A Passage That Have A Critical Impact On Character Development

Passages are defined as intense experiences that have a critical impact on character development (Johnson, 2012). One of my earliest passages was my first job at a movie theater when I was 15 years old. I sold tickets in the box office and encountered many situations where ethics were in question. During my training, one of the older girls who had been working there for a few years and was highly trusted showed me that if a customer forgets their change just set it to the side instead of in the cash drawer, that way if they come back for it, it’s readily available but if they don’t by the end of the night “you can just slip it into your pocket”. Being rather naïve at the time, I accepted this as “normal and acceptable”.
Although, I quickly

In my naiveté, I thought maybe he would call me back once he calmed down and saw things clearly. Of course, that didn’t happen and I eventually moved on. My next job was run completely different by the management and I excelled in it. I still look back at that experience with fond memories because it was like a family that taught me how to be a better worker and team player instead of being constantly on guard like my first job. The general manager had a presence that commanded respect, he never yelled or screamed but he was friendly without being overly playful either. People did what they were supposed to whether he was present or not, although, they did it exceptionally better when he

These men often joked and behaved in lewd ways with the girls. I was the youngest staff member and the experience was truly eye opening. When I reflect on it now, I’m horrified yet I can see how it shaped my ideals of business behavior and fairness. My management style is fair yet uncompromising. I hold people accountable and I am consistent. I’m a stickler for rules and they apply to everyone, even myself. I avoid situations where my personal choices might interfere such as hiring friends or family. Once, I disqualified my family from entering a contest that I knew my relationship as a board member could have influence over even though there were no specific rules against it. I just did not believe that it would be fair or right. I teach my children that people treat you the way you let them. As for my daughters, I tell them to never allow a man to speak in a disrespectful manner to you, go to HR if you have to but let him know that you don’t stand for that. Looking back at that first job, I now see it was a hotbed of lawsuits waiting to happen but most of all, it was poorly managed from the top