They Fired the Old Janitor… Then Discovered He Was the Company’s Founder

For almost 15 years, Harold Mason walked through the doors of the building called Masonridge Tower before other employees.

He wore the same dark uniform, and used the same leather toolbox that he used years back. He was invisible to everybody and only a few knew that he wasn’t just any other cleaner.

Harold always believed that personality defines character and not the title.

One night, his manager, Derek Vaughn, marched into the executive floor where Harold worked. Vaughn shouted that he was too slow and that he failed his duties.

Derek Vaughn was also under pressure as the company prepared for an important board meeting. Instead of apologizing and admitting that he was too slow, Derek changed the blame on the old cleaner.

“Your services are terminated”, Harold was surprised as he stopped pushing the cleaning trolley. Vaughn told him that the firm needed young and energetic people and that he was very lucky to work there till he did.

A few employees around them paused to listen to the conversation. Harold only looked at Vaughn and walked off to the elevator with his toolbox in tow.

Derek looked on, relieved that he was finally rid of the old man.

Vaughn never knew that Harold had been a silent observer of all the secrets that the company covered over the years.

Harold knew who were the trustworthy people and who were corrupt managers. The old cleaner also knew the history of the company better than anybody else that worked there.

Harold had helped to lay the foundation of the company years ago and he knew that he was one of the best people fit to run the business.

However, he had crossed paths with the board and had resigned to become a cleaner so that he could watch them from the shadows.

As Harold approached the elevator, the doors opened to reveal Ethan Mason, the young CEO of the company. The young man looked at his old colleague with wide eyes in disbelief.

Nobody knew that Harold had any intention of leaving. Harold looked at Vaughn who was growing pale with fear

“Your manager fired you”, he said, still looking at Ethan. The young CEO looked at Derek, surprised. “You fired Harold?” Derek Vaughn tried to explain that the old cleaner was too slow for the job

but Ethan turned to him and asked if he told him why. “He said people like me should be happy to work here”, answered Harold.

The atmosphere in the room grew tense as Ethan’s expression turned to that of anger and disappointment. He turned to look at Derek and asked if he knew who Harold was.

Derek burst into a fit of laughter believing that the young CEO was out of his mind.

Ethan told him that Harold Mason was one of the co-founders of the company. Years ago, Harold had helped to build the company from the ground up.

However, he had sold his shares to the young executives and had disappeared from the scene.

Derek’s smile faded away as he looked at a smiling Harold.

Ethan handed him a file and told him that the board had been waiting for him. Harold took the file from the young man and stared at Derek. The poor manager was petrified as he realized the truth.

Harold asked Ethan if he had brought the financial reports with him.

Ethan nodded in affirmation.

Harold opened the file and started going through the financial records. He was angry to discover that some managers had siphoned off company funds through shell companies.

Harold looked up and met Derek’s fearful gaze.

“You said I was too slow”,

Derek nodded, still petrified.

Harold continued, “maybe you were right about one thing”.

He closed the file and replied, “I spent years spying on all of you before I knew exactly what to do”.

Derek wished the ground would swallow him alive.

Ethan asked what Harold intended to do with this information.

Instead of answering, Harold told Ethan to call an emergency board meeting and not to tell them anything that he was about to say.

Derek suddenly realized that there was a bigger problem than he was prepared to deal with. The old cleaner was about to take down the entire board of directors.

That night, Harold left the building, toolbox in tow. He smiled to himself as he walked away knowing that he was about to make history.

The next day, executives lined up outside the board room to attend the morning meeting. When they walked in, they were surprised to see an old

man presiding over the table. Some of the executives knew who he was, while others had heard stories regarding the eccentric co-founder of the company.

Derek stood outside the door, ashen faced and petrified. Harold looked around the boardroom and greeted the executives.

“I have spent years spying on you and I think it is time you knew the truth”, he said.

Harold placed the file on the table and opened it. Everybody in the room stared at the financial records in disbelief.

However, the young co-founder’s expression changed as he turned his gaze on Derek.

“Before we continue”, Harold opened another file and a look of disbelief spread across Derek’s face.

The file contained a signed document with Derek’s name on it

Harold looked up and told the board of directors that he believed that one of them had betrayed them.

Derek wished the floor would swallow him as he looked at the old man.

Lesson

Never assume the value of a person based on their occupation, race, sex, or age. Derek thought Harold was unfit to occupy any position in the company. However, little did he know that the old cleaner had once been one of the best men that the company had. Always treat people equally and respectfully, regardless of their status in life. You never know what each person possesses and what they can offer to your organization.