Murphy applied for a fermentation operator post at a famous Irish brewery based in Dublin. A fellow from London, Charles was his name, applied for the same job.
Since both applicants had similar qualifications, they were asked to take a test by the Manager.
When the results were in, both men had correctly answered 19 out of 20 questions.
The manager called Murphy in and said, “Thank you for applying for the job, but we’ve decided to give the Charles the job.”
Murphy “And why would you be doing that? We both got 19 questions correct. This being Ireland and me being Irish surely I should get the job instead of a Brit’ like Charles.”
The manager said, “We have made our decision not on where you were from, and not even based on the questions you answered correctly. We made the decision based on the way you each answered the question you got wrong.”
Murphy, “And just how would one incorrect answer be better than another?”
Manager, “On question number 20 Charles wrote down, ‘I don’t know.’
You wrote, ‘Neither do I’.”
This story was shared with me by dear friend, Tom Cantrell… I believe it can serve as a wonderful reminder that each and every day in each and every interaction of our lives we are being tested. Not in the formal sense, but in the informal test of daily integrity… we have the opportunity to step and do a full days work or sit back and do the minimum. We can be strictly honest and take ownership for our results…or we can spin the facts, make excuses and attempt to pass the blame along to someone else.
So let’s recommit ourselves right here and right now…that when someone in our lives says… “I don’t lie, steal, cheat, or compromise my integrity for anyone or anything”… we can join them by saying…. “Neither do I” . And our response won’t get us fired…it will get hired…again, and again, and again.
Kirk out
