The Pieces of Us That Assemble Themselves

Feeling Like a Much More Earth-Grounded Fledgling

Is it possible to be simultaneously entertained and challenged by a work relationship?

For seven years at Kroger in Cincinnati, the audit manager I worked for - a Minnesotan - beguiled me with his wry, clever way of presenting a point - and launching projects.

Tom thrived in the corporate world, and I was his fledgling, flapping about in a very highly constructed environment I would later recognize as not a career path for me. Every project - business or personal-professional - had its introduction as ours.

The consummate professional auditor, Tom was the person I learned the most from in my early business days, though from time to time I thought one of us might kill the other. His insight into corporate management, auditing, manufacturing and retailing was both broad and deep. A challenging relationship that was unyielding, growth oriented and, admittedly fun, a concoction I’d never before experienced. He challenged me to go back to school, and to always look for ways to strengthen …