Last week we honored two employees who are celebrating their 30th anniversary working for HSI Sensing/Hermetic Switch.  One of them told me an endearing story about how she got her start with us.

The employee came for a job interview for a production job.  At that time my grandmother was the one that did all the hiring.  The conversation went well, and then my grandmother noticed the potential employee was left handed.  Her response was “oh, you’re left handed.  That’s too bad because the position we are hiring for needs a right handed person.”

(The position that was being hired for was a sealing position and the way the equipment functions, it is much easier for right handed people.  Left handed people have been successful, but it is a struggle.  We have lots of other jobs fit for left handed people, so don’t worry.)

Here’s where the story gets good.  My grandmother then went on to say “hang on a second.  Let me see if I can find a spot for you.”  She made a few calls within the plant and found a position that would be a better fit and hired this particular potential employee.  Now 30 years later, she is still here, doing incredible work.

Great intuition Grandma!  I’m so glad she made those extra calls.

The absolute best part is how the telling of this story ended.  The employee said, “I will never forget what your grandmother did for me.  I am so grateful that she put in that extra effort and gave me a chance.”

I can only hope that during my career I will create some similar experiences for employees.  I can only hope that there are people that will tell my children, grandchildren and future company leadership how I made a difference for them.   That’s a true leadership goal!