It was her dream job. She’d wanted it for as long as she could remember. But the job wasn’t offered and finally the woman agreed to work for another firm. Then, less than a week before she was to start, the first company — the one where she’d always wanted to work — did offer her that dream job.
For this woman it was a dilemma because her integrity was as remarkable as her ability. And she had made a commitment. It wasn’t on paper, but what did legalities have to do with obligation?
It was painful, but her decision was obvious. She rejected the ideal position in order to keep her word. That occurred twenty-two years ago. Today, she says it was the best decision she’s ever made. The job she kept turned out to be terrific, her colleagues, wonderful. She can’t imagine that the job of her dreams could have been as rewarding.
As for the other company, it was acquired in a merger two years later and eventually was moved to another state.
Doing the right thing for the right reason may be harder in the short run. Yet living with the consequences usually is easier in the long run. Bad decisions rarely produce good results.
We are the choices we have made
MERYL STREEP
