BUSINESS AND LIFE: A Tribute to Mr. F.O.C Symes

In the last four weeks, we examined the concepts of the learning organisation and career resilient employees; we thank all our readers and those who have commented directly or via email.  We welcome your comments and suggestions and assure you that we will address them in due course.

We will, in later issues, provide company and individual profiles, explore challenges and strategies for small business and economic growth.

In last week’s issue, we indicated that we would begin our series on “Delivering Red Carpet Service”, however this week I pay tribute to Mr. F O C Symes, for giving me “Wings to fly”.

When I joined the Civil Service at 23, after having graduated from the University of the West Indies, armed with my first degree, young, eager, confident I could conquer the world and as Sonia Akpa always said “a breath of fresh air”, I was fortunate to have as my boss, Mr. Ossie Symes.  When a senior officer complained that I was changing things he told her, “the child is young and bright, let her be.” Another senior civil servant refused to attend a Performance Appraisal Training I was conducting on the basis that I was too young and consequently could teach him nothing.  He later called Mr. Symes to ask that I come to explain the new performance appraisal system to him privately Mr. Symes refused and informed him of the next training date.

When the secretary assigned to the Administrative Reform Program, while still on probation and after I had written a glowing recommendation for her appointment, refused to perform a critical task, I went to Mr. Symes and asked for the authority to say to the young lady that if she did not comply, she can consider that she has fired herself, he gave it.  These are just three excerpts of my journey with Mr. Symes. Do you understand now why I give thanks to Mr. Symes for giving me “wings to fly”?

Mr. Symes established the boundaries and gave me the freedom to operate within them.  I never underestimated, took for granted or abused the opportunity provided by Mr. Symes to allow me to find and define myself.  It engendered a deep sense of responsibility, respect and trust and I knew I could do nothing to bring dishonour to Mr. Symes and thereby give anyone the chance to say, “I told you so! I knew this would happen!”  This, together with the fact that I knew that Mr. Symes stood up for me and as the Americans say “had my back” gave me a high level of confidence and heightened my deep sense of self.  Mr. Symes’ door was always open and I would go to him for advice, bounce ideas off him and he was always patient and made the time to explain things and gave me his opinion freely and objectively.

I learnt so much from Mr. Symes.  He was unassuming, pleasant, respectful and never lorded his authority, yet there was no mistaking that he was the Chief Personnel Officer, the boss!  Mr. Symes would greet us each day with a cheery good morning or good afternoon.  He was well-liked and well-loved by the staff of the Establishment Department.

I am so glad that I have not waited until Mr. Symes’ death to say thank you to him.  I have told him that several times and I am so blessed that about two weeks ago, when I went to visit Mr. Symes at the hospital, I again thanked him for giving me “wings to fly”.  He told me I had told him before.  I told him I knew, however I wanted to say thank you again and that I mention his name often whenever I speak of people who have impacted my life positively.  He was pleased that I had not forgotten. I told him I did not and would never forget.  He was and is an important part of my foundation, one of the cornerstones of my success.

There is a lesson here for us all, and something I also say often; we must not wait until people die to give them their flowers; to speak about all the good they have done.  It is good for their families to hear those good words to comfort them, however, it is better for them to hear those words while alive.

Today, think of all the people who have influenced your life positively and tell them thank you.  Call, write a letter, send an email, visit or use any other means of communication available to you.  Let us give them their flowers when they can smell and appreciate their beauty.

Mr. F O C Symes, you have fought a good fight. You ran the race to the end.

Thank You and May the Angels Come to Meet You.

Rest In Peace.