Moving On

Friday, April 05, 2024

Yesterday, our store manager told me she would transfer away in a month and start managing a Colorado store. That nudged me into recalling a recent nuance that made me wonder if she was considering a transfer. Regardless, her leaving is a reality and a bit of a blow.

She’s a very good manager. She’s active in the store, knows what’s going on, can make decisions, and can also learn. One of her best qualities is her ability to connect with all staff. That’s evident in our shared sense that she grasps and supports our individual efforts and potential.

She’s also been lucky in this store, having inherited capable second-line managers, long experienced in retail, who connect well with front-line staff and provide dependable leadership. I asked one of those managers what we’d do if a new manager should prove incapable of a leadership role. She nodded, “We’ve been there–have inherited bad managers, and we have learned to pull together even more closely as a team. Despite any odds, our shared, focused, and high sense of teamwork and togetherness will keep us achieving capably and effectively.”

From my perspective, after a lifetime of having many managers, although still learning, she’s potentially one of the best. It’s little wonder she’s supported, becoming transferred and more challenged. She will continue to build a fine career, and I appreciate having worked with and known her.

Dear Friends: We learn to roll with constant changes by looking ahead anew. Diana