Frank Firing

The receptionist had a message for me: My boss, Frank, wanted to meet at the coffee shop downstairs. It was the year 2000 and I had only been working at his agency for a few months. He was in the process of renovating the studio, so for the present, there was no place to have a conversation without the entire staff overhearing.

Frank was sitting at a back table holding a coffee he had barely sipped. I could see by his clenched jaw and red, slightly bulging eyes that something was wrong. He asked me if I wanted a coffee––in hindsight, I suppose that gesture was more out of habit than courtesy––but I declined. I was so nervous that I had bungled a client account, so I got right to the point: What’s wrong?

It was then that he fired me, telling me I wasn’t a “fit” for the agency. I did something neither of us expected: I broke down crying. I had left a secure and comfortable position at a renowned organization to pursue higher commissions at his little rinky-dink agency. I had jumped from the frying pan into the fire and felt humiliated.

I remembered this frank firing today when I fired my mom’s home health aide.

Although the aide was professional in tending to my mother's healthcare needs, I heard my mother making small talk, but the aide said little in reply. Then the aide’s cell phone rang and I heard her carry on an animated conversation in front of my mother. When she hung up, the aide fell back into silence and sat watching the TV. My mother had just come home from a 2-month hospital stay. But the aide made no suggestions or offers: Is there some small household chore I can do for you? Would you like some lotion on your legs? Etc.

Now I know what Frank was talking about when he said I wasn’t a fit. Moreover, I understand why his eyes were red and his jaw was clenched that day. Frank was paying me to help him build his dream (that is, nurture the growth of his agency). I am paying this health aide to help me build my dream (that is, nurture the improvement my mother’s wellbeing). Although this is business, both are very personal pursuits complete with emotional investments and financial sacrifices.

In running a small business and a household––heart is needed. And that’s a fit no résumé details can capture.