A farewell speech I will never forget!

A farewell speech I will never forget!

He was a very successful top executive in a large corporation. More than forty years with the company! I was among the guests at his retirement celebration, listening attentively to the many speakers’ farewell words.

The board delivered one of the usual tributes, and our executive truly deserved it. He had sacrificed himself for the company for years, was an excellent leader and had given everything to his job. To me, he had always been a role model.

Then, finally, it was his turn. For the very first time, I saw this seasoned executive unsure of himself. His voice trembled noticeably as he tried to find the right farewell words.

He had saved the high point of his speech for the end. Crying, he turned to his wife and now adult daughter Sabrina—a fictional name—who looked back at him with tears in their eyes, and said:

“From tomorrow, I will always be at home and there just for you, even if it may now be too late! I ask your forgiveness, especially yours, my dear Sabrina, for always putting work first. Today you are grown up, and sadly I cannot undo the fact that, looking back, I spent far too little time watching you grow up!”

That was the moment when I inwardly decided to end my corporate career. A game-changing moment!

Which game-changing moments have altered your professional path? Share them in the comments.