Then I Accidentally Hit The DELETE Key

It was 2:30 in the morning. I was a young engineer. Eager and excited. I was leading a team of engineers starting up a huge addition to a Paper Mill. I was on my way to great things!

I was leading the night shift team, and every night I needed to update progress reports so that we would have accurate reporting to turn over to the morning shift when they arrived.

Then I accidentally hit the DELETE key.

Poof. Gone. Just like that. In an instant. But here’s the thing. I didn’t simply DELETE my progress report. I had just suddenly, accidentally, inadvertently, with one keystroke, deleted EVERYTHING on Mr. B’s computer!  My CLIENT’S computer!

It was that night that I began drinking coffee! It was awful, scorched, stale third shift coffee but I drank almost an entire pot of that stuff waiting for Mr. B to arrive in his office at 8AM. 

Just like clockwork, Mr. B entered the building. He was surprised to see his office light on.  I told him that I had something I needed to tell him and that it wasn’t good. He sat down in his swivel chair. He was silent. I was petrified! 

I didn’t waste any time. I needed to get this over with as fast as I could. I was shaking from nervousness and from all that coffee. I quickly explained to Mr. B. that I had accidentally hit the DELETE key on his computer and that all of his files were gone. I suggested that everything was likely backed up on the corporate mainframe so it was probably just a matter of someone in the IT department reinstating everything.

He replied, “No, I’ve been meaning to get someone to show me how to back up everything, but I haven’t done it yet.”

Oh no! This bad situation just got much worse in a hurry! Literally EVERYTHING on his computer was now history. And I figured I was going to be history too!

My career was over. It had to be. 

Mr. B was extremely smart, experienced and respected. He was in his early 60’s (which at the time I thought was ancient) and had been in leadership positions for many, many years. He was an accomplished engineer and U.S. military veteran. I was in my 20’s and had only recently been given my first opportunity to lead a small team.

I began apologizing profusely. He waved me off. 

Mr. B. simply and calmly said, “Sally, I didn’t need all that stuff anyway.” 

That was the last response I expected after delivering that awful news. He didn’t scream or yell. He didn’t chastise me or make me feel like a total idiot. I wasn’t fired and my career didn’t end that day. 

We simply got back to work starting up the paper mill. And Mr. B. became a wonderful mentor to me - teaching me about paper making and capital projects. To my knowledge, he never even told anyone else that I DELETED everything on his computer.

In addition to becoming a mentor, Mr. B. became a hero to me that day. I was so grateful for his reaction, no, his response. I already had tremendous respect for Mr. B. And in that moment, by respect soared. I was sure I had witnessed the response, of a true leader! 

The kindness, understanding and grace Mr. B. extended to me that day was incredible. And I’ve never forgotten it or forgotten him. 

Right now we’re living through a time of tremendous uncertainty. As your team members, clients, subcontractors and suppliers emerge from this, they’re going to be changed. They will have experienced many emotions and tangible challenges while working remotely and being isolated.

Some will have been gripped by fear of the unknown, some will have experienced devastating financial loss, increased health issues and even lost loved ones, while others will be grieving missed celebrations such as graduations of their children and grandchildren (I certainly am!!). Others will just be trying to hold it all together because of crushing family and relationship issues. 

We can't stick our head in the sand and interact with people as if everyone is the same now as they were before this crisis happened. They aren’t the same. You aren’t the same. 

The way we listen, the way we authentically connect and interact with each person on our immediate, and extended team, and the way we respond as a leader in the upcoming weeks and months is crucial. 

What kindness, understanding and grace will you extend?

It will never be forgotten.