Many years ago, I was in career trouble and financial trouble. And then, I was offered a good job. Soon after that, I was promoted over the heads of several more senior people to take on a truly exciting assignment. My new job was to become the corporate liaison for a network of independent computer dealers over three states. I was told to get to know the operation of every dealer intimately and get to know all of their major clients. I was to become an integral part of their daily operations. This fit my personal "win-win" business philosophy to a T.
A few weeks later, my boss called me in for a conference. He told me that the company had been planning to do away with their dealer network and my job now was to "salvage" as much of that dealer business for the company as possible. They had apparently decided that I would do a better job of that if I didn't know what was coming next. My boss told me that if I succeeded in "converting" most of those dealer networks, I would be a wealthy man in a couple of years. The numbers backed him up.
My first thought was pure white rage. How dare these Ivy League educated yuppies set me up this way? Did they really expect me to betray all of those independent dealers who were going to be financially ruined? Did they really think I would stoop that low just because I was in career and financial trouble?
My second thought was extreme mistrust, almost paranoia. If senior management would betray their incredibly loyal and highly profitable dealer network this way could I seriously expect them to give me any more consideration? As soon as I completed the "conversion" of the accounts, the smell of the deal would probably be handled best by blaming me for the deception and making a show of firing me as a "bad apple."
I thought about it over the weekend. They only benefit to me was that I would make a lot of money for a few months, maybe even a year before the axe fell. Serious money. But, it wasn't worth it. The following Monday morning I went in early and laid my resignation letter on my bosses desk along with the shredded remains of my highly coveted no limit business credit card and any-time, anywhere, any class, any airline travel card. They tried to talk me out of it. But the trust was gone.
They followed a scorched earth policy after my resignation. I never really worked in the corporate world again. I was ruined. The next ten years were incredibly tough. I pretty well lost everything. But, I never doubted my decision. I already knew too many "successful" people that drove high priced European cars, wore designer suits and ties, and would do literally anything to keep the money flowing. Some of them even called themselves Christians. But, they were nothing but empty suits. Their word meant nothing and their souls were barren. After the fourth or fifth scotch, their real character often came out and it wasn't a pretty sight. Some were miserable. Some were vicious. Some were just pitiful. Some were lecherous. Almost all were lost souls. I watched the "progress" of many of the guys I worked with over the years. It seemed that once they crossed that invisible line of compromise they were never the same again. I might have been ruined in the business world but there was still something real in my soul.
Last week, Chik Fil A senior management crossed that line that I refused to cross so long ago. They betrayed their dealer/franchisee base and betrayed their customers. I have no pity for the people who made these decisions. But, I have great compassion for the employees and franchisees who may now face the terrible choice that I did, financial and career ruin or absolute moral compromise. I can only pray that they make the right decision.
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