THE SMILING PA AND THE JOB APPLICANTS

Mark Price, former MD of Waitrose, shares his workplace fables – true stories from the business front line that can teach us lessons about career success

It was the day of the big interview for the most sought-after job in the company. One by one, the candidates trooped into the office building.

They were all met by the managing director’s Smiling PA, who was waiting in reception to take them to the boardroom for their interview. The Smiling PA asked each of them the same questions. “Where have you come from?”, “How was the journey?”, “Have you had a holiday this year?”

And finally, on arriving at the board anteroom, the Smiling PA asked if they would like a hot drink while they waited.

After the applicants had all been interviewed, the managing director called the Smiling PA to the boardroom. “I am thinking of offering the job to so and so,” she said. “What do you think?”

“Not for me,” replied the Smiling PA with a firm shake of her head. “When I asked him a question, he could barely be bothered to look at me, or answer. The only thing he asked me was whether you were in a good mood. And he didn’t say please or thank you when I got him a drink.”

“Thank you,” said the managing director. She then went on to offer the job to someone who had engaged professionally with the Smiling PA.

Moral of the tale: Everybody matters.

Mark Price is author of Workplace Fables: 147 True Life

Stories (£10.99, Stour Publishing). To order your copy for £8.99 plus p&p, call 0844 871 1514 or visit books. telegraph.co.uk. Share your Workplace Fables and learn more about Mark’s mission to improve workplace happiness at engaging.works/ideas