Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Executive Assistants Advance

I found a tale told by a fellow Secretary and thought that such a triumph should be made public. It is a happy day in Secretary land :-)

How We Brought Down a Bigwig Egohead
This is a story I want to tell, but I have to be very careful the way I identify people and places. So... this is a TRUE story, but the setting will be quite unbelievable. It's the only way.I was working as a Receptionist for a rather large Marshmallow company. It was a very important Marshmallow company, which was owned by a parent Lolly Company, "Lolly Industries" that ruled the whole Lolly World. (Lolly = Candy).One day I answered the phone with the usual "Good Morning Marvellous Marshmallows, how may I help you?"."Jeff Cane" was barked at me down the phone."Sorry?" (Jeff Cane was our CEO)"JEFF CANE" was screamed down the phone to me.I was confused. Who was this person? I just couldn't put him through, so using all my collective receptionist skills I politely responded."Yes Sir. May I ask who's calling please?" I replied"I AM JACK FROST. I WANT TO SPEAK TO JEFF CANE NOW"Well, I have never been spoken to that way in my life. I had no idea who JACK FROST was, and was disgusted by the person's attitude. I went to see if the CEO or his assistant was there, and neither were. I went back to the phone."I'm sorry sir, Mr Cane is not in his office, can I leave a message? May I ask where are you from?""I AM JACK FROST. PUT JEFF CANE ON THE PHONE ******NOW****". I cannot begin to describe how loud and rude that voice was.I put him on hold and threw the handset against the wall, I was so angry. My offsider returned at this point and saw what I did, and asked what was going on, so I told her. She picked up the phone and VERY authoritively said.... "Hello? Mr Frost? May I ask who you are and where you are from?".He obviously picked up on the different voice and said quite politely, "I am Jack Frost. I am the Head of Lolly Industries. I would like to speak to Jeff Cane".Well, my offsider went OFF at him. And I mean OFF. "Well, there was no need to be so rude to my receptionist" (despite the fact she was one herself). "She didn't know who you were, and you have now upset her, and that has made me angry. Obviously not everyone knows who you are, and there is no need to yell at someone for just doing her job".Well, he backed down. He backed right down, stuttered and offered a meek apology, left a message and hung up.The story doesn't end there.About 1 hour later, an associate at Lolly Industries called shocked and laughing at the same time. She'd heard about the incident, it had gone around the head office like wildfire. No one, and I mean, NO ONE had ever challenged this man. He was an ogre, the worst possible person with the world's biggest ego and attitude, was hugely fat and scary, and no one could argue with him. My offsider had made him grovel an apology! Unheard of, she was a hero!The CEO of our organisation heard about it and talked to us, and was amazed as Jack Frost was notorious in the industry and not to be argued with.A week later, having finally lost respect in the organisation after everyone found out he'd been beaten by a mere receptionist, he resigned.And the Lolly World was a far far happier place :)

8 comments:

Keshi said...

Neat job! :)

**the worst possible person with the world's biggest ego and attitude, was hugely fat and scary, and no one could argue with him.

Egoes can dominate ppl but won't last too long...cos there's always a person who will put that ego right where it belongs :)

Keshi.

Trée said...

Great story Terry. And to think it's true makes it all the better. Thank you so much for so many kind words you've been leaving for me. They are very much appreciated my friend. :-)

tsduff said...

Keshi, "Egoes can dominate ppl but won't last too long...cos there's always a person who will put that ego right where it belongs :)"

It's always so cool when the underdog finally gets to win.

Always nice to see your pretty flower in the comments :-) Thanks.

tsduff said...

Tree - it's really enjoyable browsing around at your place. I like the warmth and cheer I find there.

Keshi said...

**It's always so cool when the underdog finally gets to win.


not only cool, it's also rewarding to all :)

Keshi.

Agnes said...

She's my hero to. Well done! Sometimes we have to call people out on their bad behavior. (oh man, there's a traffic cop out there with my name and that very thought! Rats!)
Regardless, no one with an attitude like that has the right to be associated with something as wonderful as candy. That's just wrong.

Thanks for stopping by today Terry. You brightened my dreary day. :)

Autumn Storm said...

Nice story - can't help but enjoy someone that rude for no reason getting their comeuppance.

won tong said...

clap clap clap and a standing ovation.. how dare ya cock a snoot...WITH ME!