š² A driver splashed me with mud at a pedestrian crossing, and a few hours later he was in my office: I was the one who had to interview him for a high-level position, and here is what I did.
One morning, on my way to work, I was standing at a pedestrian crossing when a black car sped past me, splashing me with mud.
My clothes, my bag, and even my face were soaked. I was stunned. At first, I thought he hadnāt seen me in time and couldnāt stop.
The car stopped a little further ahead, then turned around. I thought he might apologize. However, he didnāt even get out of the vehicle. He rolled down the window, looked me up and down with a smile, and shouted: āWhy are you blocking the road? Red light or not, Iām in a hurry!ā
Then he sped off again, splashing me a second time. I was shocked by such arrogance.
Later that day, when I was already at the office, the secretary told me that a candidateās file was on my desk. When I opened it, I saw the same face. It was the man who had splashed me that morning. A highly qualified professional with an excellent profile.
When he entered, he looked confident⦠until he saw me. Realizing I was the person interviewing him for a $200,000 position, he froze.
I asked him to sit down, pretending not to recognize him⦠and here is what I did.
The full text is in the article in the first comment ššš.
I let him sit, then placed his file in front of him.
āYour profile is excellent,ā I said calmly, ābut this position requires absolute exemplary behavior. This morning, you demonstrated the opposite.ā
I then laid out much stricter conditions:
A contract with an immediate termination clause for any disrespectful behavior, without compensation.
A temporary demotion with a salary cut in half for one year.
Mandatory participation in an intensive ethics and stress management training program, with monthly public evaluations in front of the team.
And most importantly, a required field assignment where he would work directly with the public for six months, to truly understand the impact of his actions.
As I detailed these requirements, his confidence collapsed.
He pressed his lips together, then shook his head.
āThis is not acceptable,ā he muttered before refusing.
As he left the office, he finally understood: his arrogance that morning had cost him far more than just a splash of mud.










