When you retire from a company you should let go, correct? Let bygones be bygones, right? Well, when you have dedicated 15 years of your life to protect the valuable assets of a utility and you have had measurable success in doing so, you hope that those left to continue this goal would be professionals and appreciative what has been achieved so far and strive to make it even better.
One of the most cherished tokens of appreciation was the farewell, retirement congratulations card I received from the President and CEO who indicated that he would miss me very much. I was really taken back by this generous gesture. Far more than bonuses, or farewell lunches, this expression of emotion will be cherished.
A close second was the farewell by colleagues of mine from other utilities across Canada and the national Association that represents them. You know you have made a difference when you chat with these colleagues after retirement. What is not appreciated though is the back-stabbing blame game that goes on by those who are self absorbed with themselves and childish.
I will not go into detail regarding all the crap I have heard from a number of professional utility colleagues across Canada that my tenure is being blamed for all that is wrong in the department I lead as seen through the myopic lens of a few. I had an inkling of what was likely going to happen even before I actually retired given what I witnessed myself at the last all staff meeting I attended. Funny how things turn out just the way you had predicted.
You see, I gave a one year's notice of my intent to retire and declined three requests to stay on. It is my opinion that it was very unfortunate that my former utility could not lure the one person, the most qualified person, the best person away from a western utility.
Retirement has been grand and I am reminded each and every day that my decision to retire was the correct one. I know that the vast majority of friends and colleagues wish me well as I do them. However, as in life, there are always a select few "rats" that travel the twisted "blame game" path. To them my parting words are, "look in the mirror because the root of the problem is looking right back at ya".
