The Story about the Oranges

The Story of the Oranges – Some time ago, I was at a seminar in the USA and listened to a talk by a well-known American speaker who told an interesting story about the secret to advancing in one’s career.

The story was about a young college graduate named John, who wanted to work for a well-known company in Riverside, California. He had always been fascinated by this company.

After applying and performing well in the interview, he got the job. His goal was to leave a good impression after his onboarding period and aim for the next step on the career ladder. He wanted to become a department head.

Therefore, John always completed his tasks on time and to his supervisors’ satisfaction. Motivated, he started his days a little earlier than his boss and finished a little later. Finally, the opportunity arose. After three years, a department head position was posted.

The Opportunity as Department Head

John applied, feeling confident that he would get the position. But to his great disappointment, he learned that he was not considered. An employee who had only been with the company for 10 months got the job. After his initial disappointment subsided, he approached his boss and asked for a meeting.

His boss asked him what the meeting was about. John responded, "I wonder why you didn’t give me the position. I’ve been hardworking, reliable, and have always put in extra hours over the past few years."

The boss said to John, “Before I answer your question, I have a request for you.” John asked how he could help. The boss said, “Could you please go to the small supermarket across the street and buy some oranges for me? My wife asked me to bring them home, and since I have a long meeting later, I’m not sure if I’ll have time to get them.” John replied, “That’s no problem, I’ll go right away.”

Going the Extra Mile

When John returned shortly afterward, his boss asked, “Which kind did you buy?” John replied, “Oranges, just like you asked.” He added, “I did exactly as you instructed. Here’s the bag with the oranges.”

Then the boss asked, “How much did they cost?” John answered, “I’m not exactly sure. You gave me $30, and they cost $20.30. Here’s the receipt, and the change is correct; you can count it.” The boss responded, “Thank you.”

“Now, please take a seat,” the boss said to John. “I still owe you an answer.” To John’s surprise, he called in the employee who had received the promotion and asked him, “Would you please go to the small supermarket across the street and buy some oranges for me? My wife asked me to bring them home, and since I have a long meeting later, I’m not sure if I’ll have time to get them.” The employee agreed and went to the store. The boss asked John to bring him back when the colleague returned.

Different Oranges

When the new department head returned, the boss first called John into the office and then asked, “Which kind did you buy?” The new department head replied, “Well, it wasn’t easy because the supermarket specializes in different kinds of oranges. They had many varieties, including blood oranges, blond oranges, navel oranges, bitter oranges, four-season oranges, and more.

At first, I didn’t know which to buy, but then I remembered you said your wife needed them. I called your secretary, explained the situation, and asked her to connect me with your wife. Luckily, she was at home. She told me that she needed the oranges for a party to make cocktails.

I then asked the seller which kind would be best for that purpose. He recommended navel oranges because of their sweetness and juiciness. I also took the liberty of dropping them off at your house since it was just around the corner. Your wife was very pleased.

Passion and Excellence

“How much did they cost?” the boss asked. “Well, that was a bit tricky too. I wasn’t sure how many to buy, so I asked your wife how many guests she was expecting. She said twenty-five. I then asked the seller how many oranges would be needed to make enough juice for twenty-five people. It was quite a few.

I negotiated a better price, and instead of paying 85 cents per orange, I only paid 70 cents. Also, I asked the seller to add a small piece of ginger, which was recommended on a display in the store for making cocktails. The ginger adds a fine touch and makes the juice even tastier and healthier. Here’s the change and the receipt.”

The boss smiled and said, “Thank you. You can go.” He looked over at John, who had observed everything. John said, “I understand what you mean.”

The story of the oranges is a great metaphor illustrating the different levels of engagement and thoughtfulness employees put into their work. It’s not just about completing tasks but doing them with passion and excellence. Simply put, going the extra mile is what moves those forward who are willing to do so.

Author:

Matthias Hettl is known as an international management consultant. He trains and coaches board members, executives, and leaders. He has also held a professorship in management and has extensive leadership expertise. He has experience as a supervisory board member, CEO, and internationally as a consultant for the United Nations. As a renowned management and leadership expert, he is a sought-after speaker.

For more information visit: Hettl Consult