WanSaiful.com

It is easy to say “Trust others”. But I believe it is important to know who you can trust. Not everybody is trustworthy.

Let me tell you why.

Not long ago, I was chair of a committee whose members I assume are all trust-worthy. I did not see any reasons to not trust anyone.

But that was until I received written evidence showing how two members of the committee have been plotting to remove those who saw them as friends. I myself don’t have a problem to step down. I have been putting in place a succession plan since December. And other members are keen to step down too as long as succession is done properly.

But it soon transpired that the very person I named to replace me cannot wait another six weeks before taking over. He wanted it done now. And he actively plotted with another member to force through a quick and immediate change.

The evidence I received, which I immediately presented to the whole committee, contains discussions of the points that could be used as “weapons” to force an immediate reshuffle. The plan was, the two of them would continue raising “issues” and one will back the other.

As I said, I have no problem with a quick succession. In fact, I would have preferred a quick succession too. But I have serious problems with the method being used.

If you cannot wait (less than six weeks left) to be in charge, at least be man enough to speak up. Don’t be cowards who only plot behind the scene. In an environment where people operate on trust, these two people betrayed the trust by plotting behind the backs of others. If you make a mistake, they don’t correct you. They use mistakes as “weapons” for back-stabbing.

What made it worse was that when we convened a meeting to discuss the issue, there was not even any sign of embarrassment!!! Not wanting to pursue things further, out of the seven people in the meeting, four people including myself decided to resign immediately (one was asked to stay). Two said they did not want to look for other options. The two plotters were, of course, adamant to hang on.

And that, people, is why I believe you must choose carefully whom to trust. There are people who are two-faced. There are people who will stab you in the back. There are people who, while unashamedly putting on a religious mask, are simply devious.

(I won’t bother you with info about how they put a spin on what happened. The way they create a way to put halos on their heads after that meeting was classic!)

I learnt two main lessons.

First, as I have already said, before you decide whom to trust, think carefully.

Second, if you want to be evil, put on a religious mask. It is the best disguise ever.

Filed under: Personal, Politics