‘Hey, You’re Fired, Old Man,’ Manager Tells Janitor, Not Knowing He’ll Be Her Boss the Next Day – Story of the Day
Nia, a hardworking woman, received a promotion to general manager at a large fashion outlet. Though she had been dedicated and ambitious in her rise, her newfound power turned her into an aggressive, impatient boss. She imposed strict rules, set unrealistic goals, and harshly punished employees for minor mistakes, leading to high stress and resentment.
One day, Nia fired a saleswoman, Maya, for falling asleep during her shift, and then harshly reprimanded Victor, an elderly janitor, who tried to offer suggestions. Nia’s actions caused the staff to grow fearful of her leadership. However, after a visit from Mr. Gordon, the store’s owner, Nia learned the shocking truth: Victor was not just a janitor but the co-owner of the business. Victor had saved Mr. Gordon’s life years ago, and in return, he was given part ownership of the company.
Mr. Gordon was furious with Nia for firing Victor and demanded she apologize. Nia, realizing her mistakes, visited Victor to make amends. Victor, kind-hearted and forgiving, shared valuable insights with Nia about leadership and how treating employees well leads to success. Nia took his advice, apologized to the staff, and worked to create a supportive environment.
As a result, employee morale improved, sales soared, and Nia’s leadership style shifted from strict control to mutual respect. Five years later, Nia was promoted to CEO, while Victor continued working as the janitor, content in his role.
