"Taking a Break"

“Taking a Break”
(Thursday, February 11, 2010)

Yesterday was a historic day - my last mediation until I recover from the bone marrow transplant. I was certified as a circuit civil mediator in 1991. It took a number of years to “build up” my practice until I was able to mediate full time. In 1994, I started keeping count of the number of mediations I conducted. When we finished yesterday’s mediation, the total number of cases mediated since 1994 equals 6,217. (That’s a lot of conflict.)

It has been a “family business” in every sense of the word. Diane, Lucy and Sheila worked with me in the early years (and did a terrific job – thank you!) but for the last several years, it has been Patra, Jenny and Emily serving as receptionist, bookkeeper, coordinator, accounts receivable, accounts payable, custodian, etc.

Prior to coming to work with me, Jenny was the operations manager of a Tampa store of a national retailer. She was the “career woman” and moving up the corporate ladder, but in 2005, she and David were blessed with Andrew. Suddenly her priorities changed. I offered her a deal she couldn’t refuse. Come to work for me and I will pay you substantially less money than you are making but I will recognize that this job is not the priority of your life. She accepted my offer (after all, I am a professor of negotiation) and it has worked out wonderfully for me. I have been true to my word – she has been drastically underpaid.

Jenny and Patra share the job. Jenny works in the morning, while Patra babysits - at noon they would switch jobs. And since the switch often occurred at the office, I would get to see Andrew (and now, Megan) almost every day at lunch. I love the fact that Andrew is so comfortable at the office. He will say hello (if he is not being shy) to my clients as he proceeds to the refrigerator and grabs a doughnut or snack.

Emily is in the final stages of obtaining her Ph.D. In the last several months, with the schedule of doctor visits and a new daughter for Jenny, Emily has come aboard and is helping out. What a great blessing. Austin now is just as comfortable as Andrew around the office.

As you can see, my staff is way overqualified.

I have never regretted my decision to become a mediator. I will miss it a great deal. Most importantly, as I have told the people I work with – I’m just “taking a break.” I’ll be back! I just need a little time to deal with these “nasty little diseases.”