out on others and direct it personally at people. Whatever happened to working with integrity. And respect?

Am I expected to then accept it for what it is? That the world prefers tall, skinny, beautiful people that they can admire. And those that do not fit have to work extra hard to just get by?

I feel bitter but at the same time, I do not want my own personal reflections to become a burden on others. Or to not work with integrity. It is not right on my part to bitch and moan about others either.

This is a mishmash of what I have observed as of late and I needed an avenue to blah,

I know and believe that this will only make us stronger. That we know what to do and what not to do when placed in leadership positions. It allows us to empathise and not make anyone feel like they have to justify or sell themselves.