As Halloween approached, the entire team was buzzing with excitement, getting ready for the long-anticipated company Halloween party. The decorations were up, costumes were being chosen, and the atmosphere was charged with a festive spirit. Everyone, that is, except for Vince Ducut, Director of Operations.
Vince, in his role as the Director of Operations, found himself facing an unconventional and unexpected dilemma as Halloween drew near. While his colleagues were eagerly planning their costumes and looking forward to a night of revelry, Vince had a series of scheduled coaching sessions with the blue-collar community. It was a classic case of “Ghosting the Halloween Event,” and it seemed like he was about to miss out on the Halloween celebrations.
After a demanding and hectic month, Vince was acutely aware of the importance of work-life balance. He had always been the one reminding the team about the significance of participating in company events, whether they were big or small. And now, it seemed as though he was about to be a hypocrite by not participating in one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year.
We noticed Vince’s apparent indifference to the Halloween party and began to tease him about it. They playfully suggested that he needed a break just as much as anyone else and that even leaders should embrace a little fun now and then. Vince brushed off their comments with a casual, “I’ll join, no worries.”
But as the minutes ticked away, and the event drew closer, one of our team members approached him with a more serious tone. She reminded him of his own advice about participation and work-life balance and asked, “You’re not ready?”
That was the moment when Vince realized he couldn’t simply remain on the sidelines. He reached into his bag and pulled out a white cloth and a pair of sunglasses. With a grin, he donned the sunglasses and draped the white cloth over himself, transforming into an impromptu, albeit unconventional, Halloween ghost.
Vince made his way to the event room, introducing himself as Vin Vin, the cousin of Jun Jun. He made sure to demonstrate that he was a team player and was willing to make time for both work and play. He went back and forth between the coaching sessions and the party, ensuring his support to the team on multiple occasions. He even attended the award ceremony to cheer on the winners. When the event finally concluded, he returned to his desk.
Vince may have had work obligations, but he wasn’t about to miss out on the party. With his makeshift ghost costume, he floated his way into the celebration, proving that even a dedicated professional like him could find a way to balance work and play on Halloween.
As you enjoy your Halloween festivities, remember that sometimes, even the most dedicated among us need to take a break and embrace the spirit of the season.
“Happy Halloween from your Blueshirt Family: Uniting in Spookiness, Anytime, Anywhere, and Anyhow!”
