I have been working for the same company for 30 years.
I have never been able to break through the glass ceiling into any kind of management.
Oh, I've tried.
Many times.
But to no avail.
I was always passed by the person who was a little more educated, a little younger, a little something better than me.
And now I found myself at 60, consigned to the same job I've been doing for the last ten years, and probably will be for the next five as well, or until I retire.
And then two unexpected things happened: Our facility manager and our shop supervisor both left the company.
The facility manager position was filled immediately.
His name was Peter Wood, and like his name, he was a prick.
Nobody liked him because he was a my-way-or-the-highway kind of guy. However, the last boss was so ineffectual, Peter's strong will stood as a stark contrast to the previous boss's "don't make waves" style. In actuality, we needed a prick to set things right again.
One day Peter came walking past on one of his "inspections" and he paused in front of me.
He stood, looking at me.
"Morning," I said, mostly just trying to be courteous.
He continued looking at me, folding one arm across his chest, the other arm's hand under his chin as if thought.
"The is an open supervisor position. I have not yet seen your name."
"I've been shot down 4 times. I see no reason to make it 5.
"I believe myself to be a good judge of character. Humor me this one more time. You needn't apply, just tell me you're willing."
I looked at him, wondering what his angle was.
"As you wish," I replied.
He smiled an odd little smile.
"That's the idea," he said, walking away.
Two weeks later I found myself in his office, for an interview.
"I have no need for you to recite your qualifications; I can see people already look to you for answers.
Why were you turned down before?"