Tag: Writing

A Positronic Christmas

December 16, 2024

For almost five years I was with Positronic Industries.  Starting as a buyer, before the first anniversary a promotion to purchasing supervisor came through. One of my favorite things about that job was the feeling of the company being a family. Not all the employees felt that way, though.

One of my favorite things was the annual Christmas party. A Hawaiian luau, a western theme, and Silver Dollar City were some of the themes and venues that we were invited to with one special person in our lives. Many of my friends from that time are no longer there.

The reason that I enjoyed working for them was the people that I worked with and for. I would have liked to have retired from that position, but the crash of 2008 meant that many of us were laid off during 2009 and following. I have learned much from that experience.

One thing is not to take anything for granted. I continued my career with two other companies after that time. I retired as a purchasing manager. My ministry continued with each of these companies. Now I hope I can share some other things I’ve learned over my fifty years in business.

Managers and supervisors often believe that their job is to tell those that report to them what they need to do. A better way is to work with the team that you lead and utilize everyone’s talents and expertise to be better at what you are tasked to do. My experience has been that ideas and concepts flow from each employee in varied ways.

I worked for one boss that seemed to be constantly in fear that others would be deemed more suitable for their position. Instead of openly utilizing each person and their abilities, they dismissed valid ideas and changes in procedures. After a few weeks these same concepts were introduced as the manager’s brainchild. By this technic, they claimed these as their own.

I’ve seen this method utilized in church and community situations as well. I believe a lack of self-esteem is at the heart of this behavior. Refusing to give credit where it is due causes some to stop sharing their thoughts. Why contribute when someone else accepts the rewards?

Criticism for the sake of attacking others is one more common occurrence. I’ve seen this from employees to management and in the converse. If we do not feel that we are respected and appreciated, we may attack someone that we see as a threat to us. This does not promote a unified front.

Have you been on the receiving end of this type of abuse? Recognizing why it is taking place can contribute to eliminating this problem. It does not usually help to accuse the offender of this practice. I have left positions on more than one occasion when the owner or manager displayed objectional behaviors or a lack of confidence in me.

I’ve mentioned many negatives and would like to leave you with the qualities of the three best bosses I have had in my life. The owner at Dog ‘N Suds, my first job, recognized the value of each of his employees. If someone had difficulties with certain tasks, they were aided in those areas. He also recognized those who simply did not try to learn, and they were allowed to find other employment.

Tom saw something in me during our interview that made him offer me a sales position in an industry that I had no experience with. After a few months, he promoted me to a store manager, recommended me for a job under another manager, and for my first purchasing position. He saw what I could be and supported my growth.

I accepted another job for a man that I openly told his boss that I would be working to move into his role. I was honest and thought later that my words were ill chosen. I have always looked for improvement in myself and others. When I join a company or organization, I endeavor to work in any capacity that I can.

I enjoy a challenge and rarely shirk added responsibilities. Gary recognized this and trained me to take his place when he had an opportunity to advance. My retiring from the workforce as a purchasing manager was a direct result of his tutelage.

Hard work, dedication to expanding your horizons, and helping others advance is what a supervisor, manager, or owner should do. I could give you more personal examples of others that have exhibited these qualities to me over the years. Take a few moments and think of others that showed you qualities that you have gained in your life.

Christmas is a time of sharing and remembrance. People have made you who you are. Some by their positive actions, while others impacted us to be different from them. I hope that I am one of the former and not the latter. Merry Christmas to you all.

©Copyright 2024 by Charles Kensinger

Are you a reader?

July 5, 2022

For those who know me personally, you are aware that I am an avid reader. My Goodreads account shows the number of books I have read for five years. I joined that online group in 2017 and read ten books. My goal was three volumes per month. I was working and failed to meet my goal. In 2018 I had no goal. In 2019 I set my goal at twelve. Because I retired in the spring, by the end of the year, I completed 26. I doubled that amount the next year for my goal and finished 76. Last year I set the amount I wanted to read at 100. I surpassed that number. This year my goal is again 100.

Next year I will set my sights on publishing my own books. I have five that I am currently writing. One is finished and has been published on Facebook in small sections. My goal is to complete a shorter volume to publish on Amazon followed by the first one which is my memoir. By this time next year, I hope to have at least four books on Amazon and other e-book sites. These will all be self-published.

I am not sure which ones will be ready. I have no problems with writer’s block. As I am working on a manuscript, if I have a block I jump to another idea. That explains the number in process.

Are you a writer? Or are you content with reading what others create? My desire to write began in junior high school. While my lifework changed from writing in college, I have maintained that desire to record thoughts and feelings. Much of what came from my pen was used in classes I have taught at church.

I was laid off during the downturn in 2009. As I looked for a new job, I discovered a new website called Examiner.com. They were looking for writers. I applied and began writing columns for them. After a few years, they went out of business. My desire to write had been energized. Some of those articles were the basis for Doulos, my memoir.

I created this website to replace that means of sharing my work. I want to continue with the process. My books are something I desire to contribute to the reading public. If you are not a reader but just a scanner, you may not consider what writers produce as worth investing in. For those of you who are writers or wish to share your own stories, some of the things I will be publishing will be techniques for improving your ability to pass on your knowledge, stories, and creations.

I enjoy a good story. Whether I am reading, writing, or sharing it. Subscribe to this page and you will be e-mailed as each new article is posted. Be watching for my premium content which will cost you a little. The annual subscription will increase as the content multiplies. This will enable you to watch as my books are written and prepared for publication. Thanks for your support.

©Copyright 2022 by Charles Kensinger